In yesterday’s post, I talked about making “hyper-real” images by using light coming from unexpected directions.
Today, another reason to use artificial light in photos: because the available light is too contrasty.
Here’s a picture of a model last Sunday in available light in the forest. Horrible contrast: pretty girl and great model, but not a picture I would use:
A model in natural light, in the forest
No, that just will not do.
Instead, let’s use a strobe in a softbox, and a gridded light as hairlight. Now we get:
A model in outdoors studio light
You can easily see how much nicer that is. The soft strobe light overpowers the sun, and removes the harshness and the contrasty nature of the available light. It also allows me to decrease the exposure of the background.
So next time you see a photographer lugging light stands and batteries and cables and such, you know why.
Are regular speedlites powerful enough to overpower the sun in a situation like this? I have two 430EX’s I would be using.
Yes, sur thing. Regular flashes are strong enough. You may need to fire them directly, unmodified, or you may need more tan one, but no problem. It can be done.
Hello Michael,
Great 2nd photo of the model!
I have one question, this happen when photographing people with glasses, you can see reflection in the glass, this case you see the softbox.
Is there a way you can position the softbox that you don’t get the reflection but still the same effect?
Yup. Angle her face down. But in this case it’s there by design, adding to the supermodel look. Always watch out for it though!
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