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Off-camera flash has never been my strong point, but after attending a local workshop on lighting, I feel a lot more comfortable. I picked up a cheap stand and umbrella, which came in the mail yesterday. I grabbed a friend and shot this as part of an assignment for the workshop: shoot in disgusting, harsh, bright, unflattering, mid-day sun. The point was to ballance a bright, properly-exposed background with a softly-but-equally lit subject. Here's what I could come up with:



Having never worked with off camera flash before, I think it came out quite nicely!

So the magic reveals Matt Damon's long lost brother!

What a difference it makes, thanks for posting it up, am3p.

If only I had money. :/ I've always been intrigued by that. Can you post up the non-doctored off-camera flash photo? It looks like you added just a bit to it and I'm curious.




Ian

Here it is straight out of the camera:



Looking back, it almost looks better just like that....


Here's the kicker though, in addition to my 430EX flash, this is all I used (all ordered from Adorama.com) :

Adorama Universal Swivel Holder fits Shoe Mount Flashs
Adorama (SKU: LTUSH) $16.25

Westcott Pro 8' Free Sliding Lightstand with 5/8 Mounting Stud, 4 Sections with 3 Risers, Black Anodized.
Westcott (SKU: WELS8) $33.99

JTL 33"%3B White Shoot Through Photographic Umbrella
JTL (SKU: JTU33W) $12.95

Wow, you saved a bunch! I can't tell the difference either.




Ian

It's not that I saved a bunch, it's just shopping smart. I could have gotten a kit (or even separate parts) from a local store like Ritz or George's Camera for two or three times as much. Fact is, for simple supplies, you don't really need top of the line stuff.

Now if I were running heavy expensive strobes and not my little hot shoe, I probably would have gotten a more expensive stand and mount, but I totally don't need that equipment to get good results.

Good point. Good buying mentality also.




Ian

I think the next things on my gear list will be either a walkaround lens or a hotshoe flash. I'm having such a hard time shooting at shows without my built in flash being a nuisance, and I think if I could just turn down the power I'd have a much easier time.

What kind of gear do you have now? And what kind of stuff do you shoot?

I don't have anything lighting wise. 18-55 kit, 75-300 telephoto (no IS), and the 50mm I bought from you. Less important are remote shutter and UV filter. I shoot whatever looks good when I have my camera. Often it's landscapes, sometimes with light trails. Last few times I've gone out was to get my friends longboarding. I've done one show before, used my built-in and got decent results, but I felt like I was really bothering the kids around me (I go to tiny venues).

A flash is amazing and you will have a really fun time experiment with one. I would go with one of those.




Ian

You drive a hard bargain. I do think I might go for the flash next. Something I can use, or at least keep on, regardless of the lens I'm using. Exciting options for diffusers too!

Diffusers, cheap off camera options, gels, and more! Huzzah!




Ian

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