First Portrait Session Using Off-Camera Flash

[shocksyde]

I've been obsessing over off-camera flash recently and finally had the chance to do a portrait session. I used the sun as the main light and had a flash at camera left to fill in some of the shadows. I'm pretty happy with my results, and def learned some things for next time.

Side note: Getting animals to cooperate is nearly impossible. I may have to use tranquilizers next time.

Here's the whole set

 

[Aharami]

:thumbsup;

 

[scott916]

Looks great! Keep up the good work!

 

[shocksyde]

Thanks, fellas.

As for what I learned after my first shoot:

1. Scout the location for nice backgrounds
2. The sun will make people squint even when it's ~1hr before sundown
3. Shooting portraits with primes is a hassle (switched to Nikon kit lens halfway through)
4. Gel flashes during the "Golden Hour"
5. Try more shots with the subject looking away from the camera (at least in this case, she seemed to like all of the pictures that had her looking somewhere else)

 

[magomago]

How is shooting with primes a hassle?

 

[deanx0r]

Did you try to soften the light thought a light modifier like a softbox or umbrella? The light looks a little bit harsh on the face, almost as if you used a bare flash.

A cool thing to do when shooting with flash is to use the sun as a rim light. Have the sun set the background, place the subject accordingly, and start cranking up the f stops for some dramatic effects.

If you read Maxim, FHM, or playboy, that's how most beach scenic shoots are made

 

[shocksyde]

How is shooting with primes a hassle?

I was constantly zooming in and out while laying on the ground, so it would have been a hassle to use a prime. Don't get me wrong, I almost always choose primes over zooms, but in this case the zoom was much more convenient.

 

[shocksyde]

Did you try to soften the light thought a light modifier like a softbox or umbrella? The light looks a little bit harsh on the face, almost as if you used a bare flash.

A cool thing to do when shooting with flash is to use the sun as a rim light. Have the sun set the background, place the subject accordingly, and start cranking up the f stops for some dramatic effects.

If you read Maxim, FHM, or playboy, that's how most beach scenic shoots are made

Used a bare flash b/c of the wind. I didn't want my flash to fly off into the sunset. Would've used my umbrellas if it were a little less windy.

I def want to go for some sunny rim lighting during my next session.