Sunset Portraits - first try

[TSEE]

Ok just thought I'd share some pictures I took of my BIL and his fiance a few weeks ago, first try taking outdoor portraits with my 20D, realized after these I need an external flash. ;)

[stoneylonesome]

I think those are pretty nice, there's a certain softness to them with the lighting. You can always brighten them if you feel you must in a photo editing program like PS or PSP9

[TSEE]

You can always brighten them if you feel you must in a photo editing program like PS or PSP9

I suppose you're right, I'm just wondering how much different/better they would have been with a more powerful flash.

[Eric DeCastro]

also I would have dragged the shutter. but nice for your first try.

[DocFrankenstein]

I suppose you're right, I'm just wondering how much different/better they would have been with a more powerful flash.
If you'd defuse the (powerful external) flash, you'd see significant improvement in quality/flexinility of your setup.

[IanBMW]

I think the last picture is the best. He has a great smile to match his fiance's.....you should make sure he uses it more next time.

[TSEE]

If you'd defuse the (powerful external) flash, you'd see significant improvement in quality/flexinility of your setup.

You think you'd see an improvement with the use of a more powerful flash? See I'm in the market for one right now, need to buy one within the next 2 weeks so I have time to use it before their wedding.

[TSEE]

I think the last picture is the best. He has a great smile to match his fiance's.....you should make sure he uses it more next time.

I guess that's what you get with military guys, have a hard time to smile. But I agree he needs to smile more in pictures....gosh I'm gonna have my work cut out at the wedding ain't I? :lol:

[DocFrankenstein]

You think you'd see an improvement with the use of a more powerful flash? See I'm in the market for one right now, need to buy one within the next 2 weeks so I have time to use it before their wedding.
Of course there's gonna be improvement.

Buy a flash and a diffuser for a wedding. Use it during day too, to remove the shadows.

[Jonny]

also I would have dragged the shutter. but nice for your first try.

Can you explain what this means? I have heard that term but don't really know what it is!

[TSEE]

Of course there's gonna be improvement.

Buy a flash and a diffuser for a wedding. Use it during day too, to remove the shadows.

Ok this whole flash things is beyond me, I've never had the need for it, of course I've never had such a high end camera as the 20D either, so I'm just learning. So what would the diffuser do, give headshot a more soft light or what?
I was debating weather or not to buy a omni-bounce (is that the same as a diffuser?) with the flash, wasn't sure what it would do tho?!

[DocFrankenstein]

yes, the diffuser diffuses the light, making it softer and more natural.


That omni bounce seems to be worth it, I heard so much about it, even though haven't used one myself.

Cheers

[TSEE]

yes, the diffuser diffuses the light, making it softer and more natural.
That omni bounce seems to be worth it, I heard so much about it, even though haven't used one myself.

Cheers

Well sounds like I'll be spending the 17 extra bucks and get the omni-bouncer also, I sure don't want a more powerful flash only to white-out/over expose the pictures, that would suck. Thanks for the tip!!!

[Hellashot]

Yep, they're too dark.

[Geeeyejo]

I like #1 best - and agre that you can brighten post processing with PS.
Regards,
Gee

[Eric DeCastro]

Can you explain what this means? I have heard that term but don't really know what it is!

you shoot at a slow shutter speed, set your flash to second sync.

this bring in more ambiant light (like sunsets) and the second sync flash will light up the subject.

[rrdjserv@earthlink.net]

Shot #1 is cute. Shot #4 shows the girl's best pose. The guy should not have his hands in his pockets (at least not all the way). I would use post processing to lighten and also remove a few blemishes. I have the 20D and it does take time to master. Keep shooting. Back lite subjects are challenging.

[Tom Reid]

Your photos, with some editing, are the start of excellent finished prints.



First...more powerful flash issue. I’ve just replaced my 300D with the 20D, which I see in your signature is your camera. Hit pages 96 and 97 of the 20D manual and experiment. The flash exposure compensation can fill the void you are seeking in flash fill. BTW, if you know of a good tip let me know, I’m still learning to 20D!!



Second point…Photoshop Elements that came with your 20D or better yet the full version of Photoshop can take what at first glance appears to be another boring portrait and turn it into a print that will wow your friends. Cropping out distractions in the picture, softening filters in Photoshop, etc. can turn any one of the images you posted into a final print that your subjects will cherish.



Good work!!

[René Damkot]

I don't think you need an external flash because it has more *power* in this case . . . The images are a bit underexposed, but just flashing more wouldn't have made them better IMHO. Using a longer shutter time ('dragging the shutter') would have helped, because the background would have been brighter. (So the solution here would have been to, say, use a 1 stop slower shuttertime *and* set a FEC of +1/2 or so)
You can correct them a bit in photoshop using curves (or levels).
The biggast advantage of an external flash is its further from the camera center, reducing the risk for red eyes and moving shadows further away. It's also a bigger surface, so the light will be (a bit) less harsh. Apart from that you can modify the light using for instance a diffuser. Also take a look at here (http://194.100.88.243/petteri/pont/How_to/hc_Bounce_Built-In_Flash/a_Bounce_the_Pop-up.html?page=1)

[TSEE]

Shot #1 is cute. Shot #4 shows the girl's best pose. The guy should not have his hands in his pockets (at least not all the way). I would use post processing to lighten and also remove a few blemishes. I have the 20D and it does take time to master. Keep shooting. Back lite subjects are challenging.

Thanks for the tips. I'm waiting for my new photo software to arrive tomorrow so I will be playing around with the pictures to see if I can lighten them up a little, the cheap programs I have right now doesn't do it for me.
The hands in the pocket is sort of what they wanted, casual. But I agree now when I take a second look, they are shoved way down there aren't they!?
Thanks!

[TSEE]

First...more powerful flash issue. I’ve just replaced my 300D with the 20D, which I see in your signature is your camera. Hit pages 96 and 97 of the 20D manual and experiment. The flash exposure compensation can fill the void you are seeking in flash fill. BTW, if you know of a good tip let me know, I’m still learning to 20D!!



Second point…Photoshop Elements that came with your 20D or better yet the full version of Photoshop can take what at first glance appears to be another boring portrait and turn it into a print that will wow your friends. Cropping out distractions in the picture, softening filters in Photoshop, etc. can turn any one of the images you posted into a final print that your subjects will cherish.

Good work!!

Thanks for the comments!
The flash I used was the one built in to the camera, I realized I needed a more powerful flash, so started with the Sigma 500 that arrives tomorrow along with a new photo program. For some reason I haven't been to impressed with the Photoshop Elements from what I read about it, I might have to install and try it i guess....but I got another one coming tomorrow as well. I'll be fiddling with the pictures and see how they turn out. Which distractions do you find?

[4walls]

When you get your Sigma 500 (that is what I am using here) try the slow
shutter speeds and 2nd curtain sync.

Exposure Time: 1/6 sec.
F-Number: F/3.5
Exposure Mode: Shutter Priority
Exposure Compensation: +0.3 step
Focal length: 28mm
Flash Fired: True