Welcome to Workshop at the Ranch. Each month I will be writing an instructional article about photography. It might cater to sports coverage, new cameras and gear, techniques with Off Camera Speedlights or Large Strobe Systems, Lightpainting and more. These articles began in 2003. They are archived and available for you to revisit as often as you like. A broad pallet of my images with all camera data, equipment I use, special tricks of the trade, and my personal commentary will drive the content of each article. So, be my guest, settle back and “click” on any image you want to enlarge, and enjoy learning each month here on Workshop at the Ranch. Adios, Dave

Workshop at the Ranch - May 2007 - SB800 Location Lighting in Mexico

Workshop at the Ranch
May, 2007 Edition

Hi and welcome to this edition of Workshop at the Ranch. I receive more emails requesting examples using the Nikon SB800 Speedlight system than any other topic. My recent American PHOTO Trek to Mexico was a terrific experience (...see May 2007 edition of On The Road.) I used the Nikon SB800s every day in Mexico and made some of my favorite pictures of the Trek with them. I have included example images both without and with the use of the SB800 Speedlights so that you all might better see the difference and advantage of using this portable location lighting system.

Before I begin please note that I use the Nikon SB800 Speedlights in the remote mode off the camera. I have the SB800 set to i-TTL mode. I use the Nikon SU800 Commander on the hot shoe of my camera to trigger the remote SB800 Speedlights. And, when I use a warming gel I am referring to the orange colored gel that comes standard with each SB800 unit. Also note that my Nikon D2Xs or D200 cameras are set to AUTO FP in the custom flash settings. This allows me to use fast shutter speeds of up to 1/8000 and use the SB800 Speedlight. OK, .... now let's look at some images and how they were accomplished ..............................

Images 1A Fancy Hombre ... NO SB800 This is a silhouette of Vincent, the Fancy Hombre taken at 2:30 pm after his performance in the Mexican rodeo. No flash has been used which is why he is too dark. I did not expose for his face but I underexposed the sky by 1 stop to help deepen the blue of the sky. This left his face and sombrero in a shadow or silhouette against a deep blue sky. Nikon D2Xs, ISO100, 1/500 at f10, Nikon 17-55mm Lens and a slightly cooler white balance of 4000K that helps blue the sky to a greater degree.

Image 1B Fancy Hombre ... WITH Two SB800 Speedlights. In this image I revealed my subject with light from two remote SB800 Speedlights each with a power output of +1. I did not use any warming gels. I did rubber band the two SB800s together so I could easily hold them in my left hand ( Tandem SB800s....see previous Workshop at the Ranch articles using SB800 Speedlights.) Vincent is sitting atop his horse and I am standing on the ground, thus a low angel of view and low angel of light. The same exposure was used as with image 1A, all I have done is fill in the silhouette with light from the two SB800 Speedlights. I used a Nikon SU800 Commander on the hot shoe of my camera to trigger the remote SB800s. How do I know to set each of my remote SB800s on a power output of +1 ? .... In general, if I underexpose my scene by 1 stop I will need to overexpose my flash power output by 1 stop....If I underexpose a scene by 2 stops I will need to overexpose my flash power output by 2 stops ...... etc, etc.... (NOTE: This is a general formula but not an absolute. I can vary these ratios depending on what looks good to me and how stylized or natural I want my picture to look.) This is a simple but effective way to light my subject on location. ( NOTE: Using 2 SB800 Speedlights tandem does not increase the intensity of light on the subject because i-TTL is keeping the intensity consistent ... but, using 2 SB800 Speedlights helps illuminate a larger area and cut the recycle time in half.)


Image 2A The Jimador ... NO SB800 The Jimador is a harvester of the Agave plant that is used to make Tequila. It is sunny and the sun is getting higher in the sky causing harsh shadows. I have underexposed my sky by 1 and 1/3 stops which gives me a deep blue sky but leaves my subjects face underexposed especially under the brim of his hat, similar to Vincent, the Fancy Hombre. I have also used the cooler than daylight white balance of 4000K to blue the sky to a greater degree. Nikon D2Xs, ISO100, 1/500 f10, Nikon 10.5mm Fisheye Lens WB 4000K.

Image 2B The Jimador ... WITH Two SB800 Speedlights and Warming Gels. I have revealed the face and upper body of my subject with light from two remote SB800s that I rubber banded together (tandem) each with a power output of +2.7. The warming gels that come standard with each Nikon SB800 Speedlight warms the light from the units with a golden hour orange tone, but the warming gel diminishes the intensity of the light, therefore I used a power out put of +2.7. (NOTE: had I not used warming gels I would have only needed a power output of +1.3 on each SB800.) Also take note that it is up to my discretion as to how much intensity of light to use. Sometimes I might want a very subtle application of light and might only use a power output of +1.3 even with the warming gel .... it is up to me and I can make that judgment by taking a shot and then taking a look on the LCD screen on the camera. My tandem SB800s are easily held in my left hand and are visibly in the frame thanks to the wide fisheye perspective ... but it helps illustrate how close I am to my subject. I used a Nikon SU800 Commander on the hot shoe of my camera to trigger the remote SB800s.

Image 2C The Jimador ... WITH Two SB800 Speedlights and Warming Gels. Once I have my scene exposed the way I want and my SB800's power output set the way I want I can move around and compose the scene and take pictures while the i-TTL feature of the SB800 keeps the light on my subject consistent. I still used the Nikon 10.5mm fisheye Lens for this final portrait of the Jimador but moved in much closer (an arms length) and corrected the fisheye distortion in Nikon Capture NX.

These examples illustrate a "stylized" image and the significance of using the SB800 Speedlights to illuminate my subject during harsh sunny conditions that would normally leave my subjects face underexposed or in silhouette. By underexposing the scene and lighting my subject I create a stylized portrait. The ease of using the SB800 as a remote off camera flash allows me to freely move when my subject moves while the i-TTL mode keeps the intensity of light consistent. This is location lighting in a very simple but effective form. This location lighting technique will work in the field, the ball park, the football field, a rodeo etc, etc, etc.


Image 3A Senorita of the Cabanas ... NO SB800 I have slightly underexposed this scene of a young Senorita by about 1 stop. Nikon D2Xs, ISO200, 1/100 at f7.1, Nikon 17-55mm Lens, WB 7100K. It is 12 Noon and sunny which helps illuminate the outdoor hallway but my subject is still too dark in the shadows of the Cabanas building. If I lighten my exposure I will see my subject better but the scene will be flat and rather average. This "Open Shade" is a perfect location set up for reveling my subject with light from an SB800 Speedlight.

Image 3B Senorita of the Cabanas ... WITH One SB800 with Warming Gel. The exposure has not changed, there is only the edition of a shaft of light. I have used one remote SB800 Speedlight with Warming Gel and a power output of +1 to reveal my subject from shadow. I needed only a power output of +1.3 to illuminate my subject even though I have placed the warming gel on the SB800. I did not need more power because she is standing in open shade rather than the sun. I do not need to overpower the sun but only add a small amount of light to reveal my subject from the shadow. The Warming Gel adds the golden hour tone to my subject which gives the appearance of a shaft of setting sunlight steaming in through some trees. I like this image but I also made additional images that used a more subtle use the light by using a lesser power output of +1 or +0.7. .......... Like I mentioned earlier, this formula is not an absolute but a general guideline. I placed the SB800 on the ground about 10 feet from my subject and about 15 feet from my shooting location and the SU800 Commander on the hot shoe of my D2Xs.

This technique of placing my subject in "Open Shade", slightly underexposing the scene and then revealing my subject with a low power output of warming gelled light is a beautiful and easy way to create a lovely sunset feel to your pictures. It is the accent of light that creates drama and mood to any scene and it can be done on location with the SB800 Speedlight system. I can create more drama by underexposing the scene more .... that would require an increase of power output from the SB800......... or, I can lessen the dramatic effect and make the scene look more natural by exposing the scene only slightly under a perfect exposure and only adding a slight amount light from an SB800. This use of open shade and then adding some off camera light light using a small flash works well for portraits or feature shots of people at the home, baseball players in the dugout, race car drivers in the garage or anyone standing in the shade or even outside on a cloudy day.


Image 4A Mexican Saddle ... NO SB800 Here is the same idea ... It is sunny outside and this Mexican Saddle is near the doorway in the open shade of the building. I have underexposed my scene by about 1 stop. Nikon D2Xs, ISO 200, 1/60 at f5.6, Nikon 17-55mm Lens, WB 8300K. I can easily see my subject, the saddle, but the overall image is too dark and a bit uninteresting. I could increase my exposure so as to better see my subject but I would rather create a little drama ............ you guessed it ........... with an SB800.

Image 4B Mexican Saddle ... WITH SB800, Warming Gel and LumiQuest Snoot This is the same idea as the Senorita ... The exposure has not changed. I have slightly underexposed my scene by about 1 stop and then revealed my subject with an accent of warm light from one remote SB800 Speedlight with a warming gel and a power output of +1. I also used a LumiQuest Snoot to create a narrow shaft of light ........ and I made the shaft of light narrower by using a paper clip to pinch the end of the snoot more than normal. This "Pinched Snoot" created a shaft of light about 2 inches wide. The warming gel and WB of 8300K creates an accent of sunset which helps define the contours of the saddle. This Pinched Snoot is great for small subjects like a football, baseball and glove, figure skates ..... or, as we will see in the next image ...... a close up portrait.


Image 5A Roberto ... NO SB800 This close up portrait was done in the same manner as the saddle. It is 1:00pm and a sunny day, my subject is standing in open shade and I have slightly underexposed him by 1/3 stop. Nikon D2Xs, ISO200, 1/320 at f3.5, Nikon 17-55mm Lens, WB 7100K. It makes a good picture but an accent shaft of warm light will help define the features of his face.

Image 5B Roberto ... WITH One SB800, Warming Gel and LumiQuest Snoot I have used one remote SB800 Speedlight with a power output of +0.3, a warming gel and LumiQuest Snoot "Pinched" to create a very narrow shaft of light. The scene is only underexposed by 1/3 stop so I only need a slight amount of light ( +0.3 ) across Roberto's face to create the impression of sunset. I did not want Roberto as dramatic as the Senorita, or the saddle, so I "ever so slightly" underexposed my scene by 1/3 stop and added an "ever so slightly" ( +0.3 power output ) shaft of warm light from one SB800 with a warming gel and Pinched Snoot. I love this image.

This method of location lighting is very convenient for the photographer who is working quickly and moving with his subject. This lighting technique can be applied to any subject ...a CEO, an athlete, a musician, an animal or whatever or whoever you want. Whether I need to "Silhouette and Reveal" for a dramatic stylized look or use "Open Shade and accent the subject with a single Shaft of Warm Light" the Nikon SB800 Speedlight is a perfect tool to do the job easily on location.

I hope you all have enjoyed this edition of Workshop at the Ranch ....................... See you next month.

Adios, Dave