My Bits And Pieces - I'm Talking About Photos...  

James Dean

What you want for it? I have a bit of a collection goin.

AUS553!

Did an edit.... what do you think?

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Nick_

$30+post James? Paid like $50 cause it's the GN.

Good edit Mike, I didn't want to really work it at all - I find I like going the other way and leaving things more than the typical magazine 'wipe it all and make them look perfect' thing, it's more image editing than photography no? Still, good edit Mike.

Nick_

So I went into my work today and did a mostly unplanned shoot of some guys hanging around & 2 that came in to help.

If I were to name this one, I'd probably call it 'Happy Camper' because, as you can tell, this is what this guy is 99.9% of the time. Makes me laugh every time I look at it.

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There's more to come, everyone did a "silly face" too, which are by-far the best shots haha!

Nick_

Here's a few more. Remember this was a pretty random deal so no-one was prepared to 'model' so to speak.. Or even know I was coming!

Hit me with some CC. The biggest gripe I have is the backgrounds. Didn't have ANY clamps (coming from UK ;D ) so had to use bulldog clips we found around the office and had a total noob moment where I didn't noice the creases in the BG's until I hit some PP (this morning). Total killer.

As for lighting, I used my 300w strobe with the dish & sock as key all the time, around 1/4-1/2power, fill is either 580 via STU or in ringflash with my 540 & SB28 as rims. strobe & SB28 were optically slaved and the 580 & 540 were cybersynced. Using my PC-sync port to fire the 540 when the 580 was on camera for the ringflash. Really need another little optical slave so I can use all 5 lights as a BG light would've solved my issues yesterday (eliminating any background shadows).

Nick_

Who wants to buy my National flash? Manual to 1/32nd, 6 stops, and expertly missed (By me ) for 2.5mm sync! Ready for PW's to Yongnuo's PT04's.

SR33

I think you did a great job dude!!! lighting seems great.. but yes shame about the background, but atleast you know what to do for next time.

Nick_

yeah total pain-in-the-ass but I am now going about rectifying it so it's a non-issue next time ;D

SR33

I got muslin paper backdrops and love it. But pain in the ass to roll back up unless you got a chain system.

Nick_

Yeah, I wish for a permanent set-up where I can do that. I got one black muslin drop with my background kit I got the other day and I got these few different coloured materials for something else and figured they'd work here too, I just needed to tension them properly.

SR33

Can you iron it by any chance? Also perhaps move the subject away from the backdrop and you might not notice it??

Nick_

Yeah I ironed them all but it was just hung badly and I was in a rush to push them through. Exscuses flying left and right here!

SR33

All good man.. I remember when i did this shoot: http://sidd-rishi.com.au/blog/4/malpa-proj...ing-the-future/ ... the client just had a black cotton sheet which was wrinkled etc.. I used my hands to iron it out.. but ended up moving the subject away from the backdrop by a meter atleast.. which helped a lot. Offcourse it was a little easier as it was black.

Anyways atleast you know what to do for next time.

Nick_

Yeah, having only maybe 3m to work with wouldn't have been so bad since I had my 100 2.8 apart from the 3m thing, if I had set up in the area long-ways I would've been fine to do the same thing..

I could have also run wider on my lens too and just exposed for f4, but instead I was a fool and went for f8/9.

Nick_

For anyone who wants a good & cheap flash!

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi...em=270667794447

Chris-Prendergast_Photography

there is nothing special at all about these techniques you have used theres no character they are all flat looking, did u meter the lights n use the ratios right and lights in right positions or did u just wing it all lightings about controlling shadows too you dont seem to have many at all? ok the models arent the best and the stupid faces dont help but the 1st image theres a hotspot on the side of his head. the same thing happens in the 2nd image as well the side of his head is to lit the light was too close or to powerful try defusing the light to soften it a bit more. old mate in the orange shirt could do with a little light being bounced into his eyes to get rid of the strong shadows in his eye sockets. the fella in the red shirt is too close to the light as well u can notice it on the shirt. maybe a lighting course could help ? or if you use studio lights rather then speed lights ive used both for shoots and the studio lights are the best option and easier to use plus more attachments ect for them.

Nick_

Wow ok. Some grammar might have helped you out there Chris.

To break it down I'll respond in steps, I'm not meaning to attack here but just simply clarify.

Did I meter the lights? No I find a $300+ piece of equipment totally superfluous. If you know lighting you can run ratios simply via basic maths. Key is 1:1, for a 1:2 ratio set your fill to 1/2 power. If the million-dollar pro's can do it, I don't see why I can't?

Lights in right positions. Well, I didn't know there were any "right positions" Chris.. I guess if my rims were skimming the face at rooooughly a 30 to 45 degree angle going on the method of skimming light is more efficient than direct light then.. I guess so. My key and fill were both in font of the subject at opposite angles so I guess I had that right too.. What do you mean were they right?

Controlling the shadows. I once read 'You can't eliminate all shadows, only control where they fall, which means you can hide them", and you saying I have NO shadows would make me think I've done the right thing opposed to HAVING shadows which would indicate bad lighting?

#1 image, this was an impromptu shot at the subject being a smart-arse, but it turned out alright I think. Cool ringlight specular in the eyes and yeah, it's hot on the side from a rim, but that's what a rimlight does - creates a highlight on the side/edge of something..

#2 Unfortunately I think this was just the fact his head is a funny shape and the left rim wasn't as efficient as it wasn't hitting the same angle as the right one hence the softer and brighter highlights.

#3 Yeah I'll give you that one, although the highpass I did would've made that shadow in his right eye excessively worse.

#4 Yeah it's brighter, kinda don't get your point here, the shirt isn't blown out as you can still see plenty of detail in it, for this last shot I did take the snoots off the rims which is why his shirt would be hotter on the edges closest to the lights.


Is anyone else thinking the same as Chris here? Just comes as a bit of a contrast to what Sidd said (or perhaps the little he said). Hung up a little on the shadows thing as I still see plenty of shadows that are annoying, hard shadows from the rims mostly. Also I look to shots for inspiration, be it direct copying or another form - when I look at amazing images like this one I see no shadows Chris.. And I don't quite see the 'flat looking'. I'll give him the 'no special techniques' because they're not special - standard fare in fact. Two rim lights, BD as key and a STU/ringlight as fill, thousands of people would use this set-up every day I'd say.

Let's get some feedback here!

Chris-Prendergast_Photography

im not going after a argument you asked for c&c i gave you my thoughts. as for the grammar im not fussed.

lightmeter might seem light a waste of money but they do help. not every flashes output is the same you could have 2 580exIIs and they wont both give out the exact same output this is where a meter would help. the million dollar pros can do it yes becuase they know there lights and have done it for so long its second nature anyone can be like that i know people that can walk in setup lights powers distances subject ect and get it right 1st time no metering and stuff but meters help until you know.

as for the right positions you are correct there is no right position but there are a few standard lighting setups that would have produced a better result

shadows are everywhere you are also correct here and you have to control them. and the image u linked was a good picture but his face has shadows under his nose and the light isn't as harsh your fella has nothing now i get its a unplanned shoot so its not a big deal i just didn't put my point across as it was in my head. did you move the lights for each person because if the guy has a funny shaped head you can still get a good image just adjust the distance or height or position of the lights might take more time but will work.

i didnt say you had no shadows i said you didnt have many. Not all images need shadows not all of mine do

go post them up on a photography site and get c&c from them too and compare ? post them up on brisbanephotography or something because your already a member there are you not ?

dano4127

plz read this asap

http://hubpages.com/hub/How-to-give-and-ta...ctive-criticism

Nick_

dano4127, is that meant for me or Chris? I'm unsure if you're quoting his C&C and telling me to read that or telling him to read it about his C&C.

Hey Chris that's cool. Yeah member of BP but after one too many ego-trips off that Longshots dude I gave it up, I also find the photography websites a waste of time, you'll post something and it'll go completely missed where as someone else will get a million posts over basically the same thing where it be a question or C&C of an image. Mention any decent forums and I'll sign up tonight.

What other lighting set-ups would you recommend working? I was running a basic broad-lighting set-up but with the added rims. Lights were adjusted to height too, and the subjects were sitting on a stool (most of the time) so that was kept a constant (I assume you're alluding to the subject-to-light-distance-variable for adjusting the power to suit).

I'm not afraid of getting schooled or 'rough' C&C but some things you said were a little off (i.e. the hot sleeves on the last image when I was using rim lights) made me question the whole lot. But that's cool.

dano4127

nah telling chris to read it, I try to read his C/C and all I get is "BLAH BLAH BLAH I KNOW EVERYTHINGS AND AM THE MAJOR BEST"

Not to mention that the block of text that he delivered to you is quite hard to read...

TUN35

If they can do it why can't Nick? I see you say it will help, but you seem to be contradicting yourself.


Back on topic:
Honestly I know dick all about what you're doing here but they all look pretty good to me minus a few distracting shadows and the backdrop

Nick_

Yeah that's right, I never said and never will say that I can walk in and set shit up to be bang on - But I think it's mostly about taste and I have a rough idea where to start from and can quickly walk it from there. It took me about 15 minutes of initial set-up to actually shooting images and tweaking person to person.

Chris was correct about a lightmeter, two of the same lights will meter differently, but the same light may also have a different output per flash too (not a consistent flash). Sure they have their place, but I don't think I'll ever require one, I sure as hell would get another 580ex2 over one that's for sure.

I also find it fun or perhaps amusing, to get my lighting how I want it - with merely metering it all and going 'doof', that's all folkes, kinda makes it feel like work and takes what I like out of it, which is also why I probably wouldn't get one.

And hey Tunes, doesn't matter if you don't know what or how I did whatever, you still know what looks good to you so let me hear about that man, after all it's not how you get there - it's what you come back with which is important. If it looks like turd etc.. say so but explain why. Details are important and props to Chris for detailing it a fair bit.

Oh and Dan, since you're here - make a fucking comment!

dano4127

Aight! I will try!

First off I reckon you have done a stellar job, makes me want to get some more flashes and start playing!

Photo 1: The close up.
I reckon its pretty cool, its not exactly flattering for your model haha they catchlights in the eyes are great rayflash doin its thing i take it
The shadow from the glasses frame on the left is a shame I would rather see it without that shadow.
Eyes and eyebrows tack friken sharp - nice!

Photo 2: The special kid.
Background wobbly you could pp that out if you felt so inclined
I like all of the lighting in this accept for the nose, the line running down the left hand side does not look great you could probbaly fix that quite well in pp other than that I reckon its great!

Photo 3: Grizzily Adams
Pretty much nailed this lighting wise IMHO

Photo 4: The Afro
Again pretty close to nailed
I am losing a bit of detail in the hair on the left could be my screen differing from yours
It looks like you have done some processing on the background and you can kinda tell around the edge of his hair, maybe work a bit harder on that or make sure the bg is super crisp and tight
Left eye shadow I keep on looking at but I dont think its a ditraction from the image, i would probaby prefer it without the shadow though...? Cant decide...
Colour really pops, which I love for this kind of shot!

Photo 5: The smirker
Colours work really well here, red with the charcoal look really good
I like the hot arms and the flashwork seems a little softer than some of the others the shadow on the right eye maybe a little too dark, I would lighten it in pp
Again tack sharp

Well hope that helps!
Keep up the good work!
Dan

Nick_

Thanks man! I didn't really try too hard PP-wise on the backgrounds apart from the fro one, I did a bit to that and I thought someone was going to pick on it sooner or later - totally granted and a major nooby eff-up on my end, so easily could have been saved.

You're right on the shadows too, the rims, since aren't diffused at all are hard and could be sorted in post, i should do that.. i should also mow the lawn..

Great comments, even if you were a bit soft on me i feel

Nick_

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cP6a47BQA70...player_embedded

SR33

hahah man thats awesome!!! im impressed.

Nick_

Yeah it's awesome hey and worth about 5K.

Nick_

So I eBayed off my beloved National flash and got a.. Yongnuo.. What the fuck have I done?


Well really, they're not that bad for a cheap flash, and with probably similar guide numbers and the YN being quicker to recycle (around 5sec with 2400mah batts). I got the YN460II which comes with an optical slave, which I'm happy to say is VERY sensitive - the whole reason I got this flash rather than a heavily over-priced and (much) older Nikon SB26/80DX.

So I've had it in my hands roughly about 4 hours, what's the first thing we must do? Mod the bastard!



So having no sync port is bad for anyone keen on strobing and I just happen to have this spare 2.5mm mono surface-mount socket so off we go!

Pulling it apart is actually quite easy, too easy in fact. 2 screws less than a 580ex2, 540ex or SB28. The hardest part is in fact, using a flat-blade screw driver to split the shell in half after removing the 4 screws for the foot.



Once I had opened it I was actually quite pleased that they had gone as far as to get quite professional and go Nikon-esq with the little looms and ribbon cable, how handy!



A pair of decent tweezers is a massive plus when pulling tiny zif and molex plugs, these are a set a nurse I know got me (thanks mum ;D)



Test fitment after measuring up with some verniers and drilling, hella-flush for sync-ports@! ;D



Solder the pos & neg onto the foot terminals, this is my usual tact, using light-gauge wire so it's quite flexible and space-saving for the cramming the designer didn't think of.



Check out this awesome little 9v battery torch I got off ebay for a couple bucks! Nice!



A bit of Loctite 401, twist and rebuild. Sorted!



Mmmmmmmm fitment.

Benny_boy92

I want that torch! Link me!

I love how you mod everything after having it for a few hours lol

Nick_

I've got another coming and I'm thinking of chucking a different resistor in it and replacing the LED's with some 30,000 or 50,000mcd ones ;D

Just search ebay for "9v torch" and you'll see tons of auctions for like $2 + $2post. Snipe one and you're done.

Two items on my xmas list, Santa read or I'll fuck you up.

HERE - 32" x 48" softbox $40!! ;D

HERE - 64" silver PLM! $60!!

Then I just need to set up some portrait time! I want to get some really big light mods to get a painterly-like light going on, as all my mods are rather small, speedlight orientated stuff (e.g. 20" softbox and 38" STU's)

Nick_

We just got a PS3 & GT5. It's taking over my life..

TUN35

I love how you say "we"!

I'm still not convinced I need one even though I can't stop playing it at mates places

Benny_boy92

Hehe I literally have a wii, xbox360 as well as a nintendo ds...my brother has a ps3...soo I pretty much just play games in my spare time lol

Nick_

We sold the Wii to my boss and some how that gave me the right to get a PS3, I liked the logic.