200Ws against Sun

[[godfather]]

I did a shoot yesterday, so I thought why not try my terrace to do some shots agains the sun. Like under exposing a bit and getting the shot of the Model.

I am not sure if my 200Ws can do it.

Is it possibl to that with that much power and 66cm Softbox?

If so, what could be the possible Manual Settings?

[fashioneyes]

I doubt 200 ws would be enough against the sun with a softbox BUT it really will depend upon how far back the softbox is from the model ...

Double the distance = 4 times the power = 2 stops ... if my understanding is correct

I find with my 600ws portable rig a softbox against the sun just saps too much power with the light more than 2-3 meters away

[TMR Design]

200 Watt seconds is not going to be enough power to battle or combat the Sun and certainly not enough to overpower it. When I had 200 Watt second strobes I either shot early morning or late afternoon light or made sure I was in shade.

[[godfather]]

hmm..! I can do early morning, when sun is not at peak. I can also use it bare lfash, without SB. Will that make any difference?

[Wilt]

As others stated, 200 w-s not sufficient. For example, Dynalite 2000 w-s at ISO 200 measures just short of f/45 at 6' (ISO 200 GN=270)


So 500 w-s from the Dynalite is GN 135 at ISO 200, or about ISO100 GN100.

200 w-s would be less than GN65 at ISO100, or f/16 to FOUR feet!

[Curtis N]

I am not sure if my 200Ws can do it.It shouldn't be too hard to test this yourself.

If you want to underexpose high-noon sun by 2 stops, you'll need to be at around f/20 and 1/250 shutter speed.

So set up your light and see how far away you can get with your flash meter and attain a reading of f/20.

[[godfather]]

Will definetely do it tomorrow morning.

[TMR Design]

I don't want to burst your bubble but you'll never see that kind of output.

[eduardofrances]

;8474058']I did a shoot yesterday, so I thought why not try my terrace to do some shots agains the sun. Like under exposing a bit and getting the shot of the Model.

I am not sure if my 200Ws can do it.

Is it possibl to that with that much power and 66cm Softbox?

If so, what could be the possible Manual Settings?

You would require to setup your monolight really, really, really close to the subject, which may hinder the way you want to frame your subject and the ability to get more from the background in the photo without the monolight plus softbox being there obstructing it.

[Hermes]

All depends on what coverage you want. If we're talking full-length then get yourself a maxi-lite reflector with a small defector in the middle and you should be able to overpower even the mid-day sun with 200Ws. You won't get softbox-style light but it will be even and much better than a small reflector.

[fashioneyes]

In practical terms it will also depend upon what camera you have and what trigger mechanism you are using ... so you can use the highest shutter speed possible

[Vad]

In practical terms it will also depend upon what camera you have and what trigger mechanism you are using ... so you can use the highest shutter speed possible
It works far not with every light. Phototenic StudioMax already has flash duration lower than most cameras. Calumet Genesis is at the limit.

[fashioneyes]

It works far not with every light. Phototenic StudioMax already has flash duration lower than most cameras. Calumet Genesis is at the limit.

I don't see how flash duration will have anything to do with this. Unless I'm missing something. Flash duration is usually in the region of 1/800 to 1/1600 sec depending upon manufacturer and power setting usually.

My point was that if you can sync at say 1/250th rather than 1/125th, you can push the 200 ws light a little more as you will underexposing the ambient by another stop without effecting flashhead's exposure.

[[godfather]]

OK I tried it today. No model though, just a reading, I could get a reading of f/18 at SS of 1/250, ISO 100, at a distance of some 5 or 6 feets, exactly against the sun.

So should I get the pain to call someone and try it on him? Or its worthless?

[Curtis N]

Practice is always a good thing. However, I think you've determined how useful that light will be for you.

If you want to shoot at f/18, you'll need to keep the light 5-6 feet from your subject. So the "guide number" of that light with that modifier is 90-109 feet. You could use 100 feet for quick and easy calculating.

So, when you take 100 and divide it by your aperture you'll have the distance, and vice-versa.

[bobbyz]

Must be powerful 200WS light.