Prom Photography

[pwnage101]

I was worried that the gap between the flash and bracket caused by the receiver would offset the flash in such a way that would prevent an even distribution of light, but I'm sure the 40" umbrella I have decided to get is large enough relative to the small receiver. I'll just go with the Flashpoint A22 with the hotshoe receiver. the description includes: "1/4X20 tripod socket for mounting" so I think it should do just fine.

[pwnage101]

I've had this idea of using a wide aperture, along with the flash, but I understand this isn't possible without a neutral density filter of some sort. At around 7 PM I went to my window and shot this at f/1.8, 1/4000s, ISO100: http://i42.tinypic.com/zu5ra0.jpg
Ideally, I want something about one stop less than that (bright sand at beach, and 6 PM is brighter than 7). This equates to about f/8 1/200s, and one stop less would be f/11. An 8x ND filter would drop that to f/4. If I was desperate, I could push to f/2.8 and compensate in ACR.

I found a $11 8x ND filter on adorama - should I even waste my time with such a cheap filter? If it means anything, I will use a hood and shade the lens with my hands when I can.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Troy,

This post is regarding the beach shoot aspect only....

I'm not experienced in this (live in UK, so no bright beaches ), but since it won't be too near sunset, the colour temp of flash and daylight are going to be quite close, so use daylight as the main source and let the on-camera flash fill (on auto with some negative FEV applied). Auto and -FEV is probably not an option for the 285.

Or is an assistant with a (not too big) reflector (for fill) a possibility?

Is the desire for a wide aperture to focus isolate the subject from the background?
Seems you have enough light for the 55-200mm, telephoto use with suitable distances may help narrow effective DoF.

I wouldn't have thought that filter was worth it, it doesn't say it is multi-coated, so will be prone to flare (as you guessed), probably more so after it's been cleaned, which might damage the surface. Although you could almost consider it disposible at that price.

A little more general advice;
Unless you go with a pre-proven* successful working method, take some shots** with different methods to 'spread the risk' of total failure. The number of times I have made a judgement by what seems ok in the LCD and has subsequently proven to be wrong when at the computer resulting in junking a whole shoots' worth of images ...

* the day before and critically reviewed
** not every picture taken say 3 times over (too confusing), just do in batches

That said;
Don't get stressed
Enjoy yourself (at least some of the time)

Cheers,

[Colin Southern]

I've had this idea of using a wide aperture, along with the flash, but I understand this isn't possible without a neutral density filter of some sort.

Bad idea for a couple of reasons ...

1. You'll probably have DoF issues, and

2. With an 8x ND your AF will probably struggle.

[pwnage101]

That said;
Don't get stressed
Enjoy yourself (at least some of the time)

Oh believe me, I'm not stressed and will not get stressed with regards to photography. Taking pictures is one of the things I look forward to when I go to events like these.

Or is an assistant with a (not too big) reflector (for fill) a possibility?

Splendid.

Scratch the ND filter, I'll go with a reflector

[Colin Southern]

Scratch the ND filter, I'll go with a reflector

My favourite is one that's white on one side, and silver on the other - the problem with silver alone (or silver / gold) is that it's like reflecting the sun into someones eyes with a mirror.

Best technique is to pop your subject into the shade near the sun, and then just reflect some sunlight back onto them. A big diffuser is also VERY handy.

[pwnage101]

Thanks everybody so far!

New question!
I've seen so many recommendations for the vivitar 285(hv) flash that I didn't really think twice about throwing it into my shopping cart. During my recent attempt at schoolwork procrastination, I stumbled upon what I consider a godsend:
Targus DP-38 Pro - $100

Advantages over vivitar 285hv:
-Five Level Power Ratio 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 and 1/16
-More Powerful Output
-Tilt & Swivel
-Nikon Digital TTL

With no apparent disadvantage, it seems like a steal. What do you think? Sacrificing quality?

[Dave Humphries]

That does look quite good.

I would guess that a Nikon brand flash may work better on Auto/TTL, but since the 285 doesn't do 1/8 and doesn't have the LCD, it looks more user friendly.
And you get the focus assist lamp.

Might be tempted myself, although I have a s/h 285 I haven't used yet.

For the $100 price, it's difficult to see a reason not to, compared to Nikon SB600/800 prices.

[rick55]

I was worried that the gap between the flash and bracket caused by the receiver would offset the flash in such a way that would prevent an even distribution of light, but I'm sure the 40" umbrella I have decided to get is large enough relative to the small receiver. I'll just go with the Flashpoint A22 with the hotshoe receiver. the description includes: "1/4X20 tripod socket for mounting" so I think it should do just fine.

Hi, Troy;

That should work well. I use exactly that kind of setup with either a Canon 580 or a Vivitar 285: light stand, umbrella bracket, small receiver.

One tip I discovered this past weekend. The RF remotes I have (Cactus) do miss firing sometimes. I had seen in reviews that this happens, but I hadn't experienced it much, until I was using 1 transmitter and 3 receivers. You may not notice it as much with a single receiver. But be prepared to shoot twice if the flash doesn't fire.

Cheers,
Rick

[Colin Southern]

I was worried that the gap between the flash and bracket caused by the receiver would offset the flash in such a way that would prevent an even distribution of light

In theory it will, but it doesn't really matter in practice - in fact, tapering the light off a bit as you get further away from peoples faces is actually ideal. It also depends on hot far away the umbrella is from the flash ... the further it is away the better in your case.

[pwnage101]

Well, stuff comes in on friday. I don't have much to say, just eagerly waiting

...tapering the light off a bit as you get further away from peoples faces is actually ideal....

Perhaps you could elaborate?

[pwnage101]

Here are fifteen images from testing the equipment.

I'm very satisfied with the equipment. I cannot speak for their durability and lifespan, but so far the triggers have never misfired (within twenty feet), the flash can swivel all the way back, fully effective TTL and manual, built in optical slave is functional, full output can recycle in about six seconds (half output at three seconds, so on and so forth).

I'll get testing with actual people in an outdoor situation.

[Colin Southern]

Hi Troy,

Congratulations - I think you'll do well with this equipment. I think it'll make you life a LOT easier than just doing ad-hoc reflector work too. What I'd suggest now is get stuck into learning how to make it work, while you have time - I suspect that when you get to the prom things are going to be a LOT more fast-paced than you expect, and things won't go as smoothly as you expect either - so you need to know the gear backwards, and get as much experience as you can in different and challenging lighting conditions.

Looking forward to seeing more test shots!

[rick55]

Looks great, Troy! I may have to switch to your brand of trigger (or maybe I should have just gotten PWs in the first place ). I'll second what Colin says: I've been going through this kind of thing, getting up to speed with more complex lighting. The more testing the better, and keep an eye on your display while shooting. You have a big advantage on me, since you're young: when I'm shooting, it's reading glasses on, reading glasses off, reading glasses on, reading glasses off.

Cheers,
Rick

[pwnage101]

I don't think that light stand is wide/heavy enough to stand upright out at the windy beach. Maybe dig it into the sand? I have some sand-filled weights I can strap around the legs of the stand.

Something I find interesting is that the flash sounds like a "blaster" from some sci-fi movie. After the THUMP, I can hear the high pitch sound of the recharging capacitor. Neither my mom nor dad can hear it, but my brother and I can. It is likely that the people designing these products have fully developed ears and cannot hear it either. Design flaw? Sounds too cool to be a design flaw . Once it reaches full charge, the high pitch sound stays on one tone and doesn't stop until I turn it off or trigger the flash, in which case it makes the sound again. It sounds even louder and more distinctive with the rechargeables (at the moment I'm using alkaline 1.5v).

[Klickit]

It is likely that the people designing these products have fully developed ears and cannot hear it either.......

LOL!! Haven't heard it called that before!!

[Colin Southern]

I can hear the high pitch sound of the recharging capacitor. Neither my mom nor dad can hear it, but my brother and I can. It is likely that the people designing these products have fully developed ears and cannot hear it either. Design flaw? Sounds too cool to be a design flaw . Once it reaches full charge, the high pitch sound stays on one tone and doesn't stop until I turn it off or trigger the flash, in which case it makes the sound again. It sounds even louder and more distinctive with the rechargeables (at the moment I'm using alkaline 1.5v).

The flash turns the total of 6 volts from the battery into the 380 volts needed for the flash - and it does that via a step-up inverter. The heart of the inverter is a thing called an oscillator - and that's what you can hear. As one gets older, ones hearing starts to drop off at higher frequencies (and with the invention of the iPod, it's starting to occur at far younger ages) - so what your hearing is "for young ears only".

For what it's worth, I've heard of this being used to stop youths congregating in certain areas - they play a high-pitched squeal that bugs the heck out of the young folks, but us oldies can't hear it

[pwnage101]

I turned on the receiver with the flash attached, thinking only the transmitter can trigger it. The flash head was inches from my left eye, and set to 1/8 output. Need I say more?

I suppose there comes a time in every strobist's life....

[Dave Humphries]

Ouch

I hope no lasting damage?
Thanks for sharing, could save someone else the pain.

[pwnage101]

If by lasting you mean a minute or two of seeing an gray blob, then yes. I'm fine now