Outdoor - Coral - First time off camera flash

Hi Guys!

This is my first time using off camera flash for outdoor portraits. I just used a 430ex. Any tips or insight would be greatly appreciated! I think I'm addicted now and need to get a 580 and some stands so I can use umbrellas

7D Question --- After a while with shooting with flash off camera, the flash would stop communicating with the camera and then the camera would start saying busy all the time. Any ideas?

430ex Question --- It appears that from time to time when my 430ex is on the camera that it switches from ettl to ttl and then my pics get super blown like the 430ex just dumped everything. I cleaned the contacts with a q-tip and alochol. Any ideas??

Cheers! Thanks in advance!

Heather


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Great series, very pretty young lady, great eyes and smile. IMHO

Really like 3 and 5.
Whites are blown in a lot the rest...your processing?

7D Question --- After a while with shooting with flash off camera, the flash would stop communicating with the camera and then the camera would start saying busy all the time. Any ideas?
I would say that the flash has cut out because it was getting hot. (safety feature).
Really like 5 and 6, Good job

Thanks guys!

wambam - Cheers to that! Had no idea!

poloman - I looked back at my originals and it does appear that no highlights were blown in them except for the last 2. It appears when I post process and get the skin where I like it that I end up with other parts being blown. Any tips on this/insight? White is hard to shoot.. is that a good enough excuse? lol

Oh one more thing... one some of my photos I didn't notice until now, but there's a horrible nose shadow. Is this mostly from the flash not being high enough or too far off from 45 degrees?

heathermarie wrote in post #10862765
Thanks guys!

wambam - Cheers to that! Had no idea!

poloman - I looked back at my originals and it does appear that no highlights were blown in them except for the last 2. It appears when I post process and get the skin where I like it that I end up with other parts being blown. Any tips on this/insight? White is hard to shoot.. is that a good enough excuse? lol

nice set btw. If you are getting clipped highlights, try using the highlight/shadow option in photoshop to tone them down.

blakeG! --- wowzas! I've never paid much attention to highlight/shadow option before! Neat-o! That's pretty sweet and you can mask what you want.

first time huh? srsly? I think they are great, can't wait to see the 2nd time, sheesh.

heathermarie wrote in post #10862765
Thanks guys!

wambam - Cheers to that! Had no idea!

poloman - I looked back at my originals and it does appear that no highlights were blown in them except for the last 2. It appears when I post process and get the skin where I like it that I end up with other parts being blown. Any tips on this/insight? White is hard to shoot.. is that a good enough excuse? lol

You can use levels for your adjustment. Leave the right slider where it is, move the center slider to the left (this will brighten your midtones). Now, move your left slider to the right to increase contrast.

Great results for being your first time. I really like #3. Keep up the good work.

If #5 doesn't grab you by the "love strings", you're broken. Nice shots! #3 is great as well!

#5 is pure gold.

excellent first attempt, number 5 is awesome, also like numbers 3 and 8, would like to see more of your work

heathermarie wrote in post #10859876
Hi Guys!
7D Question --- After a while with shooting with flash off camera, the flash would stop communicating with the camera and then the camera would start saying busy all the time. Any ideas?

430ex Question --- It appears that from time to time when my 430ex is on the camera that it switches from ettl to ttl and then my pics get super blown like the 430ex just dumped everything. I cleaned the contacts with a q-tip and alochol. Any ideas??

Cheers! Thanks in advance!

Heather

These are very common problems that I've experienced and I have read a lot about. As far as I know there is no answer but would like to hear one if someone has figured it out. I hate using the on camera flash to control off camera flash it doesn't work well, the on camera flash is not a pre flash and it does show up in the picture; using a nikon infrared flash blocker does help but is not a real solution. The on camera flash problem that your experiencing with your 430EX I have the same problem with my 580EX II so upgrading will not fix your problem. Radio Poppers and switching to Metz flashes will help you a lot; I don't think I could bring myself to purchase another Canon flash ever. By the way I love your images.