Steel wool testing

Week ago I helped Eugene with steel wool photography testing. Freezing cold wind in the tunnel we used as location. I took only three frames and then waved the sparkles for Eugene. I used safety hat & goggles but still burned hole in the hood of my jacket while doing the sparkles, so kids don't try this at home. Need to test this again with proper time & warmer location. 

70mm, F11, 10 seconds, ISO 200 + flash (SB-80DX).

Model: Katie

Manfrotto Combi Boom

Maximum load with Combi Boom at max extension is said to be 2 kg, so it should be enough for light flash (like Quadra, AcuteB or Pro-7B/Pro-B head) and standard reflector. During last studio shoot I wanted to test can it hold the advertised 2 kg.

Pro-7B head with beauty dish & counterweight (comes with stand) worked ok. I wouldn't put much more weight for this boom, so Avenger boom & other sturdier booms are still recommended for bigger and heavier light modifiers. Nice stand and for speedlight use the boom should work with even small softboxes (Ezy & clones as examples).

Snowing

Snowing was good addition to the sunny day when I took these photos of Mia & Pyry. Taken with 50mm @ f1.6.

Laura

Did some photos for Laura as she wanted new images for model competition. This was also good test to use ringflash as fill light.

Sky

Quick one hour+ querrilla shoot with Sky at Helsinki downtown. Sunny but cold day.

Ringflash test

This blog entry is about ringflashes. Some observations after using them (especially one from Profoto) few times and quick comparison between three different units. Image above: Profoto ringflash + widesoft reflector using Pro-7b as power source.

I am not a big fan of monotonous and harsh ring flash as main light look, but it works pretty well for fill light. Examples of that use will be covered in separate post. Ring can be also used to create flat lighting to push the images even further in post processing. Like photographer Kristofer Lönnå is doing.

Arpeneum

Fashion shoot at Arpeneum museum with Marko O. Museum worked as great location for taking photos of the different evening dresses.

Setup: Elinchrom Ranger Quadra RX with reflector & grid camera left up. Skyport for triggering.

Winter fashion