Need usage of flash C&C....

[ConverseMan]

I recently acquired a Canon 430 EXII flash to use while taking pictures. I decided to get the smaller 430 until I began to get the hang of using one correctly before spending about 2x as much on the larger flash.

I was hoping if you all could C&C this picture for me. It's my friend Jason, being his normal self - a nut. The flash is on camera pointed high camera left towards the ceiling. The flash was still on "auto", as I am still trying to learn how to use it.

So - what could I have done differently? I know that you rarely want to point the flash straight at someone so as you don't flatten the appearance of their face. So I was trying to bounce the flash off of something.

aaaaannnnnnd go!......

BTW: Merry Christmas to everyone.

 

[tirediron]

Not bad actually; the focus seems a little soft, but the lighting isn't bad at all. It might be a touch hot, but other than that, or a single, bounced speedlight, you done good.

 

[redtippmann]

As far as light goes you did pretty well. Bounced flash almost always makes nice light, so it's a good thing to be able to do.

 

[Nikon_Dude]

I agree, good lighting overall. I've found bounced flash to be really effective and easy to put to use.