Flash Git

[snaarman]

Sometimes, all I need is a Project to get me going.

My daughter asked me if I could do a "Family" shot for an enlargement. Hmm. Out with my four Sunpak flashes and their wireless triggers. Out with a load of white card and set up in a nice big empty room with a white wall and ceiling.

I had a Key at 1/4 power with a light scrim camera right, a Fill also 1/2 power but shot though a white umbrella which drops the brightness a bit. Finally I had two background lights at 1/4 power to blast the wall.



Good thing I used throw away white card to go on the floor: Wrigs managed to punch holes in it with her claws, not to mention the drool from the doggy treats that you absolutely must have to keep the whole thing under control.



There's a certain amount of photoshopping going on to clean up the background but I'm quite pleased with the result...

Pete

[banjukes]

Re: Flash Git

Top class Pete. you can't beat the knowledge.

[snaarman]

Re: Flash Git

:-)

It's all that time reading the guides on the Strobist web site :-)

Pete

[Falk]

Re: Flash Git

Very "Pro" looking stuff indeed. Very well done! The family must be really satisfied with these?!

[snaarman]

Re: Flash Git

The family must be really satisfied with these?!

Oh yes, Dad done good

[Kiwi Paul]

Re: Flash Git

Excellent set Pete, I bet you enjoyed the shoot.

Paul

[IainMacD]

Re: Flash Git

Excellent results, well worth all the planning and setting up.

[jdal]

Re: Flash Git

...

I had a Key at 1/4 power with a light scrim camera right, a Fill also 1/2 power but shot though a white umbrella which drops the brightness a bit. Finally I had two background lights at 1/4 power to blast the wall.
...

Unlike your studio, I'm afraid I'm dim. I still have no idea how you took those shots. However, they're great.

[snaarman]

Re: Flash Git

I just remembered I did a BTS* shot, so here it is:



The key flash is the primary light to illuminate the subject and show the shape of the face. I put a silver reflector and some thin cotton on the flash to soften it a bit. I also parked it up next to the ceiling to spread the light a bit as well.

The fill flash fills in the shadows and is supposed to be softer. Hence the white shoot through umbrella. Both these are about 45 degrees to the subject. One flash is on a cheap tripod, the other is on a converted microphone stand. These are "stabilised" with heavy bags of nuts and bolts hanging from them.

These will make nasty shadows on the background, so I added two flashes aimed at the background to blast it nice and white. There are home made flags on these to prevent light getting on the subjects. I fitted the background flashes with magnets on the tripod mount so I could clamp them to some metal items, being as there was a dog loose ..

*BTS = behind the scenes

Quite apart from all the off camera flashes, the wireless triggers and the lighting stands, you also need to learn the confusing and pro sounding terms. Scrim, Snoot, Kicker, Flag, Voice Activated Lightstand for example.

:-)

[Imageryone]

Re: Flash Git

Masterful, Pete, lovely to be able to get all the kit out and play.................... and to have a convenient empty room to play in

[Iansky]

Re: Flash Git

Great shots Pete,

I really love the expression on Wrigs in the first shot, just willing that biscuit(?) to jump into the mouth.

[snaarman]

Re: Flash Git

Great shots Pete,

I really love the expression on Wrigs in the first shot, just willing that biscuit(?) to jump into the mouth.

:-)

She was on hold using the command "LEAVE IT..."

This command only works for 5 to 10 seconds then "oh sod it" takes over..

[David Morison]

Re: Flash Git

To me you're a professional genius, I wouldn't have any idea of where to start - makes me feel very 'umble!

David

[timg]

Re: Flash Git

...but I'm quite pleased with the result...

and quite rightly so!

[Greytop]

Re: Flash Git

Very nice work Pete and an interesting read too, thanks.