Expert: Kent Staubus - 8/3/2009

Question
how do i get a bright background to show that background and not wash out?

Answer
Two ways to do this. The "standard" way is to use fill flash to light your subject enough to match the light in the background.  The other way is to put the camera on a tripod and take two shots, one where the subject is perfectly exposed, and one where the background is perfectly exposed.  You then combine the two exposures in Photoshop.  Both ways work.

Good luck!
Kent in SD