Balancing flash with ambient.

anonymouscuban

I'm posting this image to get feedback on flash and ambient balance. I am trying to focus my efforts latey on portrait photography and a big part of it is proper lighting. I took this right after the sun had set. I had my hotshoe flash on camera when I took this shot. I shot in manual, first metering on on the sky just left of where the sun had set. I then set my flash on TTL with a - 1 EV flash compensation and fired the shot.

I had to adjust WB a little in post because her face was to cool compared to the warm light in the background. I think the shot turnd out pretty good but I wanted to get some feedback.

Nikolai

I think you did pretty good for a post version, although I would include the jacket into your warmup rpocess, too.
FWIW, speedlights are wonderful subjects for gelling (you don't need much of a gel material:-), so next time I suggest you save yourself a post time and simply slap on a piece of 1/4 or 1/2 CTO...

anonymouscuban

Nikolai wrote:

I think you did pretty good for a post version, although I would include the jacket into your warmup rpocess, too.
FWIW, speedlights are wonderful subjects for gelling (you don't need much of a gel material:-), so next time I suggest you save yourself a post time and simply slap on a piece of 1/4 or 1/2 CTO...

Thanks Nik. I don't own any gels so I think a trip down to the camera shop is in order. BTW, I am looking forward to paying you a visit to pick up the AB's. I will call you to let you know for sure when but I am thinking Saturday or Sunday (Dec. 5/6).

Alex

anonymouscuban

BTW, warmed up the jacket... better?

Nikolai

anonymouscuban wrote:

Thanks Nik. I don't own any gels so I think a trip down to the camera shop is in order. BTW, I am looking forward to paying you a visit to pick up the SB's. I will call you to let you know for sure when but I am thinking Saturday or Sunday (Dec. 5/6).

Alex

Alex,
try this:
http://www.photogels.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=4&gclid=CPe0pYWlqZ4CFSZdagodrUrblw
For $17 only you'd have a fare number of options.

Of you can go cheaper:
http://www.amazon.com/Roscolux-Swatch-Sampler-Almost-Filter/dp/B0002ER2YG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1259260099&sr=8-1
$3.95

Of even cheaper:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/45189-REG/Rosco_950SBLUX0103_Roscolux_Swatchbook.html
$1.95

Sometimes B&H has them for $0.01 (sic!), but it's unpredictable. Still I think $1.95 is a good deal. I'd buy a couple :-)

anonymouscuban

Thanks again Nik. I just ordered the set from B&H.

Nikolai

anonymouscuban wrote:

Thanks again Nik. I just ordered the set from B&H.

I used them myself. Two small pieces of gaffer tape - and you're ready to go.

divamum

You've already ordered yours Cuban, but in case anybody else is reading... you can get the swatchbooks FREE from most theatrical lighting stores/rental companies. Just call and ask first to make sure they have them.

Alex, this thread may be of interest too - read in a bit, and you'll see how I laminated mine and added velcro. Fast, cheap, easy to use, and a bit more robust than the strips on their own.

I love the shot - beautiful! What kind of skin processing did you do (if any)? It looks GREAT.

Nikolai

divamum wrote:

You've already ordered yours Cuban, but in case anybody else is reading... you can get the swatchbooks FREE from most theatrical lighting stores/rental companies. Just call and ask first to make sure they have them.

Alex, this thread may be of interest too - read in a bit, and you'll see how I laminated mine and added velcro. Fast, cheap, easy to use, and a bit more robust than the strips on their own.

I love the shot - beautiful! What kind of skin processing did you do (if any)? It looks GREAT.

Really?
Interesting, thank you!
By any chance anybody knows a source of cheap CTO? 1/4, 1/2, 3/4?
I don't like an idea of paying $15..30 of one sheet

adbsgicom

Nikolai wrote:

Really?
Interesting, thank you!
By any chance anybody knows a source of cheap CTO? 1/4, 1/2, 3/4?
I don't like an idea of paying $15..30 of one sheet

Rosco cinegels are about $6.50 per sheet at B&H:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/44201-REG/Rosco_RS340811__3408_Filter_RoscoSun.html

Nikolai

adbsgicom wrote:

Rosco cinegels are about $6.50 per sheet at B&H:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/44201-REG/Rosco_RS340811__3408_Filter_RoscoSun.html

Thanks Andrew!