Continuous vs Flash

[HillPhotos2009]

Originally Posted by ronocnikral

are you trying to run ettl or are you running manual flash settings?

I don't have the other flashes yet, but I'm pretty sure I'll be using manual. I don't know much about ettl but I'd like to have as much control as possible over my lighting and I think you lose all control when you use automatic settings.

Right now I'm in the market for lights so I'm trying to figure out what is going to best suit my needs. I don't know much about lighting so I'm taking my time and learning what I can before I buy.

[ronocnikral]

Originally Posted by HillPhotos2009

I don't have the other flashes yet, but I'm pretty sure I'll be using manual. I don't know much about ettl but I'd like to have as much control as possible over my lighting and I think you lose all control when you use automatic settings.
Right now I'm in the market for lights so I'm trying to figure out what is going to best suit my needs. I don't know much about lighting so I'm taking my time and learning what I can before I buy.

I disagree, automatic settings can be very beneficial, especially if you understand how they work.

[HillPhotos2009]

I'll know more what you are talking about when I get some.

[StevenGWebb]

I use both auto and manual and neither is superior to the other. What is superior is the decision process for which suits the purpose better. I don't use TTL because it's not an option for my equipment.

Steve

[brewercm]

I'm not exactly sure what you are looking for in your lighting but I came across these the other day in an Adorama add that came in the mail. They both look to be nice beginner setups.

EL20814KIT Elinchrom D-Lite 2 it 200Ws 2-Light To Go Set (90-260VAC) with Stands, Built-In Skyport Wireless Receiver, Automated Cooling Fan

EL 20815KIT Elinchrom D-Lite4 It Monolight Set with 2 400ws Heads & Stands

[Tom]

Originally Posted by brewercm

I'm not exactly sure what you are looking for in your lighting but I came across these the other day in an Adorama add that came in the mail. They both look to be nice beginner setups.

EL20814KIT Elinchrom D-Lite 2 it 200Ws 2-Light To Go Set (90-260VAC) with Stands, Built-In Skyport Wireless Receiver, Automated Cooling Fan

EL 20815KIT Elinchrom D-Lite4 It Monolight Set with 2 400ws Heads & Stands

Don't get the first one. Get the 2-400w/s set. I have the older model and they are great lights.

[tml]

For portrait and figure studies, I prefer natural, or continuous + reflectors. I like to see how the light shapes the form before I take the photo. It fits me because I work slow and with everything on manual...

[HillPhotos2009]

I just ordered my new lighting equipment! (via the Amazon link through Pixtus.) I can't wait! I ordered a Cowboy Studio Speedlite, an ePhoto kit with 2 light stands, 2 of those hotshoe thingies for the stands, 2 reflective umbrellas, 2 difuser umbrellas, and a wireless trigger with two receivers.

Excited! Should be here in a little over a week. I also bought a book for my Kindle called Speedliter's Handbook: Learning to Craft Light with Canon Speedlites.

I'm going to have to tap into the vanity of teenage girls and recruit a couple of the girls in my neighborhood to model for me so I can figure them out.

:photog0 2:

[rhoffart]

congrats ... off camera lights are fun and can give you some great lighting. Also, looking at the photo you can't tell if it's a few hundred dollar light set or a few thousand.

enjoy and post up some pic's when you get it.

[HillPhotos2009]

@ Rick - Thanks! I'll be posting like a crazy woman when they come in. I have this great idea for the Feb Assignment shoot that I need lights for so I'm going to use them for that!

[Ricks Canvas]

Here is a good link to 5 Reasons to use off-camera Flash at Receptions. The thing I like most in the article was dimming the flash to compliment the ambient light. That to me makes all the difference in the world. This is in low light situations, where you don't over power the ambient lighting.

http://www.motibodo.com/5-reasons-to...at-receptions/

Here is where I put it into practice, it was low light in the reception bar. I didn't want to blast out the back bar lighting, (bottles in the background), felt this was a nice balance of strobe and natural lighting. ISO 1600, 1/80, 4.0 aperture, 24mm.... Rick's Canvas Home Page

[HillPhotos2009]

That was an excellent article. I like how he used the ambient vs. flash examples. Blew away my "I hate flash photography" brat attack. I'm definitely going to use my lights for the reception in May.

[ronocnikral]

Originally Posted by Ricks Canvas

Here is a good link to 5 Reasons to use off-camera Flash at Receptions. The thing I like most in the article was dimming the flash to compliment the ambient light. That to me makes all the difference in the world. This is in low light situations, where you don't over power the ambient lighting.

http://www.motibodo.com/5-reasons-to...at-receptions/

Here is where I put it into practice, it was low light in the reception bar. I didn't want to blast out the back bar lighting, (bottles in the background), felt this was a nice balance of strobe and natural lighting. ISO 1600, 1/80, 4.0 aperture, 24mm.... Rick's Canvas Home Page

I think that article does some dis-service to those learning OCF. First, there are some images in there I wouldn't dare show my clients. There are also some good images in there as well. Also, I like flash for opposite reasons stated, to darken out the background.

Second, I would find it highly impractical to move a light stand around all night for every picture at a reception. Unless I had a minion. In which, my little light stand could move around with me everywhere I went and I wouldn't miss a thing. Ideally, my minion would understand all the concepts of lighting, especially the inverse square rule and would make adjustments according to their ever changing position.

Third, it is very possible, sans a minion, to have images come out well with ambient light, and even, gasp, OnCF. Fully understanding how your flash metering system works will benefit you greatly. And then there are many tricks, which don't require the use of a dorky looking modifier. Not that all modifiers are dorky and many people can use them much better than I can.

The point of my mumbling is, don't expect OCF to be an immediately gratifying magic bullet. It takes work and tons of studying to understand how it works, and how to apply it. And there are many situations, where OCF may not be the best or most practical.

Lastly, I'll back up my talk. While I don't claim to be an "international wedding photographer" who everyone aspires to be, these are, in my opinion, some decent shots. The point is, these were all taken with a flash on the camera (canon 550ex) and no modifier. It doesn't have to be OCF.

[HillPhotos2009]

Originally Posted by ronocnikral

Unless I had a minion.

I got mine at MinionsInc.net. They're real cheap - about $20/hour.

Seriously, though, I am going to have a second shooter/assistant with me that started out in a studio so she knows the basics of lighting. So hopefully she'll be able to understand what I'm trying to do when I ask her to put what light where and when to hide. I think I'm going to have her wear military fatigues so she blends in with the background...

[ronocnikral]

I only wish my photography business netted me $20/hr.