B and H, Bob Davis is a top top presenter. The quality of his work speaks for itself. The quality is pristine. He articulates his points exceptionally well. Undoubtedly, he is a good mentor.
Bob Davis a TRUE professional. I hope others will appreciate all the knowledge imparted. How this got 90 thumbs down is simply not understanding the art of photography IMHO. Thanks! One of the best tutorials that goes into detail.
Bob Davis is hands down one of the best wedding photographers in the world, and he does fantastic things with light. However, that doesn't mean he's a fantastic teacher, and the first half of this video played far more like a portfolio review. That said, the second half, as he created shots on site, mistakes and all, was great. You learn far more watching the process than reviewing the finished results.
you all probably dont give a shit but does any of you know of a way to get back into an instagram account..? I somehow lost my account password. I would love any help you can offer me!
Best instructional video I've ever seen on using "Speedlites". I just set myself up with 2 Yongnuo 568EX II guns and their 622 triggers. A 568 + trigger comes to about 25% of the equivalent Canon gear prices. The ONLY difference is that you can't run external power. (That would be a problem for a Pro but not for me). You can even Zoom the heads from the remote trigger. 2 Flash stands and an assortment of umbrellas were £25. A collapsible background was £30 (all from Ebay). So my home studio with 2 "Speedlites" was less than £300 (less than $400). I may buy another Yongnuo & trigger to use against my background. A Yongnuo 568 EX II + Trigger is around £100 / $130. Real bargains. You can copy Bob's setup quite cheaply (much cheaper if you don't mind walking to the flashguns to change their settings) Once again.. thanks for making this demo available, very informative.
One of the most informative videos on Speedlight usage I've yet to watch. An believe me, "I've watched many of them. Love his attention to the details. Explaining what every camera/flash setting does when blending them together.
This guy's a seasoned artist. Focused, methodical, and patient. I love how he starts with his workflow, gear, and then breaks down exactly how he paints the scene with Speedlites. Unfortunately, I don't think that even with the same gear, most photographers have that level of talent. Even more valuable, is how masters like this share their secrets here on RUclips for free! He's tempting me to add an RT600 to my 580 EX II. Very informative, powerful, comprehensive video. "We're at the top of the food chain for what we charge." No kidding. He's magneto with light. Even talks like a movie villain. :) Thank you so much for this video.
I love lots of the B&H event space videos, but this one has just gone right up to the top of the pile. Wonderful stuff. Thanks so much to all involved. Terrific.
Can't believe no one is saying anything about the gorgeous model. I appreciate the talk very much and I've learned a lot from it. Speedlights are incredible and the possibilities are amazing. But the model is really really beautiful. I may be in love.
This is a great set of lighting inspirations, and an affirmation for those of us who choose speedlights over strobes...but it is also a reminder that ETTL is not even the friend of those who use it regularly...
Wow bob you really spilled some knowledge on this one. I especially love all the ideas and practical versatility you teach with speedlights and even overcoming power limitations with ND filters and not needing HSS to do it. That photo with the bride and groom at the MGM was so genius! I never thought of placing one subject in ambient light and the other in the lack there of and expose one subject with flash. GENIUS!
Such a great presentation!! Easy to follow and understand, with explanations as to why you use particular setting!! I will be using all i have learned in my very next shoot!!! Thank you
this class was amaizing I enjoyed it a lot... I don't think many people appreciates what B&H is doing here. Also hate the fact that people in the class is not asking any questions, even here on the coments people talks about how couple shots where bad instead of taking the best and new knowledge.
+Kenneth Nielsen It would depend on which speedlight you own as to which button you press for depth-of-field preview (or if this option is even available for your flash) as to which button is designed for your needs. As such, I would recommend e-mailing your inquiry along with your flash model to askbh [at] bhphotovideo [dot] com and we can assist you with your inquiry.
I guess I have avoided electric lighting and portraiture due to not knowing what can be done with speedlights. That gave me inspiration to get creative and visit my speed lights again. B&H : with this and the techniques from Jerry Ghionis you really excelled in my mind. Thanks
I love the long, in-depth format highlighted here, using speedights in various modes and locations to achieve desired results. Showing minor adjustments of the lights, variations and the thought process behind these changes is key to a great,educational video. Well done!
So, a few speed lights and select modifiers, great camera and lenses, good working rapport with clients is what I need. Roll this all together with many years of busting your hump and making sacrifices to build a fabulous career. I think I get it! FanTAStic video!! Thank you Bob (and Dawn) and BH. This is one to watch several times.
I'm just starting out and I'm a sponge right now watching everything possible. This was really good. I learned so much about how you can make some really nice images with just a few pieces of equipment and some imagination. Great job!
A fantastic presentation demonstrating the creative use of speedlites. I felt that it covered a lot of material in a very efficient manner. Bob Davis certainly conveys his passion for lighting, through stunning images. Well done Bob!
Great tutorial!! One of the most informative and easy to follow course on flash and lighting on a long time! I just went freelance, and flash is something I know I have to master to sell more photos and articles. This one was very nice to watch - and return to in the future! Happy shooting!
Went back to review this, Rob, after 4 years. And....there was my comment from the original viewing. So all I have to do is say "ditto"....and thanks again.
Great session, Bob it was great to watch someone who has it all together. It helped to watch you as a pro move between eTTL and Manual to get your shot. Thanks to you and B & H for sharing this...
Canon does a great job with their Explorer of Light group of professionals. They offer free presentations to photography schools, large camera clubs and other organizations and the subject matter varies., depending on the presenter. I have been to several and all have been excellent . I haven't come across anything comparable from the other big manufacturers.
I am a wedding photographer and while this was good mostly for portraits, I would have loved to see the lighting of the groups, and how he would light a large group or the entire church with his speed lights. None of my clients would sit so long through all the testing that needs to be done with the umbrellas, etc. Having to do adjustments to kelvin on every scene takes time and people in my area would get tired of all the testing before the final shot.
Well, I would not use my clients when setting up a location for the shot. I would have an assistant or my second shooter to set the right exposure or testing so now when you are ready for your clients it should be dialed in. More Speedlite classes for reference: ruclips.net/video/4AoaNMWvfZE/видео.html ruclips.net/video/StpK8lFm8L4/видео.html If you understand color temperatures using Kelvin takes no time to dial it in. Using AWB does not always gives you the best color from different types of lighting. Very simple for weddings you don't want the photographs to look cool or bluish. You want a warm or golden color. I recommend knowing ahead of time what the lighting and layout of the church and have everything figured out before the day of the wedding. That would be part of my checklist so I know what settings for each location that I need to be shooting in. Be as prepared as much as possible. So all you got to do is put up your speedlites, dial your camera in, and take a test shot. then just shoot away. Depending on how big the church is you may not be able to light the whole church with even 5 speedlites but that's where you put up your lights in the most important area to give you the best lighting. Also, have a Speedlite with you not on camera to pop just enough light to improve your subject. The lighting of groups I have seen a great video on using flash but I cannot find it but the photographer worked with the available light like saying light coming from the right side of the group instead of placing the flash opposite he would put the flash on the same side of the ambient like and feather it to wrap around enough to lighten up the shadow side but not to remove all of the shadows for definition. That video is on youtube so just try to find it if you can because I could not find it sorry. This is just something I have learned and my opinion this may help you out or it could be worthless to you but I am just trying to help. No one has replied to your comment from 4 years ago. Good luck best wishes.
Top notch tutorial Bob! I loved your no-stress think-out-aloud style of delivery as well. What I found very reassuring too was my takeaway about my own choice of equipment and challenges. I've been using a Pentax since it was my dad's Spotmatic and picked up a thing or two over the years. Canikon users and Pentax defectors (or defectors-to-be) have frequently bashed Pentax on many subjects but none more than flash incompetency. I have run into exactly the same kinds of quirks that you ran into when trying to use (x)TTL for flash. I respect how you explain this to the audience as "technology issues", which it is, but in all fairness the camera is doing its job as best as it can based on what it can "see". Just like we have spot metering and spot/point focusing, it would be great if you could set a dedicated (x)TTL point in your viewfinder to get the camera to "see" your point of interest and set exposure for it during pre-flash metering. That would be a killer feature for these situations. I have often wondered if top-of-the-line equipment from a different brand would be smart enough to cut through mixed lighting situations where some flashes were in manual mode or incident on the metering system. Based on what I see from your session and your recommendation to switch to a full manual mode for predictable results, I feel confident that Pentax users have it as good as any! In fact, many of us even have that missing low-light AF-assist light you talk about for those black suits in candle-light shots ;) Now clearly, those slick wireless controllers don't exist for us yet but if we're going to be in full manual - even an inexpensive Neewer 16 channel with some compatible TT850's should work great. Thanks to Matthew Miller for that suggestion on pttl.mattdm.org/. Going back to your tutorial, if there was that someone looking for ONE video to learn flash photography - this would be it! You cover just about everything from light modifiers(softboxes, umbrellas, snoots, gels and grids), key lighting, workflow, painting, portraiture shadow control, equipment choice and everything in between...
just watched your "speedlights power and possibilitys, think im going to watch it again and again, it should come free with every speedlight sold, now i got to go out and buy speedlights ! !
+Dave Hughes, You will probably find that the transfer from device to device (meaning computer to projector and projectors are well known for poor quality resolution) is effecting the highlights and the loss of detail in the shadows, I could be wrong but I hope this helps. Markuss
That was excellent to watch! I'd love to learn from Bob Davis! I'm probably going to watch this several times and the prices on some of these modifiers are very generous. Now I need to trade in all my 430ex speedlites for the RC 600ex's
Great video Bob. Thank you for putting it together and sharing it with us. Videos like this, shared by B&H, is one of the reasons they get my business. Always like learning from their guest speakers.
Woooww thank you, you inspired me to continue and I will use information from video to capture better pictures. Now I want to buy 4 more speedlights :D
Great tutorial but there is something about ETTL that I can't understand. In my Canon Speedlite 430EX III-RT manual they claim ETTL works only in P & Auto modes of the camera. But every video tutorial I find in the net does not mention such important fact. Everybody act like ETTL works in every mode. Am I missunderstanding something? Did I get manual wrong?
When you use a neutral density filter it will cut down the light from a flash just as many stops as it will cut down the ambient light right? His description at around the 40 minute mark implies otherwise.
In the example he was showing leading up to the 40min mark he was suggesting to meter/expose for the sky using the ND filter, (which would have the subjects in the foreground underexposed) and use the flash to add light to the subjects to balance them. As far as your comment goes, yes, an ND filter will cause as many stops of loss on a flash as it does with ambient, in this case the ambient light on the subjects in the foreground was underexposed, and use of the flash was greater than the ambient which caused the subjects to appear well lit in the final image. - Yossi
If I'm not mistaken high speed sync will not flash at full power because it has to flash multiple times. By using a neutral density filter you can bring the shutter speed down enough to use full power. I could be wrong but that's my understanding of it.
Can't finish watching this ... Am I really meant to believe that ettl takes a few shots to work out what's happened when you change from landscape to portrait framing?
I agree to so much light as much is necessary ! Nut to put colored high cost flashes used in manual mod to create a kitsch graphic image for getting money from VERSACE really wonder me from this talent guy !
B&H: if you want to sell these products (softboxes, 600EX speedlight, etc.) then you should include links in your video description that take us to those products on your website, like a certain other New York camera store does in their videos.
Life changing!!! Thank you so much! I want to shoot boudoir and don't have enough natural light in my home studio. This is the perfect answer! I loved the example of the girl in the bedroom with the speedlites placed outside replicating golden hour. Did you use a modifier on either the outside lights? And as I'm starting to learn all of this, how do I know where to begin with settings on my speedlites? (Example: shooting at full power / no zoom versus when to bring the power down instead of changing my camera settings.)
The presentation is awesome! I never thought you could get such results with just speedlites. I'm a Pentax kiis user and don't really know if there any kind of remote flash controller similar to the one you're using with your camera for my Pentax.
That is the 26" model of the Westcott Rapid Box: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=westcott+rapid+box+26%22&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search= Thanks for your interest!
I loved this thank you could you say what kind of shutter speed you are using with your photos as you so the photos off and where do you place your focal point the image , Thanks as i say loved your presentation.
I feel like I get better portraits "out of camera" with one speedlight and no softboxes or other lighting equipment.. That being said, my pops worked with Michael Jordan, too! Were you ever in Beaverton?
Still less than halfway through this, it's been a great introduction so far, except a bit weak on rear-curtain sync (the examples should have been of the same shot with 1st then 2nd sync, instead of different shots for each, hiding the real difference) and confusing on the nd filter- how does rotating the nd filter only change the sky and not the faces? (at around around 42.30) Surely you would need more power from the flash to compensate for the reduction in light reaching the sensor?
As the filter is on the lens (not on the flash), and in the examples shot around 42:30 show the shutter speed was constant at 1/250 (not using High Speed Sync with the filter), the filter is darkening all ambient light. The flash stays the same distance from the subject, so the flash light pattern remains constant. At 41:29, he states he is using full power or close to full power on the flash (NOT HSS). More flash power and constant distance to subject keeps the light pattern consistent.
So you're saying that the filter stops the light of the sun reaching the sensor, but lets the light from the flash through without cutting it down at all?
***** Yes and no. Yes, the neutral density filter reduces ALL light entering the camera. However, as the flash is MUCH closer to the camera & (due to proximity) more powerful than ambient light, the neutral density filter will have MORE effect on ambient light than the flash light. As many say when using flash, shutter speed controls ambient light, aperture controls flash light. (Also remember Bob stated he raised the flash's output power to full (or close to full) power when using the ND filter.
Can someone get me the brand of that pop up back drop stand. I have savage universe and the legs are flimsy when extended. I don’t need to replace it but I will later.
First of all, many thanks for this video! Secondly, one question: at the moment 11:23 is depicted a radio controller that has 3 groups (A, B, and C) on the display; later on, Bob talks about (and uses) a 5-group (A, B, C, D and E) controller. Which one would be the later 5-group radio flash controller?
B and H, Bob Davis is a top top presenter.
The quality of his work speaks for itself. The quality is pristine.
He articulates his points exceptionally well. Undoubtedly, he is a good mentor.
Bob Davis a TRUE professional. I hope others will appreciate all the knowledge imparted. How this got 90 thumbs down is simply not understanding the art of photography IMHO. Thanks! One of the best tutorials that goes into detail.
90 photographers that walk around stating they don't use flash as they are all about natural light :)
Must be Joe Buissink disciples, of which I count myself as one, but this is still great information.
Bob Davis is hands down one of the best wedding photographers in the world, and he does fantastic things with light. However, that doesn't mean he's a fantastic teacher, and the first half of this video played far more like a portfolio review. That said, the second half, as he created shots on site, mistakes and all, was great. You learn far more watching the process than reviewing the finished results.
Good job. I like when an artist opens his bag of tricks and tells you everything going through his mind. Very generous, unselfish. Thanks to all.
you all probably dont give a shit but does any of you know of a way to get back into an instagram account..?
I somehow lost my account password. I would love any help you can offer me!
@Oakley Jensen Instablaster ;)
Best instructional video I've ever seen on using "Speedlites".
I just set myself up with 2 Yongnuo 568EX II guns and their 622 triggers. A 568 + trigger comes to about 25% of the equivalent Canon gear prices. The ONLY difference is that you can't run external power. (That would be a problem for a Pro but not for me).
You can even Zoom the heads from the remote trigger.
2 Flash stands and an assortment of umbrellas were £25. A collapsible background was £30 (all from Ebay).
So my home studio with 2 "Speedlites" was less than £300 (less than $400). I may buy another Yongnuo & trigger to use against my background. A Yongnuo 568 EX II + Trigger is around £100 / $130. Real bargains.
You can copy Bob's setup quite cheaply (much cheaper if you don't mind walking to the flashguns to change their settings)
Once again.. thanks for making this demo available, very informative.
All of the long form B&H videos are absolutely phenomenal.
I learn a lot from Bob Davis. Always enjoy listening to his seminars. He is a great photographer and great teacher.
Every time I watch this video I learn more. Really like Bob's style of presentation. Hope you have him back, B&H.
Best Flash Photography Tutorial I've ever seen in youtube. Thank you B&H and Mr. Bob Davis!
One of the best light tutorials.
By far my favorite wedding photographer, Bob Davis. I have been following his lighting techniques for years. Glad to see you in B&H Event Space.
Thank you… Hope to see you at one of the Need Light Speedlite Tour stops.
One of the most informative videos on Speedlight usage I've yet to watch. An believe me, "I've watched many of them. Love his attention to the details. Explaining what every camera/flash setting does when blending them together.
This guy's a seasoned artist. Focused, methodical, and patient. I love how he starts with his workflow, gear, and then breaks down exactly how he paints the scene with Speedlites. Unfortunately, I don't think that even with the same gear, most photographers have that level of talent.
Even more valuable, is how masters like this share their secrets here on RUclips for free! He's tempting me to add an RT600 to my 580 EX II. Very informative, powerful, comprehensive video.
"We're at the top of the food chain for what we charge." No kidding. He's magneto with light. Even talks like a movie villain. :) Thank you so much for this video.
I love lots of the B&H event space videos, but this one has just gone right up to the top of the pile. Wonderful stuff. Thanks so much to all involved. Terrific.
This was a great tutorial. I felt like I was taking a workshop. Bob Davis seems like a really nice guy, aside from being incredibly talented.
Thank you….
Can't believe no one is saying anything about the gorgeous model.
I appreciate the talk very much and I've learned a lot from it. Speedlights are incredible and the possibilities are amazing.
But the model is really really beautiful. I may be in love.
This is a great set of lighting inspirations, and an affirmation for those of us who choose speedlights over strobes...but it is also a reminder that ETTL is not even the friend of those who use it regularly...
Check out Niel V he's the man, and uses ETTL very often. Flash exposure compensation is the key when using ETTL.
I've watched this video twice today; what a great practical demonstration of how to build-up to the end result, Thanks Bob and to B&H too.
please extend my heart felt gratitude to Mr. Davis =-) great job!!!!! He just made me a lot of money!
Wow bob you really spilled some knowledge on this one. I especially love all the ideas and practical versatility you teach with speedlights and even overcoming power limitations with ND filters and not needing HSS to do it. That photo with the bride and groom at the MGM was so genius! I never thought of placing one subject in ambient light and the other in the lack there of and expose one subject with flash. GENIUS!
This video completely changed my understanding of lighting. I love the compact kit ideas. Thank you for posting.
This guy is a master on speed light , Outstanding, and he is a perfectionist. I like his style
Such a great presentation!! Easy to follow and understand, with explanations as to why you use particular setting!! I will be using all i have learned in my very next shoot!!!
Thank you
By far one of the best presentations I have seen out there. I know I will be watching it a few more times and taking notes.
I first watched this in 2015 but never understood what you were doing.
Now I understand everything.
this class was amaizing I enjoyed it a lot... I don't think many people appreciates what B&H is doing here. Also hate the fact that people in the class is not asking any questions, even here on the coments people talks about how couple shots where bad instead of taking the best and new knowledge.
+Kenneth Nielsen It would depend on which speedlight you own as to which button you press for depth-of-field preview (or if this option is even available for your flash) as to which button is designed for your needs. As such, I would recommend e-mailing your inquiry along with your flash model to askbh [at] bhphotovideo [dot] com and we can assist you with your inquiry.
Very knowledgeable presenter with well worth of knowledge packed into a small case here! Well done B&H.
I guess I have avoided electric lighting and portraiture due to not knowing what can be done with speedlights. That gave me inspiration to get creative and visit my speed lights again. B&H : with this and the techniques from Jerry Ghionis you really excelled in my mind. Thanks
I love the long, in-depth format highlighted here, using speedights in various modes and locations to achieve desired results. Showing minor adjustments of the lights, variations and the thought process behind these changes is key to a great,educational video. Well done!
Great instructional video on using flash and natural lighting!
Thank you, I love sharing and seeing the light bulbs go off for people. There were several in the class who did not know the power of Speedlites.
Lighting is what I have been missing in my life!
Thid guy is a great teacher and photographer. Tyvm
Absolutely! Gets the point across extremely well!
one of the best tutorials I've ever watch! awesome guy!
Excellent lecture on the use of speedlights to create mood lighting.
Bob, thank you for this one. What a learning session for me. God I wish you held these sessions in Australia. You made my lecturer look very average
So, a few speed lights and select modifiers, great camera and lenses, good working rapport with clients is what I need. Roll this all together with many years of busting your hump and making sacrifices to build a fabulous career. I think I get it! FanTAStic video!! Thank you Bob (and Dawn) and BH. This is one to watch several times.
I'm just starting out and I'm a sponge right now watching everything possible. This was really good. I learned so much about how you can make some really nice images with just a few pieces of equipment and some imagination. Great job!
A fantastic presentation demonstrating the creative use of speedlites. I felt that it covered a lot of material in a very efficient manner. Bob Davis certainly conveys his passion for lighting, through stunning images. Well done Bob!
Great tutorial!! One of the most informative and easy to follow course on flash and lighting on a long time! I just went freelance, and flash is something I know I have to master to sell more photos and articles. This one was very nice to watch - and return to in the future! Happy shooting!
Loved this presentation! Thank you Bob and B&H! :-)
Awesome presentation, Thanks for doing this and sharing on youtube for all of us who are just starting out.
Great video Bob and very clear. Feeling the need to dust off those speed lights and get practicing !!
Went back to review this, Rob, after 4 years. And....there was my comment from the original viewing. So all I have to do is say "ditto"....and thanks again.
Great video! really opened my eyes to flash photography. forget hauling cable and lighting around! thanks for the great video i really appreciate it.
Great session, Bob it was great to watch someone who has it all together. It helped to watch you as a pro move between eTTL and Manual to get your shot. Thanks to you and B & H for sharing this...
Great tips and demo using speedlights and modifiers. Thanks Bob, learnt a lot.
This guy is amazing!
Canon does a great job with their Explorer of Light group of professionals. They offer free presentations to photography schools, large camera clubs and other organizations and the subject matter varies., depending on the presenter. I have been to several and all have been excellent . I haven't come across anything comparable from the other big manufacturers.
Excellent tutorial. Well worth the time to watch it. Thanks Bob and Thanks B&H.
I love this. Watched every second. Thanks for sharing.
I am a wedding photographer and while this was good mostly for portraits, I would have loved to see the lighting of the groups, and how he would light a large group or the entire church with his speed lights. None of my clients would sit so long through all the testing that needs to be done with the umbrellas, etc. Having to do adjustments to kelvin on every scene takes time and people in my area would get tired of all the testing before the final shot.
Well, I would not use my clients when setting up a location for the shot. I would have an assistant or my second shooter to set the right exposure or testing so now when you are ready for your clients it should be dialed in. More Speedlite classes for reference: ruclips.net/video/4AoaNMWvfZE/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/StpK8lFm8L4/видео.html
If you understand color temperatures using Kelvin takes no time to dial it in. Using AWB does not always gives you the best color from different types of lighting. Very simple for weddings you don't want the photographs to look cool or bluish. You want a warm or golden color. I recommend knowing ahead of time what the lighting and layout of the church and have everything figured out before the day of the wedding. That would be part of my checklist so I know what settings for each location that I need to be shooting in. Be as prepared as much as possible. So all you got to do is put up your speedlites, dial your camera in, and take a test shot. then just shoot away. Depending on how big the church is you may not be able to light the whole church with even 5 speedlites but that's where you put up your lights in the most important area to give you the best lighting. Also, have a Speedlite with you not on camera to pop just enough light to improve your subject.
The lighting of groups I have seen a great video on using flash but I cannot find it but the photographer worked with the available light like saying light coming from the right side of the group instead of placing the flash opposite he would put the flash on the same side of the ambient like and feather it to wrap around enough to lighten up the shadow side but not to remove all of the shadows for definition. That video is on youtube so just try to find it if you can because I could not find it sorry.
This is just something I have learned and my opinion this may help you out or it could be worthless to you but I am just trying to help. No one has replied to your comment from 4 years ago. Good luck best wishes.
Brilliant, thank you.
Apologies for being a few years late but only just found the video due to me recently becoming addictive with using flash.
Top notch tutorial Bob! I loved your no-stress think-out-aloud style of delivery as well. What I found very reassuring too was my takeaway about my own choice of equipment and challenges. I've been using a Pentax since it was my dad's Spotmatic and picked up a thing or two over the years. Canikon users and Pentax defectors (or defectors-to-be) have frequently bashed Pentax on many subjects but none more than flash incompetency.
I have run into exactly the same kinds of quirks that you ran into when trying to use (x)TTL for flash. I respect how you explain this to the audience as "technology issues", which it is, but in all fairness the camera is doing its job as best as it can based on what it can "see". Just like we have spot metering and spot/point focusing, it would be great if you could set a dedicated (x)TTL point in your viewfinder to get the camera to "see" your point of interest and set exposure for it during pre-flash metering. That would be a killer feature for these situations.
I have often wondered if top-of-the-line equipment from a different brand would be smart enough to cut through mixed lighting situations where some flashes were in manual mode or incident on the metering system. Based on what I see from your session and your recommendation to switch to a full manual mode for predictable results, I feel confident that Pentax users have it as good as any! In fact, many of us even have that missing low-light AF-assist light you talk about for those black suits in candle-light shots ;) Now clearly, those slick wireless controllers don't exist for us yet but if we're going to be in full manual - even an inexpensive Neewer 16 channel with some compatible TT850's should work great. Thanks to Matthew Miller for that suggestion on pttl.mattdm.org/.
Going back to your tutorial, if there was that someone looking for ONE video to learn flash photography - this would be it! You cover just about everything from light modifiers(softboxes, umbrellas, snoots, gels and grids), key lighting, workflow, painting, portraiture shadow control, equipment choice and everything in between...
Thank you Bob Davis... fantastic presentation and tutorial....
just watched your "speedlights power and possibilitys, think im going to watch it again and again, it should come free with every speedlight sold, now i got to go out and buy speedlights ! !
An awesome insight into speedlight photography . ty
Where's my award for watching 2 hours of a speedlight video?? (; haha wonderful video! Very informative but kept me hooked the whole time!
Anyone else think those first corporate shots weren't very good, looked blown out!
+Dave Hughes, You will probably find that the transfer from device to device (meaning computer to projector and projectors are well known for poor quality resolution) is effecting the highlights and the loss of detail in the shadows, I could be wrong but I hope this helps. Markuss
Oh snap! Bobby Flay also does photography!!!
Outstandingly well done. A great teacher, clearly.
Mr. Davis, your presentation was highly informative and practical. You seem like a friendly, humble, and insightful guy. =)
Those pics are very nice examples, learnt a lot, thanks!
been wanting lights for a while, not been able to afford them, this might be a good alternative and portable
That was excellent to watch! I'd love to learn from Bob Davis! I'm probably going to watch this several times and the prices on some of these modifiers are very generous. Now I need to trade in all my 430ex speedlites for the RC 600ex's
I was at this session. He was very informative and willing to answer questions.
Beautiful photo's Bob.... I am a Jerry Ghionis fan..... but yours are very good too.
Some excellent and practical suggestions for awesome portraits. Thank you!
watching in 2018 ..thanks for the tricks! solidifies my knowlege.
wow. what a fantastic tutorial
Great video Bob. Thank you for putting it together and sharing it with us. Videos like this, shared by B&H, is one of the reasons they get my business. Always like learning from their guest speakers.
This was immensely helpful
Woooww thank you, you inspired me to continue and I will use information from video to capture better pictures. Now I want to buy 4 more speedlights :D
AWESOME Lesson! Thank you
I think I seen a young Joe Mcnally when it comes to use of speedlites on the Cannon side. Joe on the Nikon side.
WOW, that's nice of you to say, Joe if the God Father of Speedlights! Always good when I'm mentioned in the same sentence as Joe. Thank you.
Great presentation, i watched every minute of it, thanks for sharing,
Great tutorial but there is something about ETTL that I can't understand. In my Canon Speedlite 430EX III-RT manual they claim ETTL works only in P & Auto modes of the camera. But every video tutorial I find in the net does not mention such important fact. Everybody act like ETTL works in every mode. Am I missunderstanding something? Did I get manual wrong?
Most of the best photographers I know used Aperture. Aperture, oh how I miss thee Aperture. **sniff, sniff**. Lightroom just isn't the same.
Enjoyable class.Thank you.
Agradeceríamos mucho pudieran habilitar la opción de subtítulos a youtue para este video... Gracias
When you use a neutral density filter it will cut down the light from a flash just as many stops as it will cut down the ambient light right? His description at around the 40 minute mark implies otherwise.
In the example he was showing leading up to the 40min mark he was suggesting to meter/expose for the sky using the ND filter, (which would have the subjects in the foreground underexposed) and use the flash to add light to the subjects to balance them. As far as your comment goes, yes, an ND filter will cause as many stops of loss on a flash as it does with ambient, in this case the ambient light on the subjects in the foreground was underexposed, and use of the flash was greater than the ambient which caused the subjects to appear well lit in the final image. - Yossi
If I'm not mistaken high speed sync will not flash at full power because it has to flash multiple times. By using a neutral density filter you can bring the shutter speed down enough to use full power. I could be wrong but that's my understanding of it.
Great tutuorial Bob!
Excellent tips on mental notes on iPhone pics on lights.
Can't finish watching this ... Am I really meant to believe that ettl takes a few shots to work out what's happened when you change from landscape to portrait framing?
What’s up with the sky on top of the bridge at 1:00:00? Forgot to edit it?
what transmitter and receivers do you use i like that you can control each one of your 5 lights from the camera.
Thanks for your question - please contact dawn@bobanddawndavis.com directly.
I agree to so much light as much is necessary ! Nut to put colored high cost flashes used in manual mod to create a kitsch graphic image for getting money from VERSACE really wonder me from this talent guy !
B&H: if you want to sell these products (softboxes, 600EX speedlight, etc.) then you should include links in your video description that take us to those products on your website, like a certain other New York camera store does in their videos.
Thanks, helped alot
Life changing!!! Thank you so much! I want to shoot boudoir and don't have enough natural light in my home studio. This is the perfect answer! I loved the example of the girl in the bedroom with the speedlites placed outside replicating golden hour. Did you use a modifier on either the outside lights? And as I'm starting to learn all of this, how do I know where to begin with settings on my speedlites? (Example: shooting at full power / no zoom versus when to bring the power down instead of changing my camera settings.)
can you guys post a link for the accessories used in this video that he mentions
The presentation is awesome! I never thought you could get such results with just speedlites. I'm a Pentax kiis user and don't really know if there any kind of remote flash controller similar to the one you're using with your camera for my Pentax.
By the way...best wishes from Spain.
Just wondering was the Rapid box used by Davis in the video the 20in or 26in model? Thanks.
That is the 26" model of the Westcott Rapid Box: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=westcott+rapid+box+26%22&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search= Thanks for your interest!
what is the light to use in this workshop? looks teriible - B&H should check this again
really enjoy this tutorial. What button are you pressing for depth of field preview?
I loved this thank you could you say what kind of shutter speed you are using with your photos as you so the photos off and where do you place your focal point the image , Thanks as i say loved your presentation.
Please send your question directly to Bob & Dawn Davis Photography: bobanddawndavis.com/
I feel like I get better portraits "out of camera" with one speedlight and no softboxes or other lighting equipment.. That being said, my pops worked with Michael Jordan, too! Were you ever in Beaverton?
Still less than halfway through this, it's been a great introduction so far, except a bit weak on rear-curtain sync (the examples should have been of the same shot with 1st then 2nd sync, instead of different shots for each, hiding the real difference) and confusing on the nd filter- how does rotating the nd filter only change the sky and not the faces? (at around around 42.30) Surely you would need more power from the flash to compensate for the reduction in light reaching the sensor?
As the filter is on the lens (not on the flash), and in the examples shot around 42:30 show the shutter speed was constant at 1/250 (not using High Speed Sync with the filter), the filter is darkening all ambient light. The flash stays the same distance from the subject, so the flash light pattern remains constant. At 41:29, he states he is using full power or close to full power on the flash (NOT HSS). More flash power and constant distance to subject keeps the light pattern consistent.
So you're saying that the filter stops the light of the sun reaching the sensor, but lets the light from the flash through without cutting it down at all?
***** Yes and no. Yes, the neutral density filter reduces ALL light entering the camera. However, as the flash is MUCH closer to the camera & (due to proximity) more powerful than ambient light, the neutral density filter will have MORE effect on ambient light than the flash light. As many say when using flash, shutter speed controls ambient light, aperture controls flash light. (Also remember Bob stated he raised the flash's output power to full (or close to full) power when using the ND filter.
Can someone get me the brand of that pop up back drop stand. I have savage universe and the legs are flimsy when extended. I don’t need to replace it but I will later.
First of all, many thanks for this video! Secondly, one question: at the moment 11:23 is depicted a radio controller that has 3 groups (A, B, and C) on the display; later on, Bob talks about (and uses) a 5-group (A, B, C, D and E) controller. Which one would be the later 5-group radio flash controller?
Don’t know, am I blind … or … why isn’t your name more visible? Title, intro?!?!… because it’s a great video and you are top teacher!