For most of you that own a DSRL, you’ll have a built in flash to help you light your subject. So why, oh why would you even bother spending your hard earned cash on another flash that goes right on top of the one you’re used to using? Isn’t it overkill?
So, we already know that direct flash from your built-in flash gives unflattering results, to say the least. Using your speedlight in the same way won’t change much. I did mention that you can redirect the light by rotating the head of your flash gun and bouncing the light off ceilings and walls but you’re still very limited in your creativity. So what’s a photographer to do? I’ll tell you. Get that speedlight off your camera to unleash its full potential!
On location with speedlights, a model and a videographer. A warm, well, mostly warm December day and we are shooting in Tempe, Arizona. I will share the setups with you and also what I was thinking and working with here. Briana is the model, check out her Model Behavior column here.
I’ve been receiving more and more emails asking for information about the softbox I use with the speedlites.
Several brands offer this package, I opted for the Chimera set as it was complete and had a larger box than the other brand at the time of purchase.
So, here are some details about what I’m using.
As you can see it is the Chimera PRO II XS softbox that I’m using.
580ex Speedlite flash in softbox, triggered by master 550ex speedlite flash.
continue for set-up and additional photos / speedlite articles.
Canon 1ds mark II camera - 24-70 L lens @ 57 mm
1/160 sec shutter speed - f / 5.6 aperture - ISO 200
Shooting photos on the beach with a slave 580ex flash , triggered by master 550ex flash.
ETTL + 1 1/3 - Flash Exposure Lock on face area.Ambient light is underexposed.
continue for video and outtakes.
Master 550ex Speedlite
580ex slave Flash bounced in silver umbrella
Manual mode - 1/1 power
ISO 200 - f/6.3 - 1/200 sec - 70 mm
I shot some new photos with the speedlites and the softbox :
click continue for more photos and flash set-up images.
Flash is set on ETTL , compensated between 1/3 and 2/3, ambient is underexposed by one stop on the portrait below the set-up shots :
Wired Off-camera single light.
Wireless Off-camera single light.
Hotshoe FILL + Wireless KEY light.
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