First attempt at lighting and location work

Just got my two 430EX's in the mail the other day and wanted to get some shots in.

Setup:
430EX into 45" white umbrella with black cover on

I'd appreciate any C&C you all have to offer.

I think the exposure looks pretty good.

I would raise the light up some. Also, it looks really harsh for that size umbrella. How far away was it?

What did you use to trigger the flash?

I would raise the ISO a stop and see what you get out of the background. This is dramatic, but too dark to be dramatic AND interesting in my personal opinion.

jm_usmc wrote in post #9858483
I think the exposure looks pretty good.

I would raise the light up some. Also, it looks really harsh for that size umbrella. How far away was it?

What did you use to trigger the flash?

The umbrella was like 3-5 feet away.

HI, I like the shot as far as lighting, location and composition.

However, if you want less harsh light on the subject, you could keep the umbrella at 3-5 ft and lower the flash intensity.
OR if you want the light to spread out on the ground more around the subject, and less harsh light, just move the umbrella 6-8 ft from the subject, maybe even 10ft. but remember the inverse square law - you get half the light for every time you double the distance.

One more thing, I'd try to find a location without the electric lines and pole in the background (or clone them out)

Did you use an overlaid color gradient to get the sky like this?

nice job

powerlines.....ditch'e​m

MattMoore wrote in post #9864746
powerlines.....ditch'e​m

crossmax03 wrote in post #9861188
HI, I like the shot as far as lighting, location and composition.

However, if you want less harsh light on the subject, you could keep the umbrella at 3-5 ft and lower the flash intensity.
OR if you want the light to spread out on the ground more around the subject, and less harsh light, just move the umbrella 6-8 ft from the subject, maybe even 10ft. but remember the inverse square law - you get half the light for every time you double the distance.

One more thing, I'd try to find a location without the electric lines and pole in the background (or clone them out)

Did you use an overlaid color gradient to get the sky like this?

I am not done with this image yet. I will definitely be cloning those powerlines out. Thanks for the suggestions!

I would have used the umbrella in its shoot thru fashion, you get better coverage on the ground. Not as harsh of shadows and exposure difference. Did you use a CTO gel on the flash? He seems awfully warm if you didn't. Otherwise not bad, get him out of the center of the frame too, thats a big no no.

Dave

MattMoore wrote in post #9864746
powerlines.....ditch'e​m

Agree.