A combination of 600watt MV bulb, and two Metz 402 heads. Same set up as before. Tried hanging the apple up which didn't work so I am going to try smearing it with honey. ( When the wife's out of the way !! )
D200 Sigma 150 macro.
40th sec f8
Cheers
JR
Thanks all.
yes Andy i need to get the flashes balanced a bit better but I am governed by the lengh of leads etc. Its all abit complicated at the moment. I really need a third one above at the back but my slaves playing up.
But its all good fun.
Cheers
John
Hi John, have you tried using one main flash above and just to the side of the camera position as a main light and then use a second flash at a reasonable height and behind the set up. When I had a similar set up in my previous garden I found this to give a good directional light but the rear flash cancelled out some of the first shadows and gave a nice backlight effect.
I found that using two flashguns from the front always gave me problems. Even if I was satisfied with the shadow situation any clear, close images of the eye resulted in twin catchlights.
Robert
Excellent stuff, but does the lighting need tweaking for colour balance? - the natural (unlit) background looks a touch blue and the artificial/lamp lit badgers & Ferns seem tinged red?
Thanks all
Robert- my leads are not long enough at the moment as I mentioned earlier, but I have been and cadged a load of extensions tonight, I can only arrange the flashes according to those lead lengths as you will understand. And after all- it's all artificial anyway . !!
I had all these problems for twenty years with the flash lit pool shots. At the end of the day after all the hassle, do I really need badger pics that badly ? You end up spending more time setting stuff up than taking the pictures and that's not my scene. I am probably more interested in the animals and their behaviour than the pictures. The pictures are just a record to be honest
Mike - the multi light sources are obviously difficult to get a balance with, but as I said these are test shots really- not competition winners. The white balance on the greys on the badger face are RGB ok on my calculations but I agree the MV bulb may be greening up the ferns.
Cheers All
JR
Discussion
12 repliesA combination of 600watt MV bulb, and two Metz 402 heads. Same set up as before. Tried hanging the apple up which didn't work so I am going to try smearing it with honey. ( When the wife's out of the way !! )
D200 Sigma 150 macro.
40th sec f8
Cheers
JR
Well done.
Ian Hardy
150mm macro - now come on.lolol
I think a tighter image from your bigger lens would have yielded a better result and your lighting is a tad harsh as I can see two sets of shadows.
But what cracking fun to have these guys in your garden - you're a lucky chap
yes Andy i need to get the flashes balanced a bit better but I am governed by the lengh of leads etc. Its all abit complicated at the moment. I really need a third one above at the back but my slaves playing up.
But its all good fun.
Cheers
John
I really like the composition and to get two is great. Have a play with the lighting set up and it will be fantastic.
Regards
Rob
Dave
I found that using two flashguns from the front always gave me problems. Even if I was satisfied with the shadow situation any clear, close images of the eye resulted in twin catchlights.
Robert
Nice shot.
Paul
Robert- my leads are not long enough at the moment as I mentioned earlier, but I have been and cadged a load of extensions tonight, I can only arrange the flashes according to those lead lengths as you will understand. And after all- it's all artificial anyway . !!
I had all these problems for twenty years with the flash lit pool shots. At the end of the day after all the hassle, do I really need badger pics that badly ? You end up spending more time setting stuff up than taking the pictures and that's not my scene. I am probably more interested in the animals and their behaviour than the pictures. The pictures are just a record to be honest
Mike - the multi light sources are obviously difficult to get a balance with, but as I said these are test shots really- not competition winners. The white balance on the greys on the badger face are RGB ok on my calculations but I agree the MV bulb may be greening up the ferns.
Cheers All
JR