Elinchrom D4 lite and Nikon D200

[airpilot222]

Have a nikon D200 and SB800 flash which I have been using remotely on a seperate tripod via the camera inbuilt infra red trigger.
I have now bought a Elinchrom D4 lite kit. I know that portraits are best with 3 flashes as opposed to 2. The third used mostly as a backlight to reduce shadow etc.
Anyone have views on the setup and if I can successfully use the remote SB800 as the 3rd flash. At the moment I can only operate the Elinchrom flash with the inbuilt D200 flash
closed. which does not allow the SB800 to fire.
Thank you someone

 

[Checkmate]

I have the Nikon D50 with SB-600 and Elinchrom D-Lite2 kit. The SB-600 will fire the D-Lites (via their slave cells) if its on-camera, or remote with the SC-17 cord or Cactus trigger.

How are you firing your D-Lites at the moment?

 

[John Harding]

The right number of flashes is the number that produces the results you want.

Use just a single light 'as is' at different distances, heights, angles etc until you've exhausted all possibilities and learned how to get the best from it.

Then put an umbrella on it, and start from scratch, then a softbox etc etc.

Then go through the whole process again, using a reflector to push spare light in to lighten shadows with each modifier.

Only then should you add a second light, then in 6 months time or so when you've learned how to use 2 lights, think about using 3.

Only complete novices believe that there's such a thing as a lighting setup that works, or that a certain number of lights are needed.

Just practice, learn and enjoy!

 

[airpilot222]

Thank you for the replies from both Johns. I can now work the 2 softlights from the SB 800 on remote. No leads at all. Very good fun to get to know how the technology works, but yes John Harding I appreciate that working with 1 light and reflectors to fill in the stray light is a very good start for the beginner. Too many lights will most likely confuse the budding photographer and melt the subject.
I have been watching several videos through the forum and see sometimes how simple the professionals make it look. One says the good portraits are made mostly by using your gob. (ie putting the subject at ease with a witty comment)
Thank you both for the advice.
Peter