DIY Photo Challenge # 5–Flash

Jack Carlson, Photography Instructor

jack@jackcarlsonphotos.com

When using any type of flash (in camera or external) remember to change the White Balance to Flash. Don’t rely on “AWB”. Light from a flash tube—either in-camera or external—can be softened by using a bounce card. One can easily be made by using a rubber band to attach a white paper or index card to either the flash tube on your camera or the head of your external flash.

Wrong flash position creates nasty shadows.

Image 1 Set-up Steps

Find an indoor subject that’s made of glass. 2.Set ISO to either 400 or 800 3. Set WB to Flash. 4. Use a rubber band to secure a white card behind the flash. 5. Bounce light to soften it on an inside subject. 6. All other decisions are yours to make.
External flash to the rescue.

Angle camera & flash to prevent reflections

Image 2

This subject is also inside but will be behind glass such as a curio cabinet. Move the subject to the front of a shelf so that it’s completely visible while still inside the cabinet. Allow enough time to find one that will benefit from additional light. Follow steps listed in Image 1.

Your goal for both images is to add just the right amount of light. This challenge coulg be just that, but will go by in a ….. (No, it won’t stop just because we’re not in the Plant Science Lab.)

Once you have taken both pictures Attach both images in jpeg format to an email and send to jack@jackcarlsonphotos.com.

New Rule

Images may be from any place where you need to add light from a flash.
Old Rule I know what some of you are thinking, but no dice: POST-PRODUCTION IS STILL NOT ALLOWED for the images you send since it’s the same instructor.

Magnus the Camera Clubhouse cat deciding whether to help re-pack Christmas decorations.

I had 2 shots remaining on the roll of Tri-X 120 black/white film. Magnus, the Carlson Camera Clubhouse Cat was hanging out on the table as I was about to dismantle the Christmas tree. What a perfect time for an impromptu portrait session. The camera’s built-in flash was just high enough so that the light output didn’t get directly into his eyes, but was reflected by the lights on the tree. The cat is actually much sharper in reality than he may appear to you in this scan of the print. A tripod could have helped here and I do own several of them but the clubhouse floor was covered with boxes so making a trip to get one of those 3-legged camera supports just didn’t seem worth the time and effort.

As I’ve written countless times, a tripod is your friend. Please remember that when you’re about to be overcome by laziness.

The camera I used for the shot of Magnus

DIY Challenge #5 — Indoor Flash

DIY Photo Challenge # 5–Flash

Jack Carlson, Photography Instructor

jack@jackcarlsonphotos.com

Image 1 Set-up Steps

Find an indoor subject that’s made of glass. 2.Set ISO to either 400 or 800 3. Set WB to Flash. 4. Use a rubber band to secure a white card behind the flash. 5. Bounce light to soften it on an inside subject. 6. All other decisions are yours to make.

Image 2

This subject is also inside but will be behind glass such as a curio cabinet. Move the subject to the front of a shelf so that it’s completely visible while still inside the cabinet. Allow enough time to find one that will benefit from additional light. Follow steps listed in Image 1.

Your goal for both images is to add just the right amount of light. This challenge coulg be just that, but will go by in a ….. (No, it won’t stop just because we’re not in the Plant Science Lab.)

Once you have taken both pictures Attach both images in jpeg format to an email and send to jack@jackcarlsonphotos.com.

New Rule

Images may be from any place where you need to add light from a flash.

Old Rule I know what some of you are thinking, but no dice: POST-PRODUCTION IS STILL NOT ALLOWED for the images you send since it’s the same instructor.

Wondering if you need a tripod? Don’t be lazy.

Intermediate Photography: Continue the Happiness

Photographing in Natural Light starts at the CBG on Feb. 1

Documenting Nature at the CBG –5 Saturdays– Starts April 15

DIY Photo Challenge # 5–Flash

Jack Carlson, Photography Instructor

jack@jackcarlsonphotos.com

Image 1 Set-up Steps

Find an indoor subject that’s made of glass. 2.Set ISO to either 400 or 800 3. Set WB to Flash. 4. Use a rubber band to secure a white card behind the flash. 5. Bounce light to soften it on an inside subject. 6. All other decisions are yours to make.

Image 2

This subject is also inside but will be behind glass such as a curio cabinet. Move the subject to the front of a shelf so that it’s completely visible while still inside the cabinet. Allow enough time to find one that will benefit from additional light. Follow steps listed in Image 1.

Your goal for both images is to add just the right amount of light. This challenge coulg be just that, but will go by in a ….. (No, it won’t stop just because we’re not in the Plant Science Lab.)

Once you have taken both pictures Attach both images in jpeg format to an email and send to jack@jackcarlsonphotos.com.

New Rule

Images may be from any place where you need to add light from a flash.

Old Rule I know what some of you are thinking, but no dice: POST-PRODUCTION IS STILL NOT ALLOWED for the images you send since it’s the same instructor.

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