Originally posted by mcgregni I like them too .... the flashes have done whats needed and you've kept a good amount of contrast across the faces. I think you're pushing it too far with F2.5 .... making it hard on yourself to get good focus, and sharpness suffers a little. I'd be shooting these at F8, as I find kids are often not still enough and you need good back to front depth of focus over the head.
Great comment. You know, I had not initially planned to use the lens so wide open, but I was late to set up and was having problems with the flash triggers. Once things were working, I just went with it. In retrospect, I wish I'd done just as you suggest. I found too many of my images, especially ones with really great expressions, where the focus was on the wrong eye. Next time I'll stop down more to prevent the problem.
Another issue that I have is that I really don't know how to set up the flash to expose correctly. I'm just winging it and making adjustments until things look good to me. I'm especially happy, this time around, that I needed to do very little work in post. But, as you suggested, there are certainly some things that I would be wise to change the next time I take portraits. Thanks!
---------- Post added 05-20-2018 at 09:43 AM ----------
Originally posted by clackers +1 to Nigel's advice.
There is no background bokeh to think about, so get nice and sharp by stopping down.
F8 or f11, ISO 100 and 1/180s. Check without the flash this generates a completely black frame, as this means any crappy environmental lighting becomes irrelevant. The low ISO also means your controller flash (if used) is unlikely to be seen.
You nailed the exposures - beautiful skin tones you won't get shooting either in the sun or the shade, more like posing near a window.
Thanks so much. Yeah, I wish now that I'd stopped down more. Next time, for sure. But I do really like the skin tones that I was able to get. They feel really natural to me.
---------- Post added 05-20-2018 at 09:43 AM ----------
Originally posted by Lake I really like the pictures and lighting balance. I however prefer more of the subject in focus so recommend stopping down the aperture. It seems you are finding a style that suits you well.
+1. Totally agree. Next time.