got SOL?
posted on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 in Photographers
Sol: Spanish translation for Sun :)
Sol Tamargo recently used a technique that I think is often overlooked but when used, the results are beautiful.
We were shooting a bride getting ready in the formal bridal room. We were blessed with open windows and cloudless skies with afternoon directional sunshine peaking its way through the glass panes. I would urge every photographer on the planet to make an attempt to photograph natural light in this situation and reap the benefits of amazing natural ambient light!
BUT, if you have the power of flash, why not add a small amount of flavor? In this case, Sol had her assistant zoom the SB-28 Flash head to 85mm and the resulting spill was minimal. The slave flash was triggered by Pocket wizard at 1/8th power. I'd be willing to wager that the untrained eye would pass this photo over without any regard to how it was shot. Sometimes, causing attention to a subject with the power of the flash isnt necessary... But a kiss of light to match a sun burst from a window will make the photo blend aesthetically.
Canon 5d ISO 200 1/200th at 4.5
And this one all ambient. This photo is equally as beautiful as the flash flavor image above... I love that Sol was thinking about her options here and gave this bride a dynamic set of images!
Canon 5d ISO 200 1/200th 2.8
Pretty simple idea eh? The lesson here is to always think in terms of shooting a subject with all the tools in the tool box.
Canon 5d ISO 200 1/200th at 4.5
And this one all ambient. This photo is equally as beautiful as the flash flavor image above... I love that Sol was thinking about her options here and gave this bride a dynamic set of images!
Canon 5d ISO 200 1/200th 2.8
Pretty simple idea eh? The lesson here is to always think in terms of shooting a subject with all the tools in the tool box.
Cheers! matt
15 comments for "got SOL?"
Morgan, thanks for dropping by! We honestly embrace flare, if it is there, then so be it usually.
Michael, in our case, it is experience to know a good base power setting to set the slave to, but this is something that isnt rocket science to figure out, and with a little trial & error, it will happen. I could give an entire workshop on this question :)
Jason, thanks for the shout out! We hope to see your images in the flickr pool! Just one thing though, dont forget about ambient! It will save you sometimes :)
Cheers,
mateo
This is killer! You guys (and strobist) have really pushed to be more creative with my lighting. I no longer use the copout "available light shooter". My studio strobes are my new best friends. Keep up the good work and keep fighting the good fight!
Matt:
That was what I figured, but reverse engineering (a la strobist) can be tricky.
(Warning: dumb newbie like exposure question coming) Is it just experience that Sol knew with 1/8 power at that distance with the head zoomed at 85mm that the light would be almost perfectly balanced? I ask because it's not just ambient or cross light in the shot that she matched, it's the backlight. I would think that (for me at least) would make the exposure tricky.
Or am I just over analyzing? :-)
Michael
Awesome shot and great inspiration! You have a talented wife, Matt! I'm assuming that the flash helped cut the flare in the 1st image... Still trying to take control of the flare - I love using sunbursts but they can get a little obnoxious! (:
Michael,
We actually use SB-28's as our slaves and 580's on camera. In this case, the Sb-28 was hand held by our associate just outside and above the left frame corner. I think I cropped the photo a tiny sliver to get part of his shirt out of the frame. He is about 6'1 and holding the flash with arm extended so the light's angle is downward.
Hope that helps :)
Matt or Sol: forgive my ignorance, but can you elaborate/clarify exactly where the placement of the 580 was in relation to Sol AND the bride? Thanks!
Neil: great comments :-)
Michael
Neil, I'm pretty sure that I was intending to say exactly what you suggest just not so eloquently , however I seem lost trying to figure out exactly what you mean. It sounds good though :)
A well chosen light should illuminate the heart, the moment and the subject; not draw attention to itself.
Nicely said amigo :)
:) Gracias for the nice comments, I shoot like 10 framses with different angles and combinations of apertures/iso/speed., I love all of them!, but this are the ones that Matt liked the most, when I saw this window, I wanted to have a lens flare coming into the frame (I got it in another shoot), and at the same time some light to see her face... this is when adding a nice touch of "flash flavor" makes the photo work.
Ambient is also wonderful... I looove my job!!
I think you forgot to mention how the 580 actually puts out a quality of light very similar to the sun, and so it's a very good choice to cross light or bend the light from the sun. Anytime you use it as a primary source instead of fill it will work smoother for you. But when you say "that the untrained eye would pass this photo over" I'd suggest you're miss stating the point. A well chosen light should illuminate the heart, the moment and the subject; not draw attention to itself. My trained eye is looking for the expectant joy on her face, and I'm glad the light has helped me see it!! Don't let that light blind you (-;
Congratulations! Light, Composition... The second one looks like a Hurrell image
Gorgeous shots, as always! Keep up the great work!
Erin :)
www.erinhession.com
wow, love these photos. love the bit of flare in the 2nd one.
I think both images are spectacular. It's remarkable how an extra stop or two of ambient light can change the atmosphere of the image.
Hey there you two. Great job Sol! It's been great seeing you two this past week. Keep up the awesome work!
Beautiful! I especially love the shapes and lines in the first one.