where to from here

[candleman]

I really want to take my flash photography to a new level… I’m kindof feeling trapped in what I’m currently doing. (sure there’s always room for improvement within these confines)… but I just don’t know how to go to the next level so to speak.

This might be a stupid question.. because I havn’t “studied” the entire strobist syllabus..
i’ve taken key bits here and there and become self taught really.
I’m using manual mode 100% of the time,.. so I’m confident in what I’m currently doing.
For now I set things up, take a few shots and if I think something is too bright, too dim, I adjust to get what I want.. and I get pretty decent results IMHO. But my stuff teeters more on the creative side.

As for portraits and “studio set-ups”.
I want to (just for my own education) go into “stops” light ratio’s
EG. side of face 1 stop darker than the other etc etc etc.
… this is how I figure I can “polish” my portrait work a bit more and take it to the next level.. …possibly

EG. If I want side of face “A” 1 stop brighter than side “B”
The simplistic method is setting Strobe “A” to ¼ and strobe “B” to 1/8… …ok that’s easy
(assuming both strobes are the same, with same modifier and identical distance from the subject.
How on earth is this achieved when the strobes I have are different models, will potentially have different modifiers and at different distances from the subject..
If it was me answering someone elses question my first instinct would be to say.. you need a flash meter.. and I think that’s the answer..…Is there another way… or is that really my only option.
(i'm not particularly interested in going TTL or anything... i really like manual and i already have everything for it)

Any opinions, comments, suggestions… most welcome

Any opinions on how to improve from here in general … (stupid but necessary question)… also appreciated.

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by candleman

If it was me answering someone elses question my first instinct would be to say.. you need a flash meter.. and I think that’s the answer...

I believe it is the answer. By knowing the ratios will you be able to evaluate (and more importantly recreate) a favorite lighting set up. You would spend less time setting the lights and more time fine tuning the interaction of the light and the subject. Also referring to some classic lighting diagrams you would be able to adjust lights up or down to get the ratios described independent of a difference in flash to subject between the diagram and your environment.
Your favorite lighting set ups and power ratios can be recreated whether you are at home, on location using studio lights, or handheld strobes a la strobist.

[OsmosisStudios]

Do like me: chimp like a monkey in a banana tree.

Do some tests before your model comes in with something similar. See what works. Experiment. Once you get a good idea of how the scene is affected by certain things, you'll be able to figure it all out on the fly. It's just like photography: 50% learning, 40% trying, 10% sheer luck.

[candleman]

Thanks gents.

Zona.. nice idea about the book.. I keep them in my head mainily.. its probably a good idea to document more thoroughly each set-up and power settings etc etc
I’ll see how much a meter will set me back.. might be a good move

Adam.. thanks.. practice practice practice.
i do chimp allot.. maybe i should keep chimping until its perfect.. rather than settling for "nice".

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by candleman

Adam.. thanks.. practice practice practice.
i do chimp allot.. maybe i should keep chimping until its perfect.. rather than settling for "nice".

Just remember: the sound effects are entirely optional. Some models can get... a little freaked out.

[candleman]

haha.. that.. and the scratching is a bit much

[sketching]

If you don't have a flash meter, and really like doing math, you can always use your flashes' guide numbers to calculate the f-stop. This way, you can have flashes with differing output capabilities, set at different power levels, placed at different distances. You can place and calculate each flash individually to get the desired f-stop on your camera

Check your flash manual(s) for any tips on manually calculating beyond the basic formula.

If you use any modifiers (umbrella, pan reflector, soft box, etc...) you'll need to test and find out how many stops (or increments of a stop) each one eats up and adjust for that amount in your calculation.