I'm looking for some help shooting subjects in white sand. I am shooting on manual and using a strobe. I find I am blowing out the subjects. Any tips?
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None to post at the moment. I just deleted them all. I am sure I will have some tomorrow...Can you post some images that are representative or especially vexing?
What I have found successful is heavy use of a diffuser, and pointing the strobe up and away from the subject to lessen the light striking the sand.
The diffuser should deflect some light down still, so your subject is still adequately lit. Play around with the angle the strobe is pointed away, until the light is good.
Another tactic may be to get some heavy white plastic and make additional diffusers that you can hold in front of the strobe. Coffee can lids can be cut down to do this, cut one to fit around your strobe, cut two holes and tie a rubber band so that it goes around your strobe for hands free operation. But remember a lanyard so if it comes off, you don't litter on the reef.
Hope this helps.
Another simple tactic I've used in the past is just to put a finger or two over the strobe lens to block some of the light. Simple, fast, and no equipment needed.My strobe has a diffuser so will try pointing it up and away from the subject...
Turning down the power on your strobe would seem to be the simplest solution. Diffusers generally reduce output by 1 stop. Adjusting the power of the strobe gives you a wider range of light output.My strobe has a diffuser so will try pointing it up and away from the subject...
YesAre your strobes in manual?