one two, testing! New Lighting Method test

rG-tom

rG-tom

rG-tom

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Hey guys,

Went out today with my gf and her mate just to test a new lighting technique! Neither girls were really rigged for a proper shoot (normally Sarah has full photographic make up on so it shows up properly, today she wore practically none!).

1) first shot of the day, pretty nippy so still got her jacket on! Can see me in the glasses lol

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2) my gf's friend who came along for a few shots,

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3) Trying a bit of rim lighting (oo err ;o)

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4) into the shade a little bit, quite like the setup for this kinda work

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5) As above

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6) As above mk2

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6) Your turn!

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7) Bit o' bokeh

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8) This didnt reaaaaally work at all, being below the model isnt ideal!

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9) Quite like the lighting effect with a very dark forest behind her:

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10) On the way back to dropping Natalie off, passing Hollingworth lake i was presented with a stunning sunset.....despite it being about 3 degrees C outside i made the models jump out for a few shots!

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11)

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12)

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13)

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14)

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15) Natalie's Turn

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16)

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17)

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Set up was my Canon EOS-40D / 24-105 F4L IS with a sigma DG 500 ST Super on the camera, set to not fire acting as a wireless eTTL controller for the 430ex sat on the tripod firing into a 32" White umbrella. Most photos were in AV priority with 2 stops of -EV dialed in, with the flash varying between 0ev and +1 ev depending on what i wanted with the shot.

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That's how the set up looked (obviously the camera is in my hand ;p) Yes using a nearly £600 tripod set up to hold a single speedlight and a light umbrella is overkill, but hey ho!

Hope you enjoyed the post, the idea today was to learn the new method of controlling the off camera flashes etc and from that i've learnt a fair bit! So mission acomplished. Also, found a pretty nice location for future shoots.

Tom.
 
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Looks great! Can't wait to get my 580EX II next week. Really am looking forward to doing some strobing as i really like this affect!

Great shots as always!
 
The tree shots are my favourites in terms of poses and locations. My only gripe with those would be that the sun is coming from the opposite direction, which looks funny to my eyes, but that might have been the intention.
 
In 11 you use a low angle, and I think it doesnt work as well. Otherwise the shots are great and I really like the lighting, although in places I wonder if its a little too bright.
 
the lighting works very well, its making me think its time to invest in a better flash setup!

number 12 is my favourite shot of the shoot.
 
Yeah bounced umbrellas work a real treat. The head on my umbrella tripod has snapped off so I have to use my main tripod too.
I just need another flash so I can control one without having to rely on those stupid short sync cables.

Some quality shots there Tom. I do agree with Helium Junkie. I dont find that low angle one to work
Shes posing for a stood up head shot. I think she should probably be sat down.
 
thanks for the comments guys :)

I know what you mean about the lower angle but I actually quite like it :$ it doesn't conform to ideals! It was too impromptu and cold to sit down though! I do appreciate the feedback guys :)
 
Hi, see if you can get your hands on some coloured gels for your flashes (can be had for free if you use sample packs). There is quite an obvious colour temperature mismatch between the flash and ambient in a few of the shots which you may be able to adjust using some. Otherwise good work.

oh and get some lightstands too, there's plenty of adequate and cheap ones on your average internet auction site.
 
wo0kie said:
Hi, see if you can get your hands on some coloured gels for your flashes (can be had for free if you use sample packs). There is quite an obvious colour temperature mismatch between the flash and ambient in a few of the shots which you may be able to adjust using some. Otherwise good work.

oh and get some lightstands too, there's plenty of adequate and cheap ones on your average internet auction site.
Click to expand...

ive got some lighting stands :) I picked up the gitzo so that i if I wanted to do any shots where the camera needed to be mounted on a tripod instead i could, couldnt be bothered carting around a tripod and a light stand!

yea i do need to get some gels, what are these sample packs that you talk of?

Tom.
 
You are really lucky to have such a willing model for a girlfriend. All the girls I have dated have hated their photo being taken :(

Nice shots usual though, number 7 is good, and I really like the lighting on the sunset shots :)

I think number 8 would have looked better if the model was looking away from the camera at something at her own eye level *(like in number 7). Her looking down seems to emphasize the height thing not working too well.
 
rG-tom said:
yea i do need to get some gels, what are these sample packs that you talk of?

Tom.
Click to expand...

they look this:



I got some from a stage lighting company who had a massive box of these in their showroom as freebies. these are the lee filters ones, but iirc a company called rosco also do similar samples that should also be the right size/shape for small flashes.
 
ive just ordered some lees filters from ebay, £4 for a set :)

Also ive just realised i was being thick. Look at the umbrella....it's a reversible white/gold one. I couldve just reversed it to gold :(

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yea, that would warm some up a bit, but you get much more choice with filters. you have to make some sort of holder for them though. not hard to make.
 
Nice set of photos, I think the series in front of the sun set have came out particularly well, #10 especially. Thanks for sharing these and explaining, it's something I'm looking to try when I can find a volunteer :D
 
wo0kie said:
they look this:

Click to expand...
We have a massive box of them at work (I work for Lee/panalux), they are like a sample pack, the full size gels are made for bigger lights for filming. Nice idea putting them in front of the flash, gels are great at withstanding high temps... An 12k lamp burns your leg when standing a metre away, god knows how those gels don't melt when attached to the barn doors of the 12k! :eek: You could also experiement with diffusion gels also (250, 216, etc.), this should make the light softer, producing more of a flood.

Nice pics also, no.3 works well with the sun behind her hair. :)

EDIT: rg-tom - just noticed you're in manchester, Panalux have a depot there (I think it may be nearer Bolton)... If you pop in and and ask nicely for a gel sampler, they'll probably give you one for free.
 
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