Strobist - 1st Assignment

 OK, here we go. First assignment - Position.

First thing - in the absence of a wife live model, I spent FAR too much time deciding what to shoot.

Lesson 1 - Just get on with it!

In the end I decided on an old ornament my mam used to own. Good enough.

The set up was very simple - subject on a strobe foot on a light stand, YN565 on another light stand and camera on a tripod (techie stuff at the bottom). No light mods, just the cactus wireless thing to fire the strobe and wireless remote for the camera. All that set up in my kitchen.

As you can see I shot two lots - one with the strobe level with the subject (top) and one with it raised to @ 45 deg (bottom) which produced images that differed slightly, but importantly.

Looking at the two sets of images the first thing that struck me was how apparent the background was (or was not). With the strobe level the background became visible in a couple of shots (head on and front-right), yet with it raised to 45 deg it became totally black black enough to appear invisible.

Lesson 2 - More control over background with strobe raised.

The next thing I notice is completely subjective, but I just prefer the light in the raised position. It seems to give more modelling and depth to the subject (as well being a more flattering light for a portrait). This may or may not be what is required on a particular shoot, but I now know how to achieve it.

Lesson 3 - Raise the strobe for more modelling.

Finally, looking at the images put together in the collages, it becomes apparent to me that, for portraits at least, good results can be achieved using just 2 strobes. One front (left or right) and raised, the other rear (on the opposite side to the front). I'll test out this theory and blog the results another day. I know that this is probably something that is taught in basic photography classes, key light - secondary light - reflectors etc, but I am treading the path and gaining experience here. Experience that will stay with me much longer than something I just read on the net. Plus I get to use my gear, which isn't a bad thing.

When I first saw this assignment I didn't think there was much to get out of it. Wrong! Looking at the results has made me think about light differently. I've begun to be the flash and see what the flash sees. Progress.

Lesson 4 - Don't just read it - do it!

Comments are welcome - at least they let me know I'm not the only person on the planet!

That techie stuff
Camera - Canon EOS 550d
iso 100
f8
1/200
Lens - Sigma 70-300 @ 190mm
Strobe - Yongnuo YN565
Manual

Zoom 105mm

Power 1/32

1m (ish) from subject