Quite often I have to photograph landscape pictures for our clients when the sun is directly overhead. The problem that I'm encountering is there is too much contrast between the shadows and the bright sun to get a properly exposed picture. I use a Nikon Coolpix 950. Any suggestions on what settings or combinations of settings to use under these circumstances would be greatly appreciated.

-- Jackie Gable (davejackiegable@juno.com), June 25, 2000

Answers

There is a reason why most landscape photographers shoot either early in the morning or late in the evening. You have discovered why with your contrast problems. One solution is to change your shooting times so your light is better. Digital imaging, like slide film has a very narrow exposure latitude and cannot hande the range of light intensity grom highlight to shadow. If you have to have the image and it has to be made during the middle of the day put a polarizing filter on the camera. By rotating the filter, you can reduce the glare which will help keep the highlights under control. Failing that shoot negative film get it developed (15) min and scan the negatives on a photosmart or other film scanner. You will get a lower contrast image that way and there will be detail in the shadows and detail in the highlights.

-- Jonathan Ratzlaff (jonathanr@clrtech.bc.ca), June 25, 2000.

Try fill flash, especially try more powerful slaved external flash. Yes it will sync with Nikon 950, 990. Open about 1-1 1/2 f stops from metered, then flash. Not perfect but better than nothing when you dont have control of time or light, look for shade, lighting is perfect there, just dont get much bright sunlight in background or any mixed (shade plus sunlight) lighting.

-- Wayne Smith (waynsmith@hotmail.com), July 12, 2000.