OCF - Outtakes

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So I had a whole mess of pictures from the last OCF session I had with Moi-Moi.  Using multiple strobes, a 70-200mm, and a dog in a self-portrait is actually pretty difficult.  Especially when trying to capture some barking/growling.

Strobes - I had the lighting set up and balanced the way I wanted, but my key light was firing at 1/2 power.  After a couple shots, the recycle time took WAY longer than the rate I was taking pictures.  I ended up with more pictures with my key light not firing than with it firing.  Here's one I think would've been a great image had everything worked:

Long lens - Aside from the lighting, I realized how difficult it is to take a self portrait with a long lens.  I was thinking about how this SF photographer (Dustin Diaz) frequently used a 200mm prime for his 365 self portrait project and now I appreciated his work that much more.  I think this would been the best shot of the night.... had it been in the frame.  Just missed, darn.

So, this was the original plan I had for this self-portrait session, but I didn't like it so much after I did it.  For those of you who know me, I've developed a recent obsession for Rubik's Cubes.  

Couple things I did not like about this.  The shadows in the lower part of the frame distracted my eye.  It's from a strobe I put down to light the background.  But since I didn't have another light stand, it was just sitting on the sofa that was there, but it was catching the back of the sofa and throwing that shadow up there.  I moved it, but couldn't get the same blown out background I kinda wanted.  Also, I dunno, I just didn't like the way the cube looked.  Maybe I need to snoot it or something.  I think I might try that at some point.

So in the end, it came down to the one I chose and another one.  I think  I chose the other one because our expressions were more matched.  But I still like them both:

Lessons learned - Balance lighting with strobes at lowest power you can keep them.  I knew that before, but I wanted to test out the new SB-24 I just bought(used).  That flash seems to be pretty solid, but I need to be carfeul if I ever crank it up to 1/2 power or more.  Need to find a way to better mark a spot for me(or any subject) to stand.  If you look at the last picture, you can see a little post it note I had on the wall. for where my center of focus was - Duh, need to have something that won't be in the frame...

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Week-errrr, I mean Month 4...

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So I know this whole “Weekly” Off Camera Flash project really hasn’t been consistent at all.  It’s more like whenever I make time to do it.  Anyway, I used three strobes on this one.  Why?  Because I can(I just picked up a used SB-24 and wanted to make sure it worked).   Originally, I just wanted to try some Rembrandt lighting, but it morphed a little.  The original vision was to capture an image of me thinking with my Rubik’s Cube.  But I grabbed my dog and made her sit with me while I tested the lighting and I just kept her with me for a Father-daughter portrait.  =)

The setup – SB24 @ ½ power shot through umbrella at camera left.  430ex shot at  1/32 camera right for some rim lighting.  580exII shot at 1/16 into wall for some overall separation and depth.


Edit - Forgot to mention in the setup a white cardboard reflector just below camera, angled up for some fill light

Me and my girl just thinking about life, love, and the hard boiled eggs in the kitchen for her nightly treat

Who's there!  We were barking at the door bell.  I tried to time the shot to get us both barking, but couldn't get in sync.  Another note, using the SB24 at 1/2 power doesn't recycle fast enough.  I wonder how quickly two SB24's at 1/4 power each would recycle?


Minor Edit - The yellow beanie is a gift from my grandmother.  Like it or not, I'm going to be taking more portraits with it.  =)


Hopefully, more soon...


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"Our Song"