workshop view: Jupiter, FL « Neil vN

The recent flash photography workshop in Jupiter, Florida was one of the final workshops of this year. (There are still two coming up – Austin and Dallas.) The workshop material was the regular mix of seminar portions and practical sessions, going over technique and then putting it into practice.

The image above was from the session where we specifically look for the direction of light from our bounced flash. Just bouncing flash in an arbitrary direction might not give us the best results .. but being specific about the direction we want our light to come from, will be the key in getting superb results.

Since everyone will be interested in the settings .. here they are:
1/100th @ f2.8 @ 800 ISO
Nikon D3, Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 AF-S VR, SB-900 (B&H)

The settings aren’t all that important in the success of this image. It’s the direction of light that is essential with this simple portrait. The settings were chosen such that enough background light registers to give some separation. With that in mind, there is a range of settings that could’ve worked .. with TTL flash technology taking care of the actual flash exposure.

Thank you to everyone who attended this workshop, and made it such a fun day. And a big thank you to our two models.

If you find these articles interesting and of value, then you can help by using
these affiliate links to order equipment & other goodies. Thank you!

Stay informed of new articles via the monthly newsletter.
Also join us on the Tangents forum for further discussions.

13 Comments »

Hello!
Could you also add to the settings of a photo you give whether you used gels.
Thank you in advance.
Boris

Comment by Boris Glazyrin — November 5, 2009 @ 4:09 pm
I understand that the settings aren’t all that important. However, what did you bounce your flash off?

Comment by Dan — November 5, 2009 @ 6:26 pm
Dan … I bounced the flash into the large lobby area, into the direction I wanted the light to come back from. There wasn’t a specific wall or ceiling next to me or close to me .. just the large lobby area.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil — November 6, 2009 @ 12:08 am
Does it take you a couple different bounce locations/shots and distances to get the exposure correct? If so, can you post a couple before shots so we all dont feel so inferior….Ha thanks

Comment by CMARX — November 6, 2009 @ 1:07 pm
Here are the images I took of the two models in the lobby there to demonstrate to the workshop attendees what we’re after in terms of bouncing the flash with a specific angle in mind. The numbering sequence shows that I did delete 2 images, but there they are … all 6 images I took, of which the last one, edited, appears at the top.

With practice this does become much easier to the point where you can predict with a fair amount of accuracy what your light will do.

Neil vN

Comment by Neil — November 6, 2009 @ 1:30 pm
Beautiful shot Neil. Thanks for a fantastic workshop!

Comment by Cicely — November 6, 2009 @ 1:46 pm
Thank you so much for an amazing seminar! I really enjoyed it and look forward to reviewing my photographs and all the great information. You were so awesome… patient and provided such valuable teachings.

This was by far the best seminar I have attended, and the most informative with real-life working hands-on teachings. THANK YOU! I’m glad I was one of the last “traveling” seminars in my area.

Take care,
Amanda

Comment by Amanda Tang — November 6, 2009 @ 2:19 pm
Wow…i am not able to comprehend how you could bounce into an open area and get back a good enough bounce like that…her forehead shows that some flash (specular reflection is what you would call that i guess) was bounced back from somewhere above her.

how much do you zoom in your flash (if at all) when shooting into the lobby?

Good Stuff!!!

Comment by Derryl — November 6, 2009 @ 3:53 pm
Nice work Neil!

Comment by James Hazelwood — November 6, 2009 @ 11:04 pm
Derryl, buy Neil’s recent book “On-Camera Flash – Techniques for Digital Wedding and Portrait Photography” and you will understand, and believe!

And to show that it is not only Neil that has it right, try
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=451770

Comment by Clive Bolton — November 7, 2009 @ 12:23 am
Hi Clive,
Thanks for that link…frikkin awesome! the power of speedlights!!!
I did buy Neil’s book. I thought it was awesome. Looking forward to attending a workshop sometime next year.

Derryl.

Comment by Derryl — November 7, 2009 @ 5:46 pm
I received this glowing email from Amanda Tang, who attended the workshop:

neil,

I just wanted to share this image with you….. and it is because of your teachings that I was able to capture this.

I went from “ok” to “wow” (IMO) and just LOVE this image i took at your seminar.

Again, thank you for all your valuable information. I look forward to putting it into practice with my clients!

Comment by Neil — November 20, 2009 @ 2:07 am
Neil, just a short note to let you know that I just finished reading your book
“On-Camera Flash” It was awsome. I learned a lot about lighting and flash techniques.
Already been getting a fresher look on my photos. I’ll be looking forward to your
Seminar if you happen to drop by Puerto Rico. Thank You very much.

Comment by Julio Aponte — December 11, 2009 @ 12:51 am