It's impossible to see what will occur when using speed lights. I made this mistake often until I bought myself some White Lightning monolights with an incadescent modeling light. The modeling light allowed me to see what my carefully measured flash would do in advance to firing the shutter.

One does not need to go to the expense as I did, but a modeling light is crucial to see the shadow that will be cast by facial features from the positioning of the flash. Posing plus lighting can make or break a portrait.

On the other hand, the expression is wonderfully captured!
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i try to experiment with different light angles to see the results

thanks again. take care #4808061

Having specialized in children's photography 30 years ago, I understand that duplicating actions and expressions is impossible. This is why lighting has to be correct before the "talent" comes before the camera.

John Siskin, an instructor at BP.com has created Light Panels, sometimes refers to as "scrims", which allow the photographer to make a small light source into a large light source.

What I learned from a class in classical portraiture and lighting in the town where I live, is the larger the light source, the more diffused the lighting. And, the smaller the light source, the more defined (sharper) the edges of the shadow.

In the past, I've used soft boxes with my studio lights, and white foam core to bounce (and soften) the light of my portable flash.

In my class, we also learned to create one to one or 1:1.5 lighting ratios for children; 1:1.5 to 1:2 lighting ratios for women; and over 1:2 lighting ratios for men (to be printable a ratio could go as high as 1:4, if I recall).

At 1:1.5 there is still a slight difference between the highlights and the shadows, but it is not as pronounced as the lighting ratio you have which I suspect is closer to 1:4.

The measurement is taken using a flash meter, such as a Sekonic L-358 flash meter. http://tinyurl.com/2r9wl3

See Metering for Strobes at:
http://www.eddiebonfigli.com/L358.html for a shorter description (than I could give) on using a Flash Meter.

I love your captures! But, I personally don't like the sharp definition and angles of the shadows on the child. It is my opinion that you could make future images so much better with a larger light source and a lighting ratio more conducive to children.

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