Flash with Puppies

[Classicpoos]

I raise and sell puppies for my college fund, and would like to get some better pictures. I am ready to buy a flash or two. I'd like to get a very nice looking picture with my Canon Rebel XTi but don't know what I should look into buying. I've thought about getting a Speedlite 430ex II and putting a diffuser on it, but I've also played around with purchasing some studio lights.

What is your advice? Could I get a nicely lit picture with a speedlite or do I need to be looking at studio lighting? If I went with studio lighting, I'd like it to be wireless, but wires aren't a big deal either. I'm looking at spending no more than $800, but preferably around $400-500.

Also, what kind of lens should I be using with this setup? Can I use the kit lens (EF-S 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 II) or should I look into getting a 50mm 1.8f lens?

Let me know what you think; any advice is appreciated.

Thanks

[SoaringUSAEagle]

I think you could get by with the 430 II or 580 II if you want extra power.

Are you placing the dogs in a studio, inside (anywhere) or outside? You can always bounce the flash (if shooting indoors), so you wouldnt necessarily need a diffuser. Take a look at the 85 1.8. You would be spending a little more than what you want, but would be under the $800 range :)

[SoaringUSAEagle]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/12182-USA/Canon_2519A003_85mm_f_1_8_USM_Autofocus.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/486706-USA/Canon_1946B002_580EX_II_Flash.html

Just under $700 :)

[Classicpoos]

Thanks for the links. I've been placing them indoors on a piece of fabric and the built in flash just doesn't seem to be doing the trick. I get really washed out photos and the colors aren't captured very well.

I've been working on a room that I could set up for taking pictures of just them. What is the difference between the 85mm 1.8f lens and the 50mm 1.8f lens? Just more zoom? Can you zoom out with the 85?

Will the 430ex II Speedlite with my 18-55mm 3.5-5.6f lens work well or would the larger aperture capture more colors and light indoors?

Thanks

[Titus213]

The Canon 85/1.8 is not in the same league with the 50/1.8, the 85/1.8 being a much superior lens IMO, accounting for its nearly 5x price over the 50/1.8. Both are fixed focal length - zoom by moving your feet. The 85/1.8 will actually give you exceptional quality OOF areas. The 50/1.8 will give you shallow DOF but lousy OOF areas. Matter of taste perhaps but the 85 is creamy smooth.

The downside to the 85mm is that you need room to use it.

I have both and only regret the 50/1.8 purchase. Should have gone for the 50/1.4.

As to using the kit lens - it works fine, just keep the f-stop above f6.1 and you will get reasonably sharp images. The 430EX will definitely improve your flash work. It allows you to bounce the light.

[sally_tomato]

not sure where i read it but there was a tip elsewhere in this forum about not aiming the flash directly into the eyes of babies/puppies/kittens.

[Classicpoos]

Thanks Dave, I'll look at the 85/1.8 a little more then. :)

[lonelyjew]

With bounce work or a diffuser a 580EX might be better for you. The stop of extra power does make a difference and it would mean using a lower ISO, allowing you to stop down more, or just give you some more flexibility with how you bounce/diffuse the light. I'm sure a lot of people don't need the 580's extra power but you might.

[40Dude6aedyk]

Getting another lens (whether an 85 mm f/1.8 or not) is not going to improve your photographs enough to make any noticable difference in your photos to your potential clients, so I don't think you should do that.

A simple flash unit that allows you to bounce off the ceiling or wall or use fill-in flash outdoors is all you need to make improvements. So I completely agree with what Dave wrote:
As to using the kit lens - it works fine, just keep the f-stop above f6.1 and you will get reasonably sharp images. The 430EX will definitely improve your flash work. It allows you to bounce the light.

[nadtz]

not sure where i read it but there was a tip elsewhere in this forum about not aiming the flash directly into the eyes of babies/puppies/kittens.

Urban legend. The 1 scientific study on the subject (with mice) that I could find found that if you flashed a baby mouse 500 times at close range (within a few feet) with a full power flash (the flash being used was I believe a GN of 40 or 45) you would do perm damage. If you were doing that to a child or animal I really don't think blinding the child is high on your list of concerns.

You don't have to believe me, I don't remember what I did a search for to find the studies of the result (it was a Japanese medical study) but the subject is fairly popular and comes up often enough that http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=camera+flash+eye+damage&btnG=Google+Search&aq=f&oq= or a similar search will bring up many results which say the same thing. The 'legend' is don't do it, the reality is that it is fine so long as you use some 'common sense'.

[tkbslc]

I'd just get a nice shoe mount flash, like the 430 EX or a used 420EX, set up a nice area for them to be photographed and bounce the flash off the ceiling. Use your current lens stopped down to F8, or get the 50mm 1.8 and use it at f4-f5.6.

Another option may be just to build a small softbox "mini-studio" with some bright lights

Sure you could build a big studio setup for $1000, but you can get great results for $200. Why waste 2 years worth of book money from your college fund on this project?

[F4 Cyborg]

If you are going to be shooting puppies take a short gander.
www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/121855-REG/Smith_Victor_401456_KF_3U_Thrifty_3_Flash.html
Not the best in the world but they will work. Even for some still Portraiture.
They have one drawback, once you see how studio lighting works Your gona want more.
You can raise lower, move in, move out, to adjust the lighting. Once you have yor lighting adjusted how ya want, add puppies, stir,

[lonelyjew]

Urban legend. The 1 scientific study on the subject (with mice) that I could find found that if you flashed a baby mouse 500 times at close range (within a few feet) with a full power flash (the flash being used was I believe a GN of 40 or 45) you would do perm damage. If you were doing that to a child or animal I really don't think blinding the child is high on your list of concerns.

You don't have to believe me, I don't remember what I did a search for to find the studies of the result (it was a Japanese medical study) but the subject is fairly popular and comes up often enough that http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=camera+flash+eye+damage&btnG=Google+Search&aq=f&oq= or a similar search will bring up many results which say the same thing. The 'legend' is don't do it, the reality is that it is fine so long as you use some 'common sense'.

I'm guessing that would depend a lot on ambient light as well. If you shot someone at full blast, up close, with the flash in the dark(when their pupils were large) there could be permanent damage. On my first day with my 580EX I decided to flash myself in the eyes(yes, I know it was stupid but I was curious) with just the pilot button(so it was not close to full power) and the room was farely dim(daylight was coming in but it was still fairly dark). I was not only blinded but for the next hour at least my eyes and head hurt. I don't know if I caused any permanent damage but it's still not worth trying out again.

[Rudi]

If you're going to go all out and actually pose them with a background and such, go for studio strobes. You will make things easier on yourself... With the faster recycle times, you will have more of a chance of catching "the moment". :)

http://rudiphoto.zenfolio.com/img/v1/p781815414.jpg

http://rudiphoto.zenfolio.com/img/v4/p666539411.jpg

http://rudiphoto.zenfolio.com/img/v5/p138366419.jpg