We love discovering photographers creating great images with interesting use of off-camera flash. Chris Arace is a Detroit photographer who not only uses PocketWizard radio triggers to light his portaits, but his series ”We Are Vacancy” includes images of talent actually handholding speedlights. In his own words, here are his thoughts on his work.
An artistic rebellion of faith and spirit. Eager to create. Created to create. Rise against the onslaught of homogenization in culture, we shall. We Are Vacancy.
The above statement was crafted as part manifesto, part inspiration, and part dedication. It provides a tangible concept for me to visualize and create images for this series of shots. The idea was created while on location last year. I often am running at a fast pace on shoots in some diverse and amazing locations. It was not always possible to create personal, compelling imagery under the time crunch of a production schedule. We Are Vacancy allowed a portable, manageable, and very artistic way to satisfy my personal artistic needs.
Erik Valind, previously featured on our blog, has an exciting workshop currently roaming the country through October. If you’re looking for instruction on fast and mobile applications of off-camera flash, this looks to be your ticket.
Valind will have live models and will cover the following topics:
The characteristics of light and how it behaves
Creative ways to control and direct light using modifiers on- and off-camera
Gelling your flash for both color correction and dramatic effect
Practical tips to help you overcome some of the most common worst-case lighting scenarios
Full details on Shaping Light: A Small Flash Workshop Tour can be found here, including dates and locations.
Valind is the master of not carting around huge lighting rigs and getting top-shelf professional results from PocketWizard radios and speed lights. For more information on Erik, visit his site.
With Sekonic’s new RT-32CTL you can now use a Sekonic L-358 or L-758 to meter flash with PocketWizard ControlTL radios. Dinil centers his post around Nikon-based PocketWizard radio triggers, including the FlexTT5 and the MiniTT1. In fact, he fires off what appears to be seven FlexTT5 radios with his Nikon speedlights!
As the amount of imaging hardware and software grows exponentially—along with the number of features in both—it’s exciting to see what photographers do with minimal set-ups. Well-known photographer Tamara Lackey recently was shooting in Las Vegas, where she got to work out with the PocketWizard Plus III radio triggers to demonstrate what can be done with a the sun and one speedlight.
Armed with a diminutive gear set-up including a Canon EOS 5D Mark II and a Canon Speedlight 580EX II, Lackey demonstrates how she uses window light for her main light and a Plus III-controlled 580 acting as her backlight. Explaining different settings and positioning, Lackey controls settings from the Plus III on her camera.
The piece ends with sample photos from the session which detail camera settings so you can see the difference from shot to shot.
A shooter of both Nikon and Canon, Lovegrove discusses his use of the AC3, the FlexTT5 and the MiniTT1 in conjunction with flash gear from the two camera manufacturers. He breaks down the kits into their respective compatibilities, and explains why and how he uses each piece of gear.
A really informative post, with lots of tips other shooters will find useful, this one is not unique to the ProPhotoNut blog. Lovegrove also has some examples of his fine photography. Keep up the great work, Damien!
