1st attempt w/ off camera flash and my daughters

So I finally got a set of cheap wireless triggers and a cheap umbrella stand for my flash. Window camera left, flash camera right. Any tips/tricks/suggestion​s are welcome!

1.

These are a very nice first attempt. Personally, I'd have moved the umbrella closer to the camera in the first ones, as dramatic shadows on kids faces don't work all that well for me. You might try using a white 30X40" art board, or a wall, at the other side to bounce some fill in.

I agree with the top post, I however dont like the color behind them, so I opt for a b&w and a tighter crop. I added some light in their faces with the dodge tool and sharpened the eyes.

I changed this picture as it is my favourite from the bunch.

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

Great set - I like #1 & #2 the best.

PhotosGuy wrote in post #11321250
These are a very nice first attempt. Personally, I'd have moved the umbrella closer to the camera in the first ones, as dramatic shadows on kids faces don't work all that well for me. You might try using a white 30X40" art board, or a wall, at the other side to bounce some fill in.

Thanks for the tip! As my first attempt, I arbitrarily set the umbrella stand about 3ft from the girls faces. I then dialed the flash power up/down until I got an appropriate exposure. I was afraid by putting the flash too close I would've gotten some hot spots.

I thought about getting a white piece of foam core to create some additional fill light. Maybe next time.

hieu1004 wrote in post #11322839
Great set - I like #1 & #2 the best.

Thanks!!

Albertonman wrote in post #11322427
I agree with the top post, I however dont like the color behind them, so I opt for a b&w and a tighter crop. I added some light in their faces with the dodge tool and sharpened the eyes.

I changed this picture as it is my favourite from the bunch.

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO

Thanks for the edit! I agree about a tighter crop, but with my meager 8MP camera, I'm always afraid of cropping away too much. I like the B&W conversion, but I'm on the fence about the sharpness of the eyes. It almost looks too sharp and unnatural?

Great pictures of beautiful girls! Well done!

Albertonman wrote in post #11322427
I agree with the top post, I however dont like the color behind them, so I opt for a b&w and a tighter crop. I added some light in their faces with the dodge tool and sharpened the eyes.

I changed this picture as it is my favourite from the bunch.

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO

I probably would not have gone this route on PP.....

will227457 wrote in post #11324987
I probably would not have gone this route on PP.....

Whoch route would you have gone than? I like that b/w conversion, I suppose not everyone will like the same, I do agree though that I might have overstepped with the sharpening on the eyes, but other than that, I like it.

i like the b/w conversion. looks good.

3. Im lovin it!

Not bad at all, probably trying adjust the flash. Seems a little bright and uneven on that side, but apart from that nice shots

Thanks for the input everyone! I'm excited to try again...I feel lucky to have such great models right in my own home!

What an awesome set of pics and who says an XT can't be used for taking professional looking pictures. You've just proved it's the photographer that makes the pictures not the gear. Leave them as color I always find B&W is a cop out for people that can't get the color right, just my opinion. No offense to Albertonman's edit some people do like the look of B&W over color.