Using a single strobe - creative examples - post yours

phamster wrote in post #9014915
yea.. i wanted to say somthing about your photo.. but Damn ! .. sums it up !! ha ha..

sweet photo..

phamster

Pham, Love the set. I like how you change your specialty depending on the subject matter in the water mark.

Why the black borders, though? Can we talk about that?

Pham, when i grows up I wanta be just like you (:

Bob Hasty wrote in post #9015486
Pham, when i grows up I wanta be just like you (:

An engineer for a car company?

One 580EX II at full power behind the bottle.

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mattograph wrote in post #9015557
An engineer for a car company?

An old man with internet friends?

haha couldn't resist

phamster wrote:

Cheers pham no words necessary it's a pleasure to receive a thumbs up from great photogs- period.

I was wondering how you set up your lights for this shot, I really like it. Do you have any advice for getting everyone to smile/not blink in large groups like these?

i hate to admit it, but Scott Kelby has a good suggestion regarding blinking...you get everyone to close their eyes, and then you count out loud - 1, 2, 3 - and they open their eyes and you fire away...or something to that effect...it does work but may seem unconventional...

Heyyy not bad; thanks I'm going to try that. Shooting a 7 people group tommoro

Karl Johnston wrote in post #9016058
Cheers pham no words necessary it's a pleasure to receive a thumbs up from great photogs- period.

I was wondering how you set up your lights for this shot, I really like it. Do you have any advice for getting everyone to smile/not blink in large groups like these?

I'm not Pham... but one thing I've learned is that a 60" umbrella can light a group as large as 15 people given sufficient space away from the group. You'll need to bump your I-S-O up to allow the light from the flash to reach the group... and since you're a sufficient distance away you can use somewhere in the range of f/4 to f/5.6 to get everyone in focus.

From an engagement session today...

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Great light, great framing ^, though it may be my eyes; It looks like the woman is really OOF.

Hey guys, I figured I'd post this question here instead of starting a new thread. I know you guys are the ones to go to for advice. I just got my 580EX II and I'm going to do some senior portraits for my sister soon. My question is, what are the minimum tools I'll need to be able to get good results, assuming that the ambient lighting (sun, mostly) will NOT be making my life easier?

Here's the list so far..

1. Wireless system (Pocket Wizards?) I'd like to have a system that lets me use ALL of the features of my 580, including ETTL and being able to change the settings through the camera menus. I don't mind paying a little extra to future proof, IE when I get a few more flashes. I would like them all to work with this system, from one receiver.

2. Some kind of large diffuser beyond the stofen I've already ordered. (Umbrella or Softbox?) and a way to mount it to a tripod.. Unless I can get one WITH a stand.

And if it doesn't come with a stand..

3. Tripod/Flash stand (Any recommendations? Something I could also use with my 50D, preferably. Also would need any mounts/heads that would allow me to attach the Speedlite + Diffuser)

Is there anything else I'm missing? Any recommendations on the gear? Thanks in advance!

ssnxp wrote in post #9017575
Hey guys, I figured I'd post this question here instead of starting a new thread. I know you guys are the ones to go to for advice. I just got my 580EX II and I'm going to do some senior portraits for my sister soon. My question is, what are the minimum tools I'll need to be able to get good results, assuming that the ambient lighting (sun, mostly) will NOT be making my life easier?

Here's the list so far..

1. Wireless system (Pocket Wizards?) I'd like to have a system that lets me use ALL of the features of my 580, including ETTL and being able to change the settings through the camera menus. I don't mind paying a little extra to future proof, IE when I get a few more flashes. I would like them all to work with this system, from one receiver.

2. Some kind of large diffuser beyond the stofen I've already ordered. (Umbrella or Softbox?) and a way to mount it to a tripod.. Unless I can get one WITH a stand.

And if it doesn't come with a stand..

3. Tripod/Flash stand (Any recommendations? Something I could also use with my 50D, preferably. Also would need any mounts/heads that would allow me to attach the Speedlite + Diffuser)

Is there anything else I'm missing? Any recommendations on the gear? Thanks in advance!

Hi there,

I think you really know what accessories you need, so go for it and never look back.

1. Pocket Wizard [MiniTT1, FlexTT5]

2. Lastolite 24" softbox kit or Photek Softlight II 60" umbrella, if you get another similar softbox or umbrella i am sure it will be fine.

3. Tripod for camera then look at Gitzo/Manfrotto models, flash or light stands then try to look at any model that is sturdy heavy duty but lightweight, i recommend Impact lightstand, but you can try something else.

Maybe you need a bag for your accessories, look at some cables that might help you for your flash, gels for some color effects if you want, battery packs if necessary, maybe one day you will add another speedlight then buy one more accessory as above like a PW & softbox, maybe you can buy a reflector that may add another light source if you need it, it is cheap anyway.

Good luck!

B800 in a Large Octa 7.5' directly above

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/stu46/410471612​7/

Tareq wrote in post #9017654
Hi there,

I think you really know what accessories you need, so go for it and never look back.

1. Pocket Wizard [MiniTT1, FlexTT5]

2. Lastolite 24" softbox kit or Photek Softlight II 60" umbrella, if you get another similar softbox or umbrella i am sure it will be fine.

3. Tripod for camera then look at Gitzo/Manfrotto models, flash or light stands then try to look at any model that is sturdy heavy duty but lightweight, i recommend Impact lightstand, but you can try something else.

Maybe you need a bag for your accessories, look at some cables that might help you for your flash, gels for some color effects if you want, battery packs if necessary, maybe one day you will add another speedlight then buy one more accessory as above like a PW & softbox, maybe you can buy a reflector that may add another light source if you need it, it is cheap anyway.

Good luck!

Yes! Thanks Tareq, you reminded me to get gels and a reflector. Adding that to my list.

I don't have a battery pack yet, but I did buy a few sets of rechargeable batteries. I know it won't refresh as fast, but that's a luxury I can go without for now.

One last question: What's the benefit of getting a Mini and a Flex over getting 2 Flex units instead, besides the extra $20 and size? Would it be wiser to get two Flex units if the size doesn't bother me? The reason I'm thinking about this is due to the fact that the Mini uses a watch type battery, while the Flex uses AA batteries. I have a bunch of rechargeables to use for the Flex.

Anyone else want to throw in their input also? Much appreciated.