What could I have done to make lighting better? (Bridal)

[ChristyRosePhoto]

Hello I am new here and this is actually my first post. Photography is a hobby of mine but I am only in the early leraning stages and I am excited to learn more. My friend wanted some "trash the dress" pictures and asked me to take some for her. I was up to it because I just enjoy photography, but nervous because I have just gotten a DSLR and knew nothing about it I figured what a better way to learn, then do. So I took about 1000 pictures that day and I had a lot that a liked and a lot that I look at and say to myself, ok next time I need to do this or that. Im hoping to see a progression as I learn more.

My question about this photo is what could i have done to make the lighting more effective? Should I have used flash, or would that have washed the picture out.

I am using a Rebel XS and this shot was with a EF 75-300mm lens. I do not remember my settings. I will keep a note to try to remember what I am shooting in from now on.

Thanks in advance for everyones help. This was my fist time shooting with this camera.

[NicoleScraps]

Hi and welcome to DPS. First of all, you can retrieve you settings from the EXIF data.
I grabbed it from flickr for you.
Exposure 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture f/9.0
Focal Length 125 mm
ISO Speed 400

On your computer, just right click on the photo, go to properties, and details. It should all be there. No need to keep notes.

Second, I think it is a really nice shot. Probably a reflector placed to your left (her right) would have helped with the lighting.
Reflectors are cheap. I got a big 40 in x 60 in one off of Amazon for under $40.

[Bishop750]

I agree whit NicoleScraps, A reflector would of been just right to balance the natural lighting you already had...I'm also new at photography and new about this item but I was not sure if it was still in use or if technology had made it obsolete. Glad it's still around, something else to had to the Christmas list....

Great picture!

[zona5101]

Your flash did fire. You can see the pin catchlight in the eye plus the necklace and hair on the left have additional light... You *could* have added a bit more light but preferably a softer, diffused light (like an off camera strobe through an umbrella or soft box or bounce a little in there with a reflector as previously mentioned... but really this is a very nice, nice image. I like the contrast between the shadow and highlight. I might give it a 1/4 to 1/2 stop less exposure to tone down the facial brightness and I'd probably burn down the dress a tad more and keep it from blowing out but other than that I like it as shot.

[oldwolf]

Flash could have helped balance the lighting out. You could've also used a reflector to try and even out the lighting by providing fill light with it. You also could have use a diffusion panel if you had one of those 5 in 1 reflectors to soften the harsh light on your friend.

[sk66]

The biggest issue IMO is the harshness of the light...I would have tried a diffuser.....OR really played up the contrast due to the harsh lighting

[ChristyRosePhoto]

Thank you all for the help and assistance with this. I will edit the photo and see if I can play down some of the issues. Thank you all again. I am going to be adding some items to the Christmas list.

[fernampo]

I liked the shot!! Specially because of the EV difference between left/right of her face!!! Take a look at her hair!!

IMO, the light is a little bit hard, and her left eye wasn't enjoying it... I'd enjoy a diffuser, too.

Another thing I'd try is to reduce exposure (which you could do in post-production).

At last, I think the girl should be a little bit more relaxed...


Welcome to DPS!