Yesterday was a frustration today... well what do you think

[Jessielee13]

So yesterday I was aggravated about my manual settings and couldn't figure it out so after some wonderful help from some great people on this forum I am starting to get a knack for it. I was left knowing my next purchase is a flash and was told to play with my on board flash a little (even though they suck)

So how is this... and advise for what to change with my settings next time

1/60 f5.6 ISO 400 onboard flash defused with toilet paper (lol)

I have not touched this photo as it is just a test so it is straight from camera to forum

 

[ballr4lyf]

Turned out a lot better! I know the on-board flash sucks, but I will say that it is a lot better than the on-board flash of most p&s cameras or in-phone cameras.

 

[ringokid]

interesting use of toilet paper . I like the picture the kid is cute but the only thing i notice is the that is kind of removing from the picture is the glare on his nose and cheek and the drip on his chin aswell as his messy hair. Other than that could maybe be a bit sharper and try situating yourself a little different so the shadow doesnt appear onto the body.

 

[Jessielee13]

Oh I should mention since "my gear" that use to be under my posts has vanished and i can't get it back I am using a Canon T1I with the 18-55mm kit lens I also have a 55-250mm f4-5.6 lens that I have no shot with as of yet... one step at a time

 

[Jessielee13]

he just got up from a nap.. hence the duck jammies as well lol... but for just snapping the shot to play with the settings the composition didn't turn out to bad for as far as I can figure when you mean situate myself different as in how or where I should say... so for a sharper image what exactly can I try? Is my Toilet paper causing this?

 

[jake337]

Focus looks a bit off on the eyes. Try bouncing your pop up flash with a small grey card or peice of paper. You will have to up your flash power t 1/1 or up your ttl to +1 or +2. You can also try bouncing the flash at different angles off the walls around you to create different lighting.

 

[Jessielee13]

Focus looks a bit off on the eyes. Try bouncing your pop up flash with a small grey card or peice of paper. You will have to up your flash power t 1/1 or up your ttl to +1 or +2. You can also try bouncing the flash at different angles off the walls around you to create different lighting.

can you explain this a little further... with the pop up flash how do I go about bouncing it? thank you for your help

 

[vtf]

I am glad you're heading in the right direction. It is alittle bright for me, I would do one of these:
1. Lower my iso down to 200 or
2. Shutter to 1/80 or 1/100

I am leaning towards shutter since babies can quickly move with little jerks. I think you are so much better embracing your inner flash self, and it shows, no more black screens. Its just a matter of refining it here, adjusting ever so slowly.
A little sharpening in pp and such will clear up the eyes and you have a cute shot.
Good Job:thumbup:
PS: I would wipe the drool off next time, but still a cute kid.

 

[mrpink]

Let him breathe.

Get further back from him, this will allow your pop flash to "diffuse" more causing somewhat softer light.

Also, get him further away from the "backdrop". This will give more separation by DoF.

Have you tried using modeling lights? You can make some very simply by use of clamp lights and daylight rated CFL's. Soften them through a sheet or tracing paper and you are golden.

Cute kid. Axe the drool.


oh yeah, and what vtf said on the settings. never below 1/100 when shooting kids.





p!nK

 

[Jessielee13]

Okay so mission for tomorrow move baby further from back drop... get further from kid to diffuse my flash some more. try 1/100 or 1/80...
Modeling lights where do I purchase them? If its at the camera store I will look next time I head to the city...
and lastly even for a test shot... wipe his drool away...
am I missing anything else?

 

[djacobox372]

Here's my suggestions:

1) use a darker background

2) let more ambient/natural light in--turn down your shutter speed, and turn up your iso if necessary--the flash is doing to much and washing everything out.

3) clean your subjects face, nobody wants to look at spit--us non-parents aren't so desensitized to it's grossness, yuck!

 

[Jessielee13]

I am well aware that I needed to clean his face and already noted I would and did in the next set of photos (see as vtf say "embarrassing your inner flash"). I will find a darker backround for tomorrows shoot... so you are saying to try and that and lose the flash? I will try that tomorrow I don't think my son will go for another make me sit session this evening thank you for input.

 

[mrpink]

Modeling lights where do I purchase them? If its at the camera store I will look next time I head to the city...

I was thinking more along the DIY lines....

Designers Edge 8.5 in. Incandescent Clamp Light - E-245 at The Home Depot

with some daylight rated CFL bulbs.








p!nK

 

[Jessielee13]

deal thats on I will go get some tomorrow

 

[jake337]

Focus looks a bit off on the eyes. Try bouncing your pop up flash with a small grey card or peice of paper. You will have to up your flash power t 1/1 or up your ttl to +1 or +2. You can also try bouncing the flash at different angles off the walls around you to create different lighting.

can you explain this a little further... with the pop up flash how do I go about bouncing it? thank you for your help

Put a peice of paper or mail, something thicker than paper that won't let any or jsut a small amount of light through, in front of the pop up flash. Thats it! You can try to angle it so the flash bounces off the ceiling at a 45 degree angle or whatever direction you want. Try many different bounces and you'll start to pick up the small differences in the photo you take.