All in the name of getting the right shot.

[wingnut]

Some of you may remember that I put an urgent call out sometime ago for an assistant on a few weddings this year as my usual person had let me down several times. True to TP style several people offered their sevices but in the end I went with David Rufus (David1701) and it has been a blast. Great bloke with bags of enthusiasm and skill especially when it comes to strobist stuff. We have worked well together feeding of each other and learning loads along the way.
But what this post is really about is saying thanks to him for his efforts in helping get certain shots this year. This weekend was no exception. We have got more sand on our kit that I care to remember, duct on flashes to create uber flash and lost kit in high winds to name but a few incidents. David, thanks mate, this year would have not been half as good without you.

"That light ain't right David, you'll have to get closer mate"
"I can't walk on water and besides this is a brand new suit!"

"iso 100, 1/250 sec at f/16 gives us an acceptable exposure mate, this shot is going to require a lot of power to get it looking stunning."
"We have 2 580's and one 430 with a bounce umbrella"
"Lets do it, but we don't have a tri flash bracket"
"We do have duct tape"

See the shot from this set up here - Uber flash returns.

If anyone in the Kernow area is looking for a skilled assiatnt, please consider David, he comes highly recommended.

 

[zulupentax]

Great stuff.
For someone who is always weary of using strobist gear but very keen to learn it all this shows it all .

By the way, sorry to ask you an off topic question but as I notice you have a 7D also and I notice the 580s there, can you tell me how do you fire them?
I know the ability of firing them with the built in flash and controlling the settings but then I cannot use High sync, so I bought the ST-E2 but the problem is now that with the remote I cannot control any manual functions. Or is it just me missing something here?
Thanks
Amin

 

[MisterE]

Are you sure you've got the right David? 1701??? Not 1702 or 1072 or some other number? I'm distraught beyond belief. He was my hero. I looked up to him from my very low depths, and always thinking I would never rise to his level. Somebody to aspire to. An alcoholic waster with no purpose in life except perhaps as a traffic warden or estate agent. Now, seeing him as thoroughly capable, even excellent, the bubble has burst. My life as I know it is over. He's dead, Jim. Excuse me while I go sob for the rest of the day. ........................................... ok that's it. I'm over him now.

 

[Bristolian]

Now that's what I call dedication to one's art

The end result is absolutely stunning too. Well done you two

 

[Cameraman]

So what did the first shot turn out like as with all those sunbeds in im thinking a different angle would have worked better. Would be interesting to see it any link please.

Dave

 

[wingnut]

@Cameraman - No other shots for a while I'm affraid, I always like to let the bride and groom be the first to see the final shots, I got this one ok'd before the end of the evening with the couple. Slightly off topic, but it really annoys me when poeple post images from a wedding they shot the day after the wedding and everyman and his dog are commenting on them and the couple haven't even seen them. But in answer to your question, it tuned out well. Chose low view point to shoot from and it looks great.

Mister E - Sorry mate, but if it helps we didn't wear any socks or shoes that day and in this shot he looked the part, the rest of the day he looked well, odd.

zulupentax - These were fired with on camera 580 exii set to master and firing. You can use the in built wireless function but I find it a little flaky at times. You have to keep line of sight at all times though. RTM on the 7d and 580exii it's all explained in there. But you can shoot ettl or full manual plus multi too. All controls can be set from in camera too. Use the flash control menu function, when you change from ettl to manual you get the option to adjust each group's power output from full to 1/128. So just assign each flash a group id and then set it that way. Simples.