Shepherd friends

[Yisehaq]

I took this picture yesterday in a place which looked very photogenic but there was a very harsh light. I tried to do a lot but couldn't succeed to get well saturated colors. I need help on how to do better on harsh light. I usually shoot pictures on sunday by going out of town. I reach my destination usually when the sun is high up and I am thinking that I should learn some trick in these conditions.
EXIF F10, Tv 1/100, ISO 100, Flash fired (Built in), Focal length 18mm, Time 12:35pm.
Please help.
P.S. could I suggest harsh light photography for a podcast?

[Marko]

Sure Yisheaq! This would be a good podcast idea so feel free to suggest it by posting it in the podcast forum.

3 ideas right way
- simply wait until the light gets better (many photographers avoid harsh light)
- use a polarizing or ND grad filter
- For portraits, do not shoot in high noon. Wait until the sun has at least attained an angle that would allow it to be used as backlight. Then use reflectors or on/off camera flash.


In terms of this image, there's a lot going on, one of which is of course the harsh light. The other is the composition. What was the focal point for you, I mean why did you take the image? For me, titles reveal a lot about the photographer's intent. I think I see sheep/livestock fifty feet in the background; if they are shepherd friends, to me it makes more sense to have them in front of, or MUCH closer to their flock. All the elements that make up this photo seem too small so that the viewer IMO is unable to 'taste' any one aspect very well. One last nitpicker, with all that free space, you should not have cut the legs off.
Hope that helps,
Marko

[Yisehaq]

Thanks Marko,

You've understood what I was doing there. A bit

My first intent was to take a picture of the landscape which was very beautiful for my eyes. But when I previewed it was too contrasty type. This kids where just sitting there and talking about what I was intending to to do. One of them what saying literaly, "What is he shooting at?".

Finally, thinking that if I use my flash I could get the right exposure for their faces I tried this shot. Hence the name. But the original intention was landscape. You got me.:

[kiley9806]

i really quite like the composition. the kids & landscape, and the cow in the immediate background are good. if the other livestock were closer, it would help contribute to the 'hearders' flock, but if you're working with what you find, you can't always prepare the exact scene you would like. the childrens faces need much more detail, which i think there is a thread on how to acheive this on dark faced persons, by tegan - i will look for it & link it, or maybe marko could help (?) Great idea for a podcast, on harsh lighting tips - i tend to go out when the time is available to me, not when im available for the right time. i'd benefit too! thanks!

[Yisehaq]

Thanks kiley9806. The main problem in these photo is the dilemma I was in between shooting the landscape or the boys.