Caroline

So. First time shooting portraits with of camera flashes? Yup. My friend Caroline agreed to model for me so I could get a feel for shooting in pitch black with two strobes since I've so far only used them for automotive shoots.
I used two 430EX (one v.I and one v.II) with a reflective umbrella as front and the other one bare to create rimlight. Since I was new at all this I did some trial and error tests right of the bat. But here are two I'm pleased with for my first time

pretty cool... I like them

Not bad. I kinda like the first one with bright light next to her.
#2 I dont see any reason why you should use rim light on same side as your main light. As the main light is camera right, it will create shadows on models right side. Next time try to place rim light opposite side of your main light and it will look better as it will separate subject from BG. Also if you dont like rim light hitting your lens, you can make a snoot from piece of cardboard or something. Easy to carry and does not cost anything

good stuff! #1 for me

thanks guys! nice to hear for a first timer

Nice, I really like #1!

added one more!

The intentional exposure of the back light works in the first one, but the other two I think would benefit from turning it down. The flare/glow in the second one doesn't work as well and the rim light is too strong on the third.

I like the first shot best, although I am torn. I want to hate the flash in the middle, but somehow it works for me. Hahaha...good stuff. Thanks!

How do you get the camera to focus in such dark conditions?

USER876 wrote in post #10992657
How do you get the camera to focus in such dark conditions?

she lit her face with her mobile so I could focus, hid the phone, posed

Good job for first time use... good job for 20th or 30th time use! Pretty funny about the use of the phone for focusing.