got my cybersyncs in earlier in the week but forgot that I needed another PC to flash hotshoe adapter so I can only use one flash for now

just wanted to play around with them so I did a ghetto setup in my bedroom with my GF. They are pretty much entouched, first time ever using off camera flash so C&C please I know they need a lot of work.


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I think all of the shots I shot into the silver umbrella with it partially closed, didn't get a chance to get a setup shot of that but here's one where I tried using the white umbrella as a shoot through.

 

Considering you were limited to only one light source, I think these came out pretty well. A little more light from camera left would help balance out the shadows some.

One general comment - it looks like your aperture was fairly wide open. I'd suggest bumping up the flash output and tightening up your aperture. Though, if you do that, you'll probably need to add another light or reflector from behind to separate her from the background.

BTW - the exif got stripped. What were you shooting with - camera and settings?

 

hey moeronn, accidentally stripped the EXIF, heres the data for the pics, pretty much all the same

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ISO 200 F/4 73mm 1/200

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ISO 200 F/4 91mm 1/200

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ISO 200 F/4 87mm 1/200

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ISO 200 F/4 73mm 1/200

I used a canon 5D, 24-70 F/2.8 L and 70-200 F/4 L for the shoot. (although it looks like I didnt upload any of the 24-70 ones haha) Flash was a vivitar 285hv at around 1/4 power I believe.

 

F4 for "studio" work is really low. She should be completely in focus. If you can, try to get up to at least f/11. Of course, it will depend on how far you are from her and focal length, but that should get her nose, eyes and hair in focus. Based on your settings, you might not be able to get more than f/8 - that might be enough.

One caveat - you will lose nearly all ambient light, so the shadows will be harsher and the background will be darker.

**Of course, if you were intentionally going for shallow DOF, then disregard.

 

thanks, there wasnt much room for me to step back. I will try stopping down next time and bumping up the flash output. Once my 2nd hotshoe comes I'm going to play around with 2 flashes so hopefully shadows wont be an issue.

 

I think your distance and focal distances were fine. It's mainly the light output.

You probably already know this, but some "shadow" is usually desirable on portraits. You usually don't want the lighting to be too even.

 

nice job on the portraits of your gf!
one thing i'd watch out for is the shadows under her chin! you can use a reflector to cancel them out