First Attempt At Using Flash In The Dark

[asnow]

After seeing Kat's picture it reminded me of my first attempt (last weekend) at taking a flash picture in the dark. This couple was trying to take a picture with a cell phone and I figured there was no way it was going to turn out so I offered to take one for them and email the picture to them. Not sure that was a great idea as this was my first attempt doing a flash picture at night (and only maybe my 10th time using a flash at all). I had to think and do this quickly as I didn't want them think I was a rank amateur at this by fiddling with the camera and flash and making many attempts.

1. Since I had already been taking non flash pictures of the lights, I figured using that manual setting would work for the background.

2 Set the Flash in e-TTL (Canon) mode and hoped that the flash would calculate the exposure of the people correctly. Took the picture.

3. I think the exposures were not too bad and that worked out.

4. Wish I had taken the flash off the camera and handheld it to the side. As you can see I got a reflection in the gentleman's glasses.

5. I should have spent the few extra seconds and moved them from where they were standing to a better spot closer by to get better composition.

All in all I think not too bad an attempt for first time. Next time hopefully I will feel a little more confident, slow down a bit and do it better from what I learned from this effort.