1st potrait attempt

[jared703]

This is my first portrait shot of our puppy with the new 400d. It was shot with a 50mm f/1.8 lens. I'm looking to see where I can improve as I'm new to photography.

Thanks!

[googlit]

do you mean this shot?



I think it's a good composition, but I would try to use a little less flash. The depth of field is good, and the colors in the background add a little interest. So... less flash, but good shot!

[jared703]

Thanks for the advice... Is there a way to "use less flash" rather than just killing it all together?

Originally Posted by googlit

I think it's a good composition, but I would try to use a little less flash. The depth of field is good, and the colors in the background add a little interest. So... less flash, but good shot!

[sdjl]

On some cameras you can stop down the flash power, which should reduce the amount of flash light visible in the shot.
Another option could be increasing the ISO a little, which should enable you to use a faster shutter speed to capture the puppies face without using flash.

David

[steevdavis62]

Depends on the camera as far as i am aware... On mine, there is a menu option to change the power of your flash. But its a fuji, so for canon i wouldnt have a clue... your manual should tell you though

[Digidave]

Originally Posted by jared703

Thanks for the advice... Is there a way to "use less flash" rather than just killing it all together?

This comes from Canon's site.



Type


Retractable, auto pop-up flash


Flash metering


E-TTL II autoflash


Guide No.


13/43 (ISO 100, in meters/feet)


Recycle time


Approx. 3 sec.


Flash-ready indicator


Flash-ready icon lights in viewfinder


Flash coverage


17mm lens angle of view


FE lock


Provided


Flash exposure compensation


±2 stops in 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments

When they say to stopdown your flash, you can do it in 1/3 increments. You should read up in your manual. I believe what is happening is that your dog is black & the camera sees it as a dark scene. So the flash comes out at full power. When you stop it down it will come out at full power minus 1/3 stop or 2/3 stop depending on your setting. BTW, Don't try figuring out what exactly a stop is. You'll just drive yourself crazy!

[jared703]

sounds good, i'll definantly look into that tonight.

[jiminyClickit]

jared703,

If nothing else works, a desperate measure is to tape 2, 4, 6 layers of tissue (whatever gives you the "look") across only the flash, not the sensor. Works especially well for some macros. For your dog it may soften the brightness but still give definition in the black fur.

[stuart]

its a great shot the only thing i wold add is to get a little bit more of the dog
in the shot as for flash (as i have the 400d) what mode were you shooting in?
there have been times ive pushed the flash button and it hasnt come up and the camera has taken the shot over a 20 sec period ect this also helps to get rid of the annoying dark shaddows from the flash behind the dog

[robwilliams]

So cute, I would suggest a little less flash and a little more dog and this shot would be great