C&C New Lighting Setup

[JP526]

How war was the 550ex light stand from your daughter. And did you have the Photoflex mounted to your which flash???? sorry if i didnt understand your setup well.

JP526

Light is simple, 550ex on stand just out of frame and approx 1'
higher than her nose, tilted down to hit her face 45 degree from
camera axis, second light is 580exII on camera. As far as her skin
goes, she's 12, she has pretty much perfect skin. As her father I
hope it stays that way, I was not so lucky in my teens.

 

[Mel Boonstra]

No problem, yes the soft box was on the flash and the flash was approximately 2' from her, just out of frame.

JP526

Light is simple, 550ex on stand just out of frame and approx 1'
higher than her nose, tilted down to hit her face 45 degree from
camera axis, second light is 580exII on camera. As far as her skin
goes, she's 12, she has pretty much perfect skin. As her father I
hope it stays that way, I was not so lucky in my teens.

 

[Jimboz28]

I've been scanning this forum trying to decide how to get my flash off camera, I currently have a 550ex, have been considering st-e2 but want to shoot outdoors with the set-up, so it seems this setup is a good way to go.

Thanks for sharing.
--
http://www.pbase.com/jim_mckinlock

 

[Kopey]

Awesome shot! I just picked up another 580EX and I'm looking forward to trying this out. I also had purchased the same softbox after reading one Pfiltz's previous posts way back when. That guy should get a cheque every month from Photoflex because he's probably responsible for about 75% of their sales for that softbox. Haha.

Anyways, I understand the set-up for your off-camera flash but how about the 550 on camera? Was it diffused at all? Did you just have it pointed directly at your daughter?

I'm ordering my lightmeter this week so once's it's in, off to the great out doors I go. Thanks for the post and details.

Oh, and how did you fire your flashes? Did you have any radioslaves or did you use the built-in IR? Did you also use the standard Canon off shoe camera cord?

Robert.

 

[Mel Boonstra]

Ya I agree pfiltz should get some kind of commission. I had no modifiers on the 580 and I pointed it right at my daughter. And yes it was on camera, so firing the 550 was via built in IR.

Awesome shot! I just picked up another 580EX and I'm looking forward
to trying this out. I also had purchased the same softbox after
reading one Pfiltz's previous posts way back when. That guy should
get a cheque every month from Photoflex because he's probably
responsible for about 75% of their sales for that softbox. Haha.

Anyways, I understand the set-up for your off-camera flash but how
about the 550 on camera? Was it diffused at all? Did you just have
it pointed directly at your daughter?

I'm ordering my lightmeter this week so once's it's in, off to the
great out doors I go. Thanks for the post and details.

Oh, and how did you fire your flashes? Did you have any radioslaves
or did you use the built-in IR? Did you also use the standard Canon
off shoe camera cord?

Robert.

 

[andrewthomasdesigns]

O.k. LOVE the new lighting setup, small light weight and portable. I
finally broke down and bought a 580ex II to go with my 550ex. I also
purchased a Photoflex mini soft box. I put the 550 on a light stand
and 580 on camera. I love being able to control everything from the
580. I have to admit I was skeptical, but after using it I will not
be lugging around all those battery packs and strobes nearly as much.
Anyway on to the picture, this is just a quick snap shot early
evening (4:30ish I believe). Used my 12 year old daughter for model.
I metered for ambient and adjusted camera and flashguns 2 stops
higher, to "overshoot" the sun. 550 camera left just out of scene 580
on camera with 1:3 ratio. ETTL flash selected, with camera on manual
set 2 stops higher than ambient. The sun is at her back for hair
light. By the way this is straight out of camera, only pp was smart
sharpen. Let me know what you think.

background could be just a little brighter. She is a little too bright in spots as well. It's not bad, not great, just so-so.

also, what is your daughter doing in a bikini for the world to see?

--
http://www.andrewthomasdesigns.com

 

[Mel Boonstra]

O.k. LOVE the new lighting setup, small light weight and portable. I
finally broke down and bought a 580ex II to go with my 550ex. I also
purchased a Photoflex mini soft box. I put the 550 on a light stand
and 580 on camera. I love being able to control everything from the
580. I have to admit I was skeptical, but after using it I will not
be lugging around all those battery packs and strobes nearly as much.
Anyway on to the picture, this is just a quick snap shot early
evening (4:30ish I believe). Used my 12 year old daughter for model.
I metered for ambient and adjusted camera and flashguns 2 stops
higher, to "overshoot" the sun. 550 camera left just out of scene 580
on camera with 1:3 ratio. ETTL flash selected, with camera on manual
set 2 stops higher than ambient. The sun is at her back for hair
light. By the way this is straight out of camera, only pp was smart
sharpen. Let me know what you think.

O.k. show me better, I would love to learn...

background could be just a little brighter. She is a little too
bright in spots as well. It's not bad, not great, just so-so.

She was going swimming, is that a problem? I surely hope you are in no way questioning my parenting abilities, there is nothing in this world more important to me than my children and I thoroughly enjoy spending time with them and capturing the memories with photography. She loves modeling for me and I love the help and pictures created. I do love to hear photography critique's that is why I post, it helps better my skills, but you are out of bounds with the parenting insinuation.

also, what is your daughter doing in a bikini for the world to see?

--
http://www.andrewthomasdesigns.com
YOU! (view profile for names of voters)

 

[Troy Carter]

Wonderful results! Here's a link to B&H kit.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/419377-REG/Photoflex__LiteDome_XTC_Extra_Small.html

Does anyone feel that a 550/580 flash can utilize a slightly larger soft box?

--
Yep, I own a camera!

 

[NeilCUK]

O.k. show me better, I would love to learn...

judging by his pics, i'm not sure he can

love the lighting on your shot, really really natural and soft - awesome job

these comments:

background could be just a little brighter. She is a little too
bright in spots as well. It's not bad, not great, just so-so.

are rubbish. i think you achieved a great image with a simple setup

sure, there's not the control as if you had 40,000 lights with barn doors, but you haven't even PP'd the skin and it looks very nice, natural, and balanced. i like - and i've been looking at an off-camera strobe solution and it's pleasing to see what can be achieved

and as for this:

also, what is your daughter doing in a bikini for the world to see?

that's not needed.

--
-----
Neil C
http://www.homelands.me.uk/gallery/

 

[NeilCUK]

background could be just a little brighter.

why's this exactly - to remove contrast from the image and detract from the subject?

She is a little too
bright in spots as well.

where, why?

not great, just so-so.

great critique

so, because of a background that doesn't detract from the image, it's "just so so"

nice.

--
-----
Neil C
http://www.homelands.me.uk/gallery/

 

[Mel Boonstra]

Thank you!

background could be just a little brighter.

why's this exactly - to remove contrast from the image and detract
from the subject?

She is a little too
bright in spots as well.

where, why?

not great, just so-so.

great critique

so, because of a background that doesn't detract from the image, it's
"just so so"

nice.

--
-----
Neil C
http://www.homelands.me.uk/gallery/

 

[RJR]

Just beautiful. Lovely light, skin tones and exposure. Nice job.

-- Rob

 

[LiveM]

also, what is your daughter doing in a bikini for the world to see?

I think she was modelling for the camera. Great result, too.

It's not actually a bikini, more like a three-piece, but it's a great choice of colour and style. I really like it. The brown seems to go well with her hair and skin tone.

If she were in Afganistan you might only be able to see her eyes. If she were on holiday in French Polynesia then she and her mother and father might be topless at the beach. Which culture do you prefer?

 

[gnet158]

Great job, you're set for outdoor portraits.
--
I got to get out and shoot more.

 

[Socos]

Very nice pictures, and you have a beautiful daughter.. I struggle with posting pictures of my daughter in public. Maybe when she is older. She is currently only 5...

 

[scruffie0]

I have just bought stands for using the CLS system and already own an SB600 and will probably go down the road of getting an SU800. Is there anywhere online does tutorials for using CLS system.
Many thanks in advance.

 

[Phil Hunton]

I have just purchased the 580EXII and 430EX so I dont have to carry about my studio lights which is both risky and a cause of real pain in my back.

Being new to "automatic" flash (usually prefer manual) I am extremely impressed with the control offered by the e-ttl it was fooled once or twice by the window behind the subject but none-the-less without the glass (curtains drawn) it dealt very well with the subject.

I dont have a small soft box yet but on monday Im going to get one as I can now safely put my huge storage case for the studio lights in the cupboard for now and leave the studio set-up (I seemed to spend more time packing and un-packing the lights than I did on the shoots....not anymore).

Anyone had any experience with the blow up soft boxes? It seems like a really cool idea that will save space in my kit bag thats already overloaded. Im a smoker so my assistant will be given the task of blowing it up! otherwise I may end of on a nebulizer!

--
Phil

'The camera doesn't make a bit of difference. All of them can record what you are seeing. But, you have to SEE. ' - Ernst Haas

'They used to photograph Shirley Temple through gauze. They should photograph me through linoleum. ' - Tallulah Bankhead

http://www.philiphunton.co.uk
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pjhunton