First off camera lighting shoot

[chinchinxx]

Got a softbox so I dragged a friend out to take a few shots.

Did a bit of dodge and burn and some surface blur on the skin.

[loydall]

Really like it - would you mind saying exactly what kit you have? I'm looking into getting some off camera lighting but don't know where to begin.

Your shots are nice - the lighting seems really well balanced.

[Suedezu]

1st shot: I find the lighting poor and not doing the subject justice. This shot has "flash" written all over it. Had you not told us you used a softbox I would not have known. The background is also really ugly and too visible.

2st shot: the background really kills it.Next time use a large aperture to throw it out of focus.

[chinchinxx]

Thanks Suedezu.
So with that first one. Its 1/200 f5.6. Not sure about the flash power, but would you say the flash is too strong and/or too close to the subject ?

Hey loydall. Thanks for your comments. I am using a 60x60cm softbox and a 430EXII flash triggered by cheapo Cactus v4 triggers.