Before we went in to Times Square with the Modern Gypsies, we did a quick portrait session with one of the Modern Gypsies performers, Bird Girl …
We wanted to give a sense of freedom and have her against a backdrop unencumbered with urban clutter. Just trees and space. I lay down on the ground and shot up towards where she was standing on a low sloping wall.
off-camera flash as fill-flash
As with previous examples in this site, we get a basic ambient exposure that is close to correct, and then add flash to clean up the light. Here I decided to use wireless TTL flash, with the Slaved flash in the Lasotlite EZYBOX softbox, held up at camera right. Since the flash was just fill flash to make the photo pop a bit, my flash exposure compensation (FEC) was turned down to -2EV.
1/250 @ f3.2 @ 500 ISO .. TTL flash, -2EV
Nikon D3; Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 AF-S II … at 170mm
As comparison, here’s the same image but without flash:
More articles on off-camera flash …
Equipment used during this photo session:
Nikon D3; Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 AF-S VR II (B&H); Nikon SB-900 (B&H)
Lastolite EZYBOX 24×24 softbox (B&H)
Manfrotto 680B monopod (B&H);
brass stud to attach softbox to monopod (B&H)
Hi Neil,
Another great picture. I do like the with and without flash shots.
I have a few questions.
Could you have retouched the picture without flash by lightening the whole scene (or exposing for the singer rather than the background) to obtain a good result albeit with a lighter background?
When do you use wireless TTL flash instead of flash triggers?
Do you sometimes have problems with the two flashes communicating and under what circumstances (in bright sunlight for example)?
What distances can the wireless flash TTL system be expected to be reliable? (I have two 580 EXIIs).
Thanks in advance for the reply.
Mark
I admire your subtlety Neil. That soft puff of light is just right.
Sean
I second that opinion about the wonderful subtle balance of light.
Another Masterpiece Neil.
The ambient here was pretty dim at ISO 500 and f 3.2. I was wondering what the difference is in using TTL BL with a bare on camera flash and the soft box off camera. At -2 EV for the fill, would it not be barely perceptable that flash was used in either scenario. I usually use manual exposure for the ambient with TTL BL.
Thank you for being such a consistent blogger. Your masterful use of light, composition and and ability to create impact in your images is outstanding. Between your book and your blog, you continue to be an inspiration to me and have helped me better understand lighting. I will probably never get to meet you in person so I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate what you do here. Thanks again.
Hi Neil
Thanks for the above answer. It is true what you say about Photoshop (and post processing in general) I am always trying to spend less time on PP.
I bought a second Canon 580 EXII and will have to try it outside as a slave. I don´t usually do much in direct sun so maybe it won´t be a problem.
On another theme, I was wondering if you would care to comment (or rather blog) on the directions you give to models (especially non-professionals), developing a rapport etc. I am good at this but sometimes “it” just doesn´t work so well. I work in Spanish which is not my native language so I know this is a small handicap but I always try to improve. Your technical details are a great help and I am beginning to domninate my flashes rather than the other way around! It would be interesting to “hear” the other part to your skills.
Thanks again for sharing. If you ever come to Madrid I´ll buy the beers!
Mark
Hi Neil,
I appreciate your work, and the time you take to educate through your blog! I have a question regarding softboxes. I’ve noticed lately you are using a 24″ ezybox. Have you ever used the 28″ apollo? I’m trying to decide which to buy, and wondering if there is much difference between the two.
Ben
Neil, great site and great tech support for the no so savy. I also recently ordered your book last week and should be here Friday. Just curious, I noticed most pictures of your shots you constantly change your ISO, do you have a formula for how you use yours. Thanks