600w or 1200w?

[sfoto100]

Hi

May I know for outdoor portrait shoot from 3pm to 7pm or from 9-10 am, what power of strobe would you recommend?

If i need to over power the sun at those times, do i need 1200w? or 600w is enough?

thanks alot everyone

[jeff7id]

Even with 400 watts (e.q. Elinchrom Quadra RX) you could overpower the sun, if you are able put the strobe very near to the model. The main problem, is this private or group shoot ?

In the group shoot, usually you are only able to put the strobe not less than 2.5 to 3 meter to the model. In such a far distance, 1200 watts is required to overpower the sun.

[eleveninth]

Even with 400 watts (e.q. Elinchrom Quadra RX) you could overpower the sun, if you are able put the strobe very near to the model. The main problem, is this private or group shoot ?

In the group shoot, usually you are only able to put the strobe not less than 2.5 to 3 meter to the model. In such a far distance, 1200 watts is required to overpower the sun.

[Anson]

The following shots was taken in 12 noon bright and harsh sunny day (one of the model's even got sun burnt after the shoot) with a 580EX2 (1/4 power) + shoot thru brolly box.

If the aperture and distance of the flash is close enuff. A speedlight is also possible.

[eleveninth]

doesn't look like you're overpowering the sun there.

[Anson]

doesn't look like you're overpowering the sun there.

Because the previous two shots I did not step down my aperture like I did in this shot.... but the logic is the same. Shot taken with a 580EX2 + barndoor.

[jeff7id]

Credits to Bro J-Chan, this is how he overpowered the sun.
Elinchrom Ranger Quanta

The shoot was done with Elinchrom Ranger Quadra (400 watts)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3480/...0e271967d8.jpg

[eleveninth]

Because the previous two shots I did not step down my aperture like I did in this shot.... but the logic is the same. Shot taken with a 580EX2 + barndoor.

So you saying when u change the aperture u are blocking out the sun?

[Anson]

So you saying when u change the aperture u are blocking out the sun?

The smaller the aperture the less light from ambient, hence even with a speedlight in close range the effect is possible. Alternatively I do use ND Fader (if I want to use a bigger aperture) or speedlight (bare) instead.

At the end of the day, the fundamental is the same only different method of executing it.

[eleveninth]

The smaller the aperture the less light from ambient, hence even with a speedlight in close range the effect is possible. Alternatively I do use ND Fader (if I want to use a bigger aperture) or speedlight (bare) instead.

At the end of the day, the fundamental is the same only different method of executing it.

hehe.

[jeff7id]

The smaller the aperture the less light from ambient, hence even with a speedlight in close range the effect is possible. Alternatively I do use ND Fader (if I want to use a bigger aperture) or speedlight (bare) instead.

At the end of the day, the fundamental is the same only different method of executing it.

Your speedlight would need to work very hard (using its full power) to compete with direct sunlight even the distance is close. To use the flash on its full power will rapidly decrease the battery life, need longer recycling time which reduces your frame rate !

If you still keen to use the speedlight, there is a video for you


As such, the speedlight can't replace the role of a strobe.

[Paiman74]

i used 1200W Jinbei to overpower the sun..Aperture was f-22, iso 200 and shutter 1/200th


Daylight to Sunset by Pai_D-Black, on Flickr

[Anson]

Your speedlight would need to work very hard (using its full power) to compete with direct sunlight even the distance is close. To use the flash on its full power will rapidly decrease the battery life, need longer recycling time which reduces your frame rate !

If you still keen to use the speedlight, there is a video for you
As such, the speedlight can't replace the role of a strobe.

Thanks for the video link Jeff..


As I currently is not driving, getting & carrying huge battery packs & lighting setup (non-commissioned shoot), would seem too much for me. I remember a fellow photographer once told me, "if it's too bulk and heavy for you to carry around chances are you would not be using it often". Hence I still prefer to use speedlights option with battery pack as a lighter option.


Thus initially I have thought of buying the "ET-3 Universal Flash Bracket" from Kenneth (http://www.thestudiooutfitters.com/s...roducts_id=335) or the foursquare review by John (http://www.reddotphoto.com.sg/forums...=3521#post3521). However as I seldom shoot and burst at the noon sunlight (without shade) when it the brightest, using a speedlight is at this time still sufficient to me.

[jeff7id]

Thanks for the video link Jeff..
As I currently is not driving, getting & carrying huge battery packs & lighting setup (non-commissioned shoot), would seem too much for me. I remember a fellow photographer once told me, "if it's too bulk and heavy for you to carry around chances are you would not be using it often". Hence I still prefer to use speedlights option with battery pack as a lighter option.

To spend for such battery powered strobe, modifiers, steady light stand, pocket wizard, and other lighting setup for non-commissioned shoot also seem too much for most people. Actually this depend on how big the passion in photography is. I know quite number of friends who have purchased and used Ranger Quadra for non-commissioned shoot.

Thus initially I have thought of buying the "ET-3 Universal Flash Bracket" from Kenneth (http://www.thestudiooutfitters.com/s...roducts_id=335) or the foursquare review by John (http://www.reddotphoto.com.sg/forums...=3521#post3521).

This ET-3 only could attach to max-3 speedlights right ? But the Four Square could attach to max-4. This is interesting stuff. Thanks for sharing

[Anson]

To spend for such battery powered strobe, modifiers, steady light stand, pocket wizard, and other lighting setup for non-commissioned shoot also seem too much for most people. Actually this depend on how big the passion in photography is. I know quite number of friends who have purchased and used Ranger Quadra for non-commissioned shoot.

Yeah I have a friend who bought Jinbei RD 1200W + Jinbei RD 600W + Elinchrom Ranger Quadra + 1.2m octagon softbox + etc for his non-commissioned shoot. But I am not him.

Beside passion I believe it also about cost & effort how often would shoot at high noon to overpower the sun?


Or would I rather shoot in the dawn & dusk period to "overpower" it instead?

This ET-3 only could attach to max-3 speedlights right ?

Yup... ET-3 can support 3 speedlights and can be use in a typical Bowen mount.

[sfoto100]

i used 1200W Jinbei to overpower the sun..Aperture was f-22, iso 200 and shutter 1/200th


Daylight to Sunset by Pai_D-Black, on Flickr

i like the sky.. so nice..

i guess the time is either 10am or 4pm.. quite surprised full power (1200w) is needed to overpower the sun at this hour. if it is noon, i guess more than 1200w or a much shorter distance between flash and subject will be needed...


tks alot

[jeff7id]

i like the sky.. so nice..

i guess the time is either 10am or 4pm.. quite surprised full power (1200w) is needed to overpower the sun at this hour. if it is noon, i guess more than 1200w or a much shorter distance between flash and subject will be needed...


tks alot

10 am or 4 pm ?

It is shown in the title below his photo, "Daylight to Sunset by Pai_D-Black".
Should be during Sunset time, between 6 to 7 pm.

[sfoto100]

10 am or 4 pm ?

It is shown in the title below his photo, "Daylight to Sunset by Pai_D-Black".
Should be during Sunset time, between 6 to 7 pm.

i thought he is trying to simulate sunset by overpowering the sun.. but when i think again, the position of the sun does not seems to be 10am or 4pm either..... not to sure also... haha...

[tehzeh]

so the conclusion here is that 600w is enough to overpower the noon sun? when it's not too far from the model?