Any photographers in here?

I try not to use flash at all, especially if I'm outside. I've been using my digital for almost 2 yrs now and love experimenting with it.

This is, to me, a shocking statement for a working photographer to make. Its just like gr said, if your not using flash its cause you aren't comfortable with it. Flash can enhance an image in any lighting condition. Given a remote trigger, some very simple modifiers and a little patience you can really create looks not possible any other way. And most importantly for a wedding photographer, you can create an image that no guest will have the ability to duplicate which translates to more sales on the back end.

Here are two recent examples which immediately come to mind. In the first image my brother was looking for an image to send out with his graduation notices. The the lighting was even and warm. I could shoot with the sun at my back and easily illuminate the subject. I could also turn the subject so his back is to the sun (using it for a hair light) and fire a Nikon SB-600 into an umbrella which would provide a more controllable key light while still looking natural. The result is a great look with a VERY simple set-up.

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This second image is much the same. I could have easily shot with available light and gotten good dynamic light with the low setting sun. But I also knew I could use the same flash into the same umbrella and use the sun filtering through the trees to create a soft bokeh-filled background.

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Shameless plug: I am selling my SB-600 (the very one used to make both of the above shots) on eBay. It comes with the flash, Nikon color correction gels, rechargeable batteries and charger, and RF wireless remote triggers. There are 36(!) watchers with less than 23 hours remaining. Here's the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=270266431120

There's other camera gear too but I don't want this post to get deleted for violating some linking rule.
 
Honestly, I'm not very good with using flash. Not really afraid, but I don't have equipment either. All I have is the stock flash on my D200, which is kinda small. :-p But yea, I would love to get better at it.
 
Anyways..this shot ^^^...we were just having fun. We had 7 combined flashes altogether with Cactus V2 ebay triggers. And they all went off at the same time..which was AMAZING LOL!! This was a "play" shoot..and we were just having fun with all the flashes me and my buddy had together in our cars.

And this is a couple from the actual shoot...

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Honestly, I'm not very good with using flash. Not really afraid, but I don't have equipment either. All I have is the stock flash on my D200, which is kinda small. :-p But yea, I would love to get better at it.

Ditto.. one of these days when I have the time and the money I'll get into it. As it is I work 30 hours a week and take 18 credits of classes... no time. :(
 
Anyways..this shot ^^^...we were just having fun. We had 7 combined flashes altogether with Cactus V2 ebay triggers. And they all went off at the same time..which was AMAZING LOL!! This was a "play" shoot..and we were just having fun with all the flashes me and my buddy had together in our cars.

Reminds me of a shot at my sister's wedding. All three flashes fired simultaneously when she threw the bouquet of flowers even though we were all shooting independent of each other.

When I get home from work, I'll post up an image a buddy of mine took at a wedding. During the 'first dance' he'll set up 4 flashes and he integrates them into the background of the image on purpose.
 
Reminds me of a shot at my sister's wedding. All three flashes fired simultaneously when she threw the bouquet of flowers even though we were all shooting independent of each other.

When I get home from work, I'll post up an image a buddy of mine took at a wedding. During the 'first dance' he'll set up 4 flashes and he integrates them into the background of the image on purpose.


Wicked..I actually wanted to catch a flash going off in my buddy's face accidentally
 
Man i really need to get my flash off my camera and start learning....Its like learning photography all over again though. and to be honest its kind of intimidating. Is it better to start with a sync cord or just go for the wireless triggers...cactus or pocket wizards? I would prefer the wireless route.

I have a 580 EX II I just need to get a light stand, unbrella/reflector, a means to connect them and more time to read strobist and practice. This should be good enough to get me going correct?
 
Man i really need to get my flash off my camera and start learning....Its like learning photography all over again though. and to be honest its kind of intimidating. Is it better to start with a sync cord or just go for the wireless triggers...cactus or pocket wizards? I would prefer the wireless route.

I have a 580 EX II I just need to get a light stand, unbrella/reflector, a means to connect them and more time to read strobist and practice. This should be good enough to get me going correct?

Get another 430EX and you can control it with your 580. There you go..your first off camera setup.
 
^
ditto

Pick up a 430EX and this should get your started by using the 580 as a master (IR). IR doesn't have the same range and flexibility as wireless but it should be fine to get you started.

Depending on your budget, the Radio Poppers are worth looking at since it'll allow you keep ETTL.
http://www.radiopopper.com/

My set up is pretty basic: 580EX, 430EX, 420EX, ST-E2, Alien Bee B800. I'll use different gear depending on what/where I'm shooting.
 
so do you use the 580 on the camera and control the 430 off camera also..pop both at the same time? does this method still use the TTL technology or is this a manual setting only?
 
Sometimes. If I want my flash output on the camera, I'll use the 580 and the slaves off the to the side. If I don't want the flash output on the camera, I'll use the ST-E2 to trigger. Both methods are using ETTL, which is why I went with the ST-E2 instead of Pocket Wizards. Eventually I'll upgrade to the Radio Poppers but I haven't had the need for wireless since most of what I shoot has line of site for the IR and my distances are generally under 20-30'.

Here's I shot I took while practicing with flashes on cars. I never used it since I didn't like how the flash was hitting the car from the left (pass. side rear... had to adjust the stands about 2' higher).
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A shot like this wouldn't work as well with a flash firing straight on side it would cause a hot spot on the passenger side door, so the ST-E2 works better in this situation. For a 1/4 angle shot, a flash straight on helps fill in some of the shadown on the lower portion of the front bumper since the flash on the right causes a bit of a shadow since the stand is set for about 6' high.
 
YOu guys heard of FlickrDown? Apparently it's causing some ruckus now that it's opensource and it's free. You can download pretty much photo that's set to public? Anyone wanna comment? I might be wrong.
 
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