[550D + EF 50mm F1.8] Back-lit Moth Orchid

Try to underexpose the flowers less (and of course, as a result, the sky more), easily achieved in M mode. The end result will be much nicer.

Those are pretty flowers.  I like that the background helps the flowers stand out separately.

Wave forest wrote:

Thanks for your comments. Actually, it was indeed in M mode with spot metering to achieve an accurate exposure of the moth orchid.

The orchid still is seriously underexposed... The stem is an almost midtone green, but towards blck in your image, the orchid colour itself also way too dark. You appear to not have metered correctly.

If it were underexposed to get sky, then trees outside would show off and the whole frame would be very messy with an underexposed flower.

Not talking about the sky.

If you really want to get a clear background and the subject in back-light, flash is inevitable.

No, i want the orchid to not look that underexposed.

brightcolours wrote:

Try to underexpose the flowers less (and of course, as a result, the sky more), easily achieved in M mode. The end result will be much nicer.

Wave forest wrote:

Nice examples! Thanks.

I think I misread your first reply - missed the word "less". My apology.

It was mostly my fault, as I left out a word ("and as a result overexpose the sky more"). Sorry for the confusion!

I should have indeed used the orchid stem or leaves to meter, instead the petals.

This is another try as you suggested.

Very nice! I like this result better than your 1st image, the flowers now show their true beauty! The slight contrast issue with the lens I find less obtrusive than underexposure.

brightcolours wrote:

Wave forest wrote:

Thanks for your comments. Actually, it was indeed in M mode with spot metering to achieve an accurate exposure of the moth orchid.

The orchid still is seriously underexposed... The stem is an almost midtone green, but towards blck in your image, the orchid colour itself also way too dark. You appear to not have metered correctly.

If it were underexposed to get sky, then trees outside would show off and the whole frame would be very messy with an underexposed flower.

Not talking about the sky.

If you really want to get a clear background and the subject in back-light, flash is inevitable.

No, i want the orchid to not look that underexposed.

brightcolours wrote:

Try to underexpose the flowers less (and of course, as a result, the sky more), easily achieved in M mode. The end result will be much nicer.