Sunset (Warning: Implied Nudity)

Another image from the Joshua Tree shoot.

I used a fill flash, but it was probably not strong enough... a little more PP might be needed to bring her out. C&C welcome.

Nikon D200.

Gb

http://www.gregbulla.com/Photography...dit2_px800.jpg

Ah Mother Nature!

Jim B.

I think the fill is adequate, maybe it needed a warming gel on it to match the sunset colour ?
Plus moving a bit to the left would have shown more body highlights from the sunset.
For my taste there's not enough use of that glorious light, which is a shame.

I like the setting, the exposure of the bg, and the highlight from the setting sun on the back of her thigh and lower back. I do not feel the pose is working too well, and the flash for fill appears as if it were on camera? It looks like flash. Off camera to the side a bit might have a better effect. Or, if your flash head swivels you could experiment with bouncing the flash off a reflector that is placed off to the side to hit the subject in that way. I agree with Paul in that a warming filter would help blend the light of the flash in with the natural light.
just some of my thoughts

Gary - You're right on all accounts. The fill was on the camera and if we had more time to plan and wait for this, it probably would have been better to have detached strobes (and more powerful ones) and/or multiple reflectors. I did grab the reflector,.. but it was too late - the sun had set :( Me and another friend were shooting away with our respective cameras.. we worked as a team on many shots, but when the sun's setting like it is, it's every photographer for himself (sucks eh?).

Yep, one of those flash filters so that it affects the near area subject only and not the background would probably have been ideal. Ah.. if only I could practice this stuff over and over and work out all the tricks and stuff down to the last detail...

Btw, you didn't mention her tan lines that I think are so obvious in the shot... I should have told her to do some nude sunbathing before the shoot :D But given that she lives in Flagstaff.. it's a little cool this time of year there for that.

Paul - You're right on regarding the flash gel stuff. I don't own any, but I think Cokin makes and sells them. It's a good idea. I do have multiple shots of this scene, will look for another with her closer to the setting sun. Btw sunset aren't always perfect out there... they vary day to day. I've seen some incredible ones, but some washes too. I'm actually quite thankful about the light we did have, for the day before was too bright, and on the day of the shoot most of the morning and early afternoon was clouded over. It cleared up just before the shoot,..

Jim, that might be a good title :)

G