First portrait attempt

[Mat]

This is my first attempt at doing portraits. I recently purchased the new e-book from DPS and tried to employ some of the tips into this photo shoot. I used my external flash, Canon 430 EXII speedlight with a Lumiquest big bounce defuser attached. My queston is, is the flash to much? Should I have stopped down the flash exposure a bit, maybe 1/3rd or 2/3rds a stop?



Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi
Exposure: 0.02 sec (1/50)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 95 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: On, Fired

[dblightsey]

I think your flash lookes good. Well done.

[wal]

Nicely esposed.. well done.

[natek313]

The exposure looks all right.

The only thing I see that I would change is the skin tone. I would try to tone back the redness in the skin.

[Benji]

The exposure is correct, but the white balance is off.

The fact that you bought an e-book from DPS indicates to me that you apparantly want to become a better photographer. Using on camera flash is the hallmark of an amateur photographer and no real professional photographer uses an on camera flash as his main light in portraiture. Yes he may use the on camera flash as his main light in candid shots at a wedding or a party, but for in studio portraiture an on camera flash is a major no no. On camera flash (i.e. flat lighting) will make anyone look overweight. If the subject is already overweight, it will make them look even more overweight. If there is something an overweight woman will disdain is a photographer who can make her look more overweight than what she actually is.

Benji

[mitchgreene]

I'm not a pro, but I LOVE natural light for portraits. Use the flash as fill on the face if you need to, or try to use the flash to simulate natural lihgt (by bouncing it offf a white wall or ceiling, etc.). Putting the flash directly onto the subject, even with a diffuser really serves to create a very flat shot--everything's got the same lighting, there's no contrast. Your framing is good--she fills the frame nicely. Her skin is very red--check your white balance.

[Fotogreen]

Her skin is red and IMO this pose doesn't work for her.