Flash or No Flash?
I went to lunch with a high school girl on Sunday. She had to study, and I had a new photo magazine, so we stayed after lunch and spread out our respective projects on the table. I decided to try various camera settings on her downturned profile. Here’s the first one. Just a regular point and shoot.
I love this shot. Her hair and skin tone look so soft, and the contrast between her red shirt and the warm gold and greens of the restaurant interior make it a keeper for me. I’ve got the contrast set to -1 on my camera, and I think that might have helped create the effect. I decided to try using the flash. I didn’t think it would make much difference in the final outcome, but the restaurant was dimly lit, and I thought it might be a bit clearer.
What a difference! Too bad she looked down. But now suddenly she was the one and only subject. The restaurant faded into essentially a black background, and the girl’s hair and skin took on a striking shine. The red shirt tuned three shades redder, and the lighting in the room changed from being simply more furnishings to provide a great contrast.
Actually I like both shots. If I could have only one it would be hard to choose. Perhaps I’d choose the one I took when she looked up, realized what I was doing, and flashed me an embarrassed, do-you-really-have-to-be-doing-that couldn’t-you-pick-on-someone-else sort of smile.
Which one would you choose?
Tags: flash photography, Japan, portraits
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I am partial to the first photo without the flash, as the ones with the flash make it look like it's very dark there even though you're right about the striking foreground colors.