first time playing with off camera flash

[mdwsta4]

well, i was trying to get a hot model friend to come over and let me play around, but i worked with what i had available and that was me. i'm still new to shooting with a flash in general and have never used one off camera. i used my 430ex with the ebay wireless triggers, and had my home made diffuser on as well. the flash was set on manual and exposure output changed throughout my shooting, i think i ended up at 1/16 power for the below shots. i was going for a one side lighted look, but do plan on making a reflector and trying to get more light on the opposite side in the future

flash on the front/right of my right shoulder with a corner room lamp in the left corner:
http://images21.fotki.com/v631/photos/5/51621/4247407/flashleftlight-vi.jpg

with the lamp turned off
http://images21.fotki.com/v725/photos/5/51621/4247407/flashleftonly-vi.jpg

converted to black and white in RAW, sephia, then desaturated
http://images22.fotki.com/v754/photos/5/51621/4247407/flashbw-vi.jpg

flash a few feet in front of my left side on an ottoman
http://images22.fotki.com/v752/photos/5/51621/4247407/face-vi.jpg

i plan on ordering an actual stand and an umbrella rather than using a bar stool, but all in due time. i also have a second, cheap vivitar flash on order as well. since i've never done anything like this before, C&C would be greatly appreciated.

cheers


*sidebar* Darren, any way a 'lighting' section could be added to the forums?

[Digidave]

Not bad for a beginner! I just recently bought an SB800 for my Nikon, so I'll be going through the same things you are. Have you been to http://strobist.blogspot.com/

Now for the critiques(Like I know what I'm talking about!):D

1) Although the red glow from the lamp may look okay on your face, I don't believe it should be on the background. The background should be 1 solid color IMO.

2) Some people may like that look, but I think there is to much contrast between the 2 sides of your face. It makes your left eye look a little weird.

3) Not bad. Conversion helped with the contrast issue. It looks flat though & the reason is because you don't have any "Catchlight" in the eyes.

4) My favorite. See how the catchlight gives the photo a little sparkle? Even after I previously said I don't like a major contrast between the 2 sides of your face. This is better because of that catchlight & the fact the your face fills the frame. I'm not sure how you would fix this issue, but I don't like the shadow under your left eye. Maybe raise the flash, or add a reflector?

One last thing. For the sake of ease & to avoid confusion. When you are describing where the lighting is placed. You should use the camera as a reference. For instance, pic #1, Flash was at front-left & lamp was on right. Someone will come along & correct me on this if I'm wrong, or maybe do a little better job of explaining it.:o All in all, I would say it's a pretty good start. I really like that #4 shot the more I look at it.

[mdwsta4]

thanks. yeah, i've been reading strobist for months. hopefully now that i actually have similar tools that they use, maybe things will make more sense. as 'dumbed down' as some posts seem on there, they just don't always make sense unless there's a diagram of lighting/camera placement.

i agree with the lamp. odd that it's a florecent lamp and came out so red rather than blue. ah well.
on the 4th shot, i think lowering the flash, or moving it slightly to the left might have helped with that fact.
i hear what you're saying. good point. in the future i'll reference lighting in accordance to the camera, not necessarily the subject.