Basics of flash Photography

Hi all, i've been shooting images for about 9 years now both digital and previously film, all my photography has always, or at least primarily has been outside, or I have not felt the need to use any kind of additional lighting.
hence this question i'm about to ask, I have been asked by a couple of clients to shoot various things inside, kids , antiques, now im not about to go out and spend a fortune on studio lighting just for the odd one off job,
i do have a flash its a digital concepts flash it has a ttl and tilts and swivels etc...
do i need a soft box, umbrella's, what do i need thats not gonna kill the bank account, also a pointer towards a good basic book on flash photography, or if someone has the time, a basic rundown of the do's, don'ts, hints tips
i apologize in advance if this has been asked or talked about before

foxhound wrote in post #11840934
Hi all, i've been shooting images for about 9 years now both digital and previously film, all my photography has always, or at least primarily has been outside, or I have not felt the need to use any kind of additional lighting.
hence this question i'm about to ask, I have been asked by a couple of clients to shoot various things inside, kids , antiques, now im not about to go out and spend a fortune on studio lighting just for the odd one off job,
i do have a flash its a digital concepts flash it has a ttl and tilts and swivels etc...
do i need a soft box, umbrella's, what do i need thats not gonna kill the bank account, also a pointer towards a good basic book on flash photography, or if someone has the time, a basic rundown of the do's, don'ts, hints tips
i apologize in advance if this has been asked or talked about before

http://strobist.blogsp​ot.com/2006/03/lightin​g-101.html

^ Strobist is any light noob's best friend. I learned a lot from there and continue to as of right now.

This is a good source too

http://photonotes.org …s/beginner-faq/flash.html

Yes you are going to want an umbrella or softbox to soften the light, a stand to put it on, and a bracket to connect them. You will also want some sort of triggering method. One option is a long off camera cord if you want to retain ETTL on a budget. If you arent afraid of manual flash (and you shouldnt be) inexpensive radio triggers like the RF602 will do a good job for you.

gonzogolf wrote in post #11841245
Yes you are going to want an umbrella or softbox to soften the light, a stand to put it on, and a bracket to connect them. You will also want some sort of triggering method. One option is a long off camera cord if you want to retain ETTL on a budget. If you arent afraid of manual flash (and you shouldnt be) inexpensive radio triggers like the RF602 will do a good job for you.

You talk about triggering method , i have a 7d, does the wireless trigger in that work in this case or do i need something else

foxhound wrote in post #11841311
You talk about triggering method , i have a 7d, does the wireless trigger in that work in this case or do i need something else

I forgot to check your camera. Your camera will trigger the canon wireless system. I dont know for certain but I doubt the digital concepts flash can be triggered by the canon wireless system. Some third party flashes can, but I only remember mention of sunpak, sigma, metz, and nissin. If you want to go that route you might want a canon 430ex.

The 430EX or 430EX II work perfectly with the Canon wireless system using the 7D or 60D (my camera). Lumiquest makes excellent inexpensive ($40 or so) softboxes, especially the Softbox III and Softbox LTp that attach directly to the flash head via velcro. My avatar photo was done with my 60D, 430EX, and Softbox III. The newly announced Canon 320EX is supposed to work well with wireless and is a bit less expensive. You can find Lumiquest at:

http://www.lumiquest.c​om/products/softbox.ht​m

The issue with the Lumiquest Softbox III, or any of the smaller direct mount speedlight softboxes, is that they are still very small light sources, and will usually create hard shadows. They are better than bare flash, but not better then smartly bounced flash. If you want soft light (maybe you don't), then you would be better off with umbrellas. You can get 32-33" umbrellas at Adorama, B&H, etc... for $9.95, or about $15 for 45" umbrellas, which you would need for 3/4 or full length and groups of people.