Flash photos

[cgipson1]

Flash Outdoors - BRIGHT sunny day.. very contrasty.. would have looked like crap without flash (unless I used an overhead diffuser, which I didn't have with me that day) She was playing hard, very hot and sweaty which accounts for the flushed cheeks!

hannah by CGipson Photography, on Flickr

Flash Outdoors - Moderately cloudy day.. just enough for shadows under the hat. Flash fixed that...

KyleJR by CGipson Photography, on Flickr

Flash Indoors - very pale little girl.. limited NL available in the house. Her B-Day!

Katie by CGipson Photography, on Flickr

I don't shoot people that much.. when I do, I usually use flash, indoors or out. It depends on the shot.... But flash does give me options that I don't have otherwise.

 

[sactown024]

Here's a thought..... rather than spending lots of money on modifiers, you could do something like this....

Do-It-Yourself Flash Bounce Card

Not quite the perfect studio lighting modifier, but I use mine as a bounce for chasing the kids around and grip and grin events. I find it to be invaluable. Directs lots of light up for bouncing off the ceiling, but the white side also bounces plenty of light forward. It works splendidly.

The black side also works really reall well as a flag, or use to like barn doors. Really helps direct the light. I think I made half a dozen for about $6 from michaels.

this is cool!!

 

[MLeeK]

Here's a thought..... rather than spending lots of money on modifiers, you could do something like this....

Do-It-Yourself Flash Bounce Card

Not quite the perfect studio lighting modifier, but I use mine as a bounce for chasing the kids around and grip and grin events. I find it to be invaluable. Directs lots of light up for bouncing off the ceiling, but the white side also bounces plenty of light forward. It works splendidly.

The black side also works really reall well as a flag, or use to like barn doors. Really helps direct the light. I think I made half a dozen for about $6 from michaels.

this is cool!!

Point to all of this ranting and raving is: Flash is an inevitable part of photography if you are truly going to master it. Does it have to be RIGHT NOW? No.

If you aren't up for ordering the setup yet-don't. As long as you remain on better behavior as in this post we will help you to use what you have to it's fullest potential and to learn how to use your camera a whole lot better than where you are now.
Now, go pack your wife's bags cuz that baby comes tomorrow. Better yet, take her for a pedicure because after tomorrow she'll see her feet again and they probably deserve a little pampering.

 

[sactown024]

Here's a thought..... rather than spending lots of money on modifiers, you could do something like this....

Do-It-Yourself Flash Bounce Card

Not quite the perfect studio lighting modifier, but I use mine as a bounce for chasing the kids around and grip and grin events. I find it to be invaluable. Directs lots of light up for bouncing off the ceiling, but the white side also bounces plenty of light forward. It works splendidly.

The black side also works really reall well as a flag, or use to like barn doors. Really helps direct the light. I think I made half a dozen for about $6 from michaels.

I would love to see some photos you shot with this!

 

[sactown024]

Here's a thought..... rather than spending lots of money on modifiers, you could do something like this....

Do-It-Yourself Flash Bounce Card

Not quite the perfect studio lighting modifier, but I use mine as a bounce for chasing the kids around and grip and grin events. I find it to be invaluable. Directs lots of light up for bouncing off the ceiling, but the white side also bounces plenty of light forward. It works splendidly.

The black side also works really reall well as a flag, or use to like barn doors. Really helps direct the light. I think I made half a dozen for about $6 from michaels.

this is cool!!

Point to all of this ranting and raving is: Flash is an inevitable part of photography if you are truly going to master it. Does it have to be RIGHT NOW? No.

If you aren't up for ordering the setup yet-don't. As long as you remain on better behavior as in this post we will help you to use what you have to it's fullest potential and to learn how to use your camera a whole lot better than where you are now.
Now, go pack your wife's bags cuz that baby comes tomorrow. Better yet, take her for a pedicure because after tomorrow she'll see her feet again and they probably deserve a little pampering.

the setup you made me isnt expensive at all I just want to get the 50mm 1.8 and a speedlight (prolly the cheapo YN650 II) first. In the mean time I think ill just make one of those DIY gadgets! I should have the shopping cart you made me within a few weeks though.

 

[paigew]

Okay to set the record straight I am not anti flash. Nor did I EVER intend to come off that way. I spent 300$ on a speedlight, I am not anti flash. The OP (not directly quoted) 'most (good) newborn photos he sees use flash'. I was simply trying to explain to the op that this isn't true. Many are naturally lit. If photographers LOVE flash so much then why do they look for studios with great natural light (windows??). When I first started taking photos here everyone told me I NEED flash. Not one person mentioned I could use window light and get great results. I have a huge sliding glass door in my house and I was looking up on what type of lights to buy. Why would you want to use studio lighting if you COULD use natural light. That is all I'm saying people. Is it that hard to comprehend my point?? Learn how to look for and use natural light. Then you will know when you NEED it and can use flash at those times. For the record one last time; I am not anti flash. Charlie not sure where you got that I was anti flash. I never said I was and when you Pmd me I specifically told you that. If you take a photography course in school is the first thing they teach you flash/studio lighting?? I would guess not, but I don't know because I didn't go to school for photography.

 

[Stradawhovious]

The OP (not directly quoted) 'most (good) newborn photos he sees use flash'. I was simply trying to explain to the op that this isn't true.

I'd like to see the stats on that please. Link?

Why would you want to use studio lighting if you COULD use natural light. That is all I'm saying people. Is it that hard to comprehend my point?? Learn how to look for and use natural light.

Ummmm.... Because in a lot of cases it gives you better light?

Nobody is saying not to learn how to use natural light. Nobody.

All that the people you are arguing with are saying is that flash will allow you to control your light more than relying solely on natural..... which is fickle at best.

Let me ask you this. What do you do when you need to do a shoot in the evening? Or any other time for that matter when the natural light through your large pane window isn't perfect. God forbid it's ever dark due to clouds, raining, or otherwise not the perfect time of day.

Natural light isn't always on your photography schedule. What do you suggest then? Incandescent?

I will agree that there are many times that flash is impractical. There are just as many times that natural light is impractical as well. To dismiss artificial light as a crutch is silly.

ETA

Do-It-Yourself Flash Bounce Card

I would love to see some photos you shot with this!

No problem. Head over to my Flickr Account. Anything that doesn't look like studio lighting wsa probably taken with that on the camera. Most of the family shots (even outdoor :shock and the grip and grin type shots will give good examples.

I'm no pro though, so don't go judging my photos.

 

[paigew]

The OP (not directly quoted) 'most (good) newborn photos he sees use flash'. I was simply trying to explain to the op that this isn't true.

I'd like to see the stats on that please. Link?

Why would you want to use studio lighting if you COULD use natural light. That is all I'm saying people. Is it that hard to comprehend my point?? Learn how to look for and use natural light.

Ummmm.... Because in a lot of cases it gives you better light?

Nobody is saying not to learn how to use natural light. Nobody.

All that the people you are arguing with are saying is that flash will allow you to control your light more than relying solely on natural..... which is fickle at best.

Let me ask you this. What do you do when you need to do a shoot in the evening? Or any other time for that matter when the natural light through your large pane window isn't perfect. God forbid it's ever dark due to clouds, raining, or otherwise not the perfect time of day.

Natural light isn't always on your photography schedule. What do you suggest then? Incandescent?

Well I am not sure what 'stat's you want me to post. The op said 'the best newborn pics are done with flash'. I said there are plenty gorgeous newborn photos that are naturally lit. What, you want examples?

If you don't have the natural light, yes use flash. I never said not to. But I think a lot of people here are too stuck on artificial light. Like you NEED that to get a good photo. I am just saying it isn't true. You don't need it. Yes it has its place and can create awesome photos, but why use it if you don't need it. Is it really that hard to understand?

I'm not sure why everyone is jumping down my throat because I suggested to the op to use a window light to photograph his own newborn.

 

[Stradawhovious]

Well I am not sure what 'stat's you want me to post. The op said 'the best newborn pics are done with flash'. I said there are plenty gorgeous newborn photos that are naturally lit. What, you want examples?

He said most are, you said he was wrong. I just want to see somewhere where the majority of seasoned photographers use only natural light for their newborn shoots. Majority being greater than 50% That's all.

I'm not sure why everyone is jumping down my throat because I suggested to the op to use a window light to photograph his own newborn.

I don't see that happening. I see people arguing with you for saying that artificial light is a crutch.

That and it's fun to watch you get all huffy.

 

[paigew]

That and it's fun to watch you get all huffy.

uh yeah, sorry to burst your bubble there dude. I'm not upset. I feel bad for you all who can only take a nice pic if you have all your gear. Its not the gear that makes the photo. Its the photographer.

 

[Stradawhovious]

uh yeah, sorry to burst your bubble there dude. I'm not upset. I feel bad for you all who can only take a nice pic if you have all your gear. Its not the gear that makes the photo. Its the photographer.

So you think people who use a flash are poor photographers?

Wow. Pretty bold statement.

My feeling is that good photographers will know how to use the gear at their disposal and use it to their advantage.

To each their own. Personally I feel bad for those people who don't know how to use the equipment they own.

 

[cgipson1]

That and it's fun to watch you get all huffy.

uh yeah, sorry to burst your bubble there dude. I'm not upset. I feel bad for you all who can only take a nice pic if you have all your gear. Its not the gear that makes the photo. Its the photographer.

Then why have a DSLR? Just buy a Holga, right?

The best Photographers use WHATEVER it takes to get the shot they want... and have the skills to use whatever gear is needed (or not needed). Preferences are allowed... we are all human!

 

[paigew]

Stradawhovious, would you mind sharing the link to your flickr? It isn't in your signature. I would love to see some of your awesome flash work (on people). Since charlie has already submitted his best work

 

[paigew]

So you think people who use a flash are poor photographers?

Wow. Pretty bold statement.

Yeah bold statement...especially since I didn't make that statement.

 

[cgipson1]

Stradawhovious, would you mind sharing the link to your flickr? It isn't in your signature. I would love to see some of your awesome flash work (on people). Since charlie has already submitted his best work

That is not my best work.. those are merely a few of the very few people shots I have. I don't shoot people for the same reason I don't shoot newborns.. I have no interest in them!

I don't see any awesome work from you in my chosen area of photography.. correct? Or do you even shoot macro?

It sounds like you are being a bit catty and superior... so I will say that I would be amazed if you can post anything that is even equal to the shots I did post.. and they are basically my version of snapshots, as they are candids.

(However, if you are not being Catty with that last remark, then please disregard the third sentence in this post, as it would be irrelevant!)