outforalaska
Member
So I finally got into a beginning photograph class. I'm quite excited to finally learn how to develop film. I started to feel a little like I was wasting my time (and money) merely shooting film, taking it to the lab, and then scanning negs.
Our first assignment is coming up in two weeks and deals with expressing a specific emotion along with a short written assignment. The outline of the project requires us to utilize a shallow depth of field in all four of our graded final printed photos.
I've been interested in getting into controlled lighting (as I'm still learning, keep in mind) and thought a few portraits for this assignment might be quite fun and good chance to try out different controlled lighting setups. I recruited a few of my friends for models (paid in beer - figured it might loosen everybody up too). I was thinking I'd go with love or lust for my emotion and try to bring a bit of a comical mood to the photographs. Something like a guy with a icky look on his face while having his cheek licked by his girlfriend.
There aren't really any parameters to the assignment other than using 400 speed b&w film and the shallow dof. I was slightly ticked when I found out that a 50mm was not necessarily required for the class as that's all I have. I'm thinking now a 90mm lens would be great for this assignment.
I've got a hand-me-down Sekonic L558 meter. I've been itching for a reason to get a couple of pocket wizards and a flash. What would you guys recommend for a manual flash to be used on a clamp or tripod for some makeshift studio work? Will the Sekonic meter be able to fire and test meter the light? I'll be using my M6 classic with 50 'cron. Can the M6 fire via a pocket wizard with no electrical issues? I've been weary of flashes and any sort of electronics for the hot shoe as I'm brand new to that kind of stuff and have read just a bit about not being able to use certain brands on certain cameras.
And finally, to add to my list of wants (I know, I'm getting greedy), if you guys have any links to some really good portrait sets with couples for inspiration, I would be grateful.
Thanks!
Our first assignment is coming up in two weeks and deals with expressing a specific emotion along with a short written assignment. The outline of the project requires us to utilize a shallow depth of field in all four of our graded final printed photos.
I've been interested in getting into controlled lighting (as I'm still learning, keep in mind) and thought a few portraits for this assignment might be quite fun and good chance to try out different controlled lighting setups. I recruited a few of my friends for models (paid in beer - figured it might loosen everybody up too). I was thinking I'd go with love or lust for my emotion and try to bring a bit of a comical mood to the photographs. Something like a guy with a icky look on his face while having his cheek licked by his girlfriend.
There aren't really any parameters to the assignment other than using 400 speed b&w film and the shallow dof. I was slightly ticked when I found out that a 50mm was not necessarily required for the class as that's all I have. I'm thinking now a 90mm lens would be great for this assignment.
I've got a hand-me-down Sekonic L558 meter. I've been itching for a reason to get a couple of pocket wizards and a flash. What would you guys recommend for a manual flash to be used on a clamp or tripod for some makeshift studio work? Will the Sekonic meter be able to fire and test meter the light? I'll be using my M6 classic with 50 'cron. Can the M6 fire via a pocket wizard with no electrical issues? I've been weary of flashes and any sort of electronics for the hot shoe as I'm brand new to that kind of stuff and have read just a bit about not being able to use certain brands on certain cameras.
And finally, to add to my list of wants (I know, I'm getting greedy), if you guys have any links to some really good portrait sets with couples for inspiration, I would be grateful.
Thanks!
vdonovan
Vince Donovan
I say forget the fancy artificial lighting and work with available light. This will make you pay much more attention to the light falling on your subject's faces and less on flashes and slaves and meters. You will learn a lot and it is more fun and more creative. Look for interesting pools of light near the windows around your house and put your subjects there. Find some interesting backgrounds outside and shoot in early morning or late evening.
If you are shooting couples, preview your DOF before shooting. My experience is that couples NEVER have their heads in the same plane no matter what you do. I prefer an extremely shallow DOF in portraits, but when I try it with couples someone is always out of focus. Preview your DOF and stop down accordingly.
If you are shooting couples, preview your DOF before shooting. My experience is that couples NEVER have their heads in the same plane no matter what you do. I prefer an extremely shallow DOF in portraits, but when I try it with couples someone is always out of focus. Preview your DOF and stop down accordingly.
mh2000
Well-known
on the cheap, I really like Sunpak 383's (~$90/ea). For dabbling with off-camera flash I would just get the $20 radio slaves from ebay, very good and reliable. I don't think you need to start with Pocket Wizards. The 383 will bounce, tilt and swivel and works well on all cameras.
outforalaska
Member
Thanks for the Sunpak recommendation. I take it most fully manual flashes will be alright to use on an M?