First time using my flash

[Canadian Techdiver]

Thomas & Amiee. my wife's cousin's wedding from the weekend. My first time using my flash 430 ex. Shot with my 28-105 and Canon XT/350D

C&C welcome... Man this was a learning experiance. The ones from the church not so good with low ambient light and no flash allowed. yellow walls and paneling... did not have good enough glass on those. and had to shot with an iso of 1600. not posting those as they just don't look good.

1.
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn77/techdiver74/thomasamieetoast_filtered.jpg
2.
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn77/techdiver74/thomasamieetoast2_filtered.jpg
3.
This one is from the church after when I was allowed to use Flash
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn77/techdiver74/amieeThomasgrammagrandpa_filtered.jpg

[tiredoffilm]

The trouble with using direct flash is that you get harsh shadows behind your subject, Try rotating the flash and bouncing it off walls,ceilings for a more natural softer effect.
Then show us some more!!!

[Visual Bride]

Major noise reduction on these! Flash wise they look good for direct flash. Bouncing is definitely the way to go.

[Canadian Techdiver]

Please expand on the "major noise reduction on these" The fact I did soften them to reduce the grainy look from shooting in a higher iso?

I was attempting to bounce. By having the flash at a 45 towards ceiling etc. Straight up didn't work at all..

Edit
I take it back the two of them closer up I did shoot direct flash and I was on my 70-300 lense due to my distance away at our dinner table..... I was trying to bounce in the church with a low ceiling. will that give the same effect... or should I look into a diffuser for something like this. I tried a paper one at the hall and shot straight up and I may as well not had a flash on at all.... Open to all suggestions.


But I see the shadows from my flash. So I will need to work on that a lot.

Thanks for your input.... trust me I know I suck....have to start somewhere.....no place to go but up now....

[tiredoffilm]

Please expand on the "major noise reduction on these" The fact I did soften them to reduce the grainy look from shooting in a higher iso?


Thanks for your input.... trust me I know I suck....have to start somewhere.....no place to go but up now....

Don't put yourself down, there's plenty of people on this forum who will be very happy to do that for you! lol

Rather than just softening the image to reduce noise try a noise filter. I'm no expert but there is quite a good one on Photoshop elements (others are available) which allows you to keep the image sharp but reduce grain effect from using a high iso.

[Canadian Techdiver]

I was using Noise Ninja 2.

I found my photoshop to not really reduce the noise at all without going real soft. But I am also new to both programs. I have not used photoshop since I had window 95... this newer version is ....well a little more indepth.LOL

Thanks for the input

[Lelasmama05]

Don't put yourself down... we all have to learn from somewhere, but you have to be able to take constructive criticism and use it for next time. There is very harsh shadows from the direct flash. Next time if bouncing it off the ceiling doesn't work try the a card.

[Canadian Techdiver]

I was trying to be a little funny.... I know I am new... does anyone have any info on Flash cards for the 430EX....

I have broad shoulders I appreciate true criticism. I want to know what I am doing wrong and how to fix it/learn.

[Visual Bride]

Try shooting with the flash point straight at the ceiling.

The light hits the ceiling, then bounces from the ceiling on to the subjects. It's like having a light bulb above there head, except softer. The shadow would fall closer to the floor.

Can you post a pic without the noise reduction? Also did you do the reduction on the small image posted or was it on the original full size image. It looks like you have resized the image for posting and added the NR after.

[Canadian Techdiver]

sorry had to shoot in .jpg

started shooting in RAW but I keep having problems with photoshop missloading components and just could not count on it.

hooked up with a guy on here for a custom bounce card he makes for pretty cheap. So I will be picking up one of those as well.

I was about 30-45' away from them when shooting.

I appreciate all your help. I did a little work on the eyes and her ring to help bring out the ring in the first image... but this image is the base shot

f/4.5 Iso 400 1/125 shot at 125mm

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn77/techdiver74/IMG_1916.jpg

[Catlover]

Yeah, I recognized the noise reduction as well. In situations where you cannot bounce off the ceiling, you might wanna try and bounce off a large reflector.

[Mike McCusker]

Just so you don't walk away with you tail b/t your legs. You did an excellent job of showing the detail in her dress.
Keep it up, getting flash to act the way you want it is a tougn job. Search the forum for entries by Curtis N, and Pac Ace just to mention a couple and you will be shooting like a pro in no time....

[LoremIpsum]

put that white card up. should help with the muddiness.

[Mario.]

Don't experiment with equipment at a wedding. You want to practice with flash at your house, or outside at a park. Not with clients, not at a high-paced event such as a wedding.

I use direct flash all the time and never have shadow problems, but it's taken me years to know exactly what to do. And I shoot at ISO800 and ISO1600 all the time as well.

[Canadian Techdiver]

Ya this was family...I would not take on a Client...... I have owned a DSLR for exaclty 4 months.. IF it was a Client I wouldn't sit 45 feet back to shoot... I would barge through all the ignorant people to get my customers the shots they want..

I figure why not practice in a hard place.....best way to learn is in a real situation...even if they turn out "bad" they really were not bad because I learned from it....