Speedlight setting test

At this point I start to realize how much lighting is important. For this reason I wanted to search further and experiment with my flash. So far the only things I have done with these were to place them in a softbox while my subject was quite often in a lightbox … yep I was scared of overexposing but now, I definitely understand light much better.

Here is a test that I have done while playing with the setting. Pretty useful for my own reference at least.

Automatic

No Flash

2.0-28ft / -3.0EV 10mm + diffusor

3.0-46ft / -3.0EV 16mm

4.8-66ft / -3.0EV 70mm

2.0-24ft / +0.3EV 70mm + diffusor

2.0-14ft / +0.3EV 16

2.0-8.9ft / +0.3EV 10mm + diffusor

2.0-9.5ft / +3.0EV 70mm

Exercise 4.10 – Softning the light

(2 Pictures)

Set a still-life arrangement  Using a diffused light source to soften the subject, take two photographe. One with the lamp naked, the other one with a translucent material held between.

For this exercise, I have used a manufactured Nikon diffusor with my speedlight SB-700. I set my camera on a tripod and exposed the three picture with the same setting:  f/5.6 – ISO160 – 1sec

No Flash

Flash without diffusor

This picture without diffusor is well lit, the background is apparent. There is a strong dark shadow inside the vehicule.

Flash with diffusor

On this third shot, the difference is very notable. The background is desapere , there is still an apparent shadow but much softer in the car. The wheel rims and headlight has much more definition. The reflection on the well on the paper is also much softer. The reflection on the paint is quite less agressive on the door.

With a little bit of tuning with the flash the third picture could be very nice.