I had the same thought about the catch lights. I think these pics are great so only offer this in the vane of Cc and maybe making them even a little better. I like the concept of easy and packing light, so I get the bare flash and letting mom hold it etc. If you (the replier) want a bigger catch light, you can add something like a Lumiquest foldable soft box to your kit. They go on super quick with an elastic/Velcro strap, are maybe 8 times the size of the bare flash, and will effect exposer by a stop or two (so if you are at 1/8 you may be at 1/4 or a little more). You can also use a foldable 20inch umbrella with one or two flashes to get a nice catch light. They are small enough to transport easy. Again, the manual setting is effected. Finally a small reflector positioned correctly (need mom or a light stand and mini boom with CW) also does the job of catch lights and fill flash. Finally as a last little nit, I would probably lighten the iris of these dark eyed beauties a bit just to make them pop more.
I used to shoot with someone like the OP as kind of a team. Them more creative and better at posing and interacting with subjects, me the super tech. it was great. Need to find that again.
ASKreager wrote:
Love the series. Beautiful girls, beautiful light, and great technique.
I love my Nikon 300 f4.0 , but could never go to 30 without tripod. Wish it had VR. 75 or 150 w monopod.
I do not get though why you say the slow speed takes away the harshness. Can u explain more. U say u are shooting f4 at 30-60th so that is not harsh light. That is more like golden light and pictures look like that. Harsh light would be maybe 1/4000 at f4. And your flash pulses are way shorter than the 1/30 so...
Let's say the light level for correct exposure at f4.0 is 1/4000. Also assume you can get enough FPC power out of flash to use as fill at 1/4000. How is that any different than using an 8 stop ND filter and shooting at 1/60.
Seems to me you are picking the correct time of day and positioning to get good light at f4 and 1/60 while only needing a touch of fill.
I am sure I could be missing something.
Not trying to be argumentative. Just trying to understand cause your results are worth trying to imitate.
I have had good luck underexposing background a bit, playing with wb and adding tungsten gel to get the look(read about that on one of the big guns sites quite a while back - do not remember who).
Again great pics. Keep them coming....Show more →
Said he was shooting with the "300 F4" not necessarily shooting at "F4"
Benee, I'm shooting around 30th to 60th of a second with this 300 F4. That alone is killing anything harsh. And the 550 is only 1/8 power, and approx 10 feet away. I shoot everything manual.
She's laying in the street in this shot, and her arm is on the sidewalk.
I'm holding the flash with my left hand.
Absolutely gorgeous photographs.......all of 'em. This being one of my favs.
You definitely know how to get the best out of the camera/lens/flash.
Josiah
Evening folks. Just got home. Working on a darkroom....
Every shot was with a 300 f4, shot at f4, and the flash set at 1/8th power. I basically control the bokeh by moving the subject matter relative to their backgrounds.
Well you do a good job. All my comments were nits. Post shoot armchair analysis of every last little thing to make em perfect. Bottom line, I would be quite happy and feeling my money was well spent if my daughter came home with any of these. keep it up.
