Outdoor Flash for Portraits?

[CAycock]

I've just started doing a few outdoor portraits. If I can't get early mornings or evenings I just try to find a well shaded area and use my flash. Sometimes I just can't get it exactly how I'd like it :evil:. What are some (cheap) tricks you use for better lighting outdoors?

[Stephie]

I would also like to know this....

[tdodd]

Wouldn't we all like to know? :)

I can't give you a direct answer, because I really don't know of any, but you may do better posting your question in the Small Flash and Studio Lighting forum - http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=35. You may be given a direct answer or very likely refered to http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/ for some more reading. I personally find that site rather unwieldy to wade through, but I'm sure the information is there, somewhere.

You could also try this site for some inspiration - http://www.dg28.com/technique/index.htm - and perhaps have a rummage through YouTube. There is a series of short videos called "Confessions of a Photographer" that may give you some ideas. Start here for the first vid - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqMI72jsXRQ.

[cdifoto]

You have to identify your problem before you can solve it. What exactly is not the way you want it? Post samples.

[tdodd]

You have to identify your problem before you can solve it. What exactly is not the way you want it? Post samples.
Actually, that was my first reaction too, but sometimes it is good to see how others work and what ideas they have. Sometimes it is good just to be given some inspiration. I agree, though, a pic or two and a specific comment on what was wanted but not achieved might move things forward.

This site is not specifically about outdoor portraits but is very good regarding flash technique for natural, great looking, photos - http://planetneil.com/tangents/flash-photography-techniques/

[PhotosGuy]

Sometimes it is good just to be given some inspiration. Angeline outdoors (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=483975)

[In2Photos]

There is some good info in this thread:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=352745

[CAycock]

Wow this got a lot of response over night! So this shows me that I'm not the only one hastling with this. haha.

Well sometimes I just feel like the head on flash makes the picture look synthetic. And bouncing is out of the question the majority of the time. Right now I'm just messing with the flash compensation to meet my needs. But sometimes I just can't find the correct amount.

Is there any other way to make it look more natural?

[cdifoto]

Is there any other way to make it look more natural?
Get the flash off the camera. Easier said than done but anything worth doing is worth practicing.

[In2Photos]

Wow this got a lot of response over night! So this shows me that I'm not the only one hastling with this. haha.

Well sometimes I just feel like the head on flash makes the picture look synthetic. And bouncing is out of the question the majority of the time. Right now I'm just messing with the flash compensation to meet my needs. But sometimes I just can't find the correct amount.

Is there any other way to make it look more natural?
Again having an example would be very helpful.

One of the things you may be running into is the mismatch of light temperatures. If shooting in the shade and using flash the light temps can be off, resulting in too warm for either foreground or background. In this case you would need to use gels on the flash to compensate for the difference in color temps. If this is not the case and you are simply referring to the amount of light on your subject then you really just have to practice until you learn how much you need of both ambient and fill as there is no generic catchall formula that works.

[CAycock]

Thanks. I'll look into getting it off.

And I'll see if I can find an example. I cleaned out my bad pictures the other day so I can't think of any off the top of my head that I could post. I'll look into the color temp too though.

[tdodd]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQKqj4W0QWI

Have patience and endure the Clearasil ad. Maybe there is an idea in there that will suit you.