help please:)

[idnurse41]

I had a wonderful evening with a henna hand painting yesterday, and am still working on them. However, I took some of the children as well and need some help here:)
Keep in mind, it was in a motel room with crazy lights everywhere.
I guess I"m really looking for suggestions-knowing I need to invest in my own lighting asap. What could I have done to make this better? I couldn't get their arms, hands, due to air conditioners in the windows, etc
Suggestions much appreciated from anyone! More pictures to come.

[PhotoByLeal]

What kind of flash did you use?
Did you try to bounce the flash?

I know when I am in a hotel room out of town and I have nothing to do, I try to shoot something in the room. When I do this I try to bounce the flash off a wall or a ceiling....

Angel

[idnurse41]

On camera flash is all I have, but soon will get additional. I need to practice bouncing flash!
Adding another picture of henna from my friends session.

[Patti Edens]

In the past, when shooting in weird lighting, I would shoot a couple of frames of a white/black/gray card.

Then I just use the eyedroppers in Photoshop to get a corrected white balance, save that curve setting and apply it to the rest of my photos shot under the same conditions.

The Expodisc is another way to go, but I haven't used it.

Also: I noticed in your EXIF that the camera owner is Heather. I'm guessing you bought this camera from Heather? If yes, then you might want to change that and put your name or company name into the camera.

Examples using the cards I have:

[Sideline]

I agree that starting with white balance will help a great deal.

When you decide to get a dedicated flash, take a look at flash brackets (Stroboframe is one brand) that get your flash off the same axis as your camera. This will help prevent harsh shadows and red-eye.

[PhotoByLeal]

It looks like your White Balance is off.....
Are you shooting Jpeg or Raw?

Pick up a used Canon 430 or 580 I or II, this will help out..

Later,
Angel

[idnurse41]

I am shooting both jpeg and (just started) shooting in RAW.
Thanks everyone for the tips! I'll get it someday!
I will look into stroboframe-but have been looking at Alien B, just not sure I want that just yet. I believe I had it on AWB. Thinking I need to know my camera a little better:)

[venchka]

Henna painting? Children? GOOGLE may find some words of caution on that subject.

[idnurse41]

Originally Posted by venchka

Henna painting? Children? GOOGLE may find some words of caution on that subject.

Not sure what you're implying here. It was a bridal ceremony for a friend's cousin.....No children were being painted or ah forget it.

[venchka]

Ok, I just heard a blurb on the news over the weekend about health issues with henna painting. Probably nothing, could be something.