Notices
Photography Techniques, Cameras, Lenses, & Equipment

Auto Strobist Thread.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 25, 2008 | 12:20 AM
  #21  
ctwentytwo's Avatar
ctwentytwo
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,069
Likes: 1
From: Waipahu HI; Phoenix AZ
Default

Went out again to try some stuff out.


This time I tried the strobes sans diffuser on the heads. The umbrella strobe is firing at 1/4. It was windy, so the following shots are without the umbrella. GR? had a good tip... you'll be wasting your batteries and stressing your strobe wasting light power with the diffusers. In the future, the umbrellas and diffusers are staying home.


40D, Canon EF 28-135 IS, f/5.6, 100mm, 1/30 sec, handheld w/ strobes 3 ft from corners of bumper... same arrangement as above.

Next time, I think I'll try the strobes higher and tilted down. See how that turns out. I think I'll add a third strobe in back the next time, with a lightsphere and see how it turns out. I'm sure it'll be more dynamic.


40D, Sigma 50mm f/1.4, f/1.4, 50mm, 1/30 sec, handheld w/ strobes directly in back. You can see the flash heads on the rear quarters of the car.


40D, Sigma 50mm f/1.4, f/1.4, 50mm, 1/25 sec, handheld w/ strobes directly in back like the shot above.


A shot I tried just for the heck of it.

Looking back, I should have bought the Skyports as soon as I could instead of the lenses. I know there are a lot of those out there that swear by available light shots, but off camera flashes can pull so much detail out of the shadows without the drawbacks of on-camera flash.

Last edited by ctwentytwo; Jul 25, 2008 at 12:24 AM.
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2008 | 12:03 AM
  #22  
ctwentytwo's Avatar
ctwentytwo
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,069
Likes: 1
From: Waipahu HI; Phoenix AZ
Default

Playing around with strobes and gels. Went out yesterday and card got curropted... lost the pics. But I went out today, and retook the shots.

BTW, the Supak 383 flashes are great for off-camera lighting, it really doesn't make any sense to buy expensive Canon flashes unless you want to keep iTTL capabilty. The drawback? No zoom heads on the flash and a bit old fashioned. I really think they're a great bang for the buck, and I may just get 3 more.

Equipment used:

Olympus E-520 w/ 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5
1x Canon 580ex II
1x Canon 430ex
2x Sunpak 383 Super
1x Elinchrom Skyport Universal Transmitter
2x Elinchrom Skyport Universal Receiver w/ Y-splitter and cables
Various color Lee gels















Reply
Old Aug 7, 2008 | 02:42 AM
  #23  
Beka Z's Avatar
Beka Z
Banned
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,171
Likes: 0
From: x
Default

i like this one. the green really lets your car stand out!
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2008 | 07:34 PM
  #24  
_NIZMO_'s Avatar
_NIZMO_
Registered User
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,173
Likes: 0
From: Internet
Default

my friends GTI................

strobist info........ 2min exposure .....just walked around firing the strobe at 1/16 power aka light painting......and lit the bottom of the car obviously.....
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2008 | 11:01 AM
  #25  
photosonly's Avatar
photosonly
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Earth
Default

i think these shots look pretty sweet..
http://g35driver.com/forums/picture-...hotoshoot.html
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 10:13 AM
  #26  
Jcolman's Avatar
Jcolman
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 422
Likes: 0
From: NC
Default

Sorry, I don't have any behind the scenes shots but basically it's three lights. One on camera left firing into a softbox, one on camera right firing thru a umbrella and a small light behind the right rear wheel.

Reply
Old Oct 21, 2008 | 09:45 PM
  #27  
ctwentytwo's Avatar
ctwentytwo
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,069
Likes: 1
From: Waipahu HI; Phoenix AZ
Default

Olympus E-520 with 2 off-camera Sunpak 383 Supers triggered by Elinchrom Skyports.

My other shots had the front lip blend in with the front shadow, so I decided to go back a third time and get it right. It was overcast, ideal for some, but I wanted a bright sun coming from the side to give horizontal shadows to the container in back. I guess I'll go back a fourth time.

BTW, I really need a 3rd trigger

Strobes in back:


Strobe camera left pointing down at front bumper to light the front lip, other strobe pointed at the container background, hence part of it is lit.


Same as above but stronger front key light.


Conventional setup: camera right, camera left.


Same as above by at wide-angle.
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2008 | 10:28 PM
  #28  
erickim080387's Avatar
erickim080387
Registered User
iTrader: (43)
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,371
Likes: 0
From: los ángeles
Default

i love your lip...
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2008 | 04:31 AM
  #29  
silvernole12's Avatar
silvernole12
Registered User
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: augusta,ga
Default

Nice work....I want to get those new Radio Poppers and try my hand at strobe work.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2008 | 12:13 AM
  #30  
ctwentytwo's Avatar
ctwentytwo
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,069
Likes: 1
From: Waipahu HI; Phoenix AZ
Default

Originally Posted by silvernole12
Nice work....I want to get those new Radio Poppers and try my hand at strobe work.
Before anybody else asks... front lip is a Varis... available in Kouki and Zenki styles.
http://www.bulletproofautomotive.com...il.php?ID=1127

The Radio Poppers are expensive, but I guess the upside of TTL is worth it.

Once you try strobes, it's hard not to use them for every shoot... only laziness will hold you back from using them.

All your photos can benefit greatly just from off-camera fill flash to fill in shadows, add catch lights, etc..
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2008 | 01:12 PM
  #31  
stu46's Avatar
stu46
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,801
Likes: 0
From: Hawaii
Default

c22,

you gonna go to this?
http://www.flickr.com/groups/nahui_a...7608105894187/

Should also hop in here.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=302787
Reply
Old Oct 26, 2008 | 02:01 AM
  #32  
stu46's Avatar
stu46
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,801
Likes: 0
From: Hawaii
Default

Another Honolulu POTN Strobist Meet.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/....php?p=6562416
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2009 | 10:07 PM
  #33  
ctwentytwo's Avatar
ctwentytwo
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,069
Likes: 1
From: Waipahu HI; Phoenix AZ
Default

I may never take another picture without any type of off camera flash...

Been meaning to redo some pics I took awhile back... this time with strobes. Didn't bring a third flash stand, which I should have to light up that rear wheel, but oh well, I guess I'm going to have to go back.

Here's the low down... again, I only used 2 BARE strobes with triggers. You can see the setup in some of the fisheye pics below. Put the camera on manual to to the fastest sync speed (usually 1/250). Adjust aperture for the sunset. Then take test shots adjusting flash output accordingly.

There's actually different ways to do it... like using Aperture Priority (Av) and setting the camera to keep a constant 1/250 sync speed in Av mode. Then all you do is adjust aperture for the sunset, while adjusting flash output.

Or, you can go back to Manual, and slow down shutter speed to adjust for light to keep an aperture of max DOF... you get the idea. Shutter speed should not go too slow though.

All pics handheld... I love tripods and all, but if shutter speed is fast enough, I leave it at home. Much more fun without the tripod holding you back.

The flashes were at full power most of the time... when the sunset was still too bright... and the Duracell AA rechargeables (4x) lasted over 200 shots.


Canon 40D + Tokina 10-17 fisheye + Elinchrom Skyports (2x) + Sunpak 383 Super + Vivitar 285HV.







Olympus E-520 + Olympus Zuiko 14-54 + Elinchrom Skyports (2x) + Sunpak 383 Super + Vivitar 285HV.







Reply
Old Mar 5, 2009 | 10:16 PM
  #34  
dj.kickz's Avatar
dj.kickz
Registered User
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,371
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu
Default

awesome Erwin
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2009 | 11:45 PM
  #35  
TrinitySRT's Avatar
TrinitySRT
Banned
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 943
Likes: 0
From: Laurel, Maryland
Default

good lighting set up but the camera angles are KILLING IT for me.
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2009 | 12:54 AM
  #36  
ctwentytwo's Avatar
ctwentytwo
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,069
Likes: 1
From: Waipahu HI; Phoenix AZ
Default

Originally Posted by TrinitySRT
good lighting set up but the camera angles are KILLING IT for me.
*Yawn* These straight shots for sunsets are boring.

Reply
Old Mar 6, 2009 | 05:12 PM
  #37  
J_Dizzle's Avatar
J_Dizzle
southcentral>me
Premier Member
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,453
Likes: 0
From: on da streets in MS
Default

angles are good. but i think you took it a little to far ha. amazing shots though. your stuff is what got me into using strobes
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2009 | 05:17 PM
  #38  
J_Dizzle's Avatar
J_Dizzle
southcentral>me
Premier Member
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,453
Likes: 0
From: on da streets in MS
Default

im still a noob at strobes and other flash photography, but im learning

im using JTL Moblight 301s

its nice because it has AC and DC power. and has lots of power



some shots with it

1


2


3


4


5


6
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2009 | 10:49 PM
  #39  
ctwentytwo's Avatar
ctwentytwo
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,069
Likes: 1
From: Waipahu HI; Phoenix AZ
Default

Dizzle, what are you using to power the lights? Wow, yeah, much more power than AA powered strobes. If you are using a DC power pack, they must be expensive.

Good results though, just need an interesting background. God, must be nice having all that power.
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2009 | 12:26 AM
  #40  
J_Dizzle's Avatar
J_Dizzle
southcentral>me
Premier Member
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,453
Likes: 0
From: on da streets in MS
Default

its battery packs. i can get around 130 flashes at full power which is 300 ws

this is the kit. very resonably priced, the only draw back is they work off of infared which is best for indoors. so outside i couldnt get them to sync and i had to get the wireless set up for it.

but total i have a little less than $1000 invested in the system

http://www.jtl-lighting.com/JTL-Mobi...-Lighting.html
Reply



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 04:40 PM.