Prior to a class the other day, I decided to do a very quick self portrait or two. Let me share, and explain how.

How? This is how:

1. A 1D camera with a 580EX flash on it – with that flash used as a master, and disabled otherwise, so it only drives additional flashes.
2. The camera set to manual, 1/125th sec, f/5.6, 400 ISO.
3. An additional flash A on our left: a 430EX on a light stand, with a HonlPhoto grid to avoid the light spilling onto the wall.
4. An additional flash B on our left: a 430EX on its little foot, equipped with a HonlPhoto gel.
5. A 1:1 ratio of A:B flashes.
6. The camera set to choose its own focus point for once, since I am holding it myself!
7. The camera in my outstretched arm, tilted for diagonal line effect.

Not bad eh?

Finally, one more with a different gel on the background flash: egg yolk yellow, my favourite colour.

Total time taken: Maybe two, three minutes.