Freeman Images

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For the love of it 🖤🎓

HOW TO EXPOSE BACKGROUND
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I love shooting outdoors! Nothing like the environment tying everything together. I’m often asked “what my settings are” and my answer is always the same, “it depends on your ambient light.” Which is true, shooting outdoors you have a lot of variables. Most important is the amount of “ambient” light or “existing” light Mother Nature is giving you. So here are my PERSONAL steps I use to attain “proper exposure.”
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1: TAKE TEST SHOTS: Idc how many, take as many as you need to. I pop my card out for test shots so I won’t fill my card up with them.
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2. DO NOT TURN YOUR LIGHT ON YET: When trying to expose for a proper background, you never take test shots with your light on. You take your test shots without the light on first. If your first test shot is too bright, adjust your iso, shutter speed or aperture (depending on what creative look you’re going for.) I generally know when it’s right when the colors in the sky start to pop out. That’s generally my rule of thumb. So once you have that right now it’s time to power up the light.
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TURN ON THE LIGHTS: Ok now that you have good ambient exposure, it’s time to power up your light(s). From this point on ONLY TOUCH THE SETTINGS ON YOUR LIGHT! Remember, you’ve took the time to get the settings just right, so don’t touch them or you’ll lose exposure that you just worked so hard to get just right. So only adjust from the light. If it’s too bright, lower it, if it’s too dark, brighten it. It’s really that simple 👌🏾.
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YOU HAVE TO REPEAT THIS PROCESS AFTER EVERY BACKGROUND CHANGE: Now once you have shot in that first location, you move to your second. But you will have to repeat that process all over again. Why? Because the sun will be in a different spot, the light may bounce off of the environment differently, you may be under a shade and etc. So many variables change just by moving. So if you want to keep that perfect exposure you’re gonna have to repeat. I know it sucks but it’s necessary. You’ll be glad you did.
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I hoped this helped someone because I had to make hella mistakes before I learned this. And I’m still learning till this day. Like, save and share. Thanks and keep shooting 📸