C&C

[Chris R]

Oh well **** see how much I know. Ok well I still think the naked Santa baby is super cute.... So do I just need to purchase a flash that I can tilt up?

The first thing that you need to try to learn in photography is that the cuteness of the subject has no baring whatsoever on the actual quality of the photograph. You need to look at all photographs as if you were someone who has absolutely no emotional attachment to anything within them and you'll immediately start to "see things clearly." Cute baby, yes, but imagine how much more cute he'd look if that picture was taken under better lighting? I tend to agree with the "cliche-ness" of that pose but if that's what you like then don't listen to us... The most important thing here is the lighting.

I just snapped these as an example of what you can do with bouncing flash. Definitely not the best examples - I just grabbed my camera and took 2 pictures of my daughter. One with the flash pointed directly at her and another with it bouncing off the ceiling. They're straight-off-the-camera except for merging them together in photoshop and resizing...

 

[KmH]

Yep. Notice the slightly dark eye sockets in 'flash bounced off ceiling' and how much brighter the background is than in 'flash pointed directly'.

Note that the dark eye sockets can be mitigated by using a 'bounce card' when flash is bounced off a wall or ceiling.

The darker background in 'flash pointed directly' helps separate the subject from the background and makes the background less distracting so the subject 'pops' from the background better than when flash is bounced off the ceiling.

 

[cccott3]

Thanks it really helps to see an example!!! So basically I need a new flash that I can bounce. I actually do like the Santa baby cliche or not... Just my opinion.

 

[KmH]

You also have to decide if you want to control the exposure and the flash unit, or if you want the camera to do all that for you.

You are a lot smarter than the camera, and would have greater artistic control if you do it all yourself.

 

[cccott3]

You need to purchase a flash that you can use off of the camera. As mentioned your on-camera pop-up flash, or even a speedlight used in the camera's hot-shoe and pointed at the subject results in a very "flashed" appearance and catchlights which are in the dead centre of the eye. If that's not in the budget right now, then you can improve your images greatly just by the simple expedient of adding a diffuser to your pop-up flash. Most homes are equipped with this single-use, tear-away, disposable pop-up flash diffuser. Tear off a strip, drape it over your pop-up flash and re-shoot.

Man due to the last guy being "sarcastic" Im not sure if you are serious with the TP? If so I'm so going to try that...and if not I will just look creeper with TP on my camera lol

 

[cuezombies]

He's being serious. People use freezer paper and paper towels, too.

Check this out while you're waiting for your first flash purchase: The Party Bouncer is Back in Business (Card) | DIYPhotography.net

 

[cccott3]

He's being serious. People use freezer paper and paper towels, too.

Check this out while you're waiting for your first flash purchase: The Party Bouncer is Back in Business (Card) | DIYPhotography.net

Awesome thank you

 

[manaheim]

I *did* say it was totally cool to like the image even if it's cliche, you know... It's your kid. It's special to you. That works fine for you. Is it going to hang on the wall of the Louvre? No. But it will hang on the wall of your home.

 

[Forkie]

You need to purchase a flash that you can use off of the camera. As mentioned your on-camera pop-up flash, or even a speedlight used in the camera's hot-shoe and pointed at the subject results in a very "flashed" appearance and catchlights which are in the dead centre of the eye. If that's not in the budget right now, then you can improve your images greatly just by the simple expedient of adding a diffuser to your pop-up flash. Most homes are equipped with this single-use, tear-away, disposable pop-up flash diffuser. Tear off a strip, drape it over your pop-up flash and re-shoot.

Man due to the last guy being "sarcastic" Im not sure if you are serious with the TP? If so I'm so going to try that...and if not I will just look creeper with TP on my camera lol

It's serious! You can use anything that light will shine through, bog roll, kitchen roll, tracing paper, etc. You can also make a reflector out of tin foil or white paper and a cereal packet. Use what you have to control where the light goes!

 

[cccott3]

I *did* say it was totally cool to like the image even if it's cliche, you know... It's your kid. It's special to you. That works fine for you. Is it going to hang on the wall of the Louvre? No. But it will hang on the wall of your home.

I pretty much felt like a dumb *** because I'm like oh what is that thinking I could get some! Lol but it's cool know you know how clueless I am

 

[KmH]

I pay an outragous price for black aluminum foil. Called cinefoil, it has many uses with lighting.

Rosco Matte Black Cinefoil - 48"x25' 101010014825 B&H Photo

 

[2WheelPhoto]

I pay an outragous price for black aluminum foil. Called cinefoil, it has many uses with lighting.

Rosco Matte Black Cinefoil - 48"x25' 101010014825 B&H Photo

It appears you and many others, its out of stock.