THE CHALLENGE

A close look at any experienced photographer’s portfolio will reveal striking portraits taken against the backdrop of a predawn sky or the red and magenta afterglow of a recent sunset. It is not just the colors of the sky that draw our attention but the contrast between the subject and the background. This contrast is most extreme when you use a flash to illuminate a subject in the foreground. The resulting image involves a striking interplay of light from the flash and dim-yet-colorful ambient light.

Unfortunately, the mere thought of mixing light sources intimidates many photographers. How do you apply the light? How do you avoid overexposing the subject or severely underexposing the background? How do you match the color temperatures of the light?