Comments on: How to Take Amazing Portraits in Sun Every Time

By: Brian Harte

Brian Harte — Fri, 27 May 2011 19:55:41 +0000

A nice brief introduction to using flash and getting to know your equipment.

By: Uresh Kuruhuri

Uresh Kuruhuri — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 04:20:49 +0000

@Pam,

Hi… your point makes sense as well. I often try with increasing or decreasing exposure to avoid reflecting light but to get the desired output..

I concur to your point as well.

By: Kids Hair Accessories

Kids Hair Accessories — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 03:52:11 +0000

Good pointers, will remember your flash pointers and hopefully my kids’ photos will turn out better! thanks

By: CB

CB — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 19:47:35 +0000

Good pointers, basic flash technique all should know!

To Pam, (above):
The whole point of this technique is to keep detail in the sky. If you do not like the flash in the glasses, Photoshop works wonders but even more simplisticly, use an off camera flash so the flash comes from a direction other than straight on (from the camera).

Also, pointing the flash head to 45 degrees does not solve the problem. If ANY part of the flash head can be seen by the subject, then some light is still going directly from the flash head, to the glasses (and back to the camera).

By: Tyson F. Gautreaux

Tyson F. Gautreaux — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:00:17 +0000

I was searching for digital photography when I found your site. Excellent post. Thank You.

By: Photographer

Photographer — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 23:40:38 +0000

Thanks for posting this, as I’m sure it will be useful to many people out there. The more you know and prepare yourself, the better off you’ll be.

By: Pam Rauber

Pam Rauber — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:28:44 +0000

Here is the only problem with the results. The flash shows in his glasses and my eyes were immediately drawn to the white spots.
Instead of using flash, how about increasing your exposure. The background may be blown out but the face will show up slightly. More so, if the hat is removed but then you have to deal with “hat hair”.
Here is an example http://www.flickr.com/photos/rauberphotoworks/4034089825/in/set-72157621223824327/
This was a bright sunny day and I just pointed right up to the face and kept increasing the exposure until I got this shot. To improve upon it, I changed to black and white. I came up with this idea because so many people are taking black and white these days. I learned to increase the exposure by reading the EXIF on photos posted on flickr.
All that aside, if you prefer using flash why not point the flash head at a 45 degree angle instead of straight into the face. The flash won’t show up in the glasses but still light up the face. I learned this in Charleston, SC watching professionals take photos of brides in the bright sun.

By: andrea scott

andrea scott — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:27:42 +0000

perfectly explained – I am forwarding this to a couple of friends that have just started with their dSLR’s – they will love this!