Off-camera flash

[Alison]

...or strobist, whatever you like to call it. I'm very happy with the results

[Asylum Steve]

or strobist, whatever you like to call it. I'm very happy with the results...

How about flasher???

Very pretty light. Did you use any fill or bounce with this?

[Alison]

Very pretty light. Did you use any fill or bounce with this?

Thanks Steve.
No. No fill. I held the flash at arms length to my left with a Gary Fong Lightsphere attached. It was quite late so it was quite dark. I had to leave my ceiling light on.

[Asylum Steve]

No fill...it was quite late so it was quite dark. I had to leave my ceiling light on.

I've known shooters with tens of thousands of dollars of lighting and studio gear that couldn't come up with a shot this nice to save their life.

I really glad you share these photos. It shows that it's not about how much you spend on equipment. Also that one shouldn't use that as an excuse.

Of course, having a beautiful subject doesn't hurt either...

[SmartWombat]

Looks like you're using the light walls to great effect with that diffused light bouncing around and filling in beautifully - exactly what the lightsphere is for.

[Alison]

I've known shooters with tens of thousands of dollars of lighting and studio gear that couldn't come up with a shot this nice to save their life.

I really glad you share these photos. It shows that it's not about how much you spend on equipment. Also that one shouldn't use that as an excuse.

Of course, having a beautiful subject doesn't hurt either...

Wow! Thank you so much!

As for the expensive equipment, funny you should mention that.
Not only did I use my 50mm, hubby bought this little gadget for me "4channel Wireless Radio Slave Flashgun Trigger PT-04" for £19 incl postage from ebay.
Okay, so I get a bit of interference from other people's cams or from other electrical equipment in the house but as long as it goes off when I am using it, I'm happy for now.

I told him I wanted try out a cheapy before going for pocket wizards or something like that.

I had a feeling I would love off camera flash. Pocket Wizards here I come, (eventually haha) :thumbsup:

Looks like you're using the light walls to great effect with that diffused light bouncing around and filling in beautifully - exactly what the lightsphere is for.

I guess some of it did end up bouncing. Because I held the flash near a wall to my left, (I have magnolia walls), but, I pointed the flash directly at Bec.

[SmartWombat]

That's Bec ?
Wow !

You got a club to beat off the boys ?

[Alison]

Yeah that's Bec

[SmartWombat]

Your cheap radio slave cost less than my Canon hot shoe extension cable !

[ciddog91]

Alison,

That is a great picture. The lighting is awesome. It shows how beautiful her eyes are and how delicate her features are. No shadows and no "hot spots". This is one pf the best portraits I have seen.

And as SW says, get some clubs handy.....
Phil

[gahspidy]

Alison, great results as usual. I really like the results in different situations I get from the Gary fong Lightsphere too.
Before you go after the pocket wizards (very expensive) give the new "Cybersync" a look. these wireless transmitters and slaves are put out by Paul C. Buff (designer of the famous AlienBees and White Lightning flash units) Very inexpensive and look to be very promising. I thik they are expecting to release them this month soon.
http://www.white-lightning.com/remotes.html

[Alison]

Wow! Thanks Gary.
2 hurdles:
which is the correct one for me?
do they ship internationally?

[gahspidy]

Wow! Thanks Gary.
2 hurdles:
which is the correct one for me?
do they ship internationally?

Well, the RFT1 series was discontinued so there is only the CST transmitter and receiver.
http://www.white-lightning.com/cybersync.html
you would need one transmitter and as many receivers as you have flashes.
They have one other system available but it is for a wired set up, as opposed to the wireless CST.
Try contacting them through email for more details, but this looks like something that could put the PW out of business or at least get them to reduce their prices significantly

[SmartWombat]

Looks good.
I would like a battery powered receiver, not AC only.
For sale in the UK it needs CE approval and not FCC.
But it's promising to see an alternative to PW, I agree.

[ciddog91]

Alison,

What G.F diffusor did you use?? The clear or the cloud?? I am REALLY thinking of getting one, but am trying to decide if I want clear or cloud........

Thanks...

Phil

[brhitch]

Beautiful image. Love the eyes and the stare. Great work.

[Alison]

Mine is clear round the sides with a cloudy inverted dome lid.

[frleal70]

Alison...Excellent portrait.

Gary...Thanks for the info

[dhyravy]

If you want some really great RF slaves that are not only available there but half the price of PWs with the same 100% reliability, try the Elinchrom Skyports. I have had mine for about a year now and they are great. Much smaller than PWs and a little less range but I have used them in large arenas with dependable results. If you're not using Elinchrom flash units, you will want the "Universal" set. I modified the sync cables that came with my Sunpak 383s with a 3.5mm plug to fit the receivers, but there are sources for sync cables if you're not into soldering some up yourself.

[gahspidy]

Looks good.
I would like a battery powered receiver, not AC only.
For sale in the UK it needs CE approval and not FCC.
But it's promising to see an alternative to PW, I agree.

Paul, these units are now shipping and there is a battery powered reciever version as well, called the CSRB. This system looks to be a very promising alternative to the PW.

[SmartWombat]

Oh good, I'll give the site another visit - thanks.