Cincinnati area get togethers?

pennypue wrote in post #7437672
Kevin, I enjoyed your gallery!!

Scott, for all the better I managed to do with my 480ex you could have taken it with you!! My alien bee is a sweetie though.

Thanks, Penny. How did the shoot go yesterday? I love my ABs. I'm about to buy 2 AB400s. That will give me 4 ABs (2-800s and 2-400s). Show us some from yesterday if your friend said it was ok.

I'll have to ask her if it's okay. I really didn't think about it earlier!!

Went ok. I really wished I had the diffuser. Scott suggested that I use some muslin. I have a HUGE bolt of unbleached muslin. And an unfinished basement. So using those black binder clips and nails, I managed to hang some. Worst part was that it made it a huge ordeal to adjust the distance to subject. It blocked a little too much light, and gave me a bit of a yellower cast. But worked. I just couldnt' move much of anything around. Big disappointment there.

I got some that, for a first attempt, I was quite pleased with. And more importantly, we had a great time. I find that I HATE my 480ex. I don't know much about it as I've never bothered to read the manual........plus I don't have it off the hotshoe, yet. I gave up with it and switched it off. I was having way to much fun with just the alien bee!

pennypue wrote in post #7438498
I'll have to ask her if it's okay. I really didn't think about it earlier!!

Went ok. I really wished I had the diffuser. Scott suggested that I use some muslin. I have a HUGE bolt of unbleached muslin. And an unfinished basement. So using those black binder clips and nails, I managed to hang some. Worst part was that it made it a huge ordeal to adjust the distance to subject. It blocked a little too much light, and gave me a bit of a yellower cast. But worked. I just couldnt' move much of anything around. Big disappointment there.

I got some that, for a first attempt, I was quite pleased with. And more importantly, we had a great time. I find that I HATE my 480ex. I don't know much about it as I've never bothered to read the manual........plus I don't have it off the hotshoe, yet. I gave up with it and switched it off. I was having way to much fun with just the alien bee!

What were you using w/ the AB? Did you have an umbrella or softbox? I'm going to go to Joann Fabric and pick up some white nylon to make a diffuser. I've read some good reviews on these type of DIYs. How did you set your white balance? I have found w/out setting a custom white balance, the ABs don't throw a consistent color.

No umbrella, no softbox, just shot through the fabric. I had really like the effect that I had seen of using one AB through a diffusion panel. So that's why I went with it. I had seen a lot of the stuff done by DIYers. I was going to do that but was pointed to someone that makes them, and it was a design that many people said worked very well. So I ordered one. My credit card is charged but two weeks later I still have no panel and no word on it shipping. $175 for the panel and a bag to carry it in. Looks like I may have to dispute the charge on my card soon. If it's still a no show by Friday, I will.

I did find a few of the shots from the AB that gave me different WB than most of the rest. I thought it was rather odd too. Especially since I hadn't changed any settings. I was shooting in RAW plus jpeg (since I'm not very good at processing yet it gives me some immediate result) so I'll be able to play with the WB.

In retrospect I should have bought some white nylon. I already had the muslin and didn't want to spend MORE money on something that I'd already paid for but didn't yet have. If I ever get it. (Can you tell I'm a bit bitter?)

I think I'm going to look at a second AB and add either the umbrella or the softbox. I'm leaning towards the softbox, but would love to see both in use before I choose.

pennypue wrote in post #7439045
No umbrella, no softbox, just shot through the fabric. I had really like the effect that I had seen of using one AB through a diffusion panel. So that's why I went with it. I had seen a lot of the stuff done by DIYers. I was going to do that but was pointed to someone that makes them, and it was a design that many people said worked very well. So I ordered one. My credit card is charged but two weeks later I still have no panel and no word on it shipping. $175 for the panel and a bag to carry it in. Looks like I may have to dispute the charge on my card soon. If it's still a no show by Friday, I will.

I did find a few of the shots from the AB that gave me different WB than most of the rest. I thought it was rather odd too. Especially since I hadn't changed any settings. I was shooting in RAW plus jpeg (since I'm not very good at processing yet it gives me some immediate result) so I'll be able to play with the WB.

In retrospect I should have bought some white nylon. I already had the muslin and didn't want to spend MORE money on something that I'd already paid for but didn't yet have. If I ever get it. (Can you tell I'm a bit bitter?)

I think I'm going to look at a second AB and add either the umbrella or the softbox. I'm leaning towards the softbox, but would love to see both in use before I choose.

I have the 48" bounce/shoot-through umbrellas. I would get a hold of the maker of the diffusion panel and find out when it will be shipped. I'm going to pick up some PVC from Home Depot and white nylon and make my own diffusion panel. I can do it much cheaper than buying one.

mayerk wrote in post #7430526
Welcome Ferg, you must be the FNG Kevin was talking about.

Yup that's me! Thx for the welcome!

I kinda of wish I had just built a wooden frame and filled it with vellum. I might try building a wooden frame to hold some fabric......I did actually get an email back to today on the 'status' of my panel, with a litany of excuses. Still not told a date when it shipped, a tracking number or when it should arrive.

My girlfriend was quite pleased with the results just from chimping. She invited herself back to bring the baby. I can't wait. I love babies. But none of the mom's near me are nuts enough to let me borrow theirs. LOL

first time i looked under activities and find a thread about cincinnati! i'm new to this photography stuff but its something I really get into and want to maybe pursue a career in the near-ish future. so i'm down for meet ups and getting to know other members on here from the area and all the things we can learn from one another! anyways, i live around loveland and can travel wherever. i dont know if this has been mentioned but in covington, ky they have a cathedral a quarter scale based off of notre dame, and has the worlds largest one piece stained glass window. that'd be fun to go there, im into architectural photography and cinci has some interesting bridges/buildings/park​s!

Welcome Marttinb6! I'm looking forward to do some of the architecture found around here as well. Can't wait for spring as I'm sure we'll have more outtings.

Yeah this weather sucks, but then again its Cincinnati weather. Supposed to be 60s this weekend!

Martin, that would be a nice shoot opportunity.
Is there someone that we would need to contact to gain permission to bring a group in for shooting? It would be great if we could try to find the right time of day when the sun is hitting the stained glass!!

I live in Mason, but work in Covington near 275. (I know, Loooong drive!)
What's the name of the cathedral?

Cathedral Basilica. Hours are 9 or 930 till 4 mon thru wed mass at 10 so sometime after mass I don't remember weekend times but anytime when mass isn't going on anyone can go to it.

Sweet. Pretty nice liberal open door policy! Love that.

http://www.covcathedra​l.com/frame1.htm
Looks like a Saturday morning, provided there aren't any weddings happening then, could give us some decent light!

pennypue wrote in post #7445923
Sweet. Pretty nice liberal open door policy! Love that.

http://www.covcathedra​l.com/frame1.htm
Looks like a Saturday morning, provided there aren't any weddings happening then, could give us some decent light!

That does look great (makes me once again wish I had the 14mm L II). I agree Saturday morning looks to be a good time. What Saturday are we going???

C'mon, you know someone wants to toss out a week!

Yeah I need to know ahead of time to request off work.