Need some input for my latest assignment

[ScottScottScott]

Hello.

So ive been lurking for quite some time and i have finally decided to post something. Let me begin with a short intro:
Photography is definitely a passion of mine, it is something i have admired since i was younger. My current gear setup is a Rebel Xti with a kit lens and a donut(50mm f/1.8) and im currently saving for something a bit wider like the tokina 11-16. A flash is something i also am looking forward to.

Anyways, this past weekend I photographed a friend of mine's band and although the pictures have come out decent, they need something. I have photoshop and ive been using it for a few years so i am familiar with it, but I cant decide what I could do to make these pictures more appealing.

Using the stock pop-up flash i feel restricted with how i can make the photos look and have trouble getting a properly exposed photo.

I was wondering if anyone here has some experience with live band photography? and the post processing.

Thanks in advance,
Scott

[Indigo November]

Sime would be the one to ask, sorry I don't know anything about it.

[OsmosisStudios]

How about showing us ssome examples (or at least linking to some) for us to see. That would definitely help with suggestions.

[ScottScottScott]

here is one of them
Flickr: chaffeescott's Photostream

[OsmosisStudios]

The direct flash has given some pretty harsh highlights and some harsh shadows. Its hard to get anything further than what you have.

[ScottScottScott]

yeah, i reaaally dislike the stock pop up flash but this was an instance where i absolutely needed it.

[gturner]

a cheap answer is to stick some thin tissue paper over your pop-up to diffuse the light. It is a hack method, but it works.

[ScottScottScott]

I've heard of people doing that and ive tried it before but lacked good results... Didnt really put too much time into it so ill have to try it again.

Thanks!

[Jim Poor]

Actually, the only way to diffuse light is to make the light source bigger. Simply placing tissue paper over the pop up flash does nothing to soften the light. What it will do is knock the flash down a bit which could be accomplished just as easily by knowing how to lower the flash power.

Originally Posted by gturner

a cheap answer is to stick some thin tissue paper over your pop-up to diffuse the light. It is a hack method, but it works.

[douglas]

You could try a diffuser that fits in front of your pop up flash, there is one I forget the name but try googling it. There is another thing called Lightscoop, which places a mirror at 45 in front of your flash, again google it. However both will reduce the amount of light on your subject, but may be worth a try til you get more equipment.