Messing about with Flash effects

[Matblack]

I've bought an of camera flash and took it to our local skate park to try some shots

[NB: All under under 18s have signed a photo release form]

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/4779/img32547265574.jpg

This is a longer exposure with a flash which gives a nice impression of speed

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/365/img32257256396.jpg

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/8161/img3246x.jpg

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/2406/img32267260844.jpg

Its pretty hard to get a good focus in the dark so in most cases I was pre-focusing on an area of the ramp and crossing my fingers

MB

[divine]

What you might find easier (and more satisfying results wise) is to shoot during the day and have the flash position on a stand/tripod a reasonable distance away from you (ie. closer to the cyclists and off to the side a bit... experimenting is key anyway).

Saying that, i'm not sure if you'd need extra equipment for that, as I dunno if Canon can do the whole built in wireless flash thing Nikon have.

Either way, a good start. A flash can be a hard thing to start using effectively but once you get the hang of it you can do some pretty special things with them.

[Matblack]

Radio triggers are available for about £15 which can fire the flash off camera, its something I will pick up at a later date :)

MB

[Chuckles]

The first image is down for me. Is that the one that gives an impression of speed because the others are too quick IMO?

Try with a slower shutter speed and also try second curtain sync which is the best flash technique - Although I am a light mess junkie :D

[divine]

Yeah, good point, with long exposures use rear curtain (or whatever canon call it) as it will give you a nice trail up to where the flash fires giving the crisp image at the end of the movement, rather than giving an almost backwards feel doing it front curtain.

[Matblack]

Yep, I've switched to using rear curtain now when its not in High Speed Sync which is what I leave it in as default. It's interesting at for a relatively simple device (a bright single point light source) how many different things can be changed :)

MB

[Matblack]

Ordered a set of Cactus V4 triggers and an extra receiver for the Jessops flash I bought to go with the 300d :)

Should be able to set up some good shots with the flashes off camera, which will prevent all that light splashing on the jumps and give me some more flexibility :)

MB

[divine]

Off camera flash is a whole new world compared to the relatively limited on camera set up, you're going to have fun :D