Off Camera Flash attemps

[willis_927]

I havn't had much experience with off camera flash so I tried a bit this weekend.. I don't have a flash diffuser of any type yet so the main light is a bit harsh maybe? But Thats my next purchase..

Anyways, Pictures are all takin with Flash approx 45 degrees to subject, camera right, and a large white peice of construction paper for fill, located camera left about 3-4 feet from the child. I realise there not quite enough fill in these pictures,... try things a bit different next time. C&C as you wish.

Thanks

1)

2)

3)

 

[Davor]

I like this first one the lighting is pretty good, i would have ditched whatever the subject is holding there, its kind of distracting.

Love the expression on the second one!

The last one has too much room on the left, its almost like the subject is looking at something to the left but yet there is nothing there, and i think too much headroom, if you cut off that space above the subjects head it might feel just right.

 

[willis_927]

Thanks, any other comments?

 

[Samerr9]

hey.. I like all the photos

Although i am not a pro, i think the shadows in no.1 r not that nice.. also no.3 the background is obviously edited with black.. so just paint the remaining with black as i can see the brushes

best of luck

 

[willis_927]

Where do u see brush marks? Not saying they aren't there, but I don't see them on my monitor... I am sure it needs calibration tho lol

 

[Davor]

i don't see them either

 

[BuS_RiDeR]

I think the lighting looks ok... but... is it just me or is the child's skin looking a bit orange?

 

[cnutco]

I see no brush marks either.

Great first attempt at OCF. The focus seems a bit soft too.

 

[freezeman]

The black is splotchy on the left side of 3. I don't see it in the other two.

 

[willis_927]

Strange people think the background in 3 looks brushed or "splotchy", The background in that picture was actually not touched with a brush. It was near pure black in the origional, all I did for PP was adjusted the curves a bit to get the shadows darker, bumped contrast for the shirt, and played with the eyes a bit.. Thanks for the comments non the less!

 

[IgsEMT]

Hi Mark
I'll organize my thoughts and opinions by few categories:

Light Quality: Lighting is a bit harsh for my flavor. I'd use such when want accent shadows, when shooting a body builder and want to get muscle definition. On a child, softer if better, in my opinion.

Exposure: seems to be well exposed but I HATE (and I'm using that word strongly, since again, its my opinion) when ambient yellow light drops on the subject. To my eye, it just destroys the image.

White Balance: seems to be fine, but its hard to judge on non-calibrated monitor.

Composition: more often then not I shoot at 2/3 framing rule, for most part you kept to it. Cropping out body parts isn't always the best thing to do but there are ways to do it right. I don't feel that you did it well.

Lighting Position: For my flavor, seems to steep of an angel w/ respect to the camera & as before in quality, to harsh.

My recommendations: If you want you can listen to them or not, its your call.
If using a single light, placing it 10-30 degrees either camera left or camera right about 6-12 inches above the camera/lens angle angle.
Use faster shutter speeds to eliminate ambient light.
Use a light modifier of some sort, even $0.99 white foam paper can be used as a bounce card, just preset the WB for it.
& best of all, have a GREAT time doing it

If you have specific Qs, don't hesitate to PM. I don't have as much time, as before, to log on and go through all the threads but I do reply to PMs and emails.

Good Luck,
Joe

 

[Samerr9]

I am sorry to play with the photo, but by just pushing the level u can see what i meant.. what i though r brush strokes are the two around the head.. IMPO the black backgroung should have such variations!

 

[o hey tyler]

I am sorry to play with the photo, but by just pushing the level u can see what i meant.. what i though r brush strokes are the two around the head.. IMPO the black backgroung should have such variations!

You realized that you ruined that photo, right?

 

[bigtwinky]

I am sorry to play with the photo, but by just pushing the level u can see what i meant.. what i though r brush strokes are the two around the head.. IMPO the black backgroung should have such variations!

You realized that you ruined that photo, right?

I dont think his intent was to show different post processing, but to show where he perceived brush marks on the image :er:

 

[bigtwinky]

I like this first one the lighting is pretty good, i would have ditched whatever the subject is holding there, its kind of distracting.

Much much easier said that done. The kid is giving really cute expressions. One of the reasons could easily be that thing she is holding. Throwing that away may result in the kid totally not wanting to have her picture taken, throwing tantrums and so on. So keep the thing if that is what she likes. Play with it some. But I do agree that it's distracting, so zoom in a bit more.


I like the images, the kid is really cute.
The shadows are a bit harsh, as you said.

My major issue is the black background and how there is no seperation between her and it... the strips on her shirt just bleed into the background. Try and get some light shining behind her to cut her out from the background a bit.

And try and get some catchlights in both of her eyes. Gives them that little sparkle, ya know?