Archive for the 'Gear' Category

Using a small softbox in close proximity

Neil May 26th, 2008

If you can swallow this yucky corporate video there’s probably a nugget there for you.

I use the extra small softbox, as you can see in my bag, but I always use it hand held because the principle:

the larger your light source, the softer your light

Only applies if you are computing your exposure solely on the quantity of light that is coming from that source.

Your light source is relative to the subject.

A 18″ softbox is a small light source compare to a 70 inch man - so what is it good for?

Working close

Bride with Flowers

I often use the ST-E2 transmitter and keep the flash on TTL allowing me to control the contrast using Exposure compensation on the camera. In this way, you can see how I’ve blended the daylight balance in the room - the tunsten source in the background - and finally the softbox providing the ‘key’ or main illumination shaping the subject.

There aren’t any shadows though, because my baseline exposure is the light in the room. I’ve used the soft box to create a shaping highlight. So there’s a bright shaped area, and a darker flatter area.

Smiling bridal portrait

In this shot an assistant was holding the light (as I can only shoot hand held - light to my left). Here again you can see how I have blended the ambient and bumped it up with the softbox. Using your light to see shapes is really the psychological core of ‘making light real’. Light gives you that power to sculpt and form.

To achieve this exposure with your camera in TTL auto flash as well as Aperture, Shutter Speed, or Program exposure mode.  Adjust your main exposure compensation value to -1EV.  That’s it - the flash exposure will correct for everything else - easy eh?

Portrait with flowers

Upcoming later, I have a video clip titled the 3 minute portrait, that will show how I’m using the mini softbox.  So the question of size must come up at some point….and you have to know the right answer when you’ve found the right question.

 

The bride and the girls

Is the 18 inch softbox big enough?

NO - so (moments later) I switched to using the ceiling as my soft-box.

Size is relative to proximity (distance from the subject) and you want to always have a softbox as big as or larger than your subject.

how to use photographic soft box

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3.2

Managing the lighting in the Arizona Sun

Neil May 20th, 2008

Clerissa asks:I am shooting a new wedding in the courtyard Calle Independencia. I haven’t worked much with outdoor weddings and as you can see there won’t be much lighting. So I have a couple questions:

  1. What do you think would be the best type of lighting? Should I try and rent something? I have two camera flashes and a couple of strobes. The strobes are not wireless though… but there may be a way to get power to them. There is also a second level I may be able to use to be less invasive. I think there are some places for viewing of the second level.
  2. Is there a way to get that same kind of warm effect like you do with the gels on the flashes when shooting outside?
  3. Is there a way to make the daytime shots look more warm? I find a lot of outdoor weddings start around 1-2pm and in Arizona the lighting is usually so bright it washes everything out.

Answers from Neil:

  1. The best type of lighting is inspired lighting, you don’t need anything but your camera to find inspired lighting - just angles of approach. What controlled lighting can give you - is so many more angles and options to work with. But not forcing the shot when the lighting is so harsh is the first step to seeing more possiblities. Check out my options below for working in harsh outdoor light.
  2. A warm effect is not created by gels - a harmonious effect is created by gel on the strobe. If you gel the strobe to the same color temperature of your surroundings, you can process your images in a warm or cool fashion as you are inspired to do so - changing the color temperature will warm the image. So if you’re getting blue tones in your image, try a shade white balance in camera with this icon:
  3. As for lighting in bright sun or continuous light of any kind, one way to control your light is with a light panel:

Photoflex LitePanel 39×72″ kit from B+H Photo

If you combine the light panel with direct sun you can produce a blinding amount of light - so, be careful you don’ create squinters. My recommendation to achieve the summery tones in your image is to have your subjects sit in the shade, and then control the sunlight you push in with your panel(s). Taking this approach I’d suggest you ask your clients to get married in a shaded part of the court (if there is one) and then push some gentle sunlight into their ceremony from above with a panel. I know it may seem extreme, but to get unique pictures - that’s what it takes. Here are some panel illuminated shots:

The big benefit for beginners using a panel to redirect sunlight is that you don’t have to second guess your exposure or contrast levels as you will get what you see.

I believe we’re going to have an Arizona Make Light Real workshop in the near future so you can keep your eye on the workshop schedule

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3.2

Neil opens his camera bag for you to see

Neil January 21st, 2008

Here’s a video of me emptying my camera bag of it’s contents, just for you to see what I take with me everywhere. The real fun one is the lighting case, but that’s part of the workshop - so I’ll save it for when you attend.

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Gear List:

  1. Canon 1D MarkII
  2. Canon 1Ds MarkII
  3. Canon 50mm f1.4
  4. Sigma 24mm f1.8
  5. Canon 90mm TSE f2.8
  6. Canon 135mm f2.8
  7. Sigma 70mm f2.8 Macro
  8. Sigma 15mm f2.8 Fisheye
  9. Canon 550EX Shoe Flash
  10. Canon 550EX Shoe Flash

Lighting / Accessories

  1. Digital Camera Battery High Voltage Pack
  2. Canon CP-E2
  3. Canon ST-E2
  4. Manfrotto 3350 Baby kit stand
  5. Photoflex XTS Softbox
  6. Photoflex 18″ umbrella
  7. Photoflex Shoe Mount Multi Clamp
  8. Pocketwizard (2)
  9. Sunpack Readylight
  10. LumiQuest Snoot
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2.5

DIY Remote Controlled Dimmer for hot lights

Neil November 4th, 2007

Here’s the exact unit I purchased from Home Depot, even though they don’t have it on their site. This unit I saw on Amazon, might be easier to not have to do any wiring, and you would be able to leave it in any outlet or be able to separate your outlets further! Heath Zenith Wireless Kit with Indoor Plug-In Receiver, White, and Remote Control, Black #RH-6008-WH5-A Either way you’re only out $35 for a gadget that will allow you to control the light output from your camera position and during shooting without moving.Here’s the link to the video on Cutframe.tv

I’m using standard halogen work lights ($10 at any hardware store), and a Lowel Pro light focusable spot light.

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2.5

Q-Flash Questions Answered

Neil October 29th, 2007

I’ve been curiously interested in the Q-Flash system made by Quantum - but the online information is terrible….there’s SO many configuration options that it’s just plain impossible to figure out. SO I never bought one!

Well today I got an e-mail from Shoot Smarter, a sort of infomercial site that actually has some great information. They seem to be the only good information on the Q-Flash system on the net! Too bad Quantum can’t find a good information design for their own site….

Some of them are way to slow, but I do suggest you listen to lesson one for information on all the ‘pieces’ you need to make the Q-Flash system work. Then, check out lesson 8 to get a peak at Wireless TTL with FreeXwire. That’s their radio trigger system that does TTL over the radio signal. I have yet to test it - and would like to - but if it works as advertised that would sell me on the Quantum gear.

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Take a tour of alien bees

Neil September 18th, 2007

The sound advice blog goes on a tour of the Alien Bees and Paul C Buff headquarters. It’s worth the read.

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