The MasterClass Series #11
Making a shot against the light
Equipment
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, Leica V-Lux Typ114, & Fujifilm X-T10
Fujifilm XF18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS (Leslie Lewis Shot)
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L II USM (Golden Temple Shot)
Fujifilm XF18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS (Rock Band Shot)
Canon EF 24-70mm f/4 L IS USM (Church of Saint Lazarus, Larnaca, Cyprus)
Canon TS-E 17mm f/4 L (Safdarjung Tomb, Delhi)
Leica V-Lux Typ114 (Ibiza Sunrise)
EXIF #1
Leslie Lewis Shot
Focal length: 22mm
Aperture: f/4
Shutter speed: 1/60
ISO: 800
EXIF #2
Golden Temple Shot
Focal length: 35mm
Aperture: f/11
Shutter speed: 1/100
ISO: 400
EXIF #3
Rock Band at Kasauli Shot
Focal length: 22mm
Aperture: f/4
Shutter speed: 1/60
ISO: 800
EXIF #4
Church of Saint Lazarus, Larnaca, Cyprus
Focal length: 24mm
Aperture: f/4
Shutter speed: 1/1000
ISO: 100
EXIF #5
Safdarjung Tomb, Delhi
Focal length: 17mm
Aperture: f/4
Shutter speed: 1/80
ISO: 100
EXIF #6
Ibiza Sunrise (EXIF equivalent to 35mm full-frame)
Focal length: 43mm
Aperture: f/21
Shutter speed: 1/4000
ISO: 200
Editing
Adobe Lightroom Classic CC
Following the post on technique to capture flowing water, let’s now look at how to shoot against the light. In MasterClass Series, we’ll be talking about techniques to master different light conditions many times (Shooting dark interiors against bright ambient light, and Capturing the sunset colours and silhouettes). What else to expect as photography means ‘drawing with light’?
The story
It is not always we find conducive light conditions. There are times during our travels we end up shooting against the light. Few such instances are a wrong-time-of-the-day visit to a landmark, music concerts, sunrises/sunsets, public functions or processions, etc. And we still need to take a shot and a good one at that. This post is about the ‘how-to’ of doing that.
Making a shot against the light challenge
The challenge of shooting against the light is too much light behind the subject. It underexposes the subject while the background has terrible overexposure. Balancing such ambient/available light is a huge challenge.
The shots
Any bright light can ruin a photograph by taking the viewer’s attention away from the subject. In shot #1, the spotlight was cut out by keeping it on the edge of the image. Also, I made the subject dominate the image.
In shot #2, by hiding the rising sun behind a tower, again, the viewer’s attention is veered towards the iconic temple. Opening up the shadows in editing further enhanced the image.
Shot #3: Rock band playing at Rhythm & Blues, Kasauli 
Shot #4: Church of Saint Lazarus, Larnaca, Cyprus
In shots #3 and #4, I let the bright light burn out some areas of the photograph and exposed the image for the subject, the rock band in shot #3 and the church in shot #4.
In shots #5 and #6, by exposing the image for the sky and its vivid colours, the subjects allowed for stunning silhouette shots.
Shot #5: Safdarjung Tomb, Delhi, in silhouette 
Shot #6: Sunrise in Ibiza, Spain
So, you could try the following when you shoot against the light:
- Cut out the strong light source from the shot while composing.
- Hide the light source behind some object in the frame.
- Settle for burnout to do justice to the subject.
- Shoot a silhouette if the subject has a strong shape and form.
Click HERE to see an interesting against the light shot.
