dealing w/ strobe lights

[narlus]

any suggestions? it plays absolute havoc w/ the metering system, so i figure the best way is to take a stab at manual settings, put it in continuous mode, and fire away, hoping you get some decent captures.

is there a better way?

[livewire-photography.com]

Hey Narlus,
Yeah,when i do photography for nightclubs etc, i simply dont bother lol, as i use manual anyway, its a b*tch tryig to adjust in time and then its just a white room anyway. so i just put my camera down and wait it out, this probably doesnt help lol
James....

[johnstoy]

Narlus,

I'm hoping with lots more usage time, it will get easier to work with the 30D.:oops:

There are so many moving variables on stage, compounded by the constantly changing stage(100's) lights, that I'm (as a new owner, of the 30D) finding success only through volume of shots. Lots and lots of shots to be certain for an ample # to sort out from later.:confused:

In the dark, with or worse without, reading glasses, I'm very limited timewise. Only seconds are available for setting and re- setting.:confused:

So far, Spot Metering set and with ISO set at 1600, are what I'm falling back on. I let the camera do all else, till I am comfortable with other settings. With those two settings on, I don't know how to modify and retain a third and/or fourth function, aperture or shutter speed. Any hint's? Anyone?:rolleyes:

John

PS: The PICS from 9.3.06 look very good, the blue strobe pic is very interesting too. 30mm Lens? Cool.....:cool:

Mine Equip. (all Canon): 30D Body, 50mm 1.4 USM, 50mm 1.8, 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 not USM kit stock, 28-135mm 3.5-5.6 IS USM Wide Angle Telezoom, 75-300mm 4.0-5.6 Telezoom, RS-80N3, several tripods, mono pod, no flash yet, dozens of filters/close up lenses.

[narlus]

hey john, thanks for the comments re: the SY show last night; i assume you checked 'em out on my site? i'll toss a few up later. i was discouraged after looking @ them last night, but after spending some time w/ PP i am feeling somewhat better about the night's efforts, and think i got some decent shots.

[johnstoy]

Yeah Narlus, They look pretty good...
Got any more to pick out of the strobe shots collection?..The blue one is almost right there as the big winner...
John

[DwightMcCann]

This is not often a problem at my venues but when it happens I do just as Narlus suggests and shoot away ... well, I always "shoot away" anyway. My thought is that you simply take a zillion frames in such situations and you are bound to get something at least interesting if not marvelous. This does not mean I don't attend to exposure, et alia, but I do think a lot has to do with fortuitous captures.

[narlus]

this was definitely the best one i got from the particular strobe situation which prompted the query, but there were loads of tossaways.

http://narlus.zenfolio.com/img/p377470373-4.jpg

[René Damkot]

With strobes, if the effect looks nice, I usually stop down a bit, and set the camera to Manual. I try to get one flash of the strobe in the image. Takes a lot of frames to get a decent one though....

[Screamer]

The key to strobes other than running in manual is to pick up the beat and listen to the music. Generally you can count on strobes just after a cresendo, or during double bass kick drums.

Here is a quick series of strobes from my show from hell...all backlit:

http://www.macinophotography.com/strobe1.jpg
http://www.macinophotography.com/strobe2.jpg
http://www.macinophotography.com/strobe3.jpg
http://www.macinophotography.com/strobe4.jpg