My first real event - please critique me!

[HarrisonClicks]

Some background....

I am a 'serious amateur" looking to perhaps one day turn pro in my community so to speak. I have not really focused (no pun intended) on my shooting forte but I seem to continually shoot youth sports (my kids & kids on their team) and the occasional friend and extended family parties. Recently, I had the opportunity to shoot a large fundraising event as my wife was the chairperson. They were not 'looking' for a photographer, so I was not hired so to speak. But I used this excellent opportunity to practice technique.

Also, I am a new practicing strobist. I am trying to learn the advanced techniques of flash or, at the very least, obtain natural looking flash and proper ambient light / flash exposures. I also only shoot manual now so I can learn what works and what doesnt work.

My images of this party are up on my website (under continuing construction!). I will provide the link below. All of these images were taken with my 1DsMIII w/ 24-105 f/4.0 L, attached to RRS B87-B Perfect Portrait flash bracket, with 580EXII flash, with Sto-fen omnibounce diffuser. The flash was either bounced directly up (large white ceilings) or at 45 degree angle forward.

The exposure EXIF is available for each photo (smugmug backed site), but generally I exposed manual at 1/80 and f/4.0 at ISO 400. The flash was set to ETTL and at times FEC was used up or down up to 2/3 of a stop.

Can you critique me? I am generally interested in my choosen manual settings, ISO, ambient light / flash exposure results, flash technique, etc. I was learning how to 'drag the shutter' based on reading this forum. But I am not sure if i am using the correct manual settings and ISO. I do have a second flash now with the PW mini / flex system, but it was not used for this shoot. I want to get good at one flash first before i add a second. But what else would you suggest to improve upon, aside from the need to take close up still images of the silent auction items and other shots to "fill in" the event (should have done that - will know for future).

Once more thing. A friend of mine already critiqued me with a comment that I should back up and use my zoom to eliminate hot spots and make the subjects look thinner. Makes sence to me. But before i close this shoot in my head, I would like more feedback so I can learn.

Thanks!

Adam

Link:

http://www.harrisonclicks.com/gallery/7684623_LcPNH#496390941_gGJep

EDIT: I can also use some advice on composition and technique so far as walking around with the camera. Do you pros just randomly walk up to folks and ask them to pose for a shot? What types of candid shots are you looking for? When looking for candids, my viewfinder results looked boring and bland and often i did not fire the shutter. What do you aim for (pun intended this time!)?

[viet]

On the business side of the shoot, you do whatever you need to do to get the shots your clients want. Be it asking people to pose or just shoot candid all day long. You need to be able to do both.

Now, on the technical side, your settings are good and the shots looked very solid. However, I believe the 1DsIII is very capable above 400 ISO, do not be afraid to shoot higher ISO to blend more ambient with your flash for a more streamlined and smooth shot. Even my 30D, I frequently shoot at 800 ISO.

I also found that if people posed for you, it'd be safe to shoot even lower shutter speed at 1/40 or 1/60, which allowed even more ambient light in to lighten up your bg a little more. Candids, you need at least 1/100 to make sure no ghosting with flash, unless you want a little motion.

Your friend was right in using the zoom to compress the shots a bit more and shoot tighter would avoid hot spots on the shiny surface.

Some background....

I am a 'serious amateur" looking to perhaps one day turn pro in my community so to speak. I have not really focused (no pun intended) on my shooting forte but I seem to continually shoot youth sports (my kids & kids on their team) and the occasional friend and extended family parties. Recently, I had the opportunity to shoot a large fundraising event as my wife was the chairperson. They were not 'looking' for a photographer, so I was not hired so to speak. But I used this excellent opportunity to practice technique.

Also, I am a new practicing strobist. I am trying to learn the advanced techniques of flash or, at the very least, obtain natural looking flash and proper ambient light / flash exposures. I also only shoot manual now so I can learn what works and what doesnt work.

My images of this party are up on my website (under continuing construction!). I will provide the link below. All of these images were taken with my 1DsMIII w/ 24-105 f/4.0 L, attached to RRS B87-B Perfect Portrait flash bracket, with 580EXII flash, with Sto-fen omnibounce diffuser. The flash was either bounced directly up (large white ceilings) or at 45 degree angle forward.

The exposure EXIF is available for each photo (smugmug backed site), but generally I exposed manual at 1/80 and f/4.0 at ISO 400. The flash was set to ETTL and at times FEC was used up or down up to 2/3 of a stop.

Can you critique me? I am generally interested in my choosen manual settings, ISO, ambient light / flash exposure results, flash technique, etc. I was learning how to 'drag the shutter' based on reading this forum. But I am not sure if i am using the correct manual settings and ISO. I do have a second flash now with the PW mini / flex system, but it was not used for this shoot. I want to get good at one flash first before i add a second. But what else would you suggest to improve upon, aside from the need to take close up still images of the silent auction items and other shots to "fill in" the event (should have done that - will know for future).

Once more thing. A friend of mine already critiqued me with a comment that I should back up and use my zoom to eliminate hot spots and make the subjects look thinner. Makes sence to me. But before i close this shoot in my head, I would like more feedback so I can learn.

Thanks!

Adam

Link:

http://www.harrisonclicks.com/gallery/7684623_LcPNH#496390941_gGJep

EDIT: I can also use some advice on composition and technique so far as walking around with the camera. Do you pros just randomly walk up to folks and ask them to pose for a shot? What types of candid shots are you looking for? When looking for candids, my viewfinder results looked boring and bland and often i did not fire the shutter. What do you aim for (pun intended this time!)?

[Visual Bride]

Solid shots. I don't see any glaring issues at all. Don't really see a big issue with your chosen focal length. Your exposures are consistent across the board.

[HarrisonClicks]

Hey thanks for the feedback! Much appreciated.