What setting should I use when a person is backlit?

[Soupermom]

I have a Canon 3SIS that I have loved for 3 years; I"m still learning with it though. My DD is now on the HS golf team and many times I am trying to take pictures with her backlit by the sun. Using a flash really isn't an option and moving around the course sometimes isn't either. Any suggestions? I'm haven't mastered manual mode yet, so setting suggestions would be helpful. TIA!

 

[YesDear]

I am not familiar with your camera but what you want to do is meter on your daughter. If you camera has a spot meter function that makes it easier. That will mean the background will blow out but she will be acceptable.

 

[wenrob]

I was going to suggest Spot Metering as well if you have it. Are you able to focus and recompose? Maybe you could point the camera at something darker (the grass maybe), hold the button halfway down and then point at your DD and press the shutter all the way. I'm thinking you might be able to fool the meter that way. I have no idea if that will work but it's an idea.

 

[alan]

This is a good place to use exposure compensation. It's normally a control qwith a +/- symbol on it.

Try a few shots, experimenting as you go. Maybe start off with +1 exposure compensation. This will make the cmaer take the pictuer one "stop" brighter than it thinks it should... so the sky will be too bright but the people won't be sillhouettes.

If the picture looks too bright, go down to +2/3 exposure compensation. If the people are still in silhouette, try +1 1/3, and so on.

Remember to set it back to 0 when you're done!

regards,
/alan

 

[Soupermom]

I do have spot/metoring. I'll give it a try! Thanks.

 

[mabas9395]

Actually, the Canon 3S IS does have spot metering when in P, Tv, Av or M modes.

Under the function menu, you can choose between Evaluative, Center Weighted or Spot metering.

 

[Groucho]

Why is flash not really an option? Because of the distance?

It's worth trying, you probably have a setting for fill flash. That is specifically for use with subjects with strong background light.

 

[YesDear]

Why is flash not really an option? Because of the distance?

It's worth trying, you probably have a setting for fill flash. That is specifically for use with subjects with strong background light.

I am assuming you do not play golf Groucho? You would be escorted off the course in about 2 seconds if you used a flash!

 

[Groucho]

I am assuming you do not play golf Groucho? You would be escorted off the course in about 2 seconds if you used a flash!

Guilty as charged - last time I played golf was probably with my grandfather when I was 5 or so.

The last thing I need is another expensive hobby!

 

[ukcatfan]

Yep, even if you don't get escorted off, you are sure going to make the player mad. If that player happens to be your kid, that is probably going to be an ugly situation! At a pro tournament, you will be escorted off the course if you even have a cell phone on you.

As for cost, golf can easily be more expensive than photography considering that a round at WDW can cost you well over $100. Add on top of that the "expendable" balls at $40+ per dozen, $1K sets of clubs, $400 drivers, and outrageous amounts for countless hours of lessons... Photography can be self taught. Golf... not so much!

 

[Groucho]

Yeah, when I read YesDear's response, it was more a matter of "oh yeah, duh"... I saw it was a high school sport and it didn't really occur to me that it might be different than other high school sports where parents are taking flash photos all the time.