Camera Labs

Hi, I need help.
I want to click a portrait of my Fried sitting beside Lamp Shade. But I am not getting the desired results.
Lamp shade is almost blown out and subject is looking horrible.

Can someone please help me in this regard?

Camera T3i with 50mm 1.8

I would add a fill light or bounce card and/or shoot RAW so I can pull back highlights in post or HDR in post.

Also, question might be more appropriate in the Portrait section - Mark

Sorry for posting it in wrong section.
Is there any alternative other than Flash? I dont have one.

Yes, fill light can be any light, not just a flash. Also, as I said previously, bounce card, RAW, HDR.

Mark

{edit}Sorry, it just occurred to me that we may be thinking about different types of "bounce cards". I'm thinking of something like:

http://www.video101course.com/300light270.html

Or what they call a "reflector card" here:

http://www.diyphotography.net/reflector ... heat-sheet

Not something that you use to bounce a flash (off of a ceiling).{/edit}

Can you post an example picture and what settings you are using?

Are you using full auto?

_________________
Canon 5DIII, Rebel XTi/400D
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II, 24-105mm f/4L, 50mm f/1.4, 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DO, 85mm f/1.8
Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX Macro
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX, Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II
Canon 430EX II
Opteka 13mm, 21mm, and 31mm extension tubes
Vivitar 50mm f/1.8 for OM System

Welcome to the forum!

If the lamp shade is blown out, I am thinking the lamp light is too bright, compared to other available light. If other light is available, to be the main light, the solution might simply be a lower-output bulb in the lamp. Keep in mind that mixed types of light can cause a challenging white balance situation!

I would, myself, probably try to use flash to solve this problem, by letting the flash overpower the lamp. (I use several Canon flashguns, rarely using the camera's pop-up flash.) If, however, the lamp's bulb is the desired main source of light, creative partial blocking of the lamp's bulb, within the shade, between the bulb and camera, while leaving a clear path for the light, from light bulb to subject, might work. Be careful about placing any material too close to a hot light bulb!

This is just an untried guess, on my part: Would it be possible to place a flash unit within or behind the lamp shade, to substitute for the lamp's bulb? This would allow the camera to meter the available light, and the power of the flash could be dialed up or down, until the desired effect is achieved. Ideally, more than one flash unit, if available, would be desirable, to help distribute the light for the most pleasing effect.

_________________
Canon 7D/5D/40D/1D2N; Nikon F6, FM3A, & Coolpix A; Canon 40mm Pancake, 135L, 50L, 35L, pre-II 50mm 1.8, 100mm 2.8L Macro, 10-22mm EF-S, 28-135 EF, 400mm 5.6L; Nikkor 50mm 1.2 AI-S, 50mm 1.4G, 50mm 1.8D, 16mm 2.8D Fisheye, 180mm 2.8D, 100-300mm 5.6 AI-S; Tokina 17mm & 100mm 2.8 Macro