09.18
The Strobist group has been showing examples of balancing ambient light and flash to make subjects pop.
Here you are. My version.
I drove about 15 miles out of town after work, seeing a certain spot that’s a favorite for sunsets.
I was so elated to see this small tractor. =)
I set up with my camera on a tripod and the flash on a light stand with a diffuser on.
I tried the flash at camera right, then moved to to camera left as shown here.
My Pentax K10D works wirelessly with my flash to control it’s output. It uses the on-board flash not to fill me with light, but to communicate the E-TTL parameters to the flash – letting it know what light to put out.
I set the camera exposure for the sunset – not for me. I let the flash fill me in.
I don’t quite have the right settings here, so I brought it into Photomatix Pro to use it’s abilities to bring out the High Dynamic Range – lights and darks – into better light.
I wish I was a tad brighter. 
Take that any way you want!
You ARE bright… that’s why Mom called you sun.
Seriously.. a neat shot. A man and his machine.. ‘farmset’
I’m a bit behind on my bloglines, and boy I missed a lot! You have had some wonderful posts, really showcasing your mastery of light. I’m very, very impressed. This and the Flowers By Light before it are both excellent!