Wanting to improve my shots!

Valencia Photography · 3rd of July 2012 (Tue)

I'll be doing a shoot this Sunday with a Couple and their 17 month old. Location will be out doors at a nice blueberry farm. It has a big shaded area with seating, logs, etc.

I also have a reflector and 580EX II flash. Still not comfortable with the flash yet and wondering how/if it can help me here. Any tips or examples would be appreciated.

AvailableLight · 5th of July 2012 (Thu)

The shaded area is going to help you a lot, so take your pictures in the shade to keep things simple. Ask someone to be your "test subject" and take a few shots without flash to see if you're happy with the results. If you think the images could use more light then put that 580 on your camera's hot shoe, point it up, pull out the built-in white bounce card, and fire away. The light will bounce off the white card and will hit your subjects with a softer light.

The reflector can be used to reflect ambient light (e.g. sunlight) to the subjects if you take pictures outside of the shade and need some fill light.

mosabi · 15th of July 2012 (Sun)

I very much dislike shooting out in the open with sun directly on the subject. Shaded areas are perfect if you can find the right spot you can get some nice catch lights in the eyes. Have your subject look slightly up, this will help.

If you look at my website, 99% of the pictures that are taken outdoors are taken without a flash. The location you mentioned sounds like a great one.

AvailableLight offered some great advice if you intend on using flash/reflectors. I'd probably use a reflector before a flash. Looking forward to seeing some pics.

Valencia Photography · 15th of July 2012 (Sun)

Thanks for the input guys. Here are the results

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/....php?t=1204903

I think I actually used flash on all but the last pic. But, even the flash ones turned out well I think?

Photographersydney · 16th of July 2012 (Mon)

Hi Valencia ,
This is nice photos , It is really nice photo
http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/...o/IMG_9330.png

3rd of July 2012 (Tue)	#1
Valencia Photography Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,688 IMAGE EDITING OK	Wanting to improve my shots! I'll be doing a shoot this Sunday with a Couple and their 17 month old. Location will be out doors at a nice blueberry farm. It has a big shaded area with seating, logs, etc. I also have a reflector and 580EX II flash. Still not comfortable with the flash yet and wondering how/if it can help me here. Any tips or examples would be appreciated. __________________ - 5d MkII - 28mm f/1.8 - 50mm f/1.8 II - 85mm f/1.8 - Tele-Lentar 135mm f/3.5 - Canon S95 -

5th of July 2012 (Thu)	#2
AvailableLight Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Chesapeake, VA Posts: 1,208	Re: Wanting to improve my shots! The shaded area is going to help you a lot, so take your pictures in the shade to keep things simple. Ask someone to be your "test subject" and take a few shots without flash to see if you're happy with the results. If you think the images could use more light then put that 580 on your camera's hot shoe, point it up, pull out the built-in white bounce card, and fire away. The light will bounce off the white card and will hit your subjects with a softer light. The reflector can be used to reflect ambient light (e.g. sunlight) to the subjects if you take pictures outside of the shade and need some fill light. __________________ AJ Rebel T3i (600D) 18-55 \| 55-250 \| 50 1.8 \| 60 2.8 macro \| 15-85 \| 430 EXII Last edited by AvailableLight : 5th of July 2012 (Thu) at 13:34.

15th of July 2012 (Sun)	#3
mosabi Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Fargo, ND Posts: 362 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Wanting to improve my shots! I very much dislike shooting out in the open with sun directly on the subject. Shaded areas are perfect if you can find the right spot you can get some nice catch lights in the eyes. Have your subject look slightly up, this will help. If you look at my website, 99% of the pictures that are taken outdoors are taken without a flash. The location you mentioned sounds like a great one. AvailableLight offered some great advice if you intend on using flash/reflectors. I'd probably use a reflector before a flash. Looking forward to seeing some pics. __________________ Website: www.nickluchau.zenfolio.com 40Dx2 gripped \| 17-55 f/2.8 \| 50 f/1.8 mk1 \| 430ex II

15th of July 2012 (Sun)	#4
Valencia Photography Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,688 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Wanting to improve my shots! Thanks for the input guys. Here are the results http://photography-on-the.net/forum/....php?t=1204903 I think I actually used flash on all but the last pic. But, even the flash ones turned out well I think? __________________ - 5d MkII - 28mm f/1.8 - 50mm f/1.8 II - 85mm f/1.8 - Tele-Lentar 135mm f/3.5 - Canon S95 -

16th of July 2012 (Mon)	#5
Photographersydney Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: USA Posts: 4	Re: Wanting to improve my shots! Hi Valencia , This is nice photos , It is really nice photo http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/...o/IMG_9330.png

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