First time off camera flash...

WOW! This is NOT easy! I had such a hard time getting the power on the flash and my camera setting right. Had a lot of blown out shots and some under exposed. I don't know why I had such a hard time. Lots of trail and error My first attempt took me 12 tries before I got something decent There must be an easier way to get my settings right or at least close the first time round rather than trial and error 10+ shots. I'm use to a constant light source for my watch photos. Turn on lights, ISO 100, set f-stop to f/11-13, adjust shutter speed and I'm good to go. Off camera flash isn't so easy What am I doing wrong? Should I use an umbrella instead of the small softbox? I've read Strobist which is a GREAT blog! There's so much info that I'm overwheled and confused I need help! Any help will be greatly appreciated!

BTW I want this setup for food/product photos. It needs to be portable. I'll most likely be shooting on location. This is why I thought shooting with one or two flashes with a small softbox will work for me. I don't want to use my desk lamps anymore Thanks guys!

My setup:
-1Ds MK II
-70-200 with 12mm Kenko tube
-Manual mode
-f/7.1
-1/160 sec
-ISO 400
-(1) 550EX Speedlite with Softbox III
-Manual mode
-Power at 1/16-1/32, can't remember which.
-Flash "zoom" to widest, 17mm

Right now I only have 1 flash. Actually I have my wife's flash but have no way to hold it up. Have to save some cash for a stand and umbrella for her flash.

Bring your flash in significantly closer to the product. Because it is close, it will put out larger light - after all, the sun only puts out harsh/edgy light because of the distance away from the subject. Essentially, the larger the source of light, the softer your shadows and highlights will be. You want to spread your light more so it looks more natural (provided the look you are going for).

For using a laptop case and a few pieces of white cardboard (foam?) your first real attempt turned out well. Practice will help a lot.

Practice. Since it's a product, it won't get impatient or start rolling its eyes... use that to your advantage.

Thanks so much Jeremy! Going to practice tonight

CiM_Photography wrote in post #11898530
Bring your flash in significantly closer to the product. Because it is close, it will put out larger light - after all, the sun only puts out harsh/edgy light because of the distance away from the subject. Essentially, the larger the source of light, the softer your shadows and highlights will be. You want to spread your light more so it looks more natural (provided the look you are going for).

For using a laptop case and a few pieces of white cardboard (foam?) your first real attempt turned out well. Practice will help a lot.

Practice. Since it's a product, it won't get impatient or start rolling its eyes... use that to your advantage.

Do you have a light meter? Sekonic 308 is a good basic model that will help reduce the number of trial & errors that you have to do. I think you did pretty good for your first try.

John

Thanks John! No, I don't have a light meter. I'll look into the Sekonic 308.

jwp721 wrote in post #11898795
Do you have a light meter? Sekonic 308 is a good basic model that will help reduce the number of trial & errors that you have to do. I think you did pretty good for your first try.

John

I love how you're so resourceful with what you got!
Looks pretty good.

But if I may suggest a few things...

Instead of using the mini softbox, why not get another one of those white boards you have and bounce the light from the flash onto the subject? essentially, you're getting more even light from a larger source onto your subject. I agree that you could probably bring the flash closer, just bounce it up at the ceiling and use the white board to direct how you want most of the light to rain down on your subject.

12 tries before you get something decent is about normal~ I think everyone has a hard time determining what settings to start out with, but after a while, you start guesstimating what settings you need them to be.
In most scenarios, I start out with 1/200 - f/9 - ISO100 with a flash power of about 1/8. Depending on how close my flash is the subject and how I want the photo to look (more/less DoF) I change the aperture.
The good thing is, it is in a controlled environment, so once you dailed in the right settings, you'll get consistently great photos every time!

Keep in mind how much available light you have in the room already will NOT matter because a fast shutter speed should kill ambient light.

And if max sync speed of your camera doesnt kill it and since that shot doesnt really need less depth of field, you can up the aperture to completely kill any ambient left.

I agree with Hyuni also. One thing you could do to make the light more even in the above image is to angle the foam board that's on the right, and move it an inch or two closer to the lens (subject not your camera lol). Having a 90 degree corner creates a dark area which 'absorbs' light, and thus darkens the corner of your image. if the corner is more open or angled, and the foam board is closer to the subject, it will also separate it from the background a bit more as well and look more pleasing.

Thanks so muchs guys!

Playing around some more. This time I wanted to pick up the texture on a $2 bill, thanks for the idea Strobist I was able to get the exposure pretty close right away, got lucky! BTW Thanks again guys!

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