Photo challenge #1

This is the first of 52 photo challenges. The goal is to present one new technique each week and then produce an image that incorporates that technique. You can submit your image to photochallenge@photolen.ca . I will post 2 to 3 images that I receive.  There is no prize for the best image for the week, best overall image, or anything else. But, you will have the chance to learn and practice 52 photographic techniques over the course of 2012.

So here it is, the first challenge.

On camera flash gives you very flat lighting. Refer back to my post on December 7, 2011, On Camera Fill Flash. For this weeks challenge, use on camera fill flash to reduce contrast in an image. Very often, light on a subject can be very harsh. Super bright on the lite side and really dark on the shadow side. By using fill flash, you can reduce the contrast by putting light into the shadow area.  The trick here is to not overdo the fill flash. As soon as the image starts to look flat, you have overfilled.

This week, create an image that uses on camera fill flash to reduce shadows yet remains natural looking.