Beginner’s Photography Tip #8: Exposure

This is a big in-depth topic as it has so many variables. One change you can make is to be aware that the exposure will be difficult when photographing very light and very dark items at the same time. The large amount of contrast is difficult to record well.

That is why I prefer overcast days, big clouds over the sun in a bright sky, or working in complete shade.  If you can place your subject in the shade, so they can have their eyes open and not have a really bright sky or hot spot behind them, that will look much nicer than out in full sun with harsh shadows and squinty eyes.

I am also assuming that you are using automatic settings at this point.  In the future, we will cover more details on the settings of the camera and how to use them. I will also be having more advanced articles on exposure, metering, and histograms.

The type of scene to avoid for the beginner is like this image on the left.  Notice the reflection off of the metal roof, the bright spots on the grass and the very black horse head that has no detail?  Not the best place to photograph at four in the afternoon.  One remedy would be to go out at almost sunset or sunrise when the shadows are long and the light is softer.  We call that “sweet light.” Other solutions (that would be easier if it wasn’t a prey animal we were dealing with) would be a more evenly shaded area, adding reflection or extra lighting.

Go out and shoot!

With practice, these eight tips will become easier to do in your everyday photography.  Eventually, these steps will become practically automatic, and you won’t have to try to remember them.  You will start to look like a pro! Then you can move on to other techniques and acquire more skills.

If you liked this eight part series on “Everyday Images Made Extraordinary”, you will also enjoy my other success based products, articles, and training materials to help you elevate your photography, people and business skills. Check out the Barb Gordon Photo Coach Protege Clubs at http://barbgordonphotocoach.com/blog/the-protege-clubs

About Barb 

Barb Gordon, of www.BarbGordonPhotoCoach.com, is a Master Photographer, Photographic Craftsman, and Certified Professional Photographer with the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) to which she has belonged since 1984. She is a nationally published and award winning photographer, entrepreneur, speaker, and author including being published in the prestigious PPA Loan Collection 2006, PPA Showcase 2003, twice named Iowa’s Top Ten Photographer of the Year, and 2010 Iowa’s Master Photographer of the Year.  

When not working, she enjoys life on a new farm raising organic chickens, gardening, and playing with the horses, cats, and dogs.

Go out and shoot!

With practice, these eight tips will become easier to do in your everyday photography.  Eventually, these steps will become practically automatic, and you won’t have to try to remember them.  You will start to look like a pro! Then you can move on to other techniques and acquire more skills.

If you liked today’s Special Report on “Everyday Images Made Extraordinary”, you will also enjoy my other success based products, articles, and training materials to help you elevate your photography, people and business skills.

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