The older two in studio

I'm getting used to blowing the white in PS! I tried to get my sb 600 to fire as a remote flash to use as a background light, but alas... I need the sb800 to do that. Not enough moula for that right now so.... I will not shoot on white very much and when I do I will try to have little background showing! Here are some shots from tonight. Playing with my light again. I did a few shots and didn't like the light and I actually knew what to do to fix it! Wow! So, here's the older two from tonight.... I know Jay's head blends into the black background, but I like it! The only thing I don't really like about the last one is her eye that is down is dark. Not quite sure how I could have avoided that... maybe tilt out a bit more??? One shot had just a bit of light in her eye.... not very much though.

Back to the studio...

I jumped back into the studio today after playing with my flash for a couple of days. I had a willing subject over today so she helped me out! I'm experimenting some more! I think I figured out I like using the two light set up. I have the main behind the diffusion panel and the fill bounced into an umbrella. I tried 2 of hubby's work lights on the backdrop to try and blow the white, but it didn't work (lights weren't bright enough) so I ended up having to PS the white. Not something I want to do all the time, but once in a while it's okay. I am either going to look for brighter work lights or wait and save up for another light for the background. Today I mounted my reflector on my ceiling to try to get a "hair light" for my low key lighting. I think it's an improvement. My little model was perfect today because she has dark hair and I **think** it stands out a bit from the background not making her "one" with the background! I had fun playing today. The light is coming easier to me. It feels good to accomplish something! I know I still have a long way to go, but I feel like I'm at least at the point where I can shoot other people's kids and won't feel completely embarrassed with the outcome! I got another order for additional prints from the dance today! Nice to see those coming in!

More practice

Got a good shot of the littlest one today! They are rare these days! Ive (more trouble with that apostrophe...) not had a ton of time to practice. On this shot I had him facing the patio doors and bounced the flash off the doors behind me. Not too bad I think. Oh, and I have a sitting booked for a couple weeks from now! My first "stranger" one! And, I got an order in the mail for additional prints from one of the Father Daughter clients! Its nice to know someone actually liked it enough to order more!

SB 600!

Yeah! My new speedlight came today! I haven't had too much time to practice, but did manage to get a few shots in this afternoon. I LOVE it! There is an art to mastering it though! I certainly need more practice! However, I will now not refuse to take photos indoors in low light! What a difference this flash makes! I'm learning to drag the shutter to allow more ambient light to affect the background. My settings were ISO 400, ss 40, f4 (or so, can't remember exactly). She was facing a window so the flash was basically used as fill. Something about the color is bothering me though... couldn't get it right....