1st time OCF

[SUB1IM388]

PLease critique what i came up with. had the flash's on Manual camera set to M, Im still trying to get the background blown out not sure how to do it but this is what i got after 30 min or so of changing settings.

http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo243/SUB1IM388/KatrinasweddingJune13092of2.jpg

and the set up

http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo243/SUB1IM388/KatrinasweddingJune13091of2.jpg

[BigBlueDodge]

What lighting ratio's did you use? Also, to blow out the background you are going to need another flash at at least 1 stop brighter than your other flashes

[SUB1IM388]

well im not familure with the ratio's but the setting were Above camera rt @ 1/4 power and to camera left were 1/16 at iso 25, f 8

[Titus213]

You will definitely need another light on the background. To blow that out you will need it at least one stop brighter than the subject, perhaps 2.

Subjects of this size may be handled better in a light box.

[SUB1IM388]

yeah i know it would just trying this method out is all didnt have a subject to to shoot Wwife was out and daughter was asleep. I have a question the guid numbers how do they tie into where the strobes should be placed. Will it measure what power setting they should be in? Ive heard from many differnt people on POTN bring the light in as close as possible (with the proper size soft box) but bare how far should it be placed away from the subject?

[iamjediknight]

If your serious about using OCF I would invest in a light meter. May I recommend the Sekonic L-358. This way you can easily setup lighting ratios.

[SUB1IM388]

I have one on the way but i dont want to soly depend on the light meter same thing with my camera i thought myselft in M befor i moved to AV etc.

[Titus213]

Have you checked out - http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=138907

And this? - http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=138912

[ootsk]

The closer the flash, the larger the light source seems. The larger the light source, the softer the light. GET IT AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE. With humans, it's difficult cause it's intimidating to have a 5ft softbox 3 feet from them, but beer cans, different story.
Don't spend your money on a light meter yet. Experiment...play around. Drink some beer. You'll know when you NEED a light meter.

[FlashZebra]

Transcending the very good suggestions for improvement.

This is a very nice image for a "1st time OCF ".

Enjoy! Lon

[DerekW]

As the subject is so small, You might be able to take one flash, crank it up some more and really feather the light out so you are just catching the bottles with the majority hitting the BG. And you can always add a reflector for more light on the subject. Good start.