First "People" shots with flash in doors

[dinanm3atl]

Just looking for an overall opinion on how I did and looking for C&C and if you have tips fire away!

First time shooting inside with flash in this type of environment.
If you just want to browse:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dinanm3atl/sets/72157622255179494/

Canon 40D w/ 17-40 f/4L + 430ex w/ StoFen Omnibounce

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3026/3894533613_036d287602_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2648/3895151028_ccb790076c_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2584/3897494256_3321e0b3f9_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2540/3902772470_7a88fa6b72_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2507/3902775712_fae3cf42d3_b.jpg

[wmcy]

These are great. Good use of flash and the composition is sound. I really hear good things about the 17-40. One of Canon's best values IMHO.

Congrats.

[Flo]

Looks like you had fun! good exposure

[DragonDan]

I like the Rocketeer the best! Good one!

[lawlz_xD]

Great pictures! Just wondering, what was the orientation/settings of the speedlite? Were you able to bounce? FEC? Thanks!

[korrektor]

a wider aperture lens would've helped against busy backgrounds like these. but you did fine with the flash!

[dinanm3atl]

Great pictures! Just wondering, what was the orientation/settings of the speedlite? Were you able to bounce? FEC? Thanks!

StoFen @ 45 degrees.

a wider aperture lens would've helped against busy backgrounds like these. but you did fine with the flash!

Only have 17-40 or 70-200 f/2.8 :( Will change something up at some point.

[LeuceDeuce]

Get the flash off the camera.

[dinanm3atl]

Get the flash off the camera.

Outside of a flash bracket mounting it up higher what other option are you proposing?

This is a convention with people walking around. It is a spur of the moment shoot "Hey Captain America can I get a picture?"

Or they are posing with other characters and I jump in and ask for 1 more photo...

[LeuceDeuce]

Outside of a flash bracket mounting it up higher what other option are you proposing?

This is a convention with people walking around. It is a spur of the moment shoot "Hey Captain America can I get a picture?"

Or they are posing with other characters and I jump in and ask for 1 more photo...

I'm assuming you're by yourself, and do not have anyone that could hold the flash for you.

I would hold it myself.

Joe McNally explains a fantastic grip that allows you to hold your own flash in your left hand.

http://www.joemcnally.com/blog/2008/03/10/da-grip/

Instead of wrapping your left arm to hold the camera in the final step, cross your body with it and hold the flash on the right side of your body.

This method may even be better if cost is an issue because all you need is a sync cord instead of wireless triggers. The sych cord will also allow you to shoot TTL where this ability may or may not be available with a wireless trigger. My PocketWizards don't support TTL but I believe that the new models do.

You'll need a battery grip in order to pull it off though (you don't list a grip so I don't know if you have one).

[dinanm3atl]

I have a grip. What advantage does this hold over shooting the 430ex on camera with a sto-fen @ 45 degrees?

[aroundlsu]

Good clean shots, but my only gripe is the background is too far underexposed. I see you shot at 1/160. You could easily have dropped that down at least one stop, probably two stops to 1/40 and got a much brighter background without doing much to your foreground or your flash intensity.

[dinanm3atl]

Good clean shots, but my only gripe is the background is too far underexposed. I see you shot at 1/160. You could easily have dropped that down at least one stop, probably two stops to 1/40 and got a much brighter background without doing much to your foreground or your flash intensity.

I agree the background is way underexposed but much of it was done that way intentionally or in CS3.

It is a bunch of wandering fans or other costuming people at Dragon*Con. You can see in some backgrounds it is just a mass of people and having that more exposed doesn't seem 'better' in my personal opinion.

[aroundlsu]

I agree the background is way underexposed but much of it was done that way intentionally or in CS3.

It is a bunch of wandering fans or other costuming people at Dragon*Con. You can see in some backgrounds it is just a mass of people and having that more exposed doesn't seem 'better' in my personal opinion.

I would agree with you for the most part. The obvious solution is find a better background or shoot with a longer lens with less depth of field, but I understand that probably wasn't an option or wasn't practical.

[LeuceDeuce]

I have a grip. What advantage does this hold over shooting the 430ex on camera with a sto-fen @ 45 degrees?

The advantage is adding a 3D quality to your subject.