Tag Archives: Flash

A simple chiaroscuro portrait or two

Posted on March 28, 2012 by Michael Willems

In the last few days I took two people’s portraits using just one off camera flash. Here’s Michelle and Adnan, respectively: How did I take those? First, I set the camera so that the ambient light looks dark. The room … Continue reading →

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What’s in YOUR bag?

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Michael Willems

My flash/lighting bag as it is today: It contains, from top left: Two rolls of Honl Photo gels Flashzebra Cables to connect Pocketwizards to speedlights Six pocketwizards Light meter (and spare battery) Three Honl Photo grids (2×1/4″ and 1×1/8″) Cables … Continue reading →

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Light.. action!

Posted on March 16, 2012 by Michael Willems

I shot a few shots of Kelly, the hair stylist for a shoot the other night. Here she is: Nice. So how did I light that? Here’s how. I used my 1D Mk4 camera in manual mode, equipped with a Pocketwizard to … Continue reading →

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What went wrong?

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Michael Willems

Yesterday I was shooting art, using a couple of speedlights, driven by Pocketwizards. Fine. So, what went wrong here? Answer after the break:

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Four flashes with David Honl

Posted on March 12, 2012 by Michael Willems

Last year, when I taught my flash workshop in Toronto I was joined by David Honl, of the excellent range of Honl modifiers I use. We set up a shot like this: Background light with a short snoot; Two gridded … Continue reading →

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Advanced on-camera flash technique

Posted on February 28, 2012 by Michael Willems

I usually advocate not doing this: But this instead: Flash backward, because you want the light to come from 45 degrees above your subject. That’s usually the way, since we usually use wider lenses for people shots, meaning we are … Continue reading →

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Lighting

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Michael Willems

Here’s why you use proper lighting – with flash used for many outdoor shot too. Say I shoot talented new model Anastasia outdoors using available light: That is well exposed – but poorly lit. Even on an overcast day, there … Continue reading →

Posted in Picture of the day, Technique | Tagged | 8 Comments

Reflect on this

Posted on February 19, 2012 by Michael Willems

When you use TTL flash (automatically metered flash), you can get great images – I use TTL all the time. Like in this image of Anastasia: But sometimes, oooh, it goes wrong and the image goes too dark. Like here: … Continue reading →

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Quick portrait

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Michael Willems

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: A 1D camera with a 580EX flash on it – with that … Continue reading →

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My Flash pic is too dark!

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Michael Willems

I am using a flash and my image is too dark! What’s wrong? It could be any of several things. The top ones in this handy checklist: You are too far (especially when bouncing). Increase the ISO or open up … Continue reading →

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