Prom night..

zoomer · May 1, 2011

Some friends of my daughters, thought we were going to the park but ended up in my back yard...crap light but made do.
Bright sun mid afternoon. Shot them in the shade with a softbox with a bright sun background.

900d70_9492-2-2%20copy_edited-1.jpg

lanaer · May 1, 2011

I am highly amused by the expressions of the 2 in the center

If you can clone out the fence and bits of hill behind them, so that it's just pure white, I wonder if that might improve the look some. Either it will end up being more harsh, or it'll look less distracting. Not sure.

B Joyner · May 1, 2011

AAHHH my daughters prom is coming up this weekend. Can't wait to take some pics. I think you did a nice job under the conditions you described.

Icebear · May 1, 2011

Quite edgy actually. I like it.

Hackbone · May 1, 2011

Really like the processing. Fantastic job.

zoomer · May 1, 2011

Thanks everybody...here's another one.
Yes I know it is crooked.

Icebear · May 1, 2011

Not exactly a reserved group, are they?

Pupator · May 1, 2011

That first one is a fantastic example of how to make do with the light you have. Really splendid shot.

Albert Dickson · May 1, 2011

Looks like great fun Mike. The high key look works out pretty good.

zoomer · May 2, 2011

Thanks for the comments.
Yes high key was my best option for the light I was working with.
I took a look at the shot with the fence and hill removed, looked unbalanced that way.

jpc · May 2, 2011

Really like these. Only one softbox?

spikedcarla · May 2, 2011

I have never responded to a post on this web site. I am a total newbie, with an Art History background. I love, love, love this picture. It speaks to me. Joy. Fun. A precious slice of time. Congrats.

zoomer · May 3, 2011

Thanks again.
Yes 1 softbox from the left.
Thanks spikedcarla, my daughter really enjoyed your comment.

jpc · May 3, 2011

Sorry, Zoomer. One more question, because I'll be doing this in three weeks and I might be up against similar conditions. This really seems like a lot of light from one soft box. May I ask what you were using for a flash?

zoomer · May 3, 2011

I did most of it in processing in Lightroom.
Cranked the highlight and black point, feathered in the clarity and a couple other small adjustments.

If you are going to shoot in the shade and have a sunny background you need a LOT of flash to not blow out the background.
I only had full out in the sun or this to work with.
I should have also shot a few facing the sun at enough angle to not have them squint.
That can actually look pretty good if you know how to equal out the shadow and bright areas.....

Shade shade with the flash/softbox would have been better for midday like this but not an option...the wind was howling and it was cold so we had to stay behind the house out of the wind.

jpc · May 3, 2011

Sun as your key with fill flash coming from the opposite direction would have been ideal, but it's tough dealing with a group of teenagers. I think the shots came out great and I like the PP.

What type of flash?

chrisdg · May 3, 2011

Zoomer - fun photo. I'm sure the kids loved it.

On your remote flash, do you happen to have a pocketwizard flex or other trigger that would have allowed you to do high-speed-sync? That could have been another option - dial down the background via quick shutter speed and then employ HSS flash as the key light.

zoomer · May 3, 2011

My flash (sb800) is always no HSS. I had it cranked up to full power. I think if I had gone full manual flash and exposure it would have come out better....but that is to much work

.
I sure don't claim to be an expert at flash....I just get by.

jpc · May 3, 2011

Sorry.. HSS?

zoomer · May 3, 2011

high speed sync flash.
Allows me to shoot in bright light at f2.8.

jpc · May 4, 2011

Thanks. I'm pretty sure that high speed sync is multiple low-power flashes. I'm not sure how setting it to full power would make a difference.

An ND filter will also help you shoot at wide apertures in bright light.

zoomer · May 4, 2011

It makes a lot of difference to set it at high power. It visually works just like regular flash, just has a bit less power at distance.
A ND filter would not help in a situation like I had. All it does is let less light in....which is fine if you are all in sun.

jpc · May 4, 2011

ND filters actually do help you shoot wide open in bright sun. Wide apertures in bright light can sometimes cause you to exceed your max shutter speed, making it necessary to stop down. I'll take your word for it on the SB-800 as I've never used one.

Edit - But you are right. In this case it would not have helped your flash situation.

Nasser Radi · May 5, 2011

when I saw first picture, I thought it from a movie
anyway, it is great

Prom night..

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