Taking photographs of flower bouquets

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saxtonlad

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Andrew
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Recently I purchased a canon speedlite 580 ex ii shoot through white umbrella, stand etc. Just have the one flash at the mo. Trying to take photographs with flash off camera of flower bouquets. Having a little trouble setting up. Are there any experienced flower photographers out there with some advice. I am intending that the flower photos will be displayed on a website and want them to be the best of the best.
I don't know what is the right distance from the flash to the inside of the umbrella and how far is reasonable for the umbrella to be from the bouquets which are approx 18" - 24" wide 18" - 24" wide.
I am trying to achieve a soft diffused light, use a flash undiffused on flower petals and shadows appear on the outer petals which cut out detail and blow out highlights and look harsh. Trying to get a soft diffused effect. Not using reflectors at the mo, .
I have two lenses 50mm & 85mm on a 7D and some extension tubes.

Thanks Andy
 
Hahahahaha... Garry beat me to the same thread...
 
Thanks Chaps,

that is a lot of information, gone down the speedlight route is it possible to use a different light than the 70cm beauty dish in speedlight format?

Thanks
 
I suggested a beauty dish (among other things) for that application because it was the best tool for the job, but there are other tools that will produce reasonable results - and anyway, there's no reason why you can't use a beauty dish with your speedlight.

You'll need quite a high ISO because of the lack of power, you'll struggle without a modelling lamp and you'll need much heavier lighting stands/boom arms than you're used to, but it can be done.
 
Thanks Garry,

How does the dish fit with a canon speedlight? I've seen a speedlight pro kit but you can't fit a honeycomb to that and it looks very flimsy. Like the look of a proper dish. Don't want to do this by halves but I just haven't got the money to spend on studio lighting.
When I do, I want to get the right gear so I don't purchase twice. Already made the mistake of buying a £30.00 quid umbrella which fell apart on the first outing. My fault a little heavy handed on set up.
 
saxtonlad said:
Thanks Garry,

How does the dish fit with a canon speedlight? I've seen a speedlight pro kit but you can't fit a honeycomb to that and it looks very flimsy. Like the look of a proper dish. Don't want to do this by halves but I just haven't got the money to spend on studio lighting.
When I do, I want to get the right gear so I don't purchase twice. Already made the mistake of buying a £30.00 quid umbrella which fell apart on the first outing. My fault a little heavy handed on set up.
Click to expand...

One of these hotshoe flashgun adapters will do it
 
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