Welcome to the forum!
As an adjunct to the Tangents blog, the intention with this forum is to answer any questions, and allow a diverse discussion of topics related photography. With that, see it as an open invitation to just climb in and start threads and to respond to any threads.
I could use some help understanding why my group shots with an
off-camera flash and umbrella don't come out as nicely (to me) as a
groups shot using on-camera flash. First image: eVolv200 with Speedlight
head, Westcott 43" optical white satin umbrella, 7-8 feet up, directly
behind me, metered with group about 10 feet away; Second image: end of
the night, on-camera flash bounced behind me into a 3-foot wide (maybe thinner) column
(which was directly behind the umbrella in the first photo). I like the
second one better. These are pretty much SOC, but I had to tamp down the
reflection in the poster, and I only have LR. This has happened to me
before. Is my technique wrong, or do I need a different kind of
umbrella? I'll provide any info you need about settings. Thanks!

Comments
They look pretty darn close to me. I think the sign is just a little reflective and the background slightly darker and thats all. Keep in mind the wider shots will always have more light falloff visible in the shots as they show more of the environment (if that makes sense). I tend to "drag" the shutter and get more of the ambient light in on those wider type shots. You can always buy more lights and light the backgrounds! LOL Happy Holidays Dave!
-Jay
With a conference or panel discussion, my feeling is it will be easier - and has been now that I think of it - to go after exposure over mood than what I posted, which was a holiday banquet for a non-profit lawyer association with a keynote speaker.