First time messing around with flash and to be honest it doesn't seem that complicated. I'm sure there are more things to learn about it when it comes to multi light setups and what not but for my first time using it it was pretty nice. I bought a softbox to soften the light attached that bad boy on there and then had my daughter be my model. She got to take some shots of me as well but I'm not going to post those ones haha.
These look really nice. The first one in particular is very nice; you managed to mix the flash with the ambient light perfectly in that one. Flash can be really great (though I will always love natural light a little more for my own work), and there are so many ways to be creative with it.
One suggestion I might make regarding the second photo would be to add something to bounce the light off of in order to fill in the shadows a little bit. Some white poster board, or a white reflector, or a white V-flat positioned opposite the flash would bounce some of that light back and cause that light to fill the shadows just enough to bring back some detail in the shadows without eliminating the moodiness of those shadows.
A couple of nice photos. I love that smile.
I'll comment on backgrounds, rather than the flash.
In #1, The bright strip of light behind her is not best - a distraction that could have been avoided. A solid background would be my choice.
In #2, her dark hair is lost against the dark background. A medium toned background or light on the background so we see contrast between her hair and the background behind would solve this.
In the first photo I was trying to use the sun almost as hair light but i do agree that the bright spot is distracting. I appreciate the criticism because it makes me think about it moving forward into the next shot.
For the second photo I agree black hair with a dark background did lead to a loss of details that could have been saved if more thought was put into the background. Once again thank you. I will try to remember and implement them in my future shots.
Marcus, the 2 comments made by Daniel and Jim R. should provide you with some excellent suggestions on improving your well photographed posts!
We hope you will take them as postive comments and not negative.
I view all the comments made on any of my post as constructive criticism. I don't like to think of anyone as being malicious with there comments. I view everyone on this forum as someone I can learn something from seeing as I want to become a better photographer. I understand that it's an art form and that there will always be different ideas about whats better along with some fundamental things baked in so I will take all forms of criticism until I believe I have a better understanding at composing and editing which is funny enough still going to come from a certain level of praise and validation since there is an agreed upon standard.
We just started getting into the studio in my photography program so I am looking forward to sharing those photos going forward!
