Sister in Law & Neice

[l0gden]

Be gentle (though I would appreciate constructive criticism and tips), this is my first post and first real attempt at off camera lighting. Post processing was sharpening eyes (looking at it now maybe a bit too much?) and some softening of my Sister-in-law's skin.

Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 44 mm
ISO Speed: 400

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3192/3096609809_3762bab9d1.jpg

[indigobox]

I think the image is vibrant, but I feel that the face is too blown out from the left coming into the right. One way this could be fixed is by a Reflector.
If you put a reflector on the right side, you can bounce light back in, and it should even some of the skin tones out. The sharpening looks ok to me.
Very nice shot otherwise. :)
Cj.

[Lori Putman]

I think the image is vibrant, but I feel that the face is too blown out from the left coming into the right. One way this could be fixed is by a Reflector.
If you put a reflector on the right side, you can bounce light back in, and it should even some of the skin tones out. The sharpening looks ok to me.
Very nice shot otherwise. :)
Cj.

I struggle with this also and natural lighting. A reflector won't eliminate the blowing out will it?

[4Bucks]

I really like the picture. Both have great eyes.
I am new at this and only have one flash (430EX). With that said, I try to be very aware of where the room/natural lighting is coming from and bounce my flash off the opposite wall to try to balance the lighting when possible. Seems basic but often hard to think of as an amateur (that I am).
Making due with what I have,
Rob

[l0gden]

Thanks, everyone, for the feedback. indigobox (or anyone who can answer) When you say "blown out" do you mean that it is losing details or that it is just too bright to match with the rest of image. Here is the histogram from aperture, on the raw file -- if I have blown it out can you help me understand what I need to shoot for in the histogram to keep it exposed properly? My understanding was as long as I wasn't clipping on either side I was properly exposed -- is that accurate?

My aperture and photoshop adjustments were both pretty basic and I didn't mess with curves or exposure at all in post.

http://www.codewrench.com/histogram.png

Thanks for any help. Just trying to learn how to get better. I definitely see the imbalance from camera left to camera right now that you all pointed it out -- thanks.

[Rhinotherunt]

Not blown out to me... I would say too hot of a light. Sharpening does not bother me... proof is in the prints. ;) Some printers require more sharpening than others.