Multiple Flashes

Candid Arts

So I know this is something that is charged to learn, and takes awhile, and can't really be taught over the internet. BUT...if one of the lighting geniuses here (Nikolai, etc...) were to give the most rude and quick run-down on best ways and ideas to use multiple flashes (580 EX II, 420 EX) it would be GREATLY appreciated.

I've had my 580 EX II for awhile now, but not used it much, so still have lots to learn on flash photography. I just got my 420 last night so I could have a master/slave set up. I tried some practicing last night on my 6 month old niece, I don't think she was too happy with the light.

I'll get a couple posts up as soon as I edit some of the photos to show some examples of what I've done thus far.

Thanks for all the help from anyone who is willing to give it!

Candid Arts

Ok, so none of the photos that I took with both flashes turned out. I was however playing with the second flash while my room mate used my camera and took pictures. So maybe when she is done editing hers (in like 10 years) I'll post a couple up. However there were a few good ones that I was happy with, single flash (580). So I'll post them up in the people section to get some advice.

But still any help here would be appreciated. Thanks everyone.

Scott_Quier

I'm not a lighting expert, but I know a thing or two about OCF. It's really hard to help you correct issues if we can't first see the issues. Post a couple of the failures, along with your camera and flash settings and let's go from there.

Sam

I had an EX 420 in my hand the other day, and couldn't figure out how to get the EX 580 to trigger the EX 420.

How the heck do you do this?

Sam

Candid Arts

Scott_Quier wrote:

I'm not a lighting expert, but I know a thing or two about OCF. It's really hard to help you correct issues if we can't first see the issues. Post a couple of the failures, along with your camera and flash settings and let's go from there.

Ok. I'll try and get some up here soon. Thanks.

Sam wrote:

I had an EX 420 in my hand the other day, and couldn't figure out how to get the EX 580 to trigger the EX 420.

How the heck do you do this?

Sam

First of all, you gotta go into the flash custom function settings with the 580 mounted and turn the wireless trigger on. You gotta also set the channel in which you want it to send the trigger, i.e. 1, 2, 3, or 4. Now, on the 420, there's a small switch just above the screw thing it uses to tighten the flash onto the camera. Switch the switch to the right so where its marked "slave". Next there's two sets of LEDs on the bottom of the flash, one says group, and the other says channel. Make sure the channel is the same as you set it on the 580. The group, I set mine to B. Then at that point I think the 420 has to have a rough line of site from the 580 to get the wireless trigger. As I believe it is an IR signal and not an RF signal.

Hope that helps that.

tenoverthenose

In my experience with a 580 and a 420, you really have an off camera flash and a fill flash. No matter what, the 580 is going to fire (although at a low power) when you use it in master mode. I prefer to use the 420 as a strong side light (remember line of sight) and the 580 just kissing the picture, or if I'm indoors I will use the 580 as a bounce light.

You can do a lot with this combo, it just takes time to experiment and find what looks good to you!

Candid Arts

Took a few practice shots today, and two photos of the different setups I used. I'll try and get them uploaded today while I'm at work to get some input.

Here is the first setup I tried:


And the second setup:


I'll get the results up at work from the setups. But for now, how does this setup look? right angles? good placement? I fired a bunch of test shots from each set up. Off camera flash only, on camera flash only, 1:1 both flashes, and all the way from 8:1 to 1:8 for each setup.

pathfinder

Your setup should work insofar as getting the flashes to trigger, etc.

I think putting your subject inside a small light tent, and shooting your flashes through the wall of the tent will give a softer, more diffuse lighting source. The IR trigger should still work at these distances.

Candid Arts

pathfinder wrote:

Your setup should work insofar as getting the flashes to trigger, etc.

I think putting your subject inside a small light tent, and shooting your flashes through the wall of the tent will give a softer, more diffuse lighting source. The IR trigger should still work at these distances.

A light tent? I'm guessing this has an open front so as to be able to focus... How big is this tent?

Update: I'm working on uploading the photos now.

Candid Arts

So here is a gallery with the photos that I took this morning with the two afor mentioned lighting set ups. In each caption tells how I had the flashes set up to fire. Tell me what you guys think? what worked, didn't work, etc...

lfortier

Your setup looks good and your test pics seem to show a good progression through the different tests. I think you're getting the hang it. The only thing that might give you trouble is the Cherrios in the corner.

Keep it up. you're doing fine.

Candid Arts

lfortier wrote:

Your setup looks good and your test pics seem to show a good progression through the different tests. I think you're getting the hang it. The only thing that might give you trouble is the Cherrios in the corner.

Keep it up. you're doing fine.

Haha, yeah I tried to get that in there for some comedy. It was distracting my model...haha

Thanks though, I will keep at it. Now I just need a model, some stands and bigger lights, back drops, new lens... oh the possibilities...

Candid Arts

ilfortier...which ones are standing out to you in terms of lighting? and anyone else that feels the need to give their input of course...

pathfinder

Candid Arts wrote:

A light tent? I'm guessing this has an open front so as to be able to focus... How big is this tent?

Update: I'm working on uploading the photos now.

A light tent is just what it sounds like - a structure with walls and a roof of a translecent, white fabric or paper, that diffuses the light and does not yield reflections on the shiny surfaces of your subject. They can be large enough for a full sized automobile, or small enough for a single diamond ring, purchased or home made.

The may or may not have the front covered with just an aperture for the lens, or they may be open in front, depending on the lighting needs of the subject.

I made mine out of 3/4 inch poly pro pipe from Lowe's and an old white sheet.

A quick google of "light tent" yielded these links

http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-make-a-inexpensive-light-tent

http://www.instructables.com/id/Super-Simple-Light-Tent/

http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/2006/07/how-to-diy-10-macro-photo-studio.html

http://www.creativepro.com/article/digital-photography-how-to-building-a-light-tent

With a good light tent, a piece of colored paper, and a pair of flashes, you can get shots of your camera like this

http://pathfinder.smugmug.com/photos/53792895_A7zoT-M.jpg

Candid Arts

Interesting idea. Thank you. Definitely look into creating my own. Great for small things at least. Thanks.

Any other tips on using multiple flashes?

Art Scott

Candid Arts wrote:

A light tent? I'm guessing this has an open front so as to be able to focus... How big is this tent?

Update: I'm working on uploading the photos now.

You can make a light tent (tee pee) from a bed sheet hanging from a hook in the ceiling and have it drape around a card table, tv tray table, or the table in your photos.....get subject situated inside of the tend and poke camera lens thru an opening ......now a camera bracket would be nice to raise the main flash up away from the camera.....

is a small PVC frame covered with a bed sheet and a round hole or just an open end to shoot thru......flashes situated to shoot thru the white diffusion material (bed sheet).......

Mine is a walk in light box (tent) make with PVC pipe walls and white muslin bed sheet (king size)......I can go inside and shoot with lights on top and from the sides or i can close off the wal in front and shot thru a slit in the opening and have strobes from the front, top, sides.....nice bright diffused lighting..........

pathfinder

Candid Arts wrote:

Interesting idea. Thank you. Definitely look into creating my own. Great for small things at least. Thanks.

Any other tips on using multiple flashes?

I have a sticky at the top of this forum about EOS system flash techniques

Strobist.com has extensive threads about the use of multiple ( or single ) off camera speedlite techniques

Scott_Quier

It would seem to me that between the infor supplied above and your own experimentation with the lighting ratios (BTW - good placement on the flashes!) that you are getting the hang of it. The shots of the AE-1 Program (I used to have the predecessor, the AE-1 - nice cameras!) look to be getting you an idea of what ratios are doing.

Candid Arts

Scott_Quier wrote:

It would seem to me that between the infor supplied above and your own experimentation with the lighting ratios (BTW - good placement on the flashes!) that you are getting the hang of it. The shots of the AE-1 Program (I used to have the predecessor, the AE-1 - nice cameras!) look to be getting you an idea of what ratios are doing.

Most certainly. And thank you for your comments. Now I just need to get my room mate to pose for me in different locations so I can practice with the lighting how I will be using it. Soon hopefully I'll be adding some new equipment as well, light stand, umbrella, light meter, flash bracket... Oh the goodies...

iambarefoot

I love this! A picture of a camera, taking a picture of a camera!

Candid Arts wrote:

Ok, back to your regularly scheduled thread....

Candid Arts

iambarefoot wrote:

I love this! A picture of a camera, taking a picture of a camera!

Ok, back to your regularly scheduled thread....

hahaha...Thanks