Some flash pics for critique

[mh68]

I`ve been trying this morning to improve on the fill-flash results i`ve had recently, and would appreciate some feedback on these shots...today I tried setting the flash to slow sync mode as opposed to full manual as i`d used previously.

First one is the light conditions I was faced with without flash - heavy backlight from the weak sun....


I think the flash may have been slightly overpowered on this one?


These next 3 i think are an improvement and look far more natural to my eyes...I think i`m heading in the right direction anyway.I`d appreciate to hear what the rest of you think







Mark H

[matt_xyz]

I think those all look very natural, to me anyway. I'd say you've got the flash strength about spot on. Possibly a touch high on the sparrow, but fine on the blue tits. You've done a great job on the blue tit in the last one, lovely and sharp and well exposed (in a natural looking way).

For my own tastes, you now need to start pruning your bushes to get some cleaner backgrounds Although, maybe you prefer the more natural setting of these, I appreciate some prefer that than a more artificial looking perch.

Either way, I think you've now got to grips with your new camera and lens

Matt

[mh68]

Thanks Matt. I agree about the backgrounds, but i`m pretty restricted where I can shoot from. If the birds were happier to venture nearer the house way from the hedge it would make life easier....its something i`m working on though

Mark H

[naturelover]

they are lovely,like the last two the best,and i like all the natural look,mind you there are some nasty looking thorns on your shrubs,makes you wonder if any birds ever get stabbed,i think us humans would if we could fly.

[mh68]

Thanks Betty. You should see the state of me when i cut the hedge back, its like working with razor wire

I know what you mean though.Recently I watched a Sparrowhawk swoop down at full speed after some Sparrows and hit the hedge, and wondered myself how it didnt damage itself in the process.

Mark H

[naturelover]

hi mark i know what you mean,i have a tree that i bought a couple of years ago,dont ask me what it is because i cant tell you,but its beautiful to look at in the summer,but that has sharp thorns on it and i have to keep it back off the path or you would get scratched to bits,in the summer it hangs a bit like a willow but has larger leaves and its a very pale greeny yellow,the leaf is a bit like an ash leaf very nice tree though,it hangs over my garden bench mixed with a cream climbing rose and ivy, i think there is pictures in my Gallery.

[mh68]

Mine`s just plain `ol Hawthorn but the birds etc love it.I`ll check out your pic, ta

Mark H

[GME]

Very envious! Really nice shots. Love the last Blue Tit looking back! What was the flash setup (distance away from subject, etc?), did I miss it? Don't need to add much more to what has been said so far, well done Mark.

[glsammy]

Good results Mark. Especially the last one, beautifully exposed, spot on.

[mh68]

Thanks very much Gareth. My flash setup is pretty much similar to Roger`s in the link below, but in place of Roger`s better beamer my flash just has a basic zoom head.The flash is a Sunpak 36dx, camera was set to slow sync mode with these shots to balance the available light to the flash.I was roughly 8 to 10ft away from the birds in most of the shots.

Flash set up and example shots

Mark H