Island Capture (aka Silverph or psilver)
First outdoor flash test
Finally - some time off at work! I felt drained from working but it didn't stop me from trying out the lighting gear I bought a few days ago.
Bugs!
Yes, tiny little critters that bite like hell greeted us at the park. We had to move a bit off the vegetation, hoping to avoid insects.
Newbie
Yes, I was a complete beginner when it comes to strobes/flash. I assembled the lights, and the shots came out horrible! How do you use this @#$%#$ flash meter?!?!
Equipment Malfunction
The PC cord terminals I got was terrible! It was unreliable, that I wanted to fling my gear over the Long Island Sound! I thought these cords are foolproof but for some reason, it didn't work right with the D300's terminals.
Revelation
The SB-600 does NOT have ample power for outdoors! Well, for doing more than head shots. The successful shots I got was when I shot at 1/2 power or higher and also when the ambient light was going down. The flash meter tells me that the flash/ambient ratio was 60/40. I doubt that I'll get 100% flash even at full power.
Composition Trouble
I was so preoccupied with all the problems we encountered that my creativity just went out the window. Besides, the light was falling fast and we just wanted to get just one good shot and go home.
It isn't the best background but the shoot taught me a lot. I hope others will learn too from my experience... and those who are experts / strobists, please feel free to give suggestions.
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Taken at Nissequoge River State Park.
Camera: Nikon D300
Lens: Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8
Used Sekonic L358 for flash metering
Flash / ambient ratio is 60% (?) (what is the right ratio anyway?)
Photek umbrella (just the umbrella) on camera upper left.
Thinking of buying...
Vivitar 285HV (or DF400MZ?) flash - definitely has more power than the SB-600. NO, I don't care about TTL.
Pocket Wizards! - CyberSyncs are way cheaper BUT the Sekonic flash meter only works with PWs. Hmm, is it worth it????
First outdoor flash test
Finally - some time off at work! I felt drained from working but it didn't stop me from trying out the lighting gear I bought a few days ago.
Bugs!
Yes, tiny little critters that bite like hell greeted us at the park. We had to move a bit off the vegetation, hoping to avoid insects.
Newbie
Yes, I was a complete beginner when it comes to strobes/flash. I assembled the lights, and the shots came out horrible! How do you use this @#$%#$ flash meter?!?!
Equipment Malfunction
The PC cord terminals I got was terrible! It was unreliable, that I wanted to fling my gear over the Long Island Sound! I thought these cords are foolproof but for some reason, it didn't work right with the D300's terminals.
Revelation
The SB-600 does NOT have ample power for outdoors! Well, for doing more than head shots. The successful shots I got was when I shot at 1/2 power or higher and also when the ambient light was going down. The flash meter tells me that the flash/ambient ratio was 60/40. I doubt that I'll get 100% flash even at full power.
Composition Trouble
I was so preoccupied with all the problems we encountered that my creativity just went out the window. Besides, the light was falling fast and we just wanted to get just one good shot and go home.
It isn't the best background but the shoot taught me a lot. I hope others will learn too from my experience... and those who are experts / strobists, please feel free to give suggestions.
----------
Taken at Nissequoge River State Park.
Camera: Nikon D300
Lens: Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8
Used Sekonic L358 for flash metering
Flash / ambient ratio is 60% (?) (what is the right ratio anyway?)
Photek umbrella (just the umbrella) on camera upper left.
Thinking of buying...
Vivitar 285HV (or DF400MZ?) flash - definitely has more power than the SB-600. NO, I don't care about TTL.
Pocket Wizards! - CyberSyncs are way cheaper BUT the Sekonic flash meter only works with PWs. Hmm, is it worth it????