All the hammering, drilling, sawing, etc. at the construction site next to Gail's office where I was working the past few weeks has culminated in the official opening of Charlie's Brewhouse, to which we were lucky enough to receive an invitation. I used the opportunity to practice using flash on real people in a real situation. I have no idea who this couple are, but they seemed happy enough to let me take their photo. The main thing I learned is that I still have a LOT to learn about using flash properly and effectively! But I had lots of fun. Was interesting to observe people as I moved around taking pics. Some shook their heads, so I left them. Some were like deer caught in the headlights, and some actually came and asked me to take photos, then gave me their cards to mail the pics to them.
@narayani It was fabulous. I had loads of fun. Flash not really down pat ...see the bright shiny foreheads. And the bright catchlights in the eyes. I think my flash was too direct because there were no ceilings to bounce flash off, so I need to learn how to handle different situations.
@seacreature That's great getting an invite to the bash. Fun! I wouldn't have used flash at all but I hate using flash anyway so that would be normal. I wonder how a cocktail napkin as diffuser would have worked? Hmm...something to experiment with. :)
@meotzi Yup - maybe I did need to diffuse the light more - good thought! No white napkins, but I would imagine a visit to the Ladies for some toilet paper might have done it. I was using a piece of craft foam with little seams cut into it to give it a slight bowl shape, and had my flash pointing upwards into the "bowl" to try and create a wider, softer, light source than direct flash. But even that was obviously too direct for pleasing flash results. But at least I wasn't official photographer being paid for a job. And at least it wasn't a wedding. So I can just chalk it up to experience and learning.
@365anne Thanks very much, Anne. This was one of the photos I liked the most. It makes a difference when a couple actually poses and look like they want to have their photo taken, compared with my attempts at shooting people at their tables.
I think this is great! The skintones look natural. They posed nice and close which always gives a better shot. Not something everybody is comfortable with for sure.
@beckyk365 Thanks Becky. I worked hard on the skin tones in LightRoom. I had left my WB on auto instead of putting it onto Flash like I should've done, and everybody looked quite orange!
@homeschoolmom Thanks Lisa