What could I have done?

[bulldog413]

Would love to hear suggestions on the things I could have done differently. Let me set this up:

Family wanted something very different. So there was a spot under a bridge I loved. Problem: It was really overcast, so there wasn't any light bouncing to help.

I had two flash guns (using cheap triggers). Umbrella camera rt., bare flash camera left and almost behind group. Wind was enough to cause problems. I know wish I had fired the 2nd flash up more (when I was at ground level to get the bridge structure).

I Had planned to shoot at around f/11-f/13, but it was just too dark and this made me need to bump up to ISO 400.

I used center focus on this (and tried auto for kicks on some others). I believe I used Evaluative metering.

How could I make this more crisp, a better picture under the circumstances? Thanks
IMG_9166 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!


1/80
f/6.3

[RLucas]

I really don't see a whole bunch wrong with it. I like the setup, and the relaxed poses.
I am very new to OCF, but here's my .02. Camera left, there is a little too much fall off on the girl at the end. I would have tried to move that strobe up and beside her a little more, and feathered it back toward the wall, just enough to get some fill on her right side.
Another thing I would have done probably is to gel the strobes. CTO, or something to warm it up a bit.
I still quite like it though.

[bulldog413]

Thanks. One of the two receivers I had broke, so that pic left strobe was inconsistant and who knows if it actually fired.

I feel like I tried many variations, but it's focusing on big groups that I'm just not happy with. There were a few other pics in different areas that did turn out better, but I guess I'm not in love with what I thought could have been a great shot. Thanks for your 2cents

[Rentham]

When I have to shoot a group with one light, I generally place it directly behind me and boom it overhead in something like a 60" shoot through umbrella. That will give you fairly consistent exposure across the group. It's not the sexiest lighting style, but sometimes you have to work within the constraints of the situation. Two other things you might take into consideration for the future: a light meter and Pocket Wizards.

[bulldog413]

Thanks Rentham. I did think about moving the umbrella, but was worried that it might make them look too flat. But I guess flat is better than in the dark. I have been waiting and decided (during this session) to order the Elinchrom Skyports. The cheapo cactuses served their purpose...

Thanks again.

p.s. broke both shoot through umbrellas that day.

[bulldog413]

Even though I was able to work it out in Photoshop, in this situation, what metering would you recommend? I used mixed... It's not like it was too dark, so I considered spot.

[Lorry]

Hi,
I'm an ametuer photographer and I really like your picture. It looks like night time and they are standing under street lights...I think it looks cool.

[bulldog413]

Thanks Lorry. We definitely were going for a darker background, but not THAT dark. I've posted another pic to show a different angle ...

Flickr: bulldog413's Photostream

[Niresangwa]

What was the shutter speed here? (this is why Exif is a requirement of this subforum)

Depending on the focal length and lens being used you could have dragged the shutter to get more ambient in... again it depends on the lens you were using, and whether you had access to a monopod.

[bulldog413]

Sorry... I didn't think about the subform, just thought it'd show up on the flickr enlargement. (And since I switched to the 7D, I don't think i've updated my info... now I will)

For this shot, 1/80 (shutter). I was using a 18-135mm and could have swapped to a 50mm, but I started worrying about shake cause I just don't trust myself when my hands were getting so cold.