Skateboarding flash photography

[SurfKahakai]

I've got a DReb and took some night time skate photos but am by no means happy with the results.

What do I need to buy to get a tripod mounted flash running with my camera?

[PacAce]

Two options come to mind:

A 550EX or 580EX or ST-E2 as the master and one or more 420EX, 550EX or 580EX as slaves.
-or-
A PocketWizard xmtr/recvr pair (or similar remotes) and a flash that works in manual mode.

[Todd Jacobsen]

Two options come to mind:

A 550EX or 580EX or ST-E2 as the master and one or more 420EX, 550EX or 580EX as slaves.
-or-
A PocketWizard xmtr/recvr pair (or similar remotes) and a flash that works in manual mode.

Or both...if you want to remote your camera.

A panning capability is required for effective tripod isolation of subject. Otherwise, you freeze motion - which includes background. Panning allows one to freeze subject, but allow blurred background to exhibit motion in "frozen" subject.

[SurfKahakai]

Where can I find good info on how the setup would look/be configured? I'm having a hard time picturing it in my head. Is this all wireless?

[Todd Jacobsen]

Where can I find good info on how the setup would look/be configured? I'm having a hard time picturing it in my head. Is this all wireless?

Not sure if you are referring to my post or previous.

"Panning" is a manual manuever of the tripod the photographer does while taking the shot. It's just like shooting ducks or "trap" with a gun. You follow the subject, decide when to click the shutter and continue to follow the subject until the shot is complete (ie panning is highly shutter speed dependent).

Now "remotely" would be to set up the camera tripod and have it manually "dialled in" so that when the skateboard passes into the camera view, you take the picture. Whether you do this with a wired remote (RS-80N3 for 10/20D, RS-60N for Drebel) or a wireless remote (like PocketMaster), it's up to you. Definitely, do not use your finger to shoot the shot if at all possible (creates additional camera shake).

[blackviolet]

camera shake? given that skateboard photography looks best wide and you want to freeze action (unless you are really dragging the shutter/second curtain/etc. for effect), you're not going to have camera shake at the normal shutter speeds typically used.


remote a flash high and from the side to create long shadows (as suggested a 550/580/etc. dialled down a bit or a st-e2 with two remote flashes). get down lows to accentuate the height. and shoot wide and close.

[vinnyveez]

panning at night with aflash? wont the flash just feeze the subject anyway? why bother panning?

[PacAce]

panning at night with aflash? wont the flash just feeze the subject anyway? why bother panning?
What shutter speed do you usually use for flash photography?

[SurfKahakai]

Good questions... a beginner like me will wait on answers :)

[PacAce]

panning at night with aflash? wont the flash just feeze the subject anyway? why bother panning?
Even though the shot is being taken at night, that doesn't mean that the skateborader is going to be skating in total darkness. If anything, I bet there are going to be enough light so the skater can see what he's doing. So, the flash will freeze the subject but unless the shutter speed is set very high,it's not going to stop the action that's lit by ambient lighting.

To freeze the action with the flash and get that nice blur trailing the skater if not panning or a blurred background if panning, not only should the shot be taken with a slower shutter speed but the camera or flash should be set to 2nd curtain as well (I think somebody already mentioned in an earlier post).

As for the actual shutter speed to use, you'll need to experiment with that to get the effect your want. I would start with 1/60 and adjust it up or down as required.