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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Wanting to get started with portiats: softbox help | |
@Mataz426
Hi Dave
I just reread the whole string of messages including your several reactions, and my sincere advice is that you should put all your idea's about shooting your SB910 in a softbox in the refrigerator for some time, at least a couple of weeks.
Instead of that you should read yourself more into what specific lightsources are available, what they do, and don't, and first get a better (technical) idea of what or how you want to shoot (tried to find the Joe Brady you refer to, but only found one Joe Brady who's a landscape photographer and another who gave workshops on 2010)
At the moment I can only see you running enthusiastically after each new suggestion that is given, asking details for brands and models, as if the mere purchase of them would instantly mean you will automatically be able to use them in any practical and for you beneficial way.
To begin with, you should begin to define under what conditions you want to use your flash: full daylight, dusk or in the dark. The next question is how you want to use your flash, as the mainlight (i.e. when shooting in full daylight overpowering it with your flash) or as a fill in for the shadows (which still can mean you'll need a lot of flash depending on the amount of daylight and contrast to be overcome).
Based on the answers to those questions you can start studying the technical options and (im)possibilities (and many of the answers given will help you along quite well), and practical (and financial) consequences (as you may have gathered from many of the reactions it's not as simple as just stuffing a flash in a softbox and happily starting to shoot away)
And only then you should IMO start to, very slowly and cautiously, spend your no doubt hard earned cash.
Just to give you an example of what starting to shoot a flash in a softbox will imply:
- one, and if you intend to use the flash as mainlight under full daylight, more likely several speedlights
- a strong lightstand for your flash(es), maybe a second one to hold your reflection screen if you don't have an assistant to hold it around all the time
- reflector screens (most common are the collapsible ones like eg Lastolites)
- a reflectionscreen holder if you don't have an assistant to hold the screen all the time
- a swivelhead to mount both your flash(es) and softbox/umbrella,
- If you shoot with more speedlights a bracket that can indeed mount several of them
- if you're shooting outside some kind of counterweight to keep your lightstand + softbox / umbrella + flash(es) from falling over with each gust of wind,
- radiotriggers (prices will vary depending on TTL or non TTL types, top brand or cheapy ripp offs),
- a flashmeter if you use dumb (=non TTL metering) triggers
- not to forget batteries (rechargeable ones if you're smart, although those, including chargers, will initially will cost more then simple alkaline AA's)
and of course bags to carry all that stuff next your camera bag.
All in all adding up to quite a serious list and no doubt investment, and IMO only to be stepped into if you actually know what you are doing and how you will all use that stuff for your advantage.
If you nevertheless want to start, buy a cheapo umbrella (my recommendation silver for the highest efficiency) and swivel head ( you from what I gather already have a SB910 and two dumb triggers, and a lightstand on the way), and a piece of Styrofoam at your local home depot for a reflector screen.
Start experimenting in your backyard or at home, finding out along the way what you want, like and don't like, how to do it and become capable to repeat it. Only then start to spend the big bucks for softboxes, extra speedlights, fancy reflector screens etc.
It will take a bit longer, but you'll learn much much then from only asking on the net what to do, and end up having spent your money more wisely (after all you can only spend that once),
Edited on Sep 03, 2014 at 01:39 AM · View previous versions
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