Balancing ambient light and cross lighting strobes

This scene is lit by 2 strobes and the ambient light from the overhead lanterns.

First, I had to establish the ambient light to burn in the lanterns which was around ISO 1250, f7, 1/15.

Next step was to cross light 2 strobes set at around 1/16 power. The flash freezes the subjects instantly while the slow shutter speed allows the lantern and the light from the shed to burn in.

The image below uses the same lighting setup with the added touch of sparklers.

Onboard flash set to manual exposure

Exposure based on ambient light then onboard flash set to manual.

Off Camera Flash balanced with ambient lighting

Exposure based on ambient lighting then cross lit with two flashes across the dance floor.

Exercise: Manual Focus

Practicing manual focus. Tried focusing on her left eye.
Canon 24-70mm @70mm 2.8
Lighting info: Sun as backrim light. Face lit by reflection from the house's siding lifting shadows.

Exercise: Composition

I asked my wife and daughter if this image did anything for them. My wife looked at it for 4 seconds and said "No. It's just a wall." My daughter took a little more time to look at it ( a good 10 seconds ) and said "You know what would be interesting ? Is if it was a brick wall with graffiti and a man coming around from the left side. All set in New York City". Hmmm... I guess I just saw it differently.

I saw a composition based on juxtapositions. I see the big brownish square on the right side and a narrow bluish rectangle on the left. I see the thermostat dial as a dot on the upper right hand side of the total rectangular frame with negative space. It also contrasts the rectangular frame of the three light switches. Then I come back to see both of them framed within the brownish square wall butted to a cold bluish rectangular space. Contained in this bluish rectangle are more elements such as part of another door and a smaller switch plate toward the bottom. Lines everywhere.

Does it do anything for you ?

Today, I got an offer on my 2006 Harley RoadKing Custom. If everything works out, she may go to a new home on Tuesday. This prodded me to get up and shoot a personal project that I've been kicking around in my head. It also kicks off one other project that I've been planning for a while. The Project is called "Buy American, by Americans". If the least that I can do is raise awareness that we have to support American Brands, goods and services and in the process, create more American jobs, then I have conributed to the cause.

Buy American by Americans.

My Daughter Morgan Rose is turning 5