lighting question

[sbakewell1101]

hello,

i have been doing alot of surfing on the web lately and am wondering something, i have been photography for a while now and just this last two years done it on my own, i have done a hand full of weddings, families and others and i am proud of what i have done, i think the images look good but of course i have a ton of room to grow.

I shoot primarily in program mode or aperature, going to manual mode when the lighting is just not enough for the camera. I have a nikon d90 which is a pretty good one for my needs, i also have a speedlight 600. i use remotes to get the flash off camera, because IMO the CLS just doesn't trigger the flash fast enough. anyways I am noticing on the blogs and stuff that i am reviewing the the colors are just fantastic, bright (even in what looks like could be low light conditions) my question is do you think people are using more than one flash? it seems that it is hard for me to find the right amount of flash to use, i judge the situation and adjust as necessary, but the images just don't seem as rich when i get them home on my computer (newer computer too) it seems that if i get to far away the camera just can't do it ESPECIALLY if i use my 200mm lens, i primarily use the kit lens (17 to whatever), but i do have a prime 35 mm lens. I am looking to be able to do those far away shots but not have my pictures be all dark.. do i just need to move my flash closer or am or is there another hint you could give me? I do understand that the images on the web are photoshoped to premium, and i do have photoshop, but it seems like i should get some kind of great pic out of the camera, or is all of the great color just color pop actions from photoshop?

[sbakewell1101]

any help will be greatly appreciated!

[sbakewell1101]

oh and i typically use a low iso like 200 or 400 i notice so much noise about these! i hate it!

[lil red bird]

Post up a pic with the exif data and then we may be able to help.

[inkista]

Also, I think you need to learn the inverse square law when it comes to flash.

Noise is probably because you're underexposing, from the sound of things. Underexposing and then pushing the exposure in post (making it lighter) is the surest way of increasing noise in an image. Even more so than using a higher iso setting.

[sbakewell1101]

this is an example of what i mean


the face looked a little soft to me and the color flat i did a sharpen and a contrast boost, she is a paler child so i didn't want to go to crazy. this was shot on an overcast day, no reflector used on this one, although i could of on the left side to get more light on that side, the family loved it but to me it is just a little flat. any cc is greatly appreciated. this has no pp done to it at all.
f 4.5
1/125
iso 200
exposure bias 0 step
no flash
57 mm

[sk66]

Picture is fine, but flat. Taken with dull natural lighting and no flash (per exif, if exif is wrong then just a little fill was used).

To get more from the lights, yes you need to move/keep them closer (and/or zoom them) And use the flash exposure comp.

I guess you also shoot in Jpeg...you probably need to adjust the color controls in camera as well.

[sbakewell1101]

i shoot in raw + jpeg .. raw has saved my life and i love it.. what do you mean adjust camera controls? bias the camera towards more yellow on a gray day?

[sk66]

you're looking for more "pop".
For Jpegs you can set saturation, contrast, etc etc in camera and the Jpeg will be saved with those settings. The RAW will not and will require post to get "pop", particularly under "flat" lighting.

BTW, if your flash doesn't have an external power port you can make your own "power pack" with a 6v battery and "dowel dummy batteries" which will improve recycle times greatly over long haul (an increase your opportunity for overheating the flash)