Speedlite Tutorials?

[StephenC]

You have very good gear

I'm compensating for something! ... A lack of photographic skill.

I'm sure a skilled photographer can manage with almost any equipment but, even at my level, I have found some improvement with better equipment. The 5D certainly makes better use of available light than my old 400D and I struggle to fault the 70-200. I've been less impressed with the 24-70 but only in comparison to the white lens. I do miss the old EF-S 17-55 f2.8 with IS.

My reading continues. Slowly.

 

[privatebydesign]

I am sure you are right in your description but you seem to be experienced and he appears not to be.

I think you are over-complicating it for a beginner.

Have certain basics in your mind and then alter to taste.

With experience comes the realisation that you can vary everything and end up with shots that wow.
But you have to start somewhere.!
Paul

StephenC has pointed out he is happy to work in Av and ETTL for now, and for beginner flash that is far and away the best thing to do.

I don't believe I am over complicating, I believe your inadequate meme is over simplifying, and so do true experts. If you want to give that advice and it stand up in the field you must also say to get your subject and flash exposure where you want it first, then work the ambient exposure with the shutter speed, that really isn't complicated. However explaining to a beginner why their background is now not two stops under exposed as per my example, when they followed your "rule" is a lot more complicated, un-teaching stuff is a hell of a lot more difficult than teaching it right in the first place.

 

[3kramd5]

This is CR forum at its best. I'm learning slot from this thread being a light beginner also.

I agree. So here is my first example:

I know the composition is awful and the background is fussy (but the subject is somewhat dear to me). I used the 24-70mm in Av mode (with the Camera set to keep the shutter between 1/60 and 1/200) and had the flash in simple ETTL mode, mounted on the camera and pointed straight ahead - i.e. in simple mode! I'm pretty happy with the result - it has had no post-processing beyond that which Aperture does on import.

Excellent, you are not being pushed into running and stumbling before you are happy walking , as I said earlier camera in Av and flash in ETTL really is how this stuff is best used initially.

I think shooting the flash in manual will flatten the learning curve. With camera AE and automatic flash power, it's very difficult to know why any given image looks a certain way.

 

[StephenC]

Here are a few more examples (just the jpgs, as I'm away from home), but no post processing. I'm still in Av - old habits die hard - but I switched the camera shutter speed settings back to normal and switched on the high speed sync instead. They were taken around midday, in partial shade. (Constructive) comments welcome.

70-200 ISO400, f4, SS1/2000:

70-200 ISO400, f4, Ss1/1250:

I'm about half way through Syl's book (some good background but assumes a willingness to carry around giant umbrellas everywhere) and also read through the NK Guy PhotoNotes article. More practice needed.

 

[Dylan777]

Don't spend another penny until you get, read, and digest, this book. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0321832752/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=pasoroblphot-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0321832752

He has another book too, but this one is more appropriate for you. If his rumoured 600 EX RT book comes out I'd recommend that but it hasn't appeared yet and he now has a full time educators job.

Thanks privatebydesign for the link. I just purchased the material and will try to go through this weekend.

I'm interested getting some lighting for home studio. Not sure if I should get some 600ex rt or just regular studio set. I like the ideal of having speedlite so I can take with me if need it. Any suggestions? Thanks

For a home studio I think the Speedlite route is the way to go. They are nowhere near as powerful, but for most people they are way more practical.

Stands: Manfrotto 420, a boom stand should be everyone's first stand, then I really like the stacking Manfrottos at whatever size you like, I have the BAC 1052's.

Umbrella brackets: There are many but the Manfrotto 026 (?) is the industry standard. I'd go for metal ones over the poly and plastic ones.

Modifiers: This is where it gets involved, but I'd suggest a Westcott Apollo 26" softbox, I prefer them to the Lastolite style. A convertible umbrella. A 5-1 reflector around 36" and I really like the collapsible style 78" kits, they give you huge scrims as well as black and white backgrounds.

This gives you enough to play with and to see what kind of light you prefer and the direction you'd like to go in, without committing too much money to something you won't use in the future.

Get a couple of gel sample books from B&H too, they cost $2.50 and are so much fun, they also teach you a huge amount about where your light is going.

Thanks privatebydesign, I'll put my BH rewards to work. Kinda wait for some rebates from Canon.

 

[jdramirez]

I have thoughts... but I'm working...so they will have to wait.

Don't spend another penny until you get, read, and digest, this book. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0321832752/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=pasoroblphot-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0321832752

He has another book too, but this one is more appropriate for you. If his rumoured 600 EX RT book comes out I'd recommend that but it hasn't appeared yet and he now has a full time educators job.

Thanks privatebydesign for the link. I just purchased the material and will try to go through this weekend.

I'm interested getting some lighting for home studio. Not sure if I should get some 600ex rt or just regular studio set. I like the ideal of having speedlite so I can take with me if need it. Any suggestions? Thanks

For a home studio I think the Speedlite route is the way to go. They are nowhere near as powerful, but for most people they are way more practical.

Stands: Manfrotto 420, a boom stand should be everyone's first stand, then I really like the stacking Manfrottos at whatever size you like, I have the BAC 1052's.

Umbrella brackets: There are many but the Manfrotto 026 (?) is the industry standard. I'd go for metal ones over the poly and plastic ones.

Modifiers: This is where it gets involved, but I'd suggest a Westcott Apollo 26" softbox, I prefer them to the Lastolite style. A convertible umbrella. A 5-1 reflector around 36" and I really like the collapsible style 78" kits, they give you huge scrims as well as black and white backgrounds.

This gives you enough to play with and to see what kind of light you prefer and the direction you'd like to go in, without committing too much money to something you won't use in the future.

Get a couple of gel sample books from B&H too, they cost $2.50 and are so much fun, they also teach you a huge amount about where your light is going.

Thanks privatebydesign, I'll put my BH rewards to work. Kinda wait for some rebates from Canon.

 

[Dylan777]

$550 x 3 units = $1500ish. Why rush into it, when you don't need to have it RIGHT NOW. I can always use my 85L II at the moment

I have thoughts... but I'm working...so they will have to wait.

Don't spend another penny until you get, read, and digest, this book. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0321832752/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=pasoroblphot-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0321832752

He has another book too, but this one is more appropriate for you. If his rumoured 600 EX RT book comes out I'd recommend that but it hasn't appeared yet and he now has a full time educators job.

Thanks privatebydesign for the link. I just purchased the material and will try to go through this weekend.

I'm interested getting some lighting for home studio. Not sure if I should get some 600ex rt or just regular studio set. I like the ideal of having speedlite so I can take with me if need it. Any suggestions? Thanks

For a home studio I think the Speedlite route is the way to go. They are nowhere near as powerful, but for most people they are way more practical.

Stands: Manfrotto 420, a boom stand should be everyone's first stand, then I really like the stacking Manfrottos at whatever size you like, I have the BAC 1052's.

Umbrella brackets: There are many but the Manfrotto 026 (?) is the industry standard. I'd go for metal ones over the poly and plastic ones.

Modifiers: This is where it gets involved, but I'd suggest a Westcott Apollo 26" softbox, I prefer them to the Lastolite style. A convertible umbrella. A 5-1 reflector around 36" and I really like the collapsible style 78" kits, they give you huge scrims as well as black and white backgrounds.

This gives you enough to play with and to see what kind of light you prefer and the direction you'd like to go in, without committing too much money to something you won't use in the future.

Get a couple of gel sample books from B&H too, they cost $2.50 and are so much fun, they also teach you a huge amount about where your light is going.

Thanks privatebydesign, I'll put my BH rewards to work. Kinda wait for some rebates from Canon.

 

[jdramirez]

I photograph my 7 month old mostly... so I use what I have. Two 580ex iis, the yongnuo 622 c's, one umbrella stands and one diffuser, though I'll be fixing that to two soon. I want a 72" umbrella but I think I'll wait a little bit on that.

The yongnuo cost 120ish and allow for ettl and power adjustment through the camera. I use mkii two current tripods.. so my"studio" is make shift, but it folds up nicely because I use a family room... so being able to reduce all of the stuff is key.

I have a few small complaints about my setup, but they are mostly related to me hitting a button and changing the channels of the transceivers. So human error.

 

[Dylan777]

Same here JD, I have 2 kids. They are my main reason I got deeply into photography.

Have any pics with home studio?

I photograph my 7 month old mostly... so I use what I have. Two 580ex iis, the yongnuo 622 c's, one umbrella stands and one diffuser, though I'll be fixing that to two soon. I want a 72" umbrella but I think I'll wait a little bit on that.

The yongnuo cost 120ish and allow for ettl and power adjustment through the camera. I use mkii two current tripods.. so my"studio" is make shift, but it folds up nicely because I use a family room... so being able to reduce all of the stuff is key.

I have a few small complaints about my setup, but they are mostly related to me hitting a button and changing the channels of the transceivers. So human error.

 

[jdramirez]

When I get home I'll show you two photos... one that you can tell was done by an amateur and one that looks pretty Damn good if I say so myself.

Same here JD, I have 2 kids. They are my main reason I got deeply into photography.

Have any pics with home studio?

I photograph my 7 month old mostly... so I use what I have. Two 580ex iis, the yongnuo 622 c's, one umbrella stands and one diffuser, though I'll be fixing that to two soon. I want a 72" umbrella but I think I'll wait a little bit on that.

The yongnuo cost 120ish and allow for ettl and power adjustment through the camera. I use mkii two current tripods.. so my"studio" is make shift, but it folds up nicely because I use a family room... so being able to reduce all of the stuff is key.

I have a few small complaints about my setup, but they are mostly related to me hitting a button and changing the channels of the transceivers. So human error.

 

[Dylan777]

LOL... ;D, well I have plenty of those in my collection. Look forward to see those photos.

I'm thinking: Speedlite 600EX-RT(x3), ST-E3-RT Speedlite Transmitter, some stands and softbox as priviatedesign suggested

When I get home I'll show you two photos... one that you can tell was done by an amateur and one that looks pretty Damn good if I say so myself.

Same here JD, I have 2 kids. They are my main reason I got deeply into photography.

Have any pics with home studio?

I photograph my 7 month old mostly... so I use what I have. Two 580ex iis, the yongnuo 622 c's, one umbrella stands and one diffuser, though I'll be fixing that to two soon. I want a 72" umbrella but I think I'll wait a little bit on that.

The yongnuo cost 120ish and allow for ettl and power adjustment through the camera. I use mkii two current tripods.. so my"studio" is make shift, but it folds up nicely because I use a family room... so being able to reduce all of the stuff is key.

I have a few small complaints about my setup, but they are mostly related to me hitting a button and changing the channels of the transceivers. So human error.

 

[jdramirez]

This image is taken at f/7.1, 1/200 of a second, an iso of 160, with my 100L. This might be a guess but I believe I had an A:B ratio of 8:1... though I'm not 100% sure it looks like it. I didn't have the 3rd Yongnuo at the time of the photo... I was using a crappy 90ex as a master and it did SUCH a great job I bought the Yongnuo immediately after the shoot. Yes... that was sarcasm... but I have good news... I sold that 90ex for 45 bucks and I lost only $5 for the chance to test it out.

I had one 580 exii to my left with a 43ish inch umbrella (soft white surface) and to my left I was reflecting my 2nd 580 exii off of a flash diffuser (because I am going to get another umbrella, stand, and mounting bracket... but i haven't pulled the trigger yet.

Note the softness of the background despite shooting at f/7.1. The background is just a sheet. It keeps me warm at night and provides a nice pale blue for backgrounds. I think we have other colors of sheets.

 

[jdramirez]

And this one was taken less than a week before. I just got the 90 ex... so I was playing with the settings and I screwed up the ratios... I think I set it for 4:1 , but I had both flashes set up under channel B... so both were under powered so the image was incredibly underexposed... but thanks to Lightroom I was able to save the image...

So this was taken at f/8, 1/1000 of a second... which makes no sense to me as to why I would do that... I guess maybe I was playing with the HSS... but no... just screwing around. Same 100mm L.

Oh... and same background... and notice that you can see all the wrinkles in the sheet... so live and learn.

 

[Dylan777]

She is adorable...very cute. Must got it from her mommy

Well, I'm no expert in studio shooting. I REALLY like the 1st photo.

Thanks for sharing and the setup info

This image is taken at f/7.1, 1/200 of a second, an iso of 160, with my 100L. This might be a guess but I believe I had an A:B ratio of 8:1... though I'm not 100% sure it looks like it. I didn't have the 3rd Yongnuo at the time of the photo... I was using a crappy 90ex as a master and it did SUCH a great job I bought the Yongnuo immediately after the shoot. Yes... that was sarcasm... but I have good news... I sold that 90ex for 45 bucks and I lost only $5 for the chance to test it out.

I had one 580 exii to my left with a 43ish inch umbrella (soft white surface) and to my left I was reflecting my 2nd 580 exii off of a flash diffuser (because I am going to get another umbrella, stand, and mounting bracket... but i haven't pulled the trigger yet.

Note the softness of the background despite shooting at f/7.1. The background is just a sheet. It keeps me warm at night and provides a nice pale blue for backgrounds. I think we have other colors of sheets.