Need advice on Flash / C&C

[Rebekah5280]

So, I've been a "natural" light photographer, mainly because flash/strobes/ect.. scared me! However, I recently started experimenting with my on-board flash so I can shoot into the sun to get the cool glow around my subjects, and for fill. My results have been ok, but I'm thinking I should look into getting a seperate flash that I can mount and tilt/bounce/meter. So what should I look into? Any advice?

Here are a few of the types of pictures I'm wanting to do more of (I did these using my on-board flash). C&C is welcome!! Thanks!

1)

2)

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4)

 

[Kerbouchard]

Well, you pretty much nailed the critique that I would give you.

I think you did pretty well balancing the exposure, focus looks good, posing isn't bad, expressions are good, and the processing looks fine.

The problem with them is the direct, on camera flash. It produces kind of a flat hard lighting that just isn't very flattering...they look a bit, well, flashed.

By getting your flash off camera with a softbox or umbrella, you can get a softer, diffused, directional light that will be a lot more flattering. When we look at portraits, we expect to see some 'modeling' with the light, in other words, it would be nice to see some shadows to help define the features. It makes the images look a bit more three dimensional.

Rick Sammon has a saying, "Light illuminates, and shadows define".

 

[Rebekah5280]

A friend metioned a "speed light," and I've also heard of a ring-light. I've looked briefly into ring lights, and they seem to be more for Macro - is that correct? Is there a way to get a softer diffused light with a flash without having to bring along a softbox/umbrella?
I shoot outside mostly, and 90% of the time I am solo. The other 10% of the time I can get someone to come along and help with a reflector, which I could use to bounce a flash off of to get that soft, diffused light.

 

[Kerbouchard]

I'm not thinking you are really looking for a ring light. Some portrait photographers do use ringlights, but it is pretty specialized.

A speedlight, is pretty much a flash that can be mounted to your hotshoe and allows you to rotate the head to point it in the direction you want to. Depending on the model of flash and the type of camera you have, some of them can also be triggered remotely without any extra gear. This allows you to get the directional light. By using a speedlight mounted to your hot shoe(or remotely), you can swivel it to point it at a wall or ceiling to get a 'bounced' flash coming back. That allows you to get a large diffused light source which can be very flattering for your subject.

You can use a naked speedlight(i.e, no umbrella or modifier) and get a flattering light, but it is a bit more difficult if you don't have anything to bounce it off of. Depending on your reflector, many of them can be taken apart where the middle part is a diffusion panel. You can shoot your flash through it to also get a diffused light, but you will typically need a stand or assistant.

What type of camera are you using? Might let us be a bit more specific in what type of flash would work well for you.

 

[tirediron]

There's a reason that man invented black electrical tape; it was to put over that horrid little light that is built into the top of your camera. That said, I have to say that you've done very well only using the built in flash. As mentioned above, hot-shoe flash ('Speedlight') will open up a whole new world of creativity for you. If the budget allows it, than I would look for a Nikon SB600/700/800/900. The 600 just went (or is about to) go out of production, so stock may be scarce. Check out your local Craig's List or other used 'site.

Failing that, almost any flash will work, but will probably restrict you to manual flash - this isn't difficult but does take a day or two to sort out.

 

[Rebekah5280]

I have seen soft box diffusers for flashes. Would that be something worth looking into as well?

Also: I've heard of a "metering flash" am I correct in assuming that means I can change the flash strength? Maybe thats a stupid question.. I'll go look that one up myself...

I appreciate your help!

I am shooting with a Nikon D3100, 28-75 F/2.8 (although, the pictures about were actually taken with my kit 18-55 lens)

 

[Rebekah5280]

Ok.. so I don't think that there is a "metering flash." I combined a light meter with flash and came up with that term all by myself! haha

Anyways, I did find that I can change the strength of my flash, which is what I wanted to know.