Steve'sDigicams

mtclimber · Nov 6, 2009, 2:03 PM

Excellent post, JohnG-

You covered a lot of very important points to consider.

Sarah Joyce

VTphotog · Nov 6, 2009, 9:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JKA

Hi Sarah,
I am getting better results with helps from this forum and others.
Colour white balance is my main problem. After using 5500K, 1/125 second settings. TTL flash mode and 75 degree tilt flash head, the image is much better now for front bounce photo.
I will try the sides and back bounce next.
Thank you very much!
Joe

Flash color temperature can vary somewhat, so it is a good idea to experiment. Many flash lenses have a bit of a yellow cast, which gives a fairly good daylight color balance. Others don't, though the flash temp may be a little lower. In a couple cases, I have found that using manual WB set to 'cloudy' or around 6500K provides slightly warmer and more pleasing skin tones when using flash.

When bouncing the flash, keep in mind that the color and lightness of what you are reflecting it off is going to have a major effect on the results. A white ceiling is a good, neutral reflector/diffuser, but a colored wall or wallpaper will give you a color cast.

brian

mtclimber · Nov 7, 2009, 11:37 AM

Yours is an excellent point, Brian-

I recently came up against a light green ceiling that raised havoc with the first few shots. Then, I pulled out my Color Right filter and set a manual WB and had it color corrected. Just be careful and analyze those first few shots to check the WB.

Have a great weekend.

Sarah Joyce

Photo 5 · Nov 9, 2009, 11:32 AM

Great points made by all in this post. I find on the Sony A200 and A700 that the flash works in emergency situations but its always better to use a hot shoe or external flash for stronger and more consistent light. Also watch your battery level as some flashes really eat up your batteries and as the batteries die the amount of time the flash recharge takes gets longer and longer and you get less output from the flash.

dave

Blueberry · Nov 18, 2009, 8:48 AM

Here is a photo I took of my son with my Nikon D5000 and SB 600 flash. I had adjusted the app so the background of my messy kitchen is blurred gently. I bounced the flash off the ceiling. I am no expert, but I think it came out rather good. No white area on the photo, eyes look good....and no touch up was done on any software program.

mtclimber · Nov 18, 2009, 9:31 AM

That is a nice shot, Blueberry-

Everything looks right on the money. As you probably know Nikon has one of the most sophisticated flash systems available.

Have a great day.

Sarah Joyce

WCKSer · Yesterday, 4:31 PM

Using built in flash on a camera will drain the camera battery very fast. Not to mention that built in flash is weak and inferior.

Nov 18, 2009, 8:48 AM	#15
Blueberry Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 95	Here is a photo I took of my son with my Nikon D5000 and SB 600 flash. I had adjusted the app so the background of my messy kitchen is blurred gently. I bounced the flash off the ceiling. I am no expert, but I think it came out rather good. No white area on the photo, eyes look good....and no touch up was done on any software program. Attached Images __________________ Nikon D5000 with 18-55, and 55-200 vr lens Nikon SB 600 flash Nikon S640 Nikon Coolpix 5700 Canon Elan SLR Glenn

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Nov 6, 2009, 2:03 PM	#11
mtclimber Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 10,693	Excellent post, JohnG- You covered a lot of very important points to consider. Sarah Joyce

Nov 7, 2009, 11:37 AM	#13
mtclimber Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 10,693	Yours is an excellent point, Brian- I recently came up against a light green ceiling that raised havoc with the first few shots. Then, I pulled out my Color Right filter and set a manual WB and had it color corrected. Just be careful and analyze those first few shots to check the WB. Have a great weekend. Sarah Joyce

Nov 9, 2009, 11:32 AM	#14
Photo 5 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Central Virginia Area Posts: 779	Great points made by all in this post. I find on the Sony A200 and A700 that the flash works in emergency situations but its always better to use a hot shoe or external flash for stronger and more consistent light. Also watch your battery level as some flashes really eat up your batteries and as the batteries die the amount of time the flash recharge takes gets longer and longer and you get less output from the flash. dave

Nov 18, 2009, 9:31 AM	#16
mtclimber Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 10,693	That is a nice shot, Blueberry- Everything looks right on the money. As you probably know Nikon has one of the most sophisticated flash systems available. Have a great day. Sarah Joyce

Yesterday, 4:31 PM	#17
WCKSer Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 34	Using built in flash on a camera will drain the camera battery very fast. Not to mention that built in flash is weak and inferior.