Some bugs from SBG on a Hari Raya morning

[Denosha]

Just wanna share some catches from the SBG yesterday morning. As suggested by tchuanye, here's some background info: All shot on a monpod with a 20D + Canon 100mm Macro with a custom dual flash lighting setup (described here: http://forums.clubsnap.org/showpost....0&postcount=32).


1/250s, F13, ISO 400, Single flash with custom bounce card


1/250s, F14, ISO 400, Dual flash


1/250s, F14, ISO 400, Dual flash


1/250s, F14, ISO 400, Dual flash

C&C greatly welcomed.

[nemo]

lost for words... say... can you post a pic of this dual flash thing?

[tchuanye]

These are very good pics.

The images are sharp, lighting is good, BG is nice.

For some specific comments:
#1: Nice composition, sharp!

#2:Nicely done. Good you kept the head to tail sharp. Composition wise, I find the BG lime green leaf abit distracting. Maybe a lower level shot could have gotten it out of frame.

#3: Compo wise prefer a bit more to the side and front. The whites at the tail is nicely exposed. But for the body(behind the head) its abit over.

#4: Compo is nice. Good Eye level shot, eyes well focused. The bottom part of the face could do with abit of fill in to minimise the shadows.

[Denosha]

Originally Posted by nemo lost for words... say... can you post a pic of this dual flash thing?

Thanx. I'll try to get a pic up later. Haven't got any at the moment.

[Denosha]

Originally Posted by tchuanye These are very good pics. The images are sharp, lighting is good, BG is nice. For some specific comments: #1: Nice composition, sharp! #2:Nicely done. Good you kept the head to tail sharp. Composition wise, I find the BG lime green leaf abit distracting. Maybe a lower level shot could have gotten it out of frame. #3: Compo wise prefer a bit more to the side and front. The whites at the tail is nicely exposed. But for the body(behind the head) its abit over. #4: Compo is nice. Good Eye level shot, eyes well focused. The bottom part of the face could do with abit of fill in to minimise the shadows.

Thanx for the comments. Appreciate it.

As for the exposure issues in #3 and #4, i think it has to do with the way my flashes are set up. 1 light gives illum from above the subject and another gives it from the side, which tends to leave some areas on the other side somewhat darker. I'm still trying to figure out how to balance the output from the 2 flashes.

[nemo]

do u use any closeup filter or ext tubes?

[Denosha]

Originally Posted by nemo do u use any closeup filter or ext tubes?

Nope. Just the macro lens itself.

Anyway, here's the setup:

http://denosha.sgl.per.sg/webpost/MacroMonster.jpg
http://denosha.sgl.per.sg/webpost/MacroMonster2.jpg

And yes, it's as heavy as it looks.

[sclau19]

nice macro works...and u didnt even use tripod? handheld with that monster setup???? u must have a real stable solid grip

[tltan]

nice setup and nice pictures. But I think its time for another flash to fill the base. hehe.

[nemo]

Originally Posted by Denosha Nope. Just the macro lens itself. Anyway, here's the setup: http://denosha.sgl.per.sg/webpost/MacroMonster.jpg http://denosha.sgl.per.sg/webpost/MacroMonster2.jpg And yes, it's as heavy as it looks.

i upgrade my biceps first.

[Denosha]

Originally Posted by sclau19 nice macro works...and u didnt even use tripod? handheld with that monster setup???? u must have a real stable solid grip

I used a monopod. If handhold I won't be able to get that many shots in before my arms cramp up.

Originally Posted by tltan nice setup and nice pictures. But I think its time for another flash to fill the base. hehe.

Wah, still use somemore flashes? I think i probably just need to rearrange them somewhat. Hur hur.

Originally Posted by nemo i upgrade my biceps first.

It's still manageable with a monopod actually. Unless you intend to shoot for many, many hours on end...

[Youhong]

Originally Posted by Denosha Thanx for the comments. Appreciate it. As for the exposure issues in #3 and #4, i think it has to do with the way my flashes are set up. 1 light gives illum from above the subject and another gives it from the side, which tends to leave some areas on the other side somewhat darker. I'm still trying to figure out how to balance the output from the 2 flashes.

Light-tent!!! (Just kidding...) ;P

Originally Posted by Denosha Nope. Just the macro lens itself. Anyway, here's the setup: http://denosha.sgl.per.sg/webpost/MacroMonster.jpg http://denosha.sgl.per.sg/webpost/MacroMonster2.jpg And yes, it's as heavy as it looks.

That definitely looks very heavy... Got one pic of the setup on a weighing scale???

[Denosha]

Originally Posted by Youhong That definitely looks very heavy... Got one pic of the setup on a weighing scale???

IIRC with the Sigma 180 macro instead the Canon 100 macro it weighs 4.5kg.

Anyway, just did one with the Sigma 180mm setup about 3 hours ago (with the lights slightly repositioned). Handheld.



Less shadows and dark areas now I think? Never noticed a snail's eyes before though. Hur hur. F16 still not enuff DOF for the other eye though.

[tchuanye]

Originally Posted by Denosha Thanx for the comments. Appreciate it. As for the exposure issues in #3 and #4, i think it has to do with the way my flashes are set up. 1 light gives illum from above the subject and another gives it from the side, which tends to leave some areas on the other side somewhat darker. I'm still trying to figure out how to balance the output from the 2 flashes.

Your last shot lighting is very nice, and just as you mentioned, I handhold the 2nd flash and move it along to see where the shadows are cast. If left side, I move to left, if below, I move the flash below and frt. So shoot, evaluate, adjust flash position....fastest way to adjust,..,handhold flash.

[ortega]

nice setup

but the canon ring flash has a A/B control
the light intensity can be controlled
and won't look so flat

lighter and more balanced on the camera

btw if you need to fill the bottom, i think a reflector will do
since the bottom should have some shadow

[Denosha]

Originally Posted by ortega nice setup but the canon ring flash has a A/B control the light intensity can be controlled and won't look so flat lighter and more balanced on the camera btw if you need to fill the bottom, i think a reflector will do since the bottom should have some shadow

In terms of handling a ring flash would definitely be better but from what i've read at the DPReview forums and a macro shooting guide at the canon website some time ago, ring flash actually creates the MOST flat lighting. Which is why it's also used for scientific applications like dental photography, CSI-type evidence photography, etc. If you use the ratio thing with a 100mm and below macro lens you can still get some "3d" lighting but apparently with a 180mm macro the light is headed towards the subject in an almost parallel path so it still makes it very flat. That's why they recommend the twin head macro flash thing instead (but that's crazy expensive).

But good suggestion on the reflector at the bottom. Maybe I can attach a bounce card at the bottom of my rig to bounce some light back up. Thanx!

[ortega]

you can also put another layer of diffuser to cut the light from one side of the ring flash
to get a more sculpting light on the cheap

or get the Nikon R1C1