Impromptu test shoot ~ pictures and techniques

February 24th, 2010

I was giving my Evolve delegates their two day closing session on Monday and Tuesday. When it was decided that a mini shoot with Speedlights would whet the creative appetite. So Blaise, my amazing PA rustled up Lauren our model and on Tuesday afternoon we produced these shots at the Matara in the Cotswolds.

Snow was falling, it was nearly dark outside but the light from one Speedlight was all I used for this interesting portrait.

We used the potted plants as dingle and the Honl gobo strapped to the Speedlight as a close coupled reflector. All of us were shooting completely different images from this session. Both the Nikons and Canons were producing extremely varied results. TTL often struggles to produce consistent results when Speedlights are used as backlights.

The same wall and set up as in the first shot above. Getting the right amount of diffusion to the plant shadows took a bit of tweaking of the light position and Honl gobo fitting. As I only had one gobo with me and we were shooting both Nikon and Canon, I fitted my SB-800 with a Speed Snoot opened out into a cone.

We used a different plant for this single Speedlight shot taken in an adjacent room.

We used a different plant for this twin Speedlight shot taken in an adjacent room. I warmed up the Speedlight with a full CTO gel, set a white balance of 3200K, and the ambient daylight then filled the shadows with blue light.

Hear you can see the location in all it's glory. Two Speedlights with a different configuration were used to key and kick. The shadows tell the story.

This close up was shot from a classic angle that creates feminine pictures. I usually prefer to shoot from below the eyeline but I like a change from time to time.

A striking combo of lighting. I was again plagued with my supposedly non firing 580EX2 master

A striking combo of lighting. I was again plagued with my supposedly non firing 580EX2 in master mode blurting out light. The main key light was another 580 in a Lastolite Ezybox Hotshoe and I had rigged a pair of Speedlights as 3/4 kickers.

This is the same set up in colour with a slightly different flash balance used this time.

This is the same kick light set up in colour with a slightly different flash balance used this time. The key light was my Broncolor ring flash.

The Ezybox was used as a key light here and Honl full CTB gels were added to the kickers.

Even the mistakes can look great when you have +3 stops of flash comp dialed into to Speedlights.

Here is my last shot of the session. A hint of flare from the kicker Speedlight on the right adds to the look. We fitted Honl grids to kill the flare in subsequent shots. The Bron ring flash again gives us it's characteristic look.

Please feel free to comment on these ‘try out’ shots. This was Lauren’s first ever shoot and Blaise did the makeup.

Facebook Comments

Share this post:

| More

16 Comments Add your own

1. Chris | February 25th, 2010 at 1:14 am

Excellent Images D, & perfect make up Blaise, not lost your touch
To all on Evolve, wishing you triumphs successes for the future.
Chris Hanley
2. J.P. | February 25th, 2010 at 3:23 am

So many great images! The very first one, though, really makes me rethink the possibilities for direct flash. I wouldn’t have thought you could pull that look off without some sort of modifier.
Other than that, Lauren was obviously a great model and her hair! It looks like it was made to be electrified with light!
3. John Harris | February 25th, 2010 at 7:51 am

Fantastic images as ever Damien – can’t wait for the Cherish workshop. (well done Blaise too!)
John
4. Tara Taylor | February 25th, 2010 at 10:47 am

A great set of images. Can’t wait to do the Speedlight course next month. Very inspiring!
5. Gwyn Cole | February 25th, 2010 at 1:13 pm

I love these images. I especially like the first and second frames.
6. Crash Taylor | February 25th, 2010 at 5:36 pm

Thumbs up Damien.
7. damien | February 26th, 2010 at 12:07 am

Thanks Chris and JP.

JP The single Speedlight in the first shot had the same Honl gobo as in shot 2 It made the light slightly softer but not by much. Cheers, Damien.
8. damien | February 26th, 2010 at 12:07 am

Hi John, Bring it on, I can’t wait for the Cherish workshops with my mate Chris too
9. damien | February 26th, 2010 at 12:08 am

Thanks Tara, See you at Focus maybe or at the Speedlight Mastery workshop in March. Cheers, Damien.
10. damien | February 26th, 2010 at 12:12 am

Hi Crash. I’m glad you popped by. Have a great season. Cheers, damien.
11. Karl Bratby | February 26th, 2010 at 7:13 am

cool stuff with those speedlights again Damien , nice first shoot with Lauren , expression is the key though, give her one of your look books for homework.
12. Rob Sanderson | February 26th, 2010 at 11:02 am

Loving those first 2 Damien, thanks for sharing the background and technique. You’ve given me the drive to take a model out for a shoot soon before the season starts in earnest and I’m too busy
13. Will Pateman Photography | February 26th, 2010 at 4:00 pm

great shots Damien even the mistakes..love the softness of the first shot
14. Hendra | February 27th, 2010 at 5:53 am

wonderful !!….love it Damien…cheers from Indonesia..
15. Paul Beggy | March 2nd, 2010 at 6:56 pm

Great shots Damien, particularly like the first 2. Looking forward to hopefully replicating something like this on the Speedlite course on the 23rd
16. damien | March 5th, 2010 at 7:12 pm

Hi Paul, thanks for the comments. We will be pushing the boat out on the 23rd. Come with an open mind and a big CF card )