Needed a graduated ND filter?
After seeing Scott's wonderful group shot, I thought I'd share my very amatuer attempt at a rather large group - 61, I think! Anyway, I wondered if a graduated ND filter would have done me some good here? The sun was getting pretty low in the sky, and I didn't want to lose the background, so all the people ended up pretty dark. I've brightened the shadows some, but it could still use some work. Would an ND filter be a valuable thing to have in my bag, for shots like this and otherwise?
Elaine
Elaine
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You can dramatically brighten the foreground while leaving the background alone.
Also, you have a definite blue cast in the foreground, as it was in shadow, which is lit by the blue of the sky. When you make curves for the foreground just use the neutral eyedropper on the pavement. It should be neutral, not blue, as it is.
Also, questions about shooting techinique are best posted in our Technique forum, and questions on processing in Finishing School.
Here's a quick stab at my suggestions above on your lo-rez image.
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Nah. You'd be just as well to bracket your exposures with a shot like that. You could even have reshot once everyone dispersed...and then blended it later.
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Elaine
Comments and constructive critique always welcome!
Elaine Heasley Photography
In reality, I think bracketing would have been the best option.
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Not perfect but you get the idea.
Hope ya didn't mind?
I have the FULL size version done if ya want it.
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So, I should have bracketed and then merged a couple shots together? I think with so many people, DavidTO's idea of taking one when everyone had left would have been smart...then I could have merged a people exposed one with a background exposed one, right?? Somehow, I've got to learn to think of these options in the moment. It was like herding cats to get this large of a group together and reasonably cooperate and stand still for a couple minutes while a couple camera ladies (me and my sister-in-law) set our timers, pushed the buttons, then ran to get ourselves into the shot...3 or 4 times. There is so much to think about!!!
Anyway, I learned something new here. Thanks!
Elaline
Comments and constructive critique always welcome!
Elaine Heasley Photography
Elaine
Comments and constructive critique always welcome!
Elaine Heasley Photography
Put the camera on a tripod set it up to bracket and use a remote release to make sure you don't move the camera. Take the shots of your assembled people exposed for the foreground. Then move everyone out of the way and take some shots of just the background exposed for the sky. Then layer the best people shot on top of the best sky shot. You can probably manage the layering with just a Blend If, but if not you can build a layer mask.
That said, I find that kind of work a bit risky because the Photoshop work gets more difficult if anything bumps the tripod between shots. I would probably take a few shots up front with a graduated ND filter just to have some in the can before I got tricky. But then, I have a set grad ND filters in my bag from my film days so maybe I am just showing my age here.
I don't mind at all! I think it looks great - thanks! I'm going to give it a go, but I may PM you for your version.
Elaine
Comments and constructive critique always welcome!
Elaine Heasley Photography