HughR wrote in post #12272892
I attended the FlashBus tour in Chicago last Sunday and thought it was well worth the money. I have been using a single off-camera flash for almost 2 years, so I know the basics but learned a lot on top of that. As most of you know, Hobby prefers manual flash setting, while McNally prefers ETTL and frequently uses the pop-up flash on camera for wireless control. (I do the same with my 60D, and the same is available for the 7D and T3i). So here, in no particular order, are a few of the insights I got from FlashBus:
Hobby stressed that manual and ETTL are like two different languages that can describe the same things and get you to the same point. He suggested each photographer focus on the one they like best and are most comfortable with. Hobby stressed that there are times when he uses Av and ETTL instead of manual, such as when the ambient light is changing rapidly such as near sunset. McNally basically agreed with this analysis but prefers ETTL.
I asked Hobby how many flashes he prefers to use, and he replied that 2 flashes are his “sweet spot”, which gives him 3 light sources if he is also using ambient. He prefers a second flash instead of a reflector as his fill.
Hobby likes to use 1/4 CTO to add slight warmth to portraits, but he only uses it on his key light and not on fill or accent lights.
Hobby frequently uses Lumiquest Softbox III as a key light and likes to feather it past the subject and away from the near cheek of the subject.
Hobby was asked how long he takes for a head and shoulders shot. He responded that he takes about 8 minutes of trial and error to get the lighting right, then spends 2 minutes shooting a few dozen photos. McNally also does a fair amount of trial and error before he gets the shot he wants.
McNally showed how he builds up a lighting scheme using up to four flashes (eg. fill, key, 2 rim lights from left and right behind the subject). He was tethered to the projection screens wirelessly, so the audience got to see each shot within about 2 seconds after he took it. I found this enormously instructive, and it gave me several new ideas for using the second 430EX II my wife will be getting me for my birthday.
I have a notebook full of other ideas that will help me with multi-flash photos. Overall, I found it enormously instructive to see how each works. Hobby gave a point-by-point explanation using powerpoint, while McNally taught by making portraits and showing the result of each try. They fit very well together, and the event was lively and fun, with lots of photo jokes. Here are two photos of McNally during his presentation, one showing him taking a shot using a Lumiquest LTP for his key light. Both were shot from the audience (4th row) using my 70-300 IS lens at about 200mm on my 60D. Flash was on camera, as there was no other possibility from the audience.
I attended the FlashBus tour in Chicago last Sunday and thought it was well worth the money. I have been using a single off-camera flash for almost 2 years, so I know the basics but learned a lot on top of that. As most of you know, Hobby prefers manual flash setting, while McNally prefers ETTL and frequently uses the pop-up flash on camera for wireless control. (I do the same with my 60D, and the same is available for the 7D and T3i). So here, in no particular order, are a few of the insights I got from FlashBus:
Hobby stressed that manual and ETTL are like two different languages that can describe the same things and get you to the same point. He suggested each photographer focus on the one they like best and are most comfortable with. Hobby stressed that there are times when he uses Av and ETTL instead of manual, such as when the ambient light is changing rapidly such as near sunset. McNally basically agreed with this analysis but prefers ETTL.
I asked Hobby how many flashes he prefers to use, and he replied that 2 flashes are his “sweet spot”, which gives him 3 light sources if he is also using ambient. He prefers a second flash instead of a reflector as his fill.
Hobby likes to use 1/4 CTO to add slight warmth to portraits, but he only uses it on his key light and not on fill or accent lights.
Hobby frequently uses Lumiquest Softbox III as a key light and likes to feather it past the subject and away from the near cheek of the subject.
Hobby was asked how long he takes for a head and shoulders shot. He responded that he takes about 8 minutes of trial and error to get the lighting right, then spends 2 minutes shooting a few dozen photos. McNally also does a fair amount of trial and error before he gets the shot he wants.
McNally showed how he builds up a lighting scheme using up to four flashes (eg. fill, key, 2 rim lights from left and right behind the subject). He was tethered to the projection screens wirelessly, so the audience got to see each shot within about 2 seconds after he took it. I found this enormously instructive, and it gave me several new ideas for using the second 430EX II my wife will be getting me for my birthday.
I have a notebook full of other ideas that will help me with multi-flash photos. Overall, I found it enormously instructive to see how each works. Hobby gave a point-by-point explanation using powerpoint, while McNally taught by making portraits and showing the result of each try. They fit very well together, and the event was lively and fun, with lots of photo jokes. Here are two photos of McNally during his presentation, one showing him taking a shot using a Lumiquest LTP for his key light. Both were shot from the audience (4th row) using my 70-300 IS lens at about 200mm on my 60D. Flash was on camera, as there was no other possibility from the audience.
he is using one of those sto-fen like plastic diffusers on his flash!
Obviously these noob amateurs don't read POTN
