The Big Guys (Photo Critique Welcome)

[JK47]

I plan to use this thread to discuss some camera techniques, settings and advice. It's in this section because my test dummies happen to be a big brute midevil pair.

My pics are dark and I can't figure out why I am not getting pull light out of the flash? What should the settings on the flash read when at full capacity?

Nikon d90
Nikon sb-600 remote flash (generic remote trigger)
These are at F8 1/220
Focus is manual, I wish I could figure out how to shoot in auto
































^ Love that shot..

 

[Aquanero]

Even if it's a little dark I love the top pic.

 

[JK47]

Even if it's a little dark I love the top pic.

Thanks Tom! Imagine these pics if I had my lighting correct..

 

[Aquanero]

My son is heavy into photography, me not so much I just have my little Nikkon. Still in all the top pic has a certin artistic appeal. I wouldn't hesatate blowing that up and framing it. Seriously I like it, the darkness adds depth to me.

 

[petspoiler]

I don't know your camera, but it probably has an option for setting the exposure choice either to + or - stop increments, instead of normal exposure.
Since I don't know about equipment & fancy flashes, I recommend first just try experimenting with setting at + in various degrees.
cuz I prefer the shooting for dummies manual. LOL

oh, and PS. It's hard to get photos right when your tank is so overstocked, all those fish casting shadows. send some stock to me & get instant 50% improvement. duh.
;-)

 

[Pharaoh]

If you're not picking up enought light off the SB-600, your shutter speed might be a little fast. Or, potentially find a better way to spread the light off the flash. How is the flash setup?

 

[petspoiler]

oh never mind my post about + settings. I didn't even read your data before, and f8 is probably as wide open as it gets.
*brain dead today.

 

[TMSB805]

Couple questions and suggestions then i could probably help you out.

What's your ISO
Is your flash at full power? (i shoot with 2 sb600)
What's the zoom at on the flash(that will give you a wide or narrow beam)
Do you have dome diffuser a if not, get one. They much cheaper on ebay.
I'd start with with the fastest sync speed for your camera (should be about 200) and work down
I normally shoot at f11-22

Here's an example..I'd have to look at the RAW file to see what the settings were.
Feel free to ask any questions. Also search some of Brent's (Greenterra) older threads. I found a lot of his info helpful when i started.

 

[TMSB805]

oh yeah, almost forgot....aside from being a bit dark your shots are excellent

 

[mrmann]

Your photos are very nice!! Zach has some great information for you there. I usually shoot at F11-F22 as well. My flash settings and F-stops change depending on how deep the tank is. Your flash must be turned down because a sb-600 at full power and you running F8 the pics should be darn near completely white from overexposure.