A friendly shout - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

09/30/2013 03:54:17 AM · #1

Just a shout out for some help here, //www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=1084525

Any feedback/ advice about my lighting would be much appreciated. I just started using two 600 ex flashes, just purchased yesterday, I had no flash experience before. Also any pointers / direction to a good book that I can read on lighting would be great!

Thanks!

daisydavid

Canon EOS-5DS R

09/30/2013 04:54:50 AM · #2

having trouble finding the image

Message edited by author 2013-09-30 04:55:27.

daisydavid

Canon EOS-5DS R

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

09/30/2013 04:54:52 AM · #3

There ya go

Message edited by author 2013-09-30 04:56:38.

Tiberius

Samsung Galaxy S22, S22+, S22 Ultra

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

09/30/2013 04:58:01 AM · #4

You can click on the third icon from right then paste in the image #

Edit: Sorry too slow...
Edit: left a comment

Message edited by author 2013-09-30 05:02:03.

10/03/2013 01:46:45 AM · #5

Hopefully I did it right this time! :)

Here is my first attempt at a wedding on my own. I did this hand held can't remember if I had a flash at the time or not. Out of all the photos I took I have a few favorites. This is one of them.

Again, any feedback is much appreciated.

Thanks!

10/03/2013 12:32:06 PM · #6

I think the light looks great. I think it's a great wedding photo.

Sorry, not much help!

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

10/03/2013 12:55:43 PM · #7

Not much to say about the images, they're fine mostly, but neither really strikes me as great.

In the case of the portrait the light seems much too hard and needs diffused (either with mod or just by bouncing)

In the case of the wedding shot, I'm pretty sure that's not a flashed shot (foreground in tunnel is darker than background)..
There, I would have been tempted to hit them hard with a beauty dished studio light, enough to overcome that bright background, but not so much as to blow the dress out.

..

In any case, go read David Hobby's blog: Strobist. Start with Lighting 101.

BrennanOB

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

10/03/2013 01:23:09 PM · #8

I would second Cory's suggestion of reading as much Strobist as you can stand. It is the best place to get lighting ideas for small flashes.
My favorite book on multiFlash setups is The Hotshoe Diaries.
And make sure to look at other people's work here, some people here are very creative with their flashes and if they provide lighting diagrams those are really worth studying.

LVicari

AllenP

kiwiness

De Sousa and many others here changed how I use my flashes.

A lighting diagram is the difference between inspiration and a plan of action.

10/03/2013 02:36:21 PM · #9

Looking at this one again

You know what'd really pop here? Either wait for dusk (best idea), or use a strong ND filter to kill the ambient light, so you can use a ~3 second shutter speed, allowing that waterfall to bleed into a more soft and dreamy mist of a waterfall.

Next, setup the flash(es) so that you can bring the exposure on the couple up above the background brightness (I'd keep the BG about a stop under exposed, and I'd shoot for little tiny 'zebras' of over exposure on the dress.)

The big key to this kind of shooting, which I think David Hobby pays too little attention to, is understanding your histogram. If you can read and fully understand your histogram, that'll allow you to balance light and get the right exposure, while avoiding under and over exposure, especially in the individual color channels.

Message edited by author 2013-10-03 14:37:07.

10/03/2013 03:08:14 PM · #10

it depends on your client's taste. I would much rather have your photo than a sharp, glossy magazine portrait. (most people look better fuzzy)

10/03/2013 03:31:38 PM · #11

Originally posted by posthumous:

it depends on your client's taste. I would much rather have your photo than a sharp, glossy magazine portrait. (most people look better fuzzy)

Which, of course, makes me wonder what the heck you do with all of that L glass you own. :)

Just an open offer Don, my 28-135 features IS and a serious lack of sharp details, I'd most certainly be open to trading for your 17-40 or 24-70, both of which probably make you very unhappy given their tendency to produce all of those distracting crisp details. ;) Also, I'd be willing to consider a two-fer as I think you'd be much happier with this 75-300 over that uselessly-sharp 200mm f/2.8L you're currently encumbered with. :D

10/03/2013 03:35:28 PM · #12

Originally posted by Cory:

Originally posted by posthumous:
it depends on your client's taste. I would much rather have your photo than a sharp, glossy magazine portrait. (most people look better fuzzy)

Which, of course, makes me wonder what the heck you do with all of that L glass you own. :)

Just an open offer Don, my 28-135 features IS and a serious lack of sharp details, I'd most certainly be open to trading for your 17-40 or 24-70, both of which probably make you very unhappy given their tendency to produce all of those distracting crisp details. ;) Also, I'd be willing to consider a two-fer as I think you'd be much happier with this 75-300 over that uselessly-sharp 200mm f/2.8L you're currently encumbered with. :D

If you look at my portfolio, you'll see that I have a rather remarkable gift for getting blur from those lenses. The 200 in particular has spectacular blur.

17-40 was just a rental, I'm afraid.

10/03/2013 03:38:19 PM · #13

Originally posted by posthumous:

If you look at my portfolio, you'll see that I have a rather remarkable gift for getting blur from those lenses. The 200 in particular has spectacular blur.

Ok.. I LOL'd. Well played Don. Still, this seems a bit like using a Ferrari for going grocery shopping.

10/03/2013 03:50:02 PM · #14

Originally posted by Cory:

Originally posted by posthumous:

If you look at my portfolio, you'll see that I have a rather remarkable gift for getting blur from those lenses. The 200 in particular has spectacular blur.

Ok.. I LOL'd. Well played Don. Still, this seems a bit like using a Ferrari for going grocery shopping.

Just because I'm grocery shopping doesn't mean that I'm going to trade you my Ferrari for a shopping cart.

10/03/2013 04:10:45 PM · #15

Originally posted by posthumous:

Originally posted by Cory:

Originally posted by posthumous:

If you look at my portfolio, you'll see that I have a rather remarkable gift for getting blur from those lenses. The 200 in particular has spectacular blur.

Ok.. I LOL'd. Well played Don. Still, this seems a bit like using a Ferrari for going grocery shopping.

Just because I'm grocery shopping doesn't mean that I'm going to trade you my Ferrari for a shopping cart.

Yes, but having a grocery cart and seeing your need, I figured a Kart for Cart trade should be proposed. ;) hehe.

10/04/2013 01:20:14 AM · #16

Cory I appreciate the feedback, and the ideas. I'll be at this same venue in November and if time permits I will give it a go! I will also be checking out Strobist for sure, I just purchased two 600 EX-RT's and the E3 transmitter, I know it might be quite a jump for someone that hasn't used much flash at all. I'll also signing up for some classes on lighting here in Los Angeles. Also Don, thanks for the feedback - by the way your list of L glass is HUGE!

I've been feeling a little more confident in myself when it comes to doing photography for money. I've always turned work away in fear of not being able to produce something to the clients expectations, or if I do, I do it for free.

BrennanOB - It looks like we're neighbors! I'm in Downey. Your portfolio is awesome by the way.

Thanks again everyone.

10/05/2013 07:13:31 PM · #17

A second attempt with the same type of makeup!

10/05/2013 07:13:57 PM · #18

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

10/05/2013 07:16:42 PM · #19

Originally posted by Ctuitele:

A second attempt with the same type of makeup!

Both are seriously improved.

But the one above is actually VERY good. I wonder if you shouldn't have used this in the free study!

tanguera

Nikon D750

10/05/2013 07:22:02 PM · #20

Originally posted by Ctuitele:

A second attempt with the same type of makeup!

Exceptional. Beautifully lit, great detail. The other not so much. I find the entire left side of the white cloth in interesting, over lit, and distracting