Good beginners guides to off camera flash? The technical side

SlowSteve

SlowSteve

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Steve
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Hello all.

I am just about to move into using off camera flash - initially for product photograhy - taking pictures of chocolate etc for Mrs Steve.

In the magazines, there are a whole load of articles on what I would call the "arty" side of off camera flash, but as a rank beginner, I am really looking for something on the more technical side.

How to set the camera up, how to get the triggers linked together, how to judge distances, metering etc, all of that sort of thing.

Are there any good sites or articles that you good people can point me to? I will get books over time, but looking to read on the net initally.

Thanks very much in advance

Steve
 
Hmmn... Those sites may be helpful, hope they are, but what you really need to know is how and where to place the lights to show the products at their best, you also need to know which modifiers to use, about camera height and all sorts of things - product photography really isn't the easiest subject for a beginner (or anyone else) and a hotshoe flashgun isn't the ideal tool for it either.

What you really need to learn is product photography, not how to use a hotshoe flashgun.
 
My bad for not really reading the original post correctly, I totally read past the Product Photography bit, those sites probably arent going to help you much in that field
 
Garry Edwards said:
Hmmn... Those sites may be helpful, hope they are, but what you really need to know is how and where to place the lights to show the products at their best, you also need to know which modifiers to use, about camera height and all sorts of things - product photography really isn't the easiest subject for a beginner (or anyone else) and a hotshoe flashgun isn't the ideal tool for it either.

What you really need to learn is product photography, not how to use a hotshoe flashgun.
Click to expand...

Garry,

Fully agree with you - but I know I need to use flash for what I need to do. I'm basically at the bottom of the learning curve and only just starting to head upwards.

Just to say: I'm not looking to go pro or anything similar - pictures of chocolate is as far as I will ever go with "Product photography" - otherwise, it's just pictures of the family etc.

Steve
 
SlowSteve said:
Garry,

Fully agree with you - but I know I need to use flash for what I need to do. I'm basically at the bottom of the learning curve and only just starting to head upwards.

Just to say: I'm not looking to go pro or anything similar - pictures of chocolate is as far as I will ever go with "Product photography" - otherwise, it's just pictures of the family etc.

Steve
Click to expand...
Steve,

It's still product photography and it won't be easy. Just try it and see what you get, and either post the pics on here or send them to be by PM if you prefer. I'll then try to give you some helpful pointers.
 
Sounds like the op needs to just read the manual IMO.
 
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