i just used a couple candles that i blew out to get the smoke. 580 camera left with some pink gel from rosco

 

freaking cool. i gotta play some more with my 80's rosco gel's.

 

How's the car strobing going?

BTW, I was SHOCKED the rockets won today without Yao. Damn.

 

i've lost interest in shooting cars. the only time i shoot cars these days is for paid gigs. focusing more on portraits for now. people are infinitely more interesting to shoot.

maybe when i get something new for my car i will want to shoot it, again. hah, but that won't be for while as all my money is going into new gear.

planning on 3 ab800s or abmax640's (come out july 1, waiting for reviews)
3 13' stands, beauty dish, softboxes, vagabond

but for now i will pick up two lp120's and an ezybox softbox.

 

Yeah, I know what you mean about people. I just need to find a frickin' model.

You're stepping up your lighting quick!

Though there's some other car shots I've been waiting for the right time to do.

BTW, lighting a person is way easier than lighting a car as you've probably found out.

Oh, and I seen your portraits on flickr... Niiiice.

 

yah, i will still be using the hotshoe flashes after i pick up the ab's. each serve their own purposes, even though some purposes overlap.

post an ad on craigslist to do some tfcd work. i did that last year and i got TONS of e-mails back (many of them were good looking, too, which is always a plus ).

not only is lighting people way easier (maybe way easier is an overstatement, but i have found that it is easier), it's way more fun! BUT, people do pose a challenge that cars don't. posing and facial expressions. as an inexperienced photographer working with inexperienced models like i am this can be very frustrating for both. but that's just something that needs to be worked on - not everyone is lucky enough to feel so naturally comfortable in front of the camera.

as far as light modifiers for my hotshoe flashes, i'm not feeling the umbrellas a whole lot. they get the job done, but i want more directional light. picking up an exybox in two weeks (after finals, otherwise i woudlnt get any studying done!). the umbrellas will still serve their purpose, but i want a softbox as i think it will be easier to control the light with it.

 

i love my lp120's but the build quality leaves something to be desired compared to say my 430ex. I had one on a 6' stand with an umbrella that the wind blew over and it broke the hotshoe. I'm hoping to get it replaced under warranty but we'll see it that works or not, haha.

 

but that's too be expected, lol. what do you want from a $130 manual flash meant for a hobbyist?

i have (2) vivitar 285hv's right now. those things are old school and bulky. i'm switching to the lp120's is because the vivitars skip several levels (only have 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/16). the lp120's go all the way to 1/32 without skipping any levels if i'm not mistaken. also, i REALLY don't like the vivitars' flash connector. not reliable, IMO. they come loose all the time. i will pick up some flashzebra screwlock pc cords for the lp120's for sure. works great on my 580.

 

yeah they do. don't get me wrong i love them, they're great flashes, especially for the price. Just tossing out a warning in case you're tough on you're gear (i am, haha) and hadn't seen one in person before.

 

good lookin' out.

 

Take a look at the Wescott Apollo softbox. I have a 28"x28" and 50"x50" and they are very good.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...tbox_with.html

 

i considered the westcott 28x28, but i think there are some design flaws judging by the pics taken with it, pics of it, and reviews of it.



the flash looks to be positioned way too high to really get even light distribution IMO.

i've read many times that it is difficult to tilt the box if at all without a boom or other modification. there's nothing technically wrong with pointing the softbox straight on and level at the subject, but it does introduce some limitations if you can't tilt it more than a few degrees.

it also appears that the flash is completely inside the box. i'm not working with the new pocket wizards or radio poppers so i can't use ettl. this seems too much of a hassle to have top reach in there to adjust the settings every time. even if i had a remote to control the settings i wouldnt be able to see the screen to view the flash head zoom setting etc.

the only part that really appeals to me is that setup takes a few seconds as it opens up like an umbrella.

i'd rather take a minute to setup a standard softbox like the ezybox. it costs a bit more but looks like a good design.

and that isnt to knock the apollo. ive seen LOTS of great shots using it.

 

i'll set it up and meter the edges.

the lack of tilting isn't much of a problem since there's someone to tilt the stand for me if needed. but that's very rare. now that i have a boom, it's not a problem at all

adjusting the flash is quicker than you think. i don't completely seal the velcro. i had the sunpak 383s. and like the lp120s, you just move a **** to adjust power. you don't need to see the flash when doing this. just reach your hand in and adjust.

i went with the apollo cause i can use it with the strobes and i'm not stuck with a speedlight only modifier.

 

 

check on modelmayhem for a subject. theres a crazy amount of people on there