Faces from Dickens Fest 2014

For this image of this couple, I persuaded them to come to a better location allowing me to use the setting sun as a rim light. I then set my Speedlite on the right just outside of the frame. I found a convenient spot to set the Speedlite. The Speedlite was set to 1/8th power to match available light of 1/200 sec @f 5.6 ISO 100.
For this image of this couple, I persuaded them to come to a better location allowing me to use the setting sun as a rim light. I then set my Speedlite on the right just outside of the frame. I found a convenient spot to set the Speedlite. The Speedlite fitted with a 1/4 Color Temperature Orange gel  was set to 1/8th power to match available light of 1/200 sec @f 5.6 ISO 100. I used the Canon STE-3-RT to trigger the Speedlite.  See the setup diagram below.To see this picture larger, click on it.

Every year I try to make it downtown during the Dickens Festival.

The site for this year’s festivities was the pedestrian mall on Main Street between city hall and University Ave.

I arrived around 3:30p when the light was perfect.

Because of the smaller area and how vendors were positioned, it became obvious if I wanted to photograph someone, I would have to ask them to accompany me to a better location.

I didn’t attempt that with everyone I saw except those who appeared exceptional in their costumes.

I knew I had to supplement the lighting on the couple because of their black attire. To preserve detail there, I knew I need to throw light into the shadow areas.
I knew I had to supplement the lighting on the couple because of their black attire. To preserve detail there, I knew I need to throw light into the shadow areas.

The couple with the Penny Farthing for instance demanded this extra effort.

I even used my Canon 600EX-RT Speedlite because I knew their predominantly black outfits would require supplementary lighting.

Not sure if it's true that they didn't smile for pictures during the Victorian era. I tried.
Not sure if it’s true that they didn’t smile for pictures during the Victorian era. I tried.

The picture of the exquisite Victorian lass could have benefitted from my use of lighting as well.

I came across this gentleman with this cool holographic sunglasses. I stopped him very briefly and he obliged.
I came across this gentleman with this cool holographic sunglasses. I stopped him very briefly and he obliged.

I didn’t have a place to set my Speedlite but I could have asked someone to hold it, I suppose.

You tell me if my results required that flash.

Because her outfit wasn’t black, I was confident I could get away without the use of flash.

When I came across the gentleman dressed as the Chimney Sweep like in Mary Poppins, I had to ask if he would step away from the crowds as well.

Chimney SweepIn retrospect if I had to do this over, I would probably asked if he would step into the parking structure so that I could get even more directional light.

There’s always next year.

If you have any opinions, feel free to voice them under comments below.

Or if you were also downtown, do share your images by commenting.

You will see that you can actually upload your pictures there.

Are you curious as to what the scene would look like had I not used my Speedlite?

Mouse over the picture below.

Peter Phun Photography

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