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?
