This past Monday I attended the last stop of the Flashbus Tour. Thank you to my friend Charlie for both turning me on to the show and getting me in for free by informing me of the V.A.L (Voice Activated Lightstand) program whereby I go in early, help unload the bus and help fill/distribute the swag bags. Then I get to sit up front and watch David Hobby and Joe McNally talk about how they do things, and it was pretty damn awesome.
As the name implies the tour was all about small flash photography. David is a manual flash guy, Joe is a TTL guy, two different approaches that are pretty interesting to see compared. David’s basic approach is to assess ambient light and then build light on top of it which works for the motif you are creating. Joe’s basic approach is to set up the artificial light to support the motif and if the ambient light can be used then fine, otherwise get rid of it. David shoots manual, so he sets up his flash(s) and then triggers them when he takes the picture. Joe shoots TTL so he can control his flashes from his camera. Two different philosophies, two different people. One very cool day.
So, now I want to get into small flash photography. The cheapest, sorry, most accessible from an economic point of view, would be the manual route, so there I go. I took the plunge and picked up an inexpensive flash, a stand and an umbrella. Now I need to get subjects and do great things.
Great things I tell you
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