Experimenting with off-camera flash

[JenR]

I have just started experimenting with off-camera flash. I have about the most basic set-up possible. I'm using am SB-600 reflected off a 35" (I think) white umbrella and a foil-covered piece of cardboard for a reflector.


This is one of my first attempts. This is SOOC-- just converted to jpg and resized for web.

The flash and umbrella were about 4 - 5' away from the subject on the left and the reflector was about 2' away on the right. How does the lighting look? How can I reduce or eliminate the shadow? Please ignore the sloppy background-- I was just playing with the light and I'm not at all worried about the wrinkles or the glassy expression :blushing:


Here is another shot done with the exact same set-up.

Again, ignore the background mess. How can I improve these?

Thanks
~jen

 

[JimmyO]

The second one is great!


I think you should go buy another flash and stand setup

 

[Village Idiot]

The first one has no depth and looks like it was shot almost straight on. The reflector isn't needed for every shot, it's more of a tool that will let you use one light and still correct shadows you might get. Some times you want some shadows to show the depth and dimension of an object.

The second shot is pretty good and the reflector was put to good use there.

Try just going crazy and doing all kinds of different things. Try things using no umbrella, and setting your light to the side of a person and firing straight at them so it only illuminates one half of the person.

Experimentation is definitely one way to get good.

 

[JerryPH]

www.strobist.com

Go nuts and enjoy yourself there.
Focus mostly on lighting 101 and 102.