Harsh Flash

[kpiela]

Hey there. I need some advice! I lost my sto-fen diffuser and had to go out to do portraits of a 3 month old. I thought I had taken the flash down a bit but it seems pretty harsh on this baby's head!

Can anyone help me with the pp to soften the lighting?

thanks
(i haven't gotten the mom's permission yet!)
214554

[Curtis N]

Look at the shadow underneath his cute lil' right cheek. It's fairly pronounced with a hard edge, which shows us that most of the light came from a small light source above the lens - namely your flash unit.

What direction was the flash head pointing? Aiming the Sto-Fen up at the ceiling, or even at the wall behind you, should reduce the amount of direct light.

Another option - When you're this close, the catchlight card on the 580EX is enough to provide fill. Try that instead of the Sto-Fen and see how it works.

[kpiela]

Thanks Curtis. I didn't have the Sto-fen... just ordered another one today. I had the 580 pointed up, with the catchlight card out. It was just too much. Darn.

Have any pp advice for me?? I tried lightly burning his head/face but that ain't working.

[Curtis N]

Dang. I gotta start reading threads more carefully. Sorry for my confusion.I had the 580 pointed up, with the catchlight card out. It was just too much. Darn.Try pushing the catchlight card back in half way.

This picture really doesn't look so bad. I wouldn't spend too much time trying to "save" it. If the child has a good expression, Momma will love it. Trust me. ;)

[kpiela]

Thanks Curtis. I do this all the time... I kill myself trying to make it perfect in my eyes! Anyhoo... this kid had a great expression for about 110 photos, so I'm sure I will find a few she will love! :)

[babyduckmonger]

You should just keep in mind that we're all way more hypercritical of our work than anyone else is going to be. We obsess over every detail (or should, at least), but in the end people just see a pretty picture and are happy. No mother is going to look at that and see a shadow and a harsh flash - they are going to see their beautiful baby.

[Rumjungle]

Very true...the flash is ok on this one. In the future, go with Curtis' advice.

As for PP, do your standard portrait stuff to it. Color/skin tone/smoothing...
http://ATAweddings.smugmug.com/photos/209918231-L.jpg

On second thought, maybe a lil vignette is in order.

[kpiela]

Thanks b.d.m. (nice avatar btw) ;)

[kpiela]

I am really inept at some parts of pp... I have no idea how to do skin tone/smoothing! oy.