lighting problem, what else could I do

Hello, I've been enjoying looking at photos in this forum and I really enjoyed all the techniques that been discussed.

This is my first time to post here, so I hope you guys and gals don't mind if I asked your experienced C & C on my photo.

The attached photo was taken in San Buenaventura State Park in Ventura, CA.  I feel that the picture would have been better if the subject were better lit.   I took the picture in the P Mode, with the SB600 flash firing.  What do you think I could have done to make this picture better?

All C & C is appreciated. 

Thank you,

Noel

P.S. You can also see this picture with more size options in the following link

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hongning/3152922264/in/set-72157607729999479

Welcome!

Personally, I think it would be more dramatic as a silouette.

I dont care for the flash picking up the rocks infront of the subject and the catch light in the reflector of her shoe.
Im not advanced enough to know how to fix those problems and still use some sort of off camera light source, so I'll let someone else comment on that.
Thanks for posting.
Looking forward to seeing more of your work.

Corey

set your camera to shoot commander mode A at 1 on camera at -1 or off. put the flash on the ground to your left and put some kind of diffuser on it (Stoffen, gary fong, plastic cup) aim it kinda up kinda at them.

put your camera on center weight exposure and aim it at the background, push the AE-Lock and recompose on the people. Then shoot.

Better to shoot manual and use the histogram and chimp to get it right.

You are right. I was thinking light on the ground was better than no light at all. Light stand would be best but again only if you want all of them and Benji is right again, you don't really need to see their legs.

You don't want the flash on the camera or you get pin lights in the pupils, if you have no way of doing so, in photoshop, blacken pupils and raise pin light, makes for a more flattering image.
I use either a white foam wrap or a plastic diffuser, for Nikon, Nikon flashes come with a diffuser, I use the Nikon Flashes, so mine came with one. I point the unit up and turn a 1/4 turn, If I could draw it I would. Let's see, more words, Flash head pointing up and turn it as edge faces you and subject, get it. hehe
Other times, I raise the white card in the flash, it's smaller then the white foam wrap, does an o.k. job.
I never point head to subject, I don't like the harsh light it causes.

John, you're not hijacking, it's a great example, nicely captured, I would raise the catch lights though.

Sweet, looking forward to your postings