The *Official Photography Thread*

Looks good, Kevin. Hey, is Anita enjoying that new camera? I hope it's working well!

 

Thanks! Yeah I'm pleased with how it came out, even such a small change in some places.
Yeah she really likes it! She's got some really good bird photos she needs to post over in the birding thread She's still playing around with it, though and needs to figure out how each setting works and what it does to the picture, but she's really happy with how much better it is than the other one they have. Thanks!

 

Of course! Just checking. Let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Have a good one ha I have two tests and a paper due tomorrow. Time for sleep.

 

UConn parade, I'll just post this one - loved the confetti in the background:

 

I was curious, how many people here have and use flash? Also anyone here using studio strobes?


The only ones I currently know of are Chaz (flash), Ian (both), and Pkjr (flash).

 

LumiPro lp180s here.

 

I have a few flashes, but no studio strobes (yet?)

 

's? I didn't know you had more than one.

What are you using? On camera, off?

 

I picked up a second from a guy for cheap and used it for some senior pictures here at my college. I'm still learning but I've got the hang of it enough to make it do what I want haha


Why do you ask, btw?


EDIT: This is my lighting set up. Very basic but it's working for single/couple portraits and street portaits.
Beginning Lighting Kit by AdelphosChaz, on Flickr

 

I got a good deal on some Canon 600-EX-RT's with the wireless transmitter, so both. Prior to that I had been eyeing the Phottix Odins or the Yongnuo YN622. I've found that I almost never use TTL flash and prefer to just set ratios and power manually. The Canon radio trigger doesn't support second curtain sync either, and I've been in a couple of situations where that would have been nice. For me, I think the only area where the Canon trumps the third parties is not having to use the camera menu to adjust the flashes (which is a personal preference) and guaranteed compatibility (which third parties can fix via firmware updates). The Phottix Mitros flashes with a Phottix Odin trigger would seem like a great middle ground option for me.

 

Well, I've got a sb-600 and a sb-910. I've used them off camera for a while now. I'm kinda leaning towards wanting bigger modifiers and looking at studio strobes too. In fact I have a 7' parabolic umbrella that I'll need 3 flashes (speed lights) to fully light it or one studio strobe. I'm kinda wanting to explore studio lighting more. I did my first studio (and only) set back in the early 90's. The strobist stuff got my interest up again. I'm not really sure which route I'm wanting to go with the new setup, monolights or a pack and head system. Choice is really portability or power between them.

But, since I've gotten kinda off from what my base reason was. I was curious as to if a weekly challenge would have enough people to be worth doing a strobist type challenge or really any flash type thing.

 

Yeah that's the one thing that spoiled me with the Nikon flashes was being able to control the flash power from the camera. It's rare for me to ever use TTL also, I almost always shoot in manual. I'm still undecided on which triggers I'm going to go with. I know it won't be pocketwizards. I'm thinking Yougnuo's or RadioPoppers. Though, the Phottix Odin is nice also.

Aren't the 600's one of Canon's top flashes? I would have thought they would support all the features remotely.

 

You should check out Zack Arias' OneLight Version 2. It's a bit too basic right off but one thing he goes through thoroughly is gear recommendation. Including Strobes vs. flashes and which he recommends.


I think rather than have a Strobist "Challenge" thread it would be cool to just have a OCF thread and we can push and challenge each other to try new things there. Reason being too few people would have time to submit something weekly but we could go with the flow and sort of "challenge" one another to try things as time permits. I'd love to see an OCF thread. It'd be helpful for those who want to get into it to.

 

There's always flashlights, large windows, relfectors(read tinfoil) and the like haha anyone can makeshift light/flash somehow!

Off Camera Lighting challenge would be sweet!


EDIT: My next idea was chiaroscuro, so it's right up the "lighting" alley. I think it'd be good.



Honestly, I don't feel some of the challenges are true to the purpose of the challenge ha it's no offense to those starting out or whatever but I think that thread needs some reform. Perhaps a bit of a reminder that the challenges should push people to learn or do something new or hone some skill and not just take some random photo of something like "cars" or whatever ha

Is this just me or is anyone else feeling this way about the challenge thread?

 

I have his original Onelight video. I learned a lot from it. I also went throughout the lighting 101 course of his. My setup right now consist of:

SB-910
SB-600
2- 10' light stands
43" convertible umbrella (shoot through with the black cover)
7' Westcott silver parabolic
12" Octabox

I'm considering the Westcott 28" soft box or the 50" mega Apollo
I had bought a 26" Westcott Rapid Box speed light kit with the beauty dish attachment but, the guy supposedly broke it packing it to ship.

I think I'll make a OCF thread. Standby...

 

Good call. Standing by . . . ha

 

Glad I'm not alone in my thinking. I think flash is an important skill to learn. When you add flash to a picture things change.

Yeah, I think we might need to get it back to skills like it started out as.

 

Flash, used correctly, can really make a picture pop. Even outdoors, a tiny bit of fill is worth it's weight in gold.

 

I definitely don't want it to turn into a "bashing" or making that thread awkward for newer people, but a polite reminder that challenges should push people "photographically" in some skill or another would be fine I think.


EDIT for Pete: Not regimented or tight-ship status. Definitely should be casual and fun and no pressure atmosphere. I'm not talking a complete 180 haha just a slight reminder/direction is all. No biggie. Just asking if anyone else agreed

 

I fully agree with you. Flash can really make some good separation in a photo.