Off-camera flash

This is a capture of my son playing a boxing game on his new Wii(TM). It's shot with a Canon 40D with the following parameters:

400 ISO
f4.5
1/25 sec

He was moving the controllers as he played.

One of the banes of good photography for many is the use of on camera flash. Many months ago I stumbled onto a sight called "Strobist." It is the BEST lighting site on the net.

What David Hobby, the Strobist Master, teaches is how to use small flashes, off-camera, to achieve excellent lighting results. And he achieves this quite masterfully.

For this shot, two strobes(a Nikon SB25 and a cheap Quantaray that acts as an iptical slave) are used on light stands in each corner of the room, set on 1/4 power and shot at the ceiling. They were triggered with a Gadget Infinity remote for one and the other was optically slaved.

You should notice that the light from the flash and the ambient light in the room are balanced. That is, the flash doesn't overpower the ambient light. Look at the reflections of the Christmas tree lights in the fireplace. This would be nearly impossible with direct on camera flash.

Compare this capture to the following photo of him opening the Wii(TM) shot with a 50mm f2.8 lens without any flash, on-camera or off-camera.




Check out David's sight at http://www.strobist.com

©2007 Lawrence H. Wyatt

Canon 40D

As a combined early birthday and Christmas present, I received a Canon 40D camera body. When I started this photography journey, I began with a Canon Rebel XT. I thought that I was interested enough to make the step up to a better camera. Not having the moolah to afford a $5000 professional camera, I opted for the new Canon 40D.

What a camera!! More features that you cna shake a stick at, ergonomically sound and a real real performer. The above photograph of Princess Sable is a no-flash, straight out of the camera capture, save for some mild levels adjustments.

Canon 40D
Canon 50mm f1.8 prime
ISO 1250
f2.8
1/50 sec.


Next week, I'll be touring the state of Texas on a photographic journey with my new camera. Hey....if I can't have a Harley, I'm takin' my new camera! Yeeee-hawww!!!

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Copyright 2007 Lawrence H. Wyatt

A Christmas Story

For Christmas, my 7-year old son received a Red Ryder Range Model Air Rifle.(You'll shoot yer eye out, kid!!!) This is a capture of him being a camo commando in the back yard huntin' for Black Bart.(Oh no!!!! It's Old Blue!!)

Captured with my new Canon 40D camera and the ever reliable Canon 50mm f1.8 lens. This new camera makes it seem like I have a new set of lenses. The sharpness is amazing compared to a Canon Rebel XT(350D).

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Copyright 2007 Lawrence H. Wyatt

A Christmas Wish

May the joys of this Christmas season
Warm your hearts and spirits with love.
And may God bless the coming new year
With bountiful gifts from heaven above.


Copyright 2007 Lawrence H. Wyatt

Our Favorite Christmas Decoration

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Copyright 2007 Lawrence H. Wyatt

Merry Christmas From Our Home to Yours

Copyright 2007 Lawrence H. Wyatt

The Boys of Summer and Winter

Photographs Copyright Lawrence H. Wyatt 2006

Cold Texas Night

Photographed in my back yard in Houston, Texas as a Blue Norther was moving through.

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Photograph Copyright 2006 Lawrence H. Wyatt

Camouflage?

Photographed in Armand Bayou Nature Center in Houston, Texas.

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Photograph Copyright 2006 Lawrence H. Wyatt

Oakwood Cemetary

Captured in Oakwood Cemetary in Huntsville, Texas. It is the burial place of Sam Houston.

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Copyright 2007 Lawrence H. Wyatt

Down on the Bayou

Captured in Armond Bayou Nature Park in Houston, Texas.

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Copyright 2007 Lawrence H. Wyatt