50mm in the wild, with a flash. Thoughts? C&C welcome

[CMfromIL]

Took my eldest and youngest to the park, venturing away from home base. Used the 50mm f/5.6 or there about. Used my 430ex II, for the most part had it angled around 45 degrees rather than directly on the subject. Also tried some bounce shots from the foilage above, many of those didn't turn out as well as I had hoped.

1. Ladies together

2. Another together

3. Eldest

4.

5.

6. Favorite shot of the day

 

[cgipson1]

Nice.. lovely girls! Your "favorite shot of the day" could have used a little more DOF... it is ALMOST deep enough, but it isn't!

 

[CMfromIL]

Thanks, I dialed down the clarity a bit to deal with some facial blemishes. I might try to spot fix them, and bring clarity back up.

 

[cgipson1]

Thanks, I dialed down the clarity a bit to deal with some facial blemishes. I might try to spot fix them, and bring clarity back up.

that would explain it... a little careful cloning would probably do it!

 

[2WheelPhoto]

Nice! Might be my monitor but the WB seems a little on the warm side for flash

 

[2WheelPhoto]

I looked harder at the first pic (exif viewer).

Autowhite balance, and: "Flash = Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode"

 

[CMfromIL]

Nice! Might be my monitor but the WB seems a little on the warm side for flash

I have ordered the spyder 4 program to help calibrate my monitors. I am currently running uncalibrated, and I wouldn't doubt if the wb is off. Thanks for the comment though, I am working to fix the issue.

 

[CMfromIL]

I looked harder at the first pic (exif viewer).

Autowhite balance, and: "Flash = Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode"

Thinking back, I don't recall having the flash on the first shot actually now that you say that.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

Nice! Might be my monitor but the WB seems a little on the warm side for flash

I have ordered the spyder 4 program to help calibrate my monitors. I am currently running uncalibrated, and I wouldn't doubt if the wb is off. Thanks for the comment though, I am working to fix the issue.

Awesome, they're a little goldish/yellow on my monitor. And I only brought it up to contribute some critique its not major, again nice pics

 

[CMfromIL]

Here is my 'favorite' pic, with the clarity redone, spot fixed a few blemishes and adjusted the wb for 'flash'. And the DOF was too shallow. Guess I have to go try again.

 

[Light Guru]

Here is my 'favorite' pic, with the clarity redone, spot fixed a few blemishes and adjusted the wb for 'flash'. And the DOF was too shallow. Guess I have to go try again.

I actually like the first version you posted more. Usually with a portrait of that type is best to smooth it the skin like the original.

 

[Derrel]

I like shot #5 the most.

 

[tirediron]

Now, take the next step and get the flash off of the camera and get a modifier on it!

 

[ronlane]

Really nice pictures. I would have to agree with Derrel about #5.

 

[jamesbjenkins]

OP, your daughters are beautiful... you have some keepers here.

I think you would have had much better luck with a reflector like this one. Or you could play strobist and put that 430EX on a stand with a shoot through or bounce umbrella.

The only other CC I have is the minor DOF and focus issues, but others have covered that already.

Post more!