Outdoor Portraits That Shine

One of the great hidden features on digital cameras is the fill
flash or flash on mode. By taking control of the flash so it goes
on when you want it to, not when the camera deems it appropriate,
you've just taken an important step toward capturing great outdoor
portraits.

In flash on mode, the camera exposes for the background first, then
adds just enough flash to illuminate your portrait subject. The
result is a professional looking picture where everything in the
composition looks good. Wedding photographers have been using this
technique for years.

After you get the hang of using the flash outdoors, try a couple
variations on this theme by positioning the subject so the sun
illuminates the hair from the side or the back, often referred to
as rim lighting. Another good technique is to put the model in the
shade under a tree, then use the flash to illuminate the subject.
This keeps the model comfortable and cool with no squinty eyes from
the harsh sun, and this often results in a more relaxed looking
portrait.

Remember, though, that most built-in camera flashes only have a
range of 10 feet (or even less!), so make sure you don't stand too
far away when using fill flash outdoors. 

If you really want to add some punch to your images, then get your
hands on a polarizing filter. A polarizer is the one filter every
photographer should have handy for landscapes and general outdoor
shooting. By reducing glare and unwanted reflections, polarized
shots have richer, more saturated colors, especially in the sky.
 
What's that you say? Your digital camera can't accommodate filters.
Don't despair. I've been using this trick for years with my
point-and-shoot cameras. If you have a pair of quality sunglasses,
then simply take them off and use them as your polarizing filter.
Place the glasses as close to the camera lens as possible, then
check their position in the LCD viewfinder to make sure you don't
have the rims in the shot.
 
For the best effect, position yourself so the sun is over either
your right or left shoulder. The polarizing effect is strongest
when the light source is at a 90-degree angle from the subject.

a few notes
Exposure.

 Exposure is the amount of light that you allow into your camera when you take a picture. Too much light makes a photograph overexposed. Too little makes it underexposed. These are among the most lighting issues people face.

In an overexposed photo way too much light comes through the aperture, completely blowing out the highlights, washing out the colors, and flattening the surfaces. What few shadows are left are harsh. You've essentially burned the image away, leaving only a few light and color values behind.

In an underexposed image like this one, not enough light has made it through the lens, which means that there just isn't enough information coming into the camera. Everything is flat and dull, and only the strongest colors are able to make any sort of impression. Shadowed areas become completely lost.

A properly exposed image has the right mix of shadows, highlights, and middle ranges. It is sharp and in-focus up close, the colors are rich and accurate, and we haven't lost detail in the shadows or highlights.