Balancing Flash and Ambient Light - Did I do ok?

[Ginger Pixie]

Originally Posted by WooD

I think you did most well. Just enought light to make it right, without making it flat.

Love the contrast, and razor sharp eyes.

Only improvment I'd have done, which has nothing to do with what you asked, would have been to remove what looks like a hair from her mouth.

I really like the image.

Thank you - I always get a little scared of cloning.

Originally Posted by saraseigfried

I think that you have done very well. I like it.

Thank you

Originally Posted by Trader

To me I think it would improve the shot if you had more ambient light in it. The way to do that would be to slow down the shutter speed and you are already shooting at 1/40 and ISO 400. Pushing the ISO higher will no doubt add noise and slowing down the shutter speed from there may add camera shake. Increasing the ambient light may be your best bet. Just my opinion.

Thanks for your detailed response. Someone else commented that the flash is too dominant, and I can see what they, and you mean now. I've just ordered a strobist kit, so before it arrives, I thought I would see what I could do with on camera flash before I moved it away!

Since it's the weekend, I should be able to have another go.

Originally Posted by oldwolf

I think you did really well with this Ginger

Thank you very much

Originally Posted by kencaleno

I just added contrast to bring out details-Ken

Originally Posted by WooD

I also think Ginger did most well with the shot.

I did a very simple subtle edit.

Thank you both for taking the time to illustrate your thoughts - it's always interesting to see what others would do, and gives me thoughts for the reshoot.

Someone else said that I should use a white background with lighter clothing, which would look better for younger models.

Is this the case?

[WooD]

Originally Posted by Ginger Pixie

Someone else said that I should use a white background with lighter clothing, which would look better for younger models.

Is this the case?

I don't agree with that. babies...yes, but I really like the mood of your image, and they way you took it.

[Ginger Pixie]

Originally Posted by WooD

I don't agree with that. babies...yes, but I really like the mood of your image, and they way you took it.

Thanks. I thought it might be an unwritten rule I didn't know about!

[daddyoproductions]

Ken, I'm trying your method, but a little confused...what should the layer order be from background up? I don't think I'm getting the effect right...thanks!

[denja]

Originally Posted by kencaleno

No-It's a bit more complicated:

DRE (Dynamic Range Extender) a)to f) recorded as an action-one click to activate.

a).Image>Adjustments>shadows/highlights

Shadows :amount 50%
Tonal width 45%
Radius 44px

Highlights :amount 67%
Tonal width 65%
Radius 46px

b) Ctrl+J; blending mode: color dodge

c)Duplicate background layer again
This time set blending mode to: Linear burn
Click “D” to get foreground color to black
Select ”Color range”-fuzziness 100
Click on “add layer mask” button in layers palette
Click on mask of layer and Set Gaussian blur at 5 px

d) Duplicate Linear burn layer, set blending mode to Overlay
Click on layer mask and press ctrl+I
Set overlay to 40-45%; set linear burn to 55-60%
Change foreground color to white
Select Color range-fuzziness 100

e) Duplicate base layer again, take it to the top
Click on add layer mask, add Gaussian blur at 5 px

f) Flatten and save

3.[Ctrl+j

blend mode - screen

Flatten and save.

Regards, Ken

And THAT is just adding a little contrast?