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Thanks to Bigpix and the gang at Mt Cootha on Saturday.

I have learnt a lot about portrait photography

At this first location, the model was in dappled/full shade, with a bright back ground. The challenge from BigPix was to produce an image where the lighting on the model (produced by the flash) nicely balanced the background.

Below is the technique that Bernie was explaining - basically, forget the camera's light meter and use your eyes....

1. Set your f-stop for the background conditions (Bright sunshine, ISO 200 and kit lens so say f11 or 16).

2. Set up flash - I was using a lightsphere diffuser dome so increase output by power to +0.3.

3. Set shutter speed - as for the background - say 1/250

4. Take an image, look at.

5. Achieve balanced lighting by adjusting flash output to get the model correctly lit and adjust shutter speed get the background light right (faster shutter speed will darken the background but will also require an increase in flash power to compensate).

Here the result:



The face looks a little dark on my monitor, so probably could have gone with a bit more power from the flash.

I had never thought about trying this before (cue laughter from all the old pros and skilled members of the forum!)

Cheers
Gerard (Gecko)

At the 2nd location, the model was backlit by very strong afternoon sun.

There were a variety of reflectors set up to help light the face.




This is a crop of the original - there we lots of water lilies in the back ground.

I realize that there is a hot spot on the top of her head.

I would not have considered shooting into the sun in this manner prior to the meeting. Food for thought.

Gecko

Same location, and I think I'm getting the hang of the technique.



In hindsight, the strong hightlights on the LHS of her hair probably could have been avoided by positioning myself at a better angle.

C&C welcome.

I found the tutorial/meeting most helpful. Thanks again to those who set it up and turned up. It was lots of fun. Most disappointed to have to drag myself away...

Cheers
Gecko

Very nice work Gerard. I know a blown highlight is a no no but I do like the hotspot on Anna's hair.

Being late, last and confused I missed Bernie's instruction but I later heard the conversations about shutter speeds and f-stop.
What I forgot to ask on the day was; Did you set your flash on auto or manual modes? I assume auto as you set flash compensation.

Craig

very nice work....... I had a play with your first image and gave it a curves ajustment..........could do with a little more........

Being late, last and confused I missed Bernie's instruction but I later heard the conversations about shutter speeds and f-stop.

Hi Craig, yes it was a bit confusinng and crowded at the start and I didn't really get a chance to say hello to you.

What I forgot to ask on the day was; Did you set your flash on auto or manual modes? I assume auto as you set flash compensation.

I was running my flash on iTTL BL mode (it is a SB600) and just used the plus and minus buttons on the back of the flash - very very simple!

Cheers
Gecko

I had a play with your first image and gave it a curves ajustment

Wow - that has made an improvement. I have had a few goes at playing with curves, but always end up with unnatural looking results. BTW - with this technique Ithink I recall you saying the flash should be set to rear curtain rather than front - is that right?

All of mine were shot with front curtain sync.

Cheers

Gecko