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A particularly playfull Patch ! As with the last one of patch that I uploaded, the fur is a little over exposed. Suggestions on improvement would be greatly appreciated ! Think I need to read the manual on metering modes?!!
| Brand: | Panasonic |
| Camera: | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 |
| Recording media: | JPEG (digital) |
| Date Taken: | 6 May 2012 - 3:52 PM |
| Focal Length: | 7.1mm |
| Lens Max Aperture: | f/2.8 |
| Aperture: | f/3.2 |
| Shutter Speed: | 1/500sec |
| Exposure Comp: | 0.0 |
| ISO: | 100 |
| Exposure Mode: | Manual |
| Metering Mode: | Spot |
| Flash: | Off, Did not fire |
| Title: | I Kill You! |
| Username: | 
woodlandlad |
| Uploaded: | 11 May 2012 - 6:39 PM |
| Tags: | Cat, Pets / captive animals, String |
| VS Mode Rating |
101 (100% won) These stats show the percentage of wins and the rating score that your photo has achieved. You can go to the VS Mode by clicking on this icon. Signup to e2Signup to e2 to see which photo this has won or lost against in the vs mode |
| Votes: | Voting Disabled |
 | Critique Wanted |
| Modifications Welcome (Upload a Modification) |
Comments
Hi Mike, white fur on a sunny day is always going to be a challenge, unfortunately the fur is bang smack in the middle of the frame and blown so there is detail left to recover. Spot metering on the fur would render the rest of the image dark, but as long as it's not to under exposed you will be able to recover the situation in Photoshop by lightening the shadows or using any other host of tools available. Another option would be to use the -EV function on the camera and try different values until you get the results you are looking for.
Trev
Thanks Trev. I'm beginning to think that under exposing is the way to go on a sunny day with my camera.
Mick
Quote: unfortunately the fur is bang smack in the middle of the frame and blown so there is detail left to recover
Sorry to butt in here but \i presume you mean "no detail left to recover"...apart from that some good advice.
You've really shot this in the wrong light, the problem is that the light is so harsh and contrasty that there's no way this shot can include detail in both shadows and hghlights at the same time - the tonal range is too wide for the camera. If your camera can shoot in RAw there would maybe be the latitude to play around with but it woud still be a lot of playing around. Much better to shoot in softer light, maybe an overcast day, or even on the day you did but while a cloud passed.
having attepmted pet stuff myself (including black and white dog!), I can say there really is no substitute for practice, practice, practice, and taking hundreds of shots with perseverance to get the right one..
Stephen
Hi Mick, yes white in sunny conditions just does not go. I've made a mod and used the adjustment brush tool to get a little detail back of the white fur. As you can see, I've removed the piece of string with content aware and added something which the cat would prefer. Hope you like it.
Stephen
Thanks for all the comments. I'm wondering though, would an ND filter help much in this situation ?
I think that my comments on your previous picture of Patch still apply here, Mick.
This is a lovely playful image, and I chuckled at Stehen's modification.
Here are some tips on using an ND filter.
You will see that there are certain conditions under which it is useful to use this filter. However, this is your cat, and you should be able to pick and choose a time for photographing it in order to achieve better results without the use of an ND filter. Underexposing looks to be the way to go if you have to shoot in bright sunlight. Shooting indoors, with natural light coming through a window, will alleviate your burn-out problem, too. With patience and perseverance you will get there.
Pamela.
Thanks Pamela. Just down to practice and experimenting then.
Mick.
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