Back to the Beach | Camera's out of the Bag

[PhotoRob]

Another bleached, high-key'ish shot from the beach...bit of a throwback from last Sept. with Mom and Brother strolling in the background...

[PhotoRob]

...and some seaweed. Been going over and over this pic, love / hate...

[gilliebg]

Enchanting child! The Florida sun takes no prisoners, but I think it is handled much better in this version. The bleached effect, of which I am not a fan personally, was too hard and cold for me. I like the angle at which the sun is catching her face and arms. Gillie

[photofranky]

In the first one, I really like the sand texture and the hair of the child.

In the second the unfocused water and the seaweed in first plane.

Regards.

[PhotoRob]

Thanks Gillie ( and howdy neighbor), thanks Franky...Yeah, maybe a little too much high key in there - another one for the oops reel...

[Kris V]

Another bleached, high-key'ish shot from the beach...bit of a throwback from last Sept. with Mom and Brother strolling in the background...

I really like this effect (also the first 2) - I tried my hand on it with a few pictures, but I do need more practice to get it "just right"

[PhotoRob]

Thanks Kris, appreciate that. I think we're in the minority, we'll have to stick together!

[PhotoRob]

Nothing like 'finding' images; glad my computer memory is more reliable than my actual memory...

Anyway, thought this was an interesting one. My shooter's not weather sealed / is a consumer model so it's a challenge taking a pic., then sheltering the camera under my shirt from the blowing sand. If you look closely at her kite hand you can see grains of sand pouring out...

[rpcrowe]

Thanks for the feedback Dave, Frank, hope you're both doing well! I probably did overdo it in pp, here's the original of #1 with 60 seconds of adjusting in Aperture (slight increase in definition, cropped, removed the bird over her left shoulder, removed some of the fishing rod over her right shoulder).



...thanks again, more to come...

IMO, there are few things which are easier to do and which result in improved image quality like using fill flash outdoors. Often fill flash takes the image out of the realm of a snapshot and makes it better and more professional looking.

This is certainly often true when you are shooting in harsh and fairly unflattering light.

However, in order to have full control, you need a flash/camera combination which will allow sync at speeds higher than the usual 1/200 or 1/250 second. That, IMO, is where some third party flashes fall on their faces: lack of high speed sync...

You may already have a hotshoe flash compatible with your camera. If so, "Super-Glue" it to your hotshoe or get a flash bracket and "Super-Glue" that to your camera and flash. If you don't have a HSS compatible hotshoe flash, I would suggest getting one. A 430EX II is a great choice but a used 430EX is also an economical flash choice...

However, I have just been reading the specs of this Metz flash and it seems to incorporate all the bells and whistles found on the more expensive Canon Speedlights. I would cetainly prefer a Metz manufactured flash to any of the Chinese models flooding the market and the Metz is quite economical. I'd research this flash before buying Canon. Note, it is entirely possible that Metz has this flash manufactured in China but, it should be manufactured under Metz quality control!

Note: If you are shooting Nikon, I am certain that here are OEM flashes available which match the 430ex (series) in capabilities and price. The below mentioned Metz has models which can be used with virtually all camera brands...

http://www.google.com/products/catal...=0CLMBEPICMAM#

DISLAIMER: In the interest of preventing a lawsuit or at least a very angry fellow CiC member; please remember I was only joking when suggesting the use of "Super-Glue"...

[PhotoRob]

Thanks Richard!

[PhotoRob]

...one more that I like from the trip / seems to be well composed: