Reading light help

[cargo]

Hi all.

Not a big question really. I was really wanting to know if these these two images look that different. They do both feel different to me ( first time for everything) and I can only assume that is to do with the quality of the light. I do have trouble with reading light to be honest.
Obviously this is the same room, same camera and same speedlight on camera but taken 3 years apart.
Not sure if you can tell much from this size of image. I am assuming that the flash was bounced in different directions on each photo (surprised they feel different). I know which way the 50th was bounced as that was taken last Saturday. Therefore I still retain that knowledge ;-)

On a side note if you do see a differance which is the better light for this type of subject.


Gaz

1
Taken 3 years back.

2

 

[blakester]

They don't appear too different Gaz to me.
I looked closer and the shadows from the bunting in each image looks to be at a similar angle, so it would suggest to me that the flash was bounced from a similar angle.
IMHO.

Eta. Perhaps the flash in the 18th shot was slightly higher powered, the shadows appear a little more defined and the image a tad brighter too.

 

[Alastair]

Part of it may be that in one shot most people are wearing white against a dark background (black sky through the door), whilst in the other most people are wearing dark colours against a pale background (curtain). This may be creating different mood.

 

[Phil V]

The ambient is about 2/3 stop lower in the top image. That changes the contrast between flash and shadow, also the placement of the bunting changes the nature of that shadow.

But the direction of the keylight appears similar as Iain has said.

And the general feel is more about the subject engagement.

 

[HoppyUK]

They look basically similar to me, both good The camera is higher in the bottom pic, suggesting that the angle of the flash is also a bit different, darkening the top half of the image slightly. The closed curtains also change the feel of the shot I think, but I like them a lot. On that kind of occasion, and in that kind of situation, it's impossible to do much more than put good soft light over the whole area - and that's what you've done, capturing the party spirit very well.

To be a bit more critical, the framing needs to be more to the right - with the camera pointing straight down the room, it is obvious that the sofa would push everyone over to one side. And maybe a little more care could be taken arranging the group so that everyone can be clearly seen, including the dog. But on the other hand, the slightly haphazard arrangement and big smiles have an engaging and natural spontaneity that's been caught superbly So on second thoughts, whatever you did in the top shot, stick with that Roll with it, let the occasion dictate, don't let the camera get in the way.

I try to do family pictures like that, at Xmas especially. Nothing fancy at all, but great snaps, full of happy memories, that over the years get looked at again and again. Nobody ever comments on the lighting.

 

[cargo]

They don't appear too different Gaz to me.
I looked closer and the shadows from the bunting in each image looks to be at a similar angle, so it would suggest to me that the flash was bounced from a similar angle.
IMHO.

Eta. Perhaps the flash in the 18th shot was slightly higher powered, the shadows appear a little more defined and the image a tad brighter too.

Thanks Fella.I do realise there not sort of chalk n cheese different. Yet they did have a different look to them all be it slightly and I wondered why.

Part of it may be that in one shot most people are wearing white against a dark background (black sky through the door), whilst in the other most people are wearing dark colours against a pale background (curtain). This may be creating different mood.

Good point Alastair would not have thought about that. Thanks for the reply.

The ambient is about 2/3 stop lower in the top image. That changes the contrast between flash and shadow, also the placement of the bunting changes the nature of that shadow.

But the direction of the keylight appears similar as Iain has said.

And the general feel is more about the subject engagement.

Morning Phil. You are correct the ambient is more apparent in the 50th photo it never occured to me looking at them, yet I remember setting the camera up to record quite a bit of ambient.
Along with other factors mentioned I think this would have a mood changing effect. Did you look at the exif or did your trained eye just pick that up straight off ?

They look basically similar to me, both good The camera is higher in the bottom pic, suggesting that the angle of the flash is also a bit different, darkening the top half of the image slightly. The closed curtains also change the feel of the shot I think, but I like them a lot. On that kind of occasion, and in that kind of situation, it's impossible to do much more than put good soft light over the whole area - and that's what you've done, capturing the party spirit very well.

To be a bit more critical, the framing needs to be more to the right - with the camera pointing straight down the room, it is obvious that the sofa would push everyone over to one side. And maybe a little more care could be taken arranging the group so that everyone can be clearly seen, including the dog. But on the other hand, the slightly haphazard arrangement and big smiles have an engaging and natural spontaneity that's been caught superbly So on second thoughts, whatever you did in the top shot, stick with that Roll with it, let the occasion dictate, don't let the camera get in the way.

I try to do family pictures like that, at Xmas especially. Nothing fancy at all, but great snaps, full of happy memories, that over the years get looked at again and again. Nobody ever comments on the lighting.

Hi Richard. Great reply lots and lots of info here. I appreciate you taking the time to reply "all of you guys" Still amazes me how you can gather so much info on the lighting from an image. Yes camera was higher as it is placed on a computer table right up against the rear wall. There is also an beam protuding down from the ceiling about 1ft down from the ceiling which the 50th bunting is stuck to, this blocked light from reaching the back of the room too. I did brighten the faces at the far right a smidge.
Really really happy that the emotions/atmosphere come accross in the photos and that I am doing the right thing when taking these in this way. Like you say you cant faff to much but yes the central framing is better so will take care when we have them all around on Christmas day. I took around five images various kids and adults not looking but I think that adds to the joy. In this one below more are looking at the camera Wife and Daughter prefer this because of that. Like you say no one is remotely bothered about the light.
Thanks again this will give me more confidence knowing I am aproaching them in the correct way.

Gaz

 

[Phil V]

Did you look at the exif or did your trained eye just pick that up straight off ?

Well I never checked the exif

You know we constantly reinforce the '2 exposures to think about'.

I can't stress enough that it's fundamental to all flash photography, even if n a studio setting we're simply ensuring that the ambient is so far under we can disregard it, it's still a consideration.

 

[cargo]

Well I never checked the exif

You know we constantly reinforce the '2 exposures to think about'.

I can't stress enough that it's fundamental to all flash photography, even if n a studio setting we're simply ensuring that the ambient is so far under we can disregard it, it's still a consideration.

Clever

Yes I get you regarding the double exposure thing. The studio type images seem easier in that regard as like you say it is just a case of getting a black lcd (laymens terms) I think it is much more difficult to combine the ambient with the flash.
Or maybe thats just me :-(

Gaz