First attempts with Canon 420EX Flash Gun

[geneticspecies]

I purchased the 420EX yesterday, and, with the help of my girlfriend, I've been testing it out. These shots were taken by bouncing the flash off a wall. It's more difficult than I thought, but I'm getting used to it.

http://www.v12digital.com/Photos/lorraine001.jpg

http://www.v12digital.com/Photos/lorraine002.jpg

http://www.v12digital.com/Photos/lorraine003.jpg

http://www.v12digital.com/Photos/lorraine004.jpg

[mvonditter]

I purchased the 420EX yesterday, and, with the help of my girlfriend, I've been testing it out. These shots were taken by bouncing the flash off a wall. It's more difficult than I thought, but I'm getting used to it.

http://www.v12digital.com/Photos/lorraine001.jpg

http://www.v12digital.com/Photos/lorraine002.jpg

http://www.v12digital.com/Photos/lorraine003.jpg

http://www.v12digital.com/Photos/lorraine004.jpg

Is the photographer as good looking?:o Nice pics.......keep at it. Missing a bit of shadow though. IMHO

[retro]

Great shots. I love the bright reds. She seems to be having fun!

[berto]

first and the third photo. her eyes seems to be looking at something else..
otherwise, nice try. she's hot!

[geneticspecies]

first and the third photo. her eyes seems to be looking at something else..
otherwise, nice try. she's hot!

Thanks. She was supposed to be looking elsewhere in those two photos... attempted to get a slightly candid, Lady Diana style photo. lol

[Pugdaddy]

I think they look great. I'd be tickled with the new flash if I was you. Good job. Your girlfriend makes a good model, also. Very relaxed looking.
Oh, yea. One more thing. I LOVE that red leather sofa.

[drisley]

#1 is definately my favourite. Extremely good indeed! I love the pose and angle.
#3 may be a little too red (skin tone), but I think that image may look very good in b&w.

[pradeep1]

Nice photos...after reading Drisley's comments I messed with one, to see what I could get...hope you don't mind. :)

[drisley]

Wow, I think that looks smashing!
That is a great b&w conversion.

[pradeep1]

One more...

[drisley]

I think the first image looks beautiful in colour and b&w.
But, as I imagined, this second image definately looks better in b&w imho.
Pradeep, do you use colour mixer for your conversions?

[geneticspecies]

Thanks for the comments. :)

They look great in B&W. I never thought of trying it that way.

[geneticspecies]

I've never really done portrait photography before, so in some ways these shots are experimental.

Here's two more:

http://www.v12digital.com/Photos/lorraine006.jpg

http://www.v12digital.com/Photos/lorraine007.jpg

[pradeep1]

I think the first image looks beautiful in colour and b&w.
But, as I imagined, this second image definately looks better in b&w imho.
Pradeep, do you use colour mixer for your conversions?

I just converted to grayscale and used Levels to bring down the background and bring up the subject. Fairly simple and straightforward. I don't know enough about PS to do anything fancy, yet. ;)

[pradeep1]

Geneticspecies,

You have a beautiful girlfriend and a willing model it seems, so take advantage of that. One thing that I don't like about these photos is the overly red cast in the entire image. Just too much red. Your girlfriend also seems to be wearing red lipstick and red rouge, which looks good in itself, but with the background couch, drapes, room wall, etc., it becomes too much. Shoot her in natural window light with minimal makeup and I am sure you'll get wonderful results with your 420EX. Overall I think you are learning to use the flash well and I wish you best of luck. I am not sure if you are already using it, but consider getting a Stofen Omnibounce head for your flash.

Thanks,

Pradeep

[geneticspecies]

Geneticspecies,

You have a beautiful girlfriend and a willing model it seems, so take advantage of that. One thing that I don't like about these photos is the overly red cast in the entire image. Just too much red. Your girlfriend also seems to be wearing red lipstick and red rouge, which looks good in itself, but with the background couch, drapes, room wall, etc., it becomes too much. Shoot her in natural window light with minimal makeup and I am sure you'll get wonderful results with your 420EX. Overall I think you are learning to use the flash well and I wish you best of luck. I am not sure if you are already using it, but consider getting a Stofen Omnibounce head for your flash.

Thanks,

Pradeep

The cast is because I forgot to set the white balance, so the indoor lighting gives off an orange cast. I will take it into account in the future.

[pradeep1]

The cast can also come from the place where you bounced the light from. If that had a yellow or off-white color, that can induce a color cast as well. All in all, I like your photos and the results of using the 420EX are superb. Post more photos of your girlfriend. She is very beautiful and interesting to look at.

[Michaelmjc]

I liek the contrasting colors between the couch and the curtains behind it. Very nice model, keep workin at it. You'll be able to use that thing perfectly in no time.

[drisley]

I agree with Pradeep. These images are absolutely great, except that there is a tad too much red in the skin tone.