Few first flash sunset shots

[grantcarlin]

Got my vivitar 285hv a few days ago, and having alot of fun with it.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gcarlin/2221356138/" title="Leading by grantcarlin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2251/2221356138_22574e50ef.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Leading" /></a>

Any thoughts? im only 15 so any input would be helpful

and theres another shot from tonight on my flickr so check it out.

also add me if your intrested in any of my photos.

Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gcarlin)


EXIF:
i took a screen shot, havent got time to type it all out and i had to install a program because the RAW didnt have it on.

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img107.imageshack.us/img107/6607/exifdatahn2.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/></a><br/>


and the flash was mounted on top at a right angle on about 1/4 power

[grantcarlin]

sorry mods would you be able to move this to the critque section please?

i didnt fully understand all the changes

[MommaMonster]

Wow...nice capture! What an amazing sky.

The tool handles(?) coming out of the bush are a bit distracting though.

[Nicole]

Ok, moved to the landscape critique section, but it would be good if you could talk about your camera settings a little too (Exif info, how you were using your flash, etc) :)

[MikeM]

I definitely like the sky. The bush on the right is distracting because it's so bright. The fill flash was an interesting idea, but I think it's taking away from the main subject of your photograph.

[rikkersc]

I would have to agree with MikeM. The bush is a little distracting since it is so bright.
I love the sunset though.
I think if you could retake a shot and get one that focuses on the sunset, that would be wonderful.

[Sperlock]

Yes, the sunset is beautiful, but the flash on the bush is just too distracting.

[RussHeath]

Grant -- I take it you've been reading Strobist (http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/)? If not, you need to check it out. LOTS of info there about using your flash. The Vivitar 285hv is a crowd favorite on that site and in the corresponding flickr group (http://www.flickr.com/groups/strobist/).

I think what you were after was a shot that balanced a foreground subject with the nice colors in that sunset (beautiful sunset, by the way). You got close with the lighting, but the foreground subject is not particularly interesting or clear, so it ends up looking like a great sunset with a bright fence in the corner rather than a balanced composition. Give it another try, but chose your foreground subject carefully. This has the potential to be a great effect. Thanks for sharing it with us. :)

[Ewie]

Wow, love the colours of the sunset sky, but just as everyones else has said, the bushes and rickety old fence don't work for me, sorry....

I would suggest moving to the right a bit next time (if possible) and tilting the camera up a little to place more emphasis on the sky. Also, for maximum effect see if you can get hold of a tripod, even a cheap one will do. That way you wont be tempted to use the flash to get a faster shutter speed.

update - I just had a look at your other photo on Flickr, personally I thinks it's much better than this one, although I woudl re-crop to remove all of the flashed foreground and edit in PS to shillouette everything else other than the magical sky.... nice snap.

[grantcarlin]

thanks for all the help.

this place is just behind my house so next time theres a beautiful sunset, ill give it another try.

[southernbelle]

This sunset is amazing!!!! The bush is distracting, but the colors are so amazing in the sky. Is there any way you can tone down the brightness in the bush? Awesome Shot!

[Ewie]

thanks for all the help.

this place is just behind my house so next time theres a beautiful sunset, ill give it another try.

Practise makes perfect... as a suggestion for next time, try using the same settings as you did for this shot as a starting point (but turn the flash off), and if you did'nt already, use a tripod or something else to stablise the camera.

Look forward to seeing your next post. :)

[Goat Boy]

I'm thirteen and one of the first lessons I learned was to always be careful of whats in your foreground and background. One of the first pics I took had an overexposed foreground and I had to go back and retake it. Just one of those things to remember.