Indonesia Pesona Festival (Darwin)

[WJT]

I just picked up my first speed light, a 430 EX 11, and took it for a test run at the Darwin Festival. These colourful performances were good but I decided not to use the flash on some of them. Your feedback on these pictures would be appreciated, in particular the light, lack of it, or abundance. Thanks in advance.
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[Donald]

I'm no event shooter, but my reactions is that the first two could have done with more light, but the second two work just fine.

[Geoff F]

Sometimes, Wayne, I don't like using flash if I feel it would be an intrusion on the performance, etc. But that usually means having to make some compromises with other settings.

In some circumstances, a strong mix of light and dark can work well but, too often, I find it just looks poorly exposed.

I think you have just got away with the first two because of the dramatic nature of the scenes. The same exposure on a more 'commonplace' situation would have failed.

With #3, I think I would try adding just a fraction more brightness just to her face using an adjustment layer and mask.

[WJT]

I'm no event shooter, but my reactions is that the first two could have done with more light, but the second two work just fine.

Thanks Donald

[WJT]

Sometimes, Wayne, I don't like using flash if I feel it would be an intrusion on the performance, etc. But that usually means having to make some compromises with other settings.

In some circumstances, a strong mix of light and dark can work well but, too often, I find it just looks poorly exposed.

I think you have just got away with the first two because of the dramatic nature of the scenes. The same exposure on a more 'commonplace' situation would have failed.

With #3, I think I would try adding just a fraction more brightness just to her face using an adjustment layer and mask.

Thanks Geoff, Good feedback.