Flash Photography Projects

Articles, Videos, and DIY projects on Flash Photography

• 3 Comments

•

You can check out more of Waylon's projects on his Vimeo, drop him a line and give him some props.

I formerly met Waylon through the Vimeo community from a friend of a friend. Waylon was already shooting video on a consumer camcorder so he had just a bit of editing practice. After introducing him to some of the professional videos online from seasoned DSLR cinematographers I had been following, he decided to take the plunge into DSLR videography. Jumping into the Canon 7D for it's ability to provide quality photos and videos, it wasn't very long before he started producing some awesome videos like the one above.

The silly bride dancing around is my cousin, and she invited to bring some gear along to help capture some of those special moments, but was just hanging back as the backup photographer / videographer. Waylon joined me in this event to practice some of his composition, slider technique, and Steadicam / Glidecam work. I have to say, the guy is good and getting better. These are just short clips of some Behind The Scenes footage Waylon put together for me. You can see me running around with my Radio Poppers and Wifey is holding the flashes. You can check out more of Waylon's projects on his Vimeo, drop him a line and give him some props.

Technical Photography Gear by me:
Canon 5D Mark II + Canon 7D
Canon 24-70mm F/2.8, 50mm F/1.4, 100mm Macro IS USM, Tamron 18-270mm (yeah tamron is pretty cool).
(2) Canon 580 EX II Speedlights
Radio Popper PX transmitters + Receivers on Canon ST-E2 transmitter

Technical Videography Gear by Waylon:
Canon EOS 7D
Canon 24mm F/1.4, 24-70mm F/2.8
$99 Camera Slider (I blogged about here) on Monfrotto CF tripod + 701HDV Fluid Head
Fader ND Filters
Steadicam Merlin Vest + Glidecam HD 4000 (Yah, he's invested in the Cheesycam Hybrid setup too!!)

• 3 Comments

•

This is what my charging area looks like the night before a shoot. Tomorrow i'm just helping out with a Wedding, so I gotta get my charge on. In these images you'll see my aftermarket 5D Mark II (or 7D) batteries, and my Eneloops. It's going to be a light day, so i'm just bringing one camera out 5D Mark II, 24-70mm F/2.8, 100mm Macro IS, 50mm F/1.4, two 580 EX II flashes, and Radio Popper PX's.

• 5 Comments

•

The time zones had me all thrown off. I got up at 3am and couldn't get back to sleep. So I thought i'd throw the old GPHD on the balcony and set the timelapse function. This is 1,943 photos put into a 24fps timeline.

This is the view of my Timeshare, a resort called the Ka'anapali Beach Club in Maui. Not the greatest quality, but this little camera is soooo much fun, and I got some great underwater HD video too, i'll share later.

First I dumped all the photos into Adobe Lightroom, threw is some saturation and contrast, then used the crop tool to export all of the images at 1280x720. Dragged all the images into Sony Vegas at 24fps.

A few things about this video. I really like the way the clouds are going in all different directions, and second who the heck is that guy swimming laps this early in the morning??

Shot on the GoPro HD Camera Timelapse function

• 7 Comments

•

t2i-battery-updated

Yeah everything that guy Midas touched turned to gold. Sounds great, but didn't work out too well. Lately everything the Cheesycam blog talks about inflates like prices of Gold. I just got a comment regarding the aftermarket 550D / T2i batteries from an eBay seller. I won't mention any names, but i'll embed a JPEG!

hi-etech-ebay<<<Here's the updated link to a Seller who has the same batteries as I use, and for cheap.

What can you do? Comment, Feedback, Share! I do my best to review the items I buy, and post information from other readers, to share those savings with others in the DSLR community. I can't always keep track of these items, so if you have any news, feedback, or comments on anything Holla Back! It helps everyone. Thanks.

•

Engadget posted an article about the three most popular rechargeable batteries. I've blogged about my use of the Sanyo Eneloops in all of my devices, and i'm loving 'em. In fact, i'll save you time and let you know that in their tests it was pretty much the same, and also close to the same prices. In the end though, they gave it up to the Sanyo Eneloops (only because of the reported recharge longevity). I don't think they have enough time to truly test the claim of holding about 90% charge after sitting for 1 year.

Best deal I found was on Amazon. Even cheaper than eBay.

More at this link: https://www.engadget.com/2010/05/12/aa-rechargeable-battery-shootout-energizer-powergenix-and-sany/

• 16 Comments

•

This remote cord + wireless remote combo was dirt cheap and I had to have it. I use these when i'm doing my Pole Photography (blogged about it earlier), so that I can trigger the camera while it's about 12' feet in the air. They work on multiple types of Canon Cameras. Check out the video on how cool these things are. I bought mine from this seller. These work much better than the RC1 infrared type remotes. Click here to purchase for as little as $16.00 dollars + Free Shipping!


find-price-button Canon 7D and 5D Mark II Wireless Shutter Remote

•

OK, this is pretty cool. Not that we all haven't thought about using our backpacks as the weight needed to support a tripod or lightstand, but ClikElite has actually integrated the two. With an adjustable frame built in to the backpack, now you won't even be without your Tripod or a Lightstand. Not to mention that the frame can also support the weight better and protect your gear. Since it's rocking a simple 1/4x20 adapter, may even be cool for that DIY Slider.

You know, this would be pretty cool for those wedding gigs when you need to setup a tripod fast and want to keep your gear nearby. I may be looking into a DIY version of this in my near future. Check out the photos and it's even available at Amazon for a decent price.

•

calumet portacube product photography

I posted about my product Photography cocoon not too long ago, but these cubes are much more portable than a cocoon design. In fact, they fold flat so traveling with them is a breeze. If you're not on the Calumet mailing list, I just got this in my email. PortaCubes are now on sale with savings of up to $21.00 dollars off normal retail price (or 30%). Three different versions of the PortaCube is based on size, starting as little as $22.00 dollars for the 16 x 16 version. These are an exclusive item from Calumet, but you can grab them through Amazon below. Have fun with those product shots.

•

Strobist Cheesycam

Above, photo taken in Brentwood, testing out some new gear in full sunlight. The sun's back out in the Bay Area and it's looking great to get back into Photography. You just can't beat that backlighting and rim lights the sun provides on your subjects. High speed flash photography is lots of fun and helps achieve more balance in your exposure when shooting on a bright sunny day. Of course it helps to get the right setup with your Flashes to make sure you're still controlling the light being thrown.

Strobies studio kit is a cheap way to get into a variety of different flash diffusers and light modifiers. Sure it looks odd when you have the flash mounted 'ON' your camera, but if you start doing Remote Trigger 'Off' camera flash photography with Strobies, you're going to get some fantastic images.

In fact you can get into a small beauty dish, softbox, grids, barndoors, globes, and snoots for around $150 dollars. Check out the kit from Amazon (widget above) or click on this Link Here to check out other Strobie accessories for your photography needs.


Click Images

Other notable diffusers for your Speedlite Flashes are from the Gary Fong lineup. You'll see this as standard issue for Wedding Photographers.
The Power Snoot

  • Increases directional light output by 3 times
  • Narrows the light output which can be used as a hair light, spot light, or any subject that needs a concentrated light source
  • Universal mounting system that fits most strobes currently in the market
  • Concentration of the light increases the effective distance of the strobe being used

    • The Gary Fong LightSphere

    This is a flexible, Opaque Vinyl diffuser with an internal snap on dome. Designed to fit a select group of flashes (see list of flashes below) The inside of the Lightsphere is completely textured to make the light dispersion even more "soft" than it would be otherwise! The new cloud colored Lightsphere provides the warmest softest light possible from your on-camera flash Studio quality light, that you can carry in your gear bag, makes the Cloud Lightsphere the perfect diffuser for portrait photographers and wedding photojournalists. This soft flattering light is the same light you are accustomed to finding in your studio when using a softbox, Calumet panel or large umbrella. If you shoot outside of your studio - you will love the NEW Cloud Lightsphere. The inverted dome allows you to softly diffuseyou will love the NEW Cloud soft source without creating flare on the front of your lens. The inverted dome allows you to softly diffuse direct light with a large, soft source without creating flare on the front of your lens. The C4 Lightsphere II fits the following flashes Canon 580EX & 430EZ Sony HVL-F32X Vivitar 730AF

    The Gary Fong LightSphere - Collapsible

    Gary Fong introduces the Lightsphere Collapsible, the new evolution of the famed Lightsphere series of diffusers! The Lightsphere Collapsible is made from soft vinyl making this Lightsphere flexible yet durable. The Lightsphere Collapsible boasts the first mounting system of its kind. It utilizes patent pending sizing ribs to provide an equally tight fit to several sizes of flashes without the need for straps or bands and collapses down to a 1 1/2 inch thick ring allowing for easy storage. The Inverted Dome, which works with all exisiting accessories, is included with the purchase. The light output is equivalent to a half cloud.

    Additional Gary Fong Flash Diffusers and Accessories can be found by Clicking on this Link.