Flash At Sunset C&C Please.

[JerryW]

This is as it came out of the camera. I'm working on composing my shots better so they don't need to be cropped / adjusted in post so much. My son and I went geocaching at sunset. What do you think? What would you have done differently?

Canon 60Df/5 1/250 18mm iso200
Canon Speedlite 430ex flash

Thanks in advance.

Jerry

 

[IgsEMT]

This is as it came out of the camera. I'm working on composing my shots better so they don't need to be cropped / adjusted in post so much. My son and I went geocachingq at sunset. What do you think? What would you have done differently?

Canon 60Df/5 1/250 18mm iso200
Canon Speedlite 430ex flash

Thanks in advance.

Jerry

I'm looking on the iPod so view isn't the greatest BUT only thing I'd do dif is off-camera light.
Good Job otherwise

 

[Jarmo]

I'd put something in front of the flash to make the light warmer so that in blends in with the backround color

 

[cgipson1]

I would have tried to find an area where there were no bushes in the background... distracting. I would have cropped a little tighter too and put your son in the sunset rather than under it. The way it is, it is hard to determine which is the main focal point.. your son, or the sunset. Exposure is good, although as mentioned.. maybe a little warmer, softer light would help

These are really quick hacks showing what I mean.. what do you think?

 

[JerryW]

I kept the bushes in because it gives the picture context. We were out geocaching. Without the bushes and a full view of him and surroundings, I thought it would be less clear.

I understand the basic law of thirds. I noticed in the cropped photos, that seemed to be a 'goal'. When do people consider it reasonable to ignore thirds?

Thanks for the feedback.

Jerry

 

[KmH]

Rarely. I usually only ignore ROT when I know in advance I want a square aspect ratio.

 

[DiskoJoe]

thats a scrawny looking deer.

 

[gsgary]

Slower shutter speed and higher iso because the background is to dark

 

[cgipson1]

Not bashing, Jerry.. just what "I" would do different...

 

[Compaq]

When you're dealing with clear reflections, the guideline of thirds can very well be ignored. Having a mid-placed horizon then works very well.

And if you got down to your son's level, that would make him appear less "little", if you see my point

 

[JerryW]

I understand when you comment, you're not bashing my son. No worries there.

So, based on rule of thirds, if I wante his entire body in the picture, his head should be in the upper-left third or upper-right third of the picture. Correct?

Jerry

 

[Compaq]

There's no exact answer in how to compose this photograph. In my personal opinion, this looks like a "well thought through snap shot". There is nothing wrong with that, but it has that snap shottish look. (please understand that I have nothing against snap shots, they have their purpose, but imo not really in good photography). Is this a portrait?

What would transform this into something interesting, I think, would be if your son was sitting looking into the sunset. Also, lowering your horizon a bit. Imo, your son here should be an element in a sunset shot, not the sunset an element in a shot of your son. That's what makes this a snapshot atm. Reducing your son's role here, by lowering your horizon and having him look into the sunset would perhaps convey a greater feeling or emotion. As you ask, here's what I would have done differently:

- lower the horizon, making the sunset the subject
- making your son sit and look into the sunset
- place your son left in frame, having him watch into the frame and toward the sunset (I believe this somehow would balance out the shot, angling it from the right, having the boy look right from the left)
- find a location with less bushes, making the final expression a lot cleaner
- actually, I'd try for a few silhouette shots as well (meaning no flash).
- if you're able to, take your flash off camera and angle it somewhere close to your son. Also, diffuse the light to make it less harsh (less clear shadows)

Not sure if you want it, but a tip when shooting silhouette shots is to not let different silhouettes blend together. Meaning, having a silhouette of a boy blend with a silhouette of a tree, or two horse silhouettes blend. We want to see what the silhouettes are, generally, and having a clean look.

That said, I'm sure this image will be a nice memory of your trip :thumbsup:

 

[cgipson1]

^^^^ yea, what he said! lol!

 

[JerryW]

I'll keep them in mind the next time I have the opportunity.I welcome any other feedback you may have.Jerry