12.10.2010

Flash Tips!

The always ever-so-helping and sharing Karli shared some speedlite tips the other day on her blog over at The Bonnie 5. So I thought I'd share some bath photos and share my settings so that maybe it will help someone who (just like me) is learning to use their external flash to it's fullest!

Now mind you I do not have a 'speedlite' that somes with Nikons and Canons (maybe Sony has some speedlites that are compatible with them,) but I have a Vivitar Series 1 TTL bounce flash. It was very affordable since I didn't have hundreds of dollars to shell out for a "higher end" flash but for the money it had really proven itself to be top of the line. It attaches via hot foot (is that the term? I dunno but I read that lingo somewhere) onto the top of my camera and the flash can be angled to 45 degrees, 60 degrees, another number (haha, I know, I've studied it well, can't ya tell) and finally 90 which means it's pointed straight at the ceiling.

So last night I got a nice warm bubble bath ran for little monkey and it took me a good 20 mintues of adjusting flash angle and settings to get that 'just right' setting for MY bathroom. My bathroom isn't the most well-lit, it has one light which is on the wall you face as you're walking in which is diagonal from the wall the tub is on..make sense? Hahaha. But the walls are painted a creamy tan with a faux finish of chocolate brown that was rag rolled on. I really love the effect and it makes the room warm and almost soothing as opposed to the usual sea-like colors you may find in a bathroom.

Finally I came up with these settings (I used Karli's as a guide..which if I can remember was pointed her flash up and towards the right, setting it to 1/16 (which I can't do those kind of settings on mine) and setting shutter to 30. Here was all the settings and equipment for mine:

ISO 400
Shutter 1/30
Used 50mm Prime lens
Aperature was used on 1.8 with some and 5 with others.
My flash was angled at 60 degrees.

Those are the settings that worked for me and my Sony A230 and my Vivitar flash. It produced some very nice images which I'm sharing below:
poser
PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Household6Diva FotoFriday

He's so cute!
love they eyes!

hmmmm...
PEEK A BOO!
playin with a cup
and then, she {snapped}
I thought the lighting was really nice and I'm really pleased with the results! Hop you all have fun with your flashes and making them work to their fullest potential!

17 Lovely Reader(s) Said:

Ashley Sisk said...

These look great - I tend to shoot at f/4, 1/50 or 1/60, at ISO 100 or 200 with my flash at 1/4 power. It's an experiment that's for sure but they look great.

Anonymous said...

These are great. Good job! I like your header. I think you are creative.

Unknown said...

Easy friend! I took a pic of my sons reflection in this puddle in my driveway. Then I flipped it in photoshop, did a little magic in Lightroom and that's it! I love how it turned out...very interesting. Hey, link up to my blog your self portrait. It's my first McLinky...soo excited!!! :)

Anne U @ hot coffee mama said...

Lovely pics, can't even tell you used a flash.

Amy said...

His eyes are amazing! Beautiful pics.

Tara said...

They are all so cute!! He is just too adorable.

Rochelle@AFamilyofLooneys said...

Love your shots. So cute. You did a really wonderful job.

Anonymous said...

Seconding what Amy said: His eyes look amazing!

Karli @ The Bonnie 5 said...

OK, I am absolutely IMPRESSED! You did amazing! You have got to be so happy with those shots...they look wonderful. Soft, and no harsh flashy look with the icky black background. Thank you so much for emailing me the link. Really great job! :-)

Buckeroomama said...

These are some really great captures! I'm *just* getting used to my new DSLR and can't even begin to wrap my head around flashes and all the other stuff yet... but I hope to learn. :)

•°°• IcyBC •°°• said...

Wow..a great series of photos! He is adorable in that blue eyes..

Mommy2Four said...

So, I'm here for macro friday, and I love your macro shot,......BUT....the one with the blue box on his head is just TOO CUTE!

Beautiful shots! Such fun!

Unknown said...

Gorgeous eyes!

Lorie Shewbridge said...

I'm just learning all the settings on my Nikon D90 and I thank everyone who gives tips like this, even if I don't understand them. :)
But, whatever you did, they turned out AMAZING!!

Natalie said...

Thanks Ashley!! An to everyone else youre welcome for the tips :) i am like miles away from being "professional" and "advanced" and i can only learn by others advice sometimes and when i do well because of help i want to share what (little) or lot i may know about the subject! And i welcome questions about any processing i do or settings i may use! Thanks for stopping by you all and ypur input is very appreciated!

rachel said...

great job with your flash explanation. I'm "learning" how to use mine as well. thanks for linking up!

Tara said...

You made the Top 4!!

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