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Answers to Popular QuestionsWorkshop at the Ranch Hi and welcome to this edition of Workshop at the Ranch.
Many of the questions from readers of Workshop at the Ranch
during 2006 had to do with three topics ... two techniques of
lighting, that being location lighting using Nikon's SB800 Speedlight
system, Lightpainting and my teaching calendar of workshops.
With these three things in mind let's answer some questions
and take a look back from Workshop at the Ranch at
the year of 2006 .............
Well, ... there you have some of the years
most popular questions and answers for 2006. Teaching workshops,
SB800 Speedlights and Lightpainting were the major themes of Workshop
at the Ranch articles during 2006. If you would like to learn
more about these lighting techniques and other topics just "click"
Workshop at the Ranch and scroll through the monthly articles
............... Until next month from Workshop at the Ranch............. Adios,
Dave
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Image
#1 Twin Guitars at RIT ... My
teaching schedule has been increasing each
year and I did more Workshops on the road and lectures
at Colleges and Universities this past year than ever before.
I have always enjoyed sharing information and teaching
others about photography. Rich Clarkson's Summit and
Sports Photography workshops (
Image
#2 White Water Kayaker ...
This image is a strong example of the location lighting
projects I did this past year. I really embraced the Nikon
SB800 Speedlights and found myself using them for all
of my outdoor location lighting assignments. These wireless
remote strobe units were my favorite piece of equipment
during 2006 but for more reasons than you might think.
Yes, the I-TTL is fantastic ........ and yes, the fact
that the units are wireless and can have the power
output controlled from the SU800 Commander or a Master
SB800 is also wonderful, ..... but, it is the fast sync
speeds above 1/250 that is a major feature of
the unit. The SB800 allows the photographer to use sync
speeds as high as 1/8000 merely by activating the
Auto FP setting available in many of the Nikon camera's
flash menu. Nikon D200, ISO200, 1/2500 at f4, Nikon
70-200mm zoom Lens, WB 6500K, Four SB800s with
a Power Output +3, SU800 Commander on the camera
hotshoe, Lexar 4G Flash Card. This image was taken at
4:00pm. The sun is located directly behind the kayaker so
I exposed for the highlights on the backlit
water with a shutter sync speed of 1/2500 and reveal
my subject with 4 SB800 Speedlights. This is a tremendous advantage for
the photographer and a real break through in lighting
technology .
Image #3 Bengal Glory ... In this
image I used the two SB800s in Tandem, a cool WB setting in
combination with the warming gels that come standard
with the Speedlights and shot at a slow shutter speed
in an effort to create a very stylized image. Nikon D2Xs,
ISO100, 1/13 at f10, Nikon 12-24mm Lens, WB 3700K, SU800 Commander
and 2 SB800s in Tandem with Power Output of +2, Lexar 4G Flash
Card. These last two images are good examples of the versatility
of the SB800 Speedlight system and my use of what I call the
" Moody Blue Formula " of cool WB and Warming Gels (see February
2006 Workshop at the Ranch).
Image
#4 Toe Shoes ... My Lightpainting
became an important part of my business during 2006. Not only
did I teach Lightpainting at many of the workshops I was involved
with but had clients who hired me for the specific purpose
of producing Lightpainted images. I have found it best to
start with small table top setup subjects when learning Lightpainting.
It can be overwhelming when learning a new technique to begin
with a larger than life subject. Master the concept of Lightpainting
with something small and then work your way up to larger subjects
and landscapes. I still view my Lightpainting as a very artistic
endeavor but found it challenging in 2006 to have editorial
assignments featuring Lightpainting. Nikon D2Xs, ISO100, 2
Minutes at f11, Nikon MC-20 Electronic Cable Release, Nikon
17-55mm Lens, WB Fluorescent, Stylus Steamlight with an orange
gel, Gitzo Carbon Fiber Tripod, SLIK Super Ball Head, Lexar
4G Flash Card.
