So, as the family took our Sunday afternoon dip in the pool, I had a thought: I can play around with a little fill flash! (OK, you brides out there, if you’re still reading…well I love ya because you’ve hung around this far for a very “un-wedding” gear post.) Back to the story…

The concept of fill flash eluded me early on in my photography days, and it still gives me trouble from time to time, but not today. Today, it took me all of 3 minutes to set up and shoot what you see below. I called over Liam, soaking wet from the pool and perfect for the part of a poolside portrait. Thankfully, he was more than happy to oblige.

Shot 1: No flash. I exposed properly and then stopped down one stop because I wanted to saturate the color and enrich the background. I knew I was going to fill on the next frame. Settings for this and other frames: 1/6400 at f/2.0. Pay attention to the face here and on the next shot.

No Flash

Shot 2: Fill flash. SB-900 about 45-60 degrees from camera, with Honl 1/4″ grid set to manual and 1/4 power. I actually did two test shots prior before I found the “magic” power setting I wanted. I tested this before calling over my subject.

In the comparison, you should be able to tell an ever so slight difference, and that’s the point if you’re looking for credibility in your light. I didn’t want it to appear lit.

With Fill Flash

Comparison

Shot 2b: Correctly adjusted in Lightroom, at about +0.67 stops, black +1, brightness +40, contrast +45.

Adjusted in Lightroom

Finally: My artistic interpretation.

There you have it: a quick poolside portrait. Thanks again, Liam, for helping out! …very proud.

So, I did what any decent photographer friend should do.  I said, “Eh, the camera you have is good enough, so don’t buy another one unless you think you really need it,” which is basically code for, “Buy the camera already so we can go shoot!”  Besides, as any self-respecting male of our hapless species will tell you, when a friend buys something really expensive, it’s almost a free pass to make a purchase of your own down the road.  Thanks, buddy!  (Note to self: your wife reads this blog. Delete last sentence.)

Long story short, my friend did buy the camera and we were off to play last weekend.  After much hemming and hawing on where to shoot–studio or location–we headed out to Tree Tops Park here in South Florida.  It’s been a while since I shot some nature stuff, so I was excited to get out there and shoot.  No gig.  No pressure.  Just good conversation and casual shooting.

Actually, from the first frame, I had this idea to shoot and style the whole day like a botanical excursion with pictures that you find in a dusty old textbook.  Not that I’m much of a naturist, or is that naturalist?  Oh well, either way, it was fun.  Below are some shots from the day.  Kudos to my new friends at the UBC Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research who helped me identify some of the flora, for which you can see common and scientific names on several of the images.