On 11/12/2015 4:49 AM, Malcolm Smith wrote:
Bruce Walker wrote:
Good to hear, Malcolm. And the great thing is you can start out pretty
cheaply too.
One of my favourite tricks is to create what appears to be ambient
window light where there is none so the shot looks "natural". I do that
with one or more cheap manual flashes and some white reflector card, or
even just white walls.
Like this shot:
http://off-axis.brucemwalker.com/image/85678223657
At a quick glance everyone says, "okay: a big window camera-left,
right?"
Nope. A big v-flat made of white foamcore with three $50 Neewer flashes
firing into it. One is radio triggered ($20 Cowboy Studios) and the
other two are slaved to the "master". This arrangement can be used to
light up a group of people standing, at f:5.6 ISO 100.
Your black subject on black background is a good example of a tricky
_metering_ situation, but you could easily light that with just window
light. :)
I think you'll enjoy getting into these more interesting photo
challenges. It sure keeps me busy. :)
Thanks Bruce. I have to admit this is something which has caught my
imagination, and I can start with an open mind. I'll take a look around for
the things I need to make a start shortly. I have from a purchase of a job
lot some two or three years ago ended up with about 6 working flashes. They
will be ideal for remote by cord (they are old units) and I have several
reflectors and spare foamboard from print mounting - it's just lights as the
main expense, and I have a place to use this in good weather - I have an
empty 12' x 8' timber shed, which I can practice lighting objects in, with
no fear of people tripping over anything I set up. You have to start
somewhere!
Malcolm
You don't have to have studio strobes to start with. In fact, it might
be easier to learn what you need to learn with continuous lighting. When
I was in school, we started with hot lights. Didn't get to strobes until
the second year.
Nowadays, you don't even need the hot lights.
You can learn a lot using CFL bulbs & cheap clamp-on fixtures. Learn to
vary the light quality & intensity on the subject by moving the lights
around.
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Religion - Answers we must never question.
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