Shooting off camera flash

Aiden Zralka

Aiden Zralka

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Aiden Zralka
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Hi

I want to shoot off camera flash for an outside shoot. Would I be all ready to go with this equipment ?

Canon 5d 2
Canon Speedlite 580EX II Flashgun
Canon ST-E2 Speedlite Transmitter
Softbox and stand

and would I be able to sync faster then 1/200 as my current set up allows which includes just a Canon Speedlite 420ex and no transmitter

Any feedback would be most appreciated

Aiden
 
What are you planning on photographing, what time of day and to what effect are you planning on using the lights for? One flash isn't going to be much use in some situations but would be fine for others, it really depends on what you are trying to create.
 
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Hi thanks for your reply. Im taking photographs of wheelchairs which will have models in them. The shoot will start first thing and will run throughout the day outside at a coastal area. The final images will be for a publication displaying their lastest model of wheelcahir so I recon front on flash using a softbox will be good enough ?

Thanks
 
Aiden Zralka said:
Hi thanks for your reply. Im taking photographs of wheelchairs which will have models in them. The shoot will start first thing and will run throughout the day outside at a coastal area. The final images will be for a publication displaying their lastest model of wheelcahir so I recon front on flash using a softbox will be good enough ?

Thanks
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eeek, from what you've said I'm going to assume this is a paid commercial shoot...

I'm not familiar with Canon strobes but if you can use high speed sync that will help with the power (or lack of), but If I"m honest to light something like this with one speed light all day in changing light is going to be tricky. The smaller soft boxes are fine if you are using them close to the subject, but if I'm not sure how much use they will be for lighting a wheelchair with a person in it, essentially a full length photo.

If its a bright/sunny day I'd seriously consider looking for a shaded area and just balance the flash with the ambient light, maybe half a stop over, using the flash to give the images a little pop. Either way, one speed light isn't going to be able to dominate the natural light easily, but could be useful to add a little extra, just don't forget the sandbags if you do decide to use a softbox outside!
 
eek indeed.

I would say Im a competent photographer, www.aidenzralka.co.uk

Its just all the work I have done in the past hasn't required softbox and off camera flash (interior, landscapes, weddings and wildlife)

I have got 7 days till the shoot and will be hiring the kit tomorrow so I can practice till then. What size softbox would be better, do I even need one ? Would an umbrella be better ? There will also be a couple of shots indoors.

Thanks again
 
ST-E2's are optical triggers so you might struggle with them if the sun is bright
 
To be blunt, and assuming that there isn't any shade, on a bright/sunny day one speed light isn't going to have enough oomph to be used a main light. I certainly wouldn't bother with a softbox for a full length portrait outside with one speed light, you need all the power you can get and softboxes and umbrellas zap light.

If I were lighting this I'd be probably looking at one of my quadra's on anything from 75-100% power, so equivalent of 3 or 4 Nikon Sb910's, just to give you an idea, firing through a brolly box as they are quick to put up and down, and probably a hair/rim light too. If your lucky and its dull miserable day then one speed light will make a difference, if its not then at best you might be able to use it for a little fill light. As I said, if I were you and wanted to light a subject outdoors with one speed light I'd be looking for some shade, even as just a backup in-case of bright weather.
 
Sorry if I'm missing something here, but why not just shoot using natural light and a bit of on-camera flash for fill if needed, depending on the lighting situation on the day? Has the client insisted that you must use off-camera flash?
 
Don't take this the wrong way but just by your description of 'softbox and off camera flash', suggests a complete lack of understanding rather than a lack of gear.

If your flash is for fill and or accent lighting, you'll be looking at a couple of speedlights, with stands and triggers.

If you want to take complete control and overpower the sun you'll need something like the Lencarta Safari 2.

Add to that a softbox a reflector and a load of stuff for manipulating (black card, cinefoil) and a bit of imagination and you can perform miracles.
 
Thanks for all your advice and feedback.

Just to clear up the client wants normal lifestyle shots of a model in a wheelchair moving along the pavement, eating out side on a table and sat looking out towards the harbour. That kind of thing. The pictures will be added to their latest wheelchair brochure. I only suggested off camera because I thought that was the best way to use a softbox/umbrella. Could I just use my speedlite mounted on my camera ?

Thanks
 
You say in the past you have always worked with available light, what was it about this shoot that got you thinking about off camera flash? From your brief, it sounds like they want fairly straightforward natural stuff. I strongly suggest just using the natural light. If the conditions aren't great, add in a reflector if necessary as Phil suggested, and if you still don't have good light then use the on-camera flash for some subtle full. Maybe have a practice using the on camera flash in that way before the shoot if you get time. Haven't you used it in that way at weddings, for example?
 
I got off camera into my head because I was given a selection of images that the guy before me had taken for the earlier model of wheelchair. He also sent me images of the location shots which had soft boxes, off camera set ups, reflectors etc. Im kinda thinking if I want the best results thats the way to go. If I can get away with using on board flash for simple brochure shots then that would be great. I have shot full body shots of people at weddings a few times using speedlite light mounted onto camera with good results. Maybe I have got bogged down seeing the previous photographer with all his gear and thought that was the only way to go. I understand the basics off flash and the shoot isnt till Wednesday so I can practice loads. There could be more work out of this if I do a good job. If you look at my site in the link above, I can take a good picture just need to sort my flash skills out. Also there is a couple of shots in doors, how would I tackle that ?
 
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Is your client expecting you to produce shots of a similar style to what they have had before? Have you been given a brief? Presumably they sent the previous stuff over to you as a guide? Forget the on-board flash for a commercial brochure shoot, if they are used to photographers using strobes + modifiers to light the scene, separate the subject from the background/add a rim light etc etc, using one light on top of your camera really isn't going to cut it.

Stick to your own style, natural light, good composition, sharp vibrant images. If I were in your shoes, that is what I would do, but I would make it clear to the client first that the images will look different to what they have had before, just emphasise the whole 'natural' bit. Get yourself a decent (giant) sized reflector and an assistant to hold it, and pray that its not bright sunshine on the day.
 
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psenior1 said:
Is your client expecting you to produce shots of a similar style to what they have had before? Have you been given a brief? Presumably they sent the previous stuff over to you as a guide? Forget the on-board flash for a commercial brochure shoot, if they are used to photographers using strobes + modifiers to light the scene, separate the subject from the background/add a rim light etc etc, using one light on top of your camera really isn't going to cut it.

Stick to your own style, natural light, good composition, sharp vibrant images. If I were in your shoes, that is what I would do, but I would make it clear to the client first that the images will look different to what they have had before, just emphasise the whole 'natural' bit. Get yourself a decent (giant) sized reflector and an assistant to hold it, and pray that its not bright sunshine on the day.
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This
You're digging yourself a massive hole here.
Get as big a 5 in 1 reflector as you can find and then learn to use it. Then even in bright sun you'll have a diffuser.

Buy yourself 'the speed lighters handbook' and read it.

Take the money from the job and get on a lighting course. Then, when you do take a job where lighting is definitely needed, you'll know what to do.
 
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