Setting for Sx260 in backlit scenes

[Lesserjoe]

What setting is recommended to see faces in backlit scenes? Using sx260.

[cicopo]

The trick is to overexpose until you get the correct exposure for the faces. It can be done in a few ways but the way I do it is by adding positive Exposure Compensation. It can however be done by shooting in M mode & overexposing as necessary. Read up on changing the EC & practice. It's something that needs to be second nature.

[Lesserjoe]

Thanks. Will snow scene setting work?

[diverhank]

You can either pop up the flash or use the Snowy Backgrounds.  For backlit, it's best to use the popup flash, imho, otherwise your background will be washed out.

[cicopo · Accepted solution]

Using the Snowy Scene mode "may" help or even get it right now & then. Scene modes use the light meter reading & a pre programmed set of shutter speeds & aperture settings which have been matched to "general" situations. Unfortunately every setting has different lighting, & the photographer wants certain things a specific way. This is hy I always recommend that people learn how to make simple changes using Exposure Compensation & Flash Exposure Compensation & look at the results after each shot by using the LCD. If another exposure is needed a quick change, a click of the shutter button & a new image pops up. After a while it's all second nature & you automatically use it when needed. 

Fill flash is another way to handle the situation but again there are variables including whether the built in flash is powerful enough for the distance between the camera & subject.  

[diverhank]

@cicopo...you are talking to a P&S user? Keep it simple :)?

[Lesserjoe]

Thank you for the detailed explanation. To date have not located setting on sx260 to force flash to fire.

[Lesserjoe]

Have found setting for forcing flash. Thanks