Shooting on the beach tips

[hokkaido88]

How do you shoot the model wearing bikini on the beach? Usually the background would be brighter than the model and as the sunrise, the flash though could help on filling the face but seems like not powerful enough.

Would you guys shoots before you feel very hot on the beach or use giant reflector instead of flash?

Or how many of use use CLS for the best result?

How do you normally shoot to get the best result(light setting and the camera setting etc)

 

[Rashkae]

Try joinging any of the many beach photoshoot outings and then you'll learn.

 

[hokkaido88]

Try joinging any of the many beach photoshoot outings and then you'll learn.

Had join to some beach photoshoot. They don't event use reflector and most of the photographers are still learning (rather than able to give sound advice). Perhaps I should join a more premium photoshoots or some well known organisers or any that you can recommend?

 

[Snoweagle]

How do you shoot the model wearing bikini on the beach? Usually the background would be brighter than the model and as the sunrise, the flash though could help on filling the face but seems like not powerful enough.

Would you guys shoots before you feel very hot on the beach or use giant reflector instead of flash?

Or how many of use use CLS for the best result?

How do you normally shoot to get the best result(light setting and the camera setting etc)

I've done numerous beach shoots and try not to place your subject under backlighting conditions as possible. Make use of the sunlight and if not possible, use a reflector. IMO using the reflector yields better results than a flash (unless u don't have a reflector).

 

[kqkhlj]

you can always do the shooting early in the morning or later in the evening when the sun is not that fierce.

 

[Rashkae]

Had join to some beach photoshoot. They don't event use reflector and most of the photographers are still learning (rather than able to give sound advice). Perhaps I should join a more premium photoshoots or some well known organisers or any that you can recommend?

Those must have been pretty bad photoshoots.

 

[vince123123]

IMO, using flash is better than reflector because reflector causes the model's eyes' to squint when it gets too glaring

 

[CaravanDuke]

Hmmm - I am still contemplating whether to get 2 double-sided car visors (silver & gold) and stick them side by side to make up for a DIY version of the reflector - wonder if it DOES work or not.....:embrass:

 

[bEnd1ck]

Had join to some beach photoshoot. They don't event use reflector and most of the photographers are still learning (rather than able to give sound advice). Perhaps I should join a more premium photoshoots or some well known organisers or any that you can recommend?

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=504928

Is this what you are looking for?

 

[sprintist]

IMO, using flash is better than reflector because reflector causes the model's eyes' to squint when it gets too glaring

ive read somewhere for better effect is to slightly shift the brightest reflected light just slightly above or away from the focus area of the subject, resulting in a not too glaring shot for both the photog n model. seen a youtube video on that too but have not tried it myself though.

then again, i dont shoot bikini :bsmilie:

 

[Astin]

Ya, reflector may or may not better than flash. But u can try this quick and easy way for the ok average result, I am sure there are other better method. Use the camera to meter without flash, then set to manual mode, then turn on the external flash and also set to manual flash mode, then reduce the flash power to 1/8 or 1/16, u should get some ok photos. An example as below (ISO 200, f8, 1/125s, flash I think power is 1/16 or 1/32)

 

[vince123123]

Would love to see the youtube video, but yes, in theory your suggestion appears okay. I would however add that to do that, you probably need a dedicated reflector holding personnel who knows how to use it properly (not just the average passerby) and in most CS shoots, this is hard to find.

ive read somewhere for better effect is to slightly shift the brightest reflected light just slightly above or away from the focus area of the subject, resulting in a not too glaring shot for both the photog n model. seen a youtube video on that too but have not tried it myself though.

then again, i dont shoot bikini :bsmilie:

 

[sprintist]

Would love to see the youtube video, but yes, in theory your suggestion appears okay. I would however add that to do that, you probably need a dedicated reflector holding personnel who knows how to use it properly (not just the average passerby) and in most CS shoots, this is hard to find.

ah yes agree with you :bsmilie: i'm not sure how i chanced upon the video but if the chance arises that i see it again i'll update here

 

[cutecdo]

Ya, reflector may or may not better than flash. But u can try this quick and easy way for the ok average result, I am sure there are other better method. Use the camera to meter without flash, then set to manual mode, then turn on the external flash and also set to manual flash mode, then reduce the flash power to 1/8 or 1/16, u should get some ok photos. An example as below (ISO 200, f8, 1/125s, flash I think power is 1/16 or 1/32)

The models in your shot are under-expose.

 

[hokkaido88]

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=504928

Is this what you are looking for?

Sort of.But the model to photographers ratio is quite high. Sometimes can't even get a shoot spot to shoot.

Astin, for the manual flash power, how do you place the flash? Is it a direct flash without any diffusser or 45 deg?

Another thing is, as long as the outdoor light is very bright(i.e after 10am at Clarke Quay), it's had to get a nice picture even with a pro camera.

 

[calebk]

The models in your shot are under-expose.

Looks to be of correct exposure. Compared to the background, yes the background is a fair bit brighter as this is a backlit situation, but to say that the subject is underexposed is not entirely true..

 

[hokkaido88]

maybe he use a laptop to view the image.

 

[chalib]

The models in your shot are under-expose.

Correct exposure viewed on my monitor. You need to calibrate yours

 

[Astin]

Sort of.But the model to photographers ratio is quite high. Sometimes can't even get a shoot spot to shoot.

Astin, for the manual flash power, how do you place the flash? Is it a direct flash without any diffusser or 45 deg?

Another thing is, as long as the outdoor light is very bright(i.e after 10am at Clarke Quay), it's had to get a nice picture even with a pro camera.

I think I attached a garyfong lightsphere and pointed directly to the models faces, cant really recall exactly, it was a bit chaotic at that time (too many photogs crowded to take a final shot, haha) so I may have taken off the lightsphere, but u will still get yr photo with a direct flash in this situation with this method.
As for exposure, the models faces exposure should be correct, the background (look at the sand and ppl on the beach) its probably 1 stop over exposed.
For yr last question, if the outdoor light is bright, just ask the model to go into the shape (in my photos the models were sitting under some trees u can see the shadows near the stone), then just use the flash to brighten the faces, review on yr camera lcd and reduce the flash power and retake until the face exposed correctly.

 

[superyes]

The models in your shot are under-expose.

Don't really find it's underexposed...... Problem with my monitor?? ;p