A world of difference using off-camera flash

I am finally getting into the world of off-camera flash and, my how wonderful it is, as far as results. Such huge improvements over the pop-up.

For this comparison, I used a 420EZ flash wirelessly triggered using Cactus V2's mounted on a tripod on top of a bar stool, behind a homemade diffuser. I am taking the pictures myself with my 300D using the kit lens.

All comments are welcomed.

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Wow, that does make a ton of difference. Second pic is much better .

Excellent!

What can you do to improve on that?

Do you think the diffusion is enough? Are those hot spots (one is right at the tip of your nose) too hot?

Would it be better if the lighting is moved further back from the subject?

How far was it from lens to subject and what focal length was used?

are your pupils photoshopped?

Notice how much thinner his face looks in the right image. This lighting technique is called "short lighting" and is wonderful to help slenderize anyone's face. A good tip to remember the next time your are photographing someone who has a few extra pounds they would like not to show in their portrait.

Benji

Thanks for the suggestions! My pupils were not photoshopped. The room I was in was dark, so my eyes were slightly dilated.

I think a larger diffuser or a second diffuser on the opposite side would have improved even more. I was using a focal length of 34mm, f5.6, Iso 100, and flash at 1/4 power.

The flash diffuser-ma-bob was about 3 feet from the subject, and the camera was an arm-length away, as I was holding the camera to take the shot. I'm uncertain of what would be the effect of moving the diffuser further away. I think it might create shadows from the actual diffuser, as it's not the greatest creation in the world. I was just trying to create a larger apparent light source than a bare flash.

The hot spots might be eliminated by using a smaller aperture, or moving the flash at a different angle, or further back.

civicseth wrote in post #4563619
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The hot spots might be eliminated by using a smaller aperture, or moving the flash at a different angle, or further back.

I would vote for "further back".

Robert_Lay wrote in post #4564339
I would vote for "further back".

I'll give it a try. I appreciate the great feedback.