Test shot

[Alison]

Oh my goodness I can't describe how happy I am!
My hubby gave me a 50mm 1.8 lens, a 430EX speedlite and a Gary Fong Lightsphere today!

This is a test shot of one of my 7 beautiful daughters. I used B&W mode.
TV mode, SS 1/60, f /1.8, ISO 400

Apart from a re-size you are seeing it exactly how it came out of the camera!
Well, I'm really happy with the results!

What do you think?

[mpreslar]

Congrats on the new toys Ali! (Toys, tools, such similar words! LOL!) This shot looks great. I think you'll really like the new lens, and the new lighting gear will come in handy too!

[gahspidy]

Have fun with the new gear. This shot looks very nice. The tones are softer than what
i would normally prefer, but still a very good image.

[Alison]

Thank you so much.
I gotta learn how to use my flash properly, oh my goodness, it's got loadsa buttons lol.
I'm sure I will get there with my tones etc. And I forgot to change my f number. It seems to go back to 1.8 after every shot am I right?
So what settings would you suggest Marty & Gary?

[bobbythebandit]

Oh my goodness I can't describe how happy I am!
My hubby gave me a 50mm 1.8 lens, a 430EX speedlite and a Gary Fong Lightsphere today!

This is a test shot of one of my 7 beautiful daughters. I used B&W mode.
TV mode, SS 1/60, f /1.8, ISO 400

Apart from a re-size you are seeing it exactly how it came out of the camera!
Well, I'm really happy with the results!

What do you think?

Wide open eyes, a hint of a smile, long blonde hair and all, add up to one happy and warm hearted woman. And you have 6 more !!! get shooting mrs and post them asap !!! when you have mastered that new camera i will be expecting great pics. Well done and thks for sharing.
Bobby

[Alison]

Lol @ Bobby.
Thank you, you have made me smile.

I have been clicking but some of them are quite nutty. I think my twins are enjoying my new toys more than I am lol!
I even became a victim when my husband tried out the new stuff ewwww! I hate being on the other side of the camera!!!

Should I post a few in this thread or in my gallery?

P.S. My children are not all young women like this one hehe. I have 8 children in total (ALL MINE), I know, I'm mad lol. 7 daughters and 1 son. Ages range from 20 years old down to 10 months. (Yes I'm an old lady)

[gahspidy]

I really can't suggest any particuliar settings as I'm not certain what exactly you would like as a result, or what the setting/location has to offer. But, in my opinion, the background and the subject are of similiar tone and so she does not really stand out from it but rather blends in with it. Now that you have your EX430? (mine is the Canon Speedlite EX420), you can experiment with flash exposure compensation.Try this: Set your cameras exposure compensation to minus 1 fstop and set your flash exposure compensation to +1fstop. This will underexpose the background making it darker and will light up tyyour subject in a slightly more dramatic fashion. Play around with diffrent settings and lighting and write down your methods to see which one you find most effective.

[Alison]

Thanks Gary

[walterick]

I think your new toys are full of potential

I like Gary's suggestion of darkening her background. This shot is very close, imo, to being an excellent portrait. A few things I'd watch for are distracting background elements, hair in the face and posture. I think she has beautiful eyes and expressive face and I would keep her in front of the camera! As for this shot, smooth her skin a little and sharpen the eyes and I think you've got it!

Have fun!