I've been taking pictures of my friends riding lately and I had a quick question. The pictures that turn out the best happen at the end of the day with the sun directly behind me. The colors really pop out and the pictures look really rich (for lack of better word). Most pictures I take any other time of the day are kind of blah or washed out. Is there a filter or something I can use to make that go away or do I always have to take pictures at that time of day for the best effect. I am using a Canon Rebel XT with the kit lense which I know sucks but I can't afford anything better yet.

Here are a couple of examples of pictures when the sun is high or not in the most advantageous position...

Kind of Blah (even though I know its kind of all greys)



Washed out...



Here are a couple with the sun directly behind, the colors kind of pop out and I wish I could get pics to look this good colorwise all the time.







Here is a lucky shot into the sun that I thought turned out pretty cool...



Hopefully you can understand what I'm talking about and give some advice...

 

Early morning and late evening are always the ideal time for taking pictures.

You could try playing with some ND filters or Warming filters but you're best results will always be at those times.

 

That's known as The Golden Hour

-E

 

First pic just shows no impact on wiewer since there's no real contrast between subject and background ( pavement); And looks "washed out" just like your second one,
since you rely on the auto setting of camera's white balance.

Second one could have been much warmer and colorful with:
-no light hitting lenses ( get a lens hood )
-proper white balance setting.

Always bear in mind light direction: the "Golden Hour" basically means
you've got less light around, it's more directional and it doesn't splat all over:
it's like shooting someone with lighting coming from the kitchen ceiling ( midday)
and having a spotlight just lighting our subject.. hence having him "bolded up" comparing to the poor-lighted, blurry, grey background
.

 

learn how to set up your camera...shutter, iso, white balance, exposure balance, etc...then like nags said there are filters and stuff that will also help...

 

Did someone say golden shower?

 

Yeah, that is the stuff I need to learn.

 

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech.htm

Start reading

 

thats just gross...

from here on out just listen to nags...he knows whats up...except on the golden shower stuff...

 

Damn now i will be busy reading

 

trust me... i know a thing or two about golden showers too

 

why am i not surprised...

 

Thanks!