Newbie - taking photo's with window in background.

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crazypete00

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Pete
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Hey everyone, i've not long bought a camera after years of debating it and now i need help (again)

I'm just messing about with the camera taking pics of my daughter and cat - want something dynamic, spur of the moment and not poseing. so my problem is; in my living room 3 of the walls have huge windows on, great for light but if i take a picture with the window in the background, the window is extremely bright and it darkens the object/subject in the foreground, how can i over come this?

my camera is a Canon 40d. at the moment the only lens i have is 17-85mm f4

Pete
 
Fill flash. Pretty much the only way without messing around with multiple exposures.
Off camera flash would be better suited, but the onboard one should do the trick too
 
as above, you need to expose for the windows and use flash to light your subject. Spot meter the windows to get the correct exposure for the outside light.
 
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I had the same problem the other day and was amazed at the difference the flash made. I'm a proper noob to photography mind.
 
Spot meter on the subject's face, let the windows over expose. You can get a great light and airy look this way. No need for flash this way, giving you the natural look.
 
that may work but is more likely going to end up with completely blown areas (and if the windows are large then a blown most of the photo)
 
thanks everyone - ye the windows are large (one a patio door) im a complete newbie so what does spot meter the face mean?

ill add a good flash to the list for next payday
 
crazypete00 said:
thanks everyone - ye the windows are large (one a patio door) im a complete newbie so what does spot meter the face mean?

ill add a good flash to the list for next payday
Click to expand...

Your camera will have different metering modes, normally matrix/evaluative, centre weighted and spot. Check the manual, set to spot meter, aim at the subject and fire away. Yes you'll get the windows blown out but this can look effective. Try it and try the flash too and see which you like best :)
 
Check in your camera manual, it has 3 different ways of measuring the light - from which it sets the exposure. Put the camera into P mode for now, then use the spot meter setting. You should try to mete for the lighter side of the subjects face (it will be more apparent when you have read the manual).
Something like this is what you could get...

IMG_31951.jpg
 
Yeah, I have similar, it does look good when done well and is very easy to do too. I just chose my example to show that windows don't have to be a feature at all...
 
CrazyPete, if you have more questions or don't quite get what we've said please tell us, we genuinely want to help.
 
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