I like the f/2.8 DOF, but it seems you had your shutter speed at "1.3sec"?


I opened the large file, but it's not exactly as sharp as it can be (most likely from minute camera shake during the 1.3 sec).


The great thing about using flashes (off or on) is that you can artificially create your own light, so you don't have to worry about using slow shutter speeds like you do with ambient light.


With your 7D (as is mine []) you can crank that up to 1/250sec and never have to worry about camera shakes!


Your exposure will not change as long as your flash is still at the same power setting, and your aperture is still the same. The only difference is that higher shutter speeds will cut out ambient light, so the only light source in the photo is from the flash.


If the "1.3sec" was done intentionally to keep the fill light provided by the ambient light, I would suggest 2 things.


1: Up the ISO (for faster shutter speeds for less camera shake), and lower the power on the flash (to compensate for the higher ISO)


2: My choice, would be to use 1/250sec, f/8 (to increase DOF for overall sharper image), increase your flash power settings by 3-stops, PLUS a reflector behind the pumpkins and to the left to provide the fill light. Could be anything, a white styroroam board will do just fine []