When and when not to add light to existing light

by Stanley LearyPhotography

Chelle enjoys the rainbow after all the rain the past couple days at Ocean Isle Beach, NC. [Nikon D5, Nikon 14-24mm ƒ/2.8, ISO 8000, ƒ/22, 1/100]

Sometimes, you must compose a photo in photography because God has taken care of the light for you. Here is an excellent example of my daughter at the beach last week. At the end of a full day of rain, we had a gorgeous rainbow pop up at sunset.

I quickly realized that my 24mm wasn’t getting the entire rainbow, so I reached into the camera bag and pulled out the Nikon 14-24mm ƒ/2.8 lens. With a 114º view, it was able to get the rainbow.

Next, I ran to the beach and started to take photos of just the rainbow.

Rainbow after the rain at Ocean Isle Beach, NC

While shooting this, my daughter walked into the frame. I quickly realized I needed her to come closer to the camera and put the rainbow behind her.

Chelle starting to walk towards me.

It was sprinkling so that you could see raindrops on my lens. But I was thrilled with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

I often have to use artificial light with the existing light to make the photo work.

Here is what I often do with photos where I must improve the conditions.

Leary family Family Photo at Ocean Isle Beach, NC. [Nikon D5, Sigma 24-105mm, ISO 100, ƒ/8, 1/250 – (2) Alienbees B1600s triggered with Pocketwizard TT5 & TT1]

Our family tradition at a family reunion is getting a photo of the family. I have been doing this photo for 30+ years.

Dorie took photos of me setting up the family photo on her phone. – photo by Dorie Griggs

Since it had been raining most of the day, we still had some cloud cover. Using the flashes, I could help get a better color since the flashes are daylight balanced, and the overcast sky would have dulled the colors.

A second benefit of using the flash is avoiding those raccoon eyes where the sun from above can create shadows around the eyes.

Joshua’s senior photo at Ocean Isle Beach, NC. [Nikon D5, Nikon 85mm ƒ/1.8G, ISO 100, ƒ/1.8, 1/6400 – Alienbees 1600 using the Pocketwizard TT5 & TT1]

While I had everything with me, I also took some photos of my nephew for his senior pictures. For these photos, I used my Nikon 85mm ƒ/1.8G so I could shoot wide open, get the really soft background, and make him pop out more.

Tips

  1. Use fill flash for exterior photos.
    1. At the beach, you might think you don’t need it, but it can improve the color and eliminate the raccoon eyes.
    2. Put the flash off the camera at 45º
  2. For group photos, shoot at ƒ/5.6 or ƒ/8 to be sure everyone is in focus.
  3. For individuals using a telephoto lens like my 85mm ƒ/1.8. Shoot wide open to get that silky out-of-focus background.
  4. Use a tripod for groups
    1. It helps keep the horizon straight
    2. If one person blinks, you can clone them from another frame. Sometimes you cannot get the best expressions of everyone in one frame, and having everything shot on a tripod makes it easier to cut and paste.
    3. If needed, you can use a slower shutter speed. However, be careful that people are still if you do.
Leary family Family Photo at Ocean Isle Beach, NC

Here is one of my favorites from the photoshoot of our family.