I guess I have shot SO MUCH flashless stuff over the short year I have been taking photos that I just can't
get into flash shots. I like the one without the flash best, no matter how you describe it's faults I can't see.
When I shoot bands, invariably there is someone there with a speedlight, popping off shots in the band's eyes.
None have ever told me that my shots would be better, or I would have a better shot to 5hit ratio if I would use a
flash, but I think they must feel like they want to. I like the quality a natural light shot has so much more than
whatever I might get with a flash. Sometimes my colors suffer greatly, but I don't think I will ever use my speedlight
until I HAVE TO, like at a wedding or somewhere. ALthough your shots DID make me consider painting eye
'catchlight' in in Photoshop when necessary. That is the only part of shot 2 I wish could be a part of shot 1.
The first shot captures your daughter's beauty SO much better.
I have never had anyone say it, but I think bands and audiences much appreciate it when I do not use my
flash. Bands have to be used to it if they want to play gigs, but I think audiences are much distracted by it.
Nick Black by
Brad-(OLS), on Flickr