need help - shooting 2 beautiful women on Wednesday night

[imaldini]

Alright people. I'm going to be meeting up with two old girlfriends on Wednesday. It will be at night and we will probably just be indoors. I was just looking for some ideas or tips on how I can take some cool photos. I have a NIKON D90 and an SB900. I don't have any softboxes or umbrellas and i only have that one flash. I don't have any pocket wizards or anything like that.

What can you suggest to take some cool photos with marginal lighting?

[tariquesani]

I have put together a mini HOWTO for single light portraits take a look Single light portraits – A mini HOWTO at Tarique's Travails

If you don't have anything and are not willing to make DIY softbox the diffuser which came with your SB900 should work

Best of luck and do post the results

Cheers
Tarique

[klam]

Take your flash off-camera. You don't need pocket wizards or any wireless receivers. Your D90 has "commander" mode which will allow you to controll and fire your sb-900 off-camera.
Check out Tarique link he posted above for ideas and setups

[imaldini]

Are there any other techniques that don't use as much negative space? Those pictures are pretty dark...

[Chip]

If you have your flash in TTL, and if you set up the camera to let in more ambient light (by either longer shutter, wider aperture and/or higher ISO), the ambient and flash will begin to balance, and you'll see more of the background/surroundings.

If you're looking for a style with a less obvious flash, then this planet neil link might get you started.

Good luck.

Tarique - Very nice tutorial, and welcome!

[tariquesani]

Originally Posted by imaldini

Are there any other techniques that don't use as much negative space? Those pictures are pretty dark...

I like dark minimalistic portraits

Like Chip suggest drag the shutter to get in a bit more of ambient light this will light up the room.

Get closer to fill the frame so that the picture does not look cluttered

@Chip thanks for the welcome

[imaldini]

so should I put my flash off camera directly on the side of the subject and 90 degrees to the camera?

[tariquesani]

Originally Posted by imaldini

so should I put my flash off camera directly on the side of the subject and 90 degrees to the camera?

Start with that - if you don't like the extreme side light try moving the flash slightly to an angle towards your camera. Also try using a white bed sheet or a white card sheet as a reflector.

What I would most importantly suggest keep experimenting to see what looks best and what is most comfortable for your models

[benjamieson]

I second the link to Planet Neil.

Went to one of his workshops earlier this month and it opened my eyes to the fact that I have huge soft, directional light sources all round me in the form of walls, windows, ceilings and various other surprisingly available objects.

Flash in TTL mode, flagged and bounced to produce directional light coming from almost anywhere you choose. Ride your exposure and FEC til you get the feel you want.

Results are awesome!