Shadows from my speedlight 430EXii
May 18, 2012 22:15:43 #
pjsljs
Loc: SC & HI
On camera, not enough light. off camera and internal flash together large shadows unless perfectly over the lens. How to get better flash photos?
May 18, 2012 22:21:09 #
Not enough information. Post an image or three with examples. Sounds like a light placement issue.
May 19, 2012 07:52:12 #
May 19, 2012 08:03:26 #
What were the camera settings?
Could you have increased the ISO a bit without introducing noise? Due to the overall darkness of the images, I'm thinking that the ISO boost could help.
Or perhaps going wider on the aperature.
Could you have increased the ISO a bit without introducing noise? Due to the overall darkness of the images, I'm thinking that the ISO boost could help.
Or perhaps going wider on the aperature.
May 19, 2012 10:31:37 #
Rader
Loc: Northwest Missouri
you can bounce your flash off something to get rid of the harsh shadows
May 19, 2012 10:39:09 #
pjsljs wrote:
As you can see even with both flashes not enough light. I was about 30ft away.
What do you mean not enough light? They don't look dark to me; just an unflattering shadow is all.
May 19, 2012 10:42:15 #
May 19, 2012 11:29:35 #
pjsljs wrote:
As you can see even with both flashes not enough light. I was about 30ft away.
Well, they do look a little dark. I think the suggestion to bump up the ISO a bit is certainly worth a try. The shadows are distracting, to be sure. The solution is to get those people away from the background - they are so close that the shadows have no place to go. The other (and maybe more practical) solution is to raise the off-camera flash so the shadow falls down - not so much straight back. The suggestion to bounce the flash is a good one. As long as the ceiling is white and relatively low, that is a good first effort. You WILL loose about two stops of light, so bumping the iSO up will be necessary.
The suggestion to get the flash closer to the camera only works if you raise the flash (24"-36" above). Otherwise you just get a flat light and red-eye.
If you are unable to get them away from the background and cannot raise or bounce the flash, you may just have to accept the shadow as they are. Raising the ISO to get a better exposure is still the first step, however.
May 19, 2012 13:48:19 #
CaptainC wrote:
quote=pjsljs As you can see even with both flashe... (show quote)
And if your camera has flash compensation, notching that up a bit will help and is better than increasing ISO to anything over 400. (In fact, your flash compensation may have been inadvertently turned down....?)
May 19, 2012 13:57:34 #
rpavich wrote:
What do you mean not enough light? They don't look dark to me; just an unflattering shadow is all.
pjsljs wrote:
As you can see even with both flashes not enough light. I was about 30ft away.
What do you mean not enough light? They don't look dark to me; just an unflattering shadow is all.
I agree with rpavich. Any more light and your shadows will be worse. This is when PP is a blessing.
Gordon
May 19, 2012 18:57:11 #
May 20, 2012 05:34:28 #
pjsljs
Loc: SC & HI
Thanks to each for the suggestions! In reply, ISO was set at 250 so good idea #1. Bounce, tried but inside an 80-90 year old dark wood catherdral ceiling church was no light forward but good to remember idea #2. Raise flash, thought about buying an attachable bracket in the future idea #3. Flash compensation, I have not had a lot of luck with that so far but still very new at flash work idea #4. Move away from the background, they were about 5-6 ft away and only about 2-3 ft more room to move up, that I will have to talk to the teacher about, actually the adult was closer, idea #5. Lens hood, does make a difference up close but not at this distance, I tried it idea #6. I do not know what PP is but I do have Photoshop Elements 9 and spent 30-60 minutes on each trying to remove or lighten the shadows on the final photo. Thanks for each suggestion! I will continue to experament using these suggestions. My Canon 60D is great but wondering if I need to return the 430 flash and purchase the 580. Anyone with experiance and recommendations with these?
May 20, 2012 23:41:50 #
Your subject it too close to the background! Move your subject farther from the background, so that the dark shadow will 'blend in' better with the background that will be darker because it is farther from your flash. Bouncing your flash will help, too.
Good luck.
Good luck.
May 21, 2012 00:56:39 #
Rader
Loc: Northwest Missouri
any other flash used in the same manner willl produce the same shadow I use a honl speed snoot to modify the light only $30 I you like I can show you 2 pictures with the difference being the speed snoot used on a canon 550 ex
May 21, 2012 12:17:16 #
pjsljs
Loc: SC & HI
Thanks for the suggestion. I looked up the site and found several different options. Which do you recommend? It appeared the 8" for 39.00 was the correct one but maybe a bit overkill. I was at an awards banquet yesterday and two friends with 7Ds and I took pics of our receipants. One had 580EX and bounced with the small bounce card extended, one no flash and I used my internal flash. 580 was great indoors and out, no flash outdoors was very good and mine indoors were dark and washed out outdoors. Needless to say I was upset since these pics can't be replaced. I hope to be able to edit them to be fair.
I would be glad to look at exemples but more inportant, do I need to buy the 580?
I would be glad to look at exemples but more inportant, do I need to buy the 580?
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