I have always been interested in flash photography and different lighting, but found it a challenge to do by myself in the field with impatient clients. I need more money to hire an assistant, I need more people who will work for me to free, etc. Well when I heard Scott Roberts speak last week I just knew this is where I was headed even if my photography didn't look like it. So I went and ordered some wireless connectors for my strobes. I already had two strobes, so I was ready, just needed the knowledge and inclination. The whole let up cost me all of $80.
I have been insanely busy the last couple of days so although I have had my wireless remote since Monday, I have not been able to experiment. Right now my kids are asleep and they aren't the best test subjects when I am trying to figure out math. So I took my flashes downstairs, found one of their dolls and had a little fun.
I was a little worried because I couldn't figure out the guide number on my flashes since I have the more complicated Canon Flashes. I have no intention of replacing them until I know I will shoot manual 100% of the time. So I put my flashes on the ground, referred to Scott's cheat sheet business card and took my first shot.
For the first set up I have a flash right and in the front and back and left. So a fill light and a back light.
 |
| F2.0 1/60 ISO 100 |
This shot was a little hot following all his numbers. I could see it immediately on my viewfinder. I wondering if it is guide numbers or my flashes being too close. Luckily it was an easy fix and I just stopped it down to compensate.
All these photos I am showing are edited as it. Meaning I just used the Faithful auto enhancer in Lightroom made sure there was no exposure compensation. Then I posted them. This is mostly so I can refer back to this again.
 |
| F4.0 1/60 ISO 100 |
The thing I found the most interesting is the basics. The slower I made my shutter speed the more ambient light affected the picture and of course the more it affected the background. Here is the rest of the series of shots.
 |
| F4.0 1/60 ISO 100 |
 |
| F 2.0 1/50 ISO 100 |
 |
| F 2.0 1/50 ISO 100 |
Those were probably the worst shots because I was moving the flash around and not being consistent in the way I shoot. Hey it was just the first run! Then I changed my flash. I had one flash on either side about 8 ft away pointed directly at the doll. This is where I saw how ambient light affected my photos and how I could only go down to 1/15 without getting hand held blur which confuses me. Maybe its because too much ambient light in my pictures which creates the blur and it has nothing to do with my flash.
 |
| F4.0 1/125 ISO 100 |
 |
| F4.0 1/100 ISO 100 |
 |
| F4.0 1/25 ISO 100 |
For these pictures I had a side flash on both sides of the doll directly on her.
 |
| F4.0 1/125 ISO 100 |
 |
| F4.0 1/125 ISO 100 |
 |
| F4.0 1/30 ISO 100 |
 |
| F4.0 1/15 ISO 100 |
This series both flashes are in front of the doll to an angle on both sides.
 |
| F4.0 1/125 ISO 100 |
 |
| F4.0 1/60 ISO 100 |
 |
| F4.0 1/30 ISO 100 |
 |
| F4.0 1/15 ISO 100 |
I still have a lot to learn about lighting and different lighting diagrams, but I'll tell you this much. For only $80 I now have on the go lighting I can practice all the time. I just need some diagrams and to practice with a friend this weekend and I am set. I have the vision, I just need some practice to figure out how to create it. I promise no more dolls after today.
On the agenda for this afternoon is putting on flash on the light stand with an umbrella and then following my boys around the backyard to see what it can do.
No comments:
Post a Comment