Starting up for fun

I found myself in a similar situation recently. I booked a couple of sessions with a professional in his studio. 2 hours on speedlites and 2 hours on studio strobes. Obviously there was a huge overlap but it was the best thing I have ever done and it has really inspired me. All of a sudden, flash isn't scary, it's something to be explored.
It was really good to see how someone who makes a living from this stuff approaches it, sing what is useful, how problems are talked and what is important.
I was impressed by the amount of cheap gear that's already been mentioned in this post he used. As he said, if you're going to drop a flash in a puddle, it helps if it's cheap.
I learned more than flash techniques and light modifiers though. I spent most of my time in manual mode for once which was a revelation. I got to explore the best way to wirelessly tether to a laptop and all sorts of other boys and pieces.
I'm going back in a couple of weeks. The next session is going to be with a photographic model. Working with someone will be a new experience. After that it might be a portrait model who isn't used to being a photographic model.
If you want my advice, get some tuition from someone who knows what they're doing. It's absolutely priceless. For me it's reinvigorated my hobby.
 
Thats wonderful to read, thank you Leighton.
 
This'll tickle you - guess what I found when packing up my Nissin boxes?

Actually, go on guess ;)
 
Okay, it was two, yes two YN560-II's

Now, if I poke around a bit I'm, sure I have receivers too (old Canon ones) - I wonder how well they'll work with the controller thats landing today or if they'll just be set and forget.
 
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XRayDoc said:
I found myself in a similar situation recently. I booked a couple of sessions with a professional in his studio. 2 hours on speedlites and 2 hours on studio strobes. Obviously there was a huge overlap but it was the best thing I have ever done and it has really inspired me. All of a sudden, flash isn't scary, it's something to be explored.
It was really good to see how someone who makes a living from this stuff approaches it, sing what is useful, how problems are talked and what is important.
I was impressed by the amount of cheap gear that's already been mentioned in this post he used. As he said, if you're going to drop a flash in a puddle, it helps if it's cheap.
I learned more than flash techniques and light modifiers though. I spent most of my time in manual mode for once which was a revelation. I got to explore the best way to wirelessly tether to a laptop and all sorts of other boys and pieces.
I'm going back in a couple of weeks. The next session is going to be with a photographic model. Working with someone will be a new experience. After that it might be a portrait model who isn't used to being a photographic model.
If you want my advice, get some tuition from someone who knows what they're doing. It's absolutely priceless. For me it's reinvigorated my hobby.
Click to expand...

Good way to go :)

Who was this guy Leighton? Maybe a handy contact for some other peeps in your area :thumbs:
 
Typical Amazon messed up the delivery.. the flash turned up but not the controller - delivery still says out today, but given its last update was at the carrier facility this afternoon at 14:55 and has not progressed to out for delivery I somehow doubt it unless they've started using drones here too!

Still thats another free month of prime.
 
Yay, everything arrived... now to get ready for work :(

Of course I gave it a quick try - plug them both in, test, nothing, poke around a bit, test, nothing... look at the manual (I know the shame of it!), no idea what all those words are about, locate the mode button, set to RX, test - BLIND!!!! It works!
 
I really like those shots - if I were to try that with my dog I'd get either a really sad too, or her bum disappearing!

I've not even set mine up - "my room" is full of damn boxes ready to sent stuff off it they ever sell, plus a flippin' awkward round table - not the best and I really should have thought of that great obstacle before thinking about any of this stuff :)
 
JohnN said:
I really like those shots - if I were to try that with my dog I'd get either a really sad too, or her bum disappearing!

I've not even set mine up - "my room" is full of damn boxes ready to sent stuff off it they ever sell, plus a flippin' awkward round table - not the best and I really should have thought of that great obstacle before thinking about any of this stuff :)
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:-) You will find room eventually :-)

Gaz
 
They look fab. I'd be pleased if I'd shot them.
 
you're mean :)

Actually I will have to do something soon as I'm selling some bits and a spot of product photography could be just the excuse - when I've found a good guide on doing it.

Edit: lol, cross post - obviously you're not mean Phil :D
 
Phil V said:
They look fab. I'd be pleased if I'd shot them.
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Cheers Phil. Thats good to hear :-)
JohnN said:
you're mean :)

Actually I will have to do something soon as I'm selling some bits and a spot of product photography could be just the excuse - when I've found a good guide on doing it.

Edit: lol, cross post - obviously you're not mean Phil :D
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Ok I leave you alone now :-)

Gaz
 
Hey, I've put it off for too long, finding almost anything else to do a bit or ribbing really won't harm.
 
JohnN said:
Yay, everything arrived... now to get ready for work :(

Of course I gave it a quick try - plug them both in, test, nothing, poke around a bit, test, nothing... look at the manual (I know the shame of it!), no idea what all those words are about, locate the mode button, set to RX, test - BLIND!!!! It works!
Click to expand...
Ha ha!
Reckon many of us have been in that situation. :LOL:
 
Well, at last I set it all (well some of it) and what a nightmare - I was getting grumpy!

Dragged out the tripod and old stands - one had an actual cobweb on it!! - opened the softbox which flicked out and smacked my in the face, then I had no idea how the actual softbox bit attached to the bit that holds the flash, eventually after a bit of youtube and looking at the original advert, as the instructions were useless I figured it out and it nearly fell over!

By this point I'm very aware I've less than an hour before I have to get my daughter from scouts... anyway as that time is now here are a couple of shots - not great I know and rushed, but they did the job... oh and I nicked the kitchen so you don;t get to see my messy room :D


Olympus OM-D E-M1 (Front) by JohnN on Talk Photography

Nissin Di 866 MkII (Front) by JohnN on Talk Photography

Olympus OM-D E-M1 (Back - Screen) by JohnN on Talk Photography
 
JohnN said:
I was getting grumpy!
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Ha ! Yep I know that feeling tooooo well :-)
Well done fella hope these images help you sell the gear. I bet you enjoyed yourself on the quiet :D

Gaz
 
At your house :)
No not yet funnily enough the first question after posting was a question asking if there were any marks!
 
XRayDoc said:
I found myself in a similar situation recently. I booked a couple of sessions with a professional in his studio. 2 hours on speedlites and 2 hours on studio strobes. Obviously there was a huge overlap but it was the best thing I have ever done and it has really inspired me. All of a sudden, flash isn't scary, it's something to be explored.
It was really good to see how someone who makes a living from this stuff approaches it, sing what is useful, how problems are talked and what is important.
I was impressed by the amount of cheap gear that's already been mentioned in this post he used. As he said, if you're going to drop a flash in a puddle, it helps if it's cheap.
I learned more than flash techniques and light modifiers though. I spent most of my time in manual mode for once which was a revelation. I got to explore the best way to wirelessly tether to a laptop and all sorts of other boys and pieces.
I'm going back in a couple of weeks. The next session is going to be with a photographic model. Working with someone will be a new experience. After that it might be a portrait model who isn't used to being a photographic model.
If you want my advice, get some tuition from someone who knows what they're doing. It's absolutely priceless. For me it's reinvigorated my hobby.
Click to expand...

HoppyUK said:
Good way to go :)

Who was this guy Leighton? Maybe a handy contact for some other peeps in your area (y)
Click to expand...

I did just the same thing a while ago - it was invaluable. If anyone wants a recommendation for the Cambridge / Essex border then pm me.
 
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