First shots with my new 580 off camera

Well I've opened a whole new can of things I dont fully understand, but it will be fun learning..

My new 580ex II arrived yesterday along with a stand and unbrella so I just had to use it right then, dont we all.. lol..

Here is one of the first ones. Not too bad I think but comments are always welcome.

Wow. Great light here. Looks like you been using it for this way for years. Congrats.

Love it. Did you set manual power or use the auto setting on the 580? (Auto is C-fn-5 : 3)

I like the WB look you get in this setup. I was amazed at the look I got in my first off camera shot (self portrait).

It was in manual mode. But the external metering (C-fn-5 ) was at 0

Dermit wrote in post #7084324
Wow. Great light here. Looks like you been using it for this way for years. Congrats.

Wow, so sharp & crisp on your first attempt! Well done! Im ordering some ebay triggers and cant wait for them to arrive so i can (hopefully) do the same!

Here is another from tonight. This one is just flash on the camera, no umbrella setup.
I cant wait till I have some time off to really spend time with the new setup..

robbyh wrote in post #7087231
Here is another from tonight. This one is just flash on the camera, no umbrella setup.
I cant wait till I have some time off to really spend time with the new setup..

...and now you can see why off camera lighting is best. Athough this shot captures your subjects well.... it has that 'snapshot' appearance we are all acustomed to seeing from 95% of anyone with a camera produces. Flat lighting, harsh shadows, (under your daughter's chin, behind her head) As compared to the first two shots with nice off-axis soft light. It's a night and day difference.

the lighting in the first couple seem just a tad too strong dircetly on her face... Maybe its just me... but they all look great! nice work.

The pics with off camera flash look great! How did you do it? With an off-camera cord, an ebay trigger, a wireless transmitter or something else?

Trackerxx wrote in post #7089245
The pics with off camera flash look great! How did you do it? With an off-camera cord, an ebay trigger, a wireless transmitter or something else?

I used te cybersync's. They are about $60 each, transmitter and reciever. Defenitally worth it. Although you can go cheaper with the ebay ones.

Dermit wrote in post #7088850
...and now you can see why off camera lighting is best. Athough this shot captures your subjects well.... it has that 'snapshot' appearance we are all acustomed to seeing from 95% of anyone with a camera produces. Flat lighting, harsh shadows, (under your daughter's chin, behind her head) As compared to the first two shots with nice off-axis soft light. It's a night and day difference.

Yea I can see what your talking about.. I think the next think I need is a difuser for the flash itself, like a stofen, or a home made one. Just someting to help soften the light when I have it on camera.

Go ahead and try just leaving the flash in ETTL mode, but aiming it straight up at the ceiling, or slightly forward. You might be surprised what you can accomplish without adding anything to the flash.

Here is a quick sample of what John was talking about. I was not going to edit this one at all but did a real quickie.

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wow, I like the 2nd shot alot. nice composition, lighting looks to be spot on..!

Glad to hear that you're liking your cybersyncs. I can't wait for mine to arrive.