A few weeks ago, I was hired by a promotions company to photograph a holiday party at an apartment building downtown. I decided to bring my 580 EX Speedlite and wireless transmitter so i could light them off camera, hand-held, and remain mobile - just walk the room and shoot people as they hung out.

My girlfriend ended up coming along and offered to stand at my side and hold the Speedlite up high, which was great because it gave the light an angle I couldn't have accomplished were I holding it with my own arm.

I decided not to use any kind of diffusion and use fairly powerful blast - I found the hard light gave the shots a an edge and a sharpness that I really like. It also really separates the subjects from the background and makes them pop. Certainly a wedding or family event would require softer, more diffused light, but for this type of event, I dig it.

What do you think? Is the lighting overly harsh, or does it work?

 (1/50 sec, f/3.5, Canon EF 28-105 at 28mm, ISO 400, one Canon 580EX speedlight held high camera right)

(1/50 sec, f/3.5, Canon EF 28-105 at 28mm, ISO 400, one Canon 580EX speedlight held high camera right)

(1/50 sec, f/3.5, Canon EF 28-105 at 28mm, ISO 400, one Canon 580EX speedlight held high camera left

(1/50 sec, f/3.5, Canon EF 28-105 at 30mm, ISO 400, one Canon 580EX speedlight held 45 degrees right of camera)

(1/50 sec, f/4.5, Canon EF 28-105 at 70mm, ISO 400, one Canon 580EX speedlight held high camera right)