Cave Shot Framing a Field - Flash used

[invisionz]

In this shot I was trying to learn how to use my flash inside a cave. As you can see there was a hole that allowed me to try and frame a field with some cows; a pasture. Anyways, neither the cave shot or the pasture came out the way that I thought it should. The cave is over exposed and the pasture lacks color and sharpness. Maybe I am expecting too much but it is obvious I didn't do a lot of things right. What are your suggestions?

 

[fotojack]

Need to know a few things first: what camera used, what lens, what shooting mode, flash setting, what flash. Without this info, it's pretty hard to give a definitive answer.

 

[invisionz]

Here is the additional info:

Make: NIKON D5100
ISO: 100
Flash: 15
Software: Aperture 3.2.1
ExposureTime: 1/200
ApertureValue: 4
FNumber: 10
LightSource: 0

 

[Marcel]

I'll offer you my opinion. When you shot this, you probably wanted us to see that the picture was taken from the interior of the cave. It seems the flash is just overpowered. You should have looked at the image and the histogram and then take another shot adjusting the flash to underexpose by maybe about 1.3 f stop. And then have a look and then try again until you had the result you wanted. Digital gives you the opportunity to check and correct things but you have to know what you want to start with.

Just one opinion.

 

[ohkphoto]

To make this look like it's coming from a cave, I would approach it without a speedlight. First, I would shoot from a point farther back so that some of the wall of the cave is visible and the opening is not dead center. Second, I would position a couple of lanterns or flashlights to light up only a part of the cave wall. And finally, I would autobracket about 5 shots and process in HDR. That would bring out the texture of the rocks, the detail in the shadows as well as in the highlights.

My 2 cents.

 

[invisionz]

I didn't consider using additional lights like flashlights or lanterns. I automatically thought that I should use my speed light flash (sb-700) and my intention was to use my flash for shots inside the cave. I didn't know that I would have a shot like this one until I got there.

Anyways, I like the auto bracketing shots for HDR. I am just now looking into HDR and I can see where there are many uses for it.

In fact another pic that I was planning on posting is the side of the cave/cliff that over looks a river. In that shot the sun is highly visible and washes out about a third of the photo, I thought HDR!

I now have some new ideas on how to reproach this shot if time allows before I leave the area. If I do get a chance to reshoot, I will plan on posting those photos.

Thank you everyone for your critiques they are all valuable to me as I am learning.