Please comment on my setup/result

I was messing around with my two flash setup and was hoping to get some comments on the attached image. I know that the background (chairtop and blind) shouldn't be there , but how is my lighting? I'm using a 420EX bouncing into a 43" umbrella as the key light and a 580EX II as fill.

The umbrella is pointed about 45 degrees down and about 45 degrees diagonal (her right). Because I had my camera in portrait mode I used an off-shoe cord and just held the flash straight on.

Do I have the ratios about right? How about the height and downward direction of the key light?

How big a softbox would I need for the 580EX II to get a reasonable size catchlight in her eyes?

The only thing I did to this image is a slight exposure adjustment, cloned out some lint on her clothes and added the vignette.

I have a few thoughts:
- Why would you use the smaller, slower flash as the main light?
- The main light seems a little bright.
- You don't need the umbrella to be above the subject, the same height is fine - try it out and see what you like.
- You've used short lighting - usually you have the subject facing more towards the main light, so more of their face is bright than dark. This is again a creative decision.
- The size of the light source is dependant on the distance from the subject. I have a meter high soft box that I put 1-2 meters from the subject, that works well.

Thanks for the comments Tim.

- I'm using the 420EX as the Key light because the 580EX II is my master. I only have the two flashheads and the 420EX can only be used as a slave.

- I kind of though the key light may have been a bit too bright. I'll play with the ratios some more.

- Wasn't sure about the height ... I'll try lower.

- I need to learn how to pose my kids, that's for certain.

- Would a 15" softbox at least make some improvement over a bare 580EX II (2 m from the subject)? I was thinking of getting something more portable like this:

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ails&Q=&sku=496​983&is=REG

and just hand-hold it using a short pole. If it won't make a big enough difference I'll look into getting another stand and a bigger softbox.

15" is better than nothing... and in some circumstances 15" is far too much

You practicing running for politics?

I suppose it would make a catchlight about 5 times bigger than what the bare 580EX produces, which would be a decent improvement.

tim wrote in post #6222950
15" is better than nothing... and in some circumstances 15" is far too much

My Lastolite EZBox just arrived. Now I have to see if either of my victims (kids) are willing to pose ...

Bob_A wrote in post #6260662
My Lastolite EZBox just arrived. Now I have to see if either of my victims (kids) are willing to pose ...

So, how did or do you like it? I just got one and am very pleased with it. I'll be using it on Thanksgiving for some family portraits. Can't wait.

mark

MDJAK wrote in post #9023524
So, how did or do you like it? I just got one and am very pleased with it. I'll be using it on Thanksgiving for some family portraits. Can't wait.

mark

I like it a lot. Easy to setup and packs nicely. Just right for taking pics of the kids.

Just wish I took better portraits (practice, practice, practice)