Trying out a different flash

[gardenersassistant]

Because of problems with my KX800 flashes I had another go with a Yongnuo YN24EX today. I've tried it before but I wasn't happy with the illumination I was getting with it despite trying various diffusion arrangements. That was with the flash heads mounted on the front of the lens. Today I attached the flash heads to a flash bracket with bendy arms. I re-used the KX800 diffusion setup. Here are some images from today's session where I was testing out this setup.

#1

1886 06 2021_05_11 DSC02118_PLab4 LR 1300h DNAI DNAIc by gardenersassistant, on Flickr

#2

1886 24 2021_05_11 DSC02215_PLab4 LR 1300h DNAI DNAIc by gardenersassistant, on Flickr

#3

1886 40 2021_05_11 DSC02324_PLab4 LR 1300h DNAI DNAIc by gardenersassistant, on Flickr

#4

1886 49 2021_05_11 DSC02361_PLab4 LR 1300h DNAI DNAIc by gardenersassistant, on Flickr

#5

1886 55 2021_05_11 DSC02371_PLab4 LR 1300h DNAI DNAIc by gardenersassistant, on Flickr

 

[AlanLichty]

Looks like a good tactic - very even lighting in all of these shots and no flash reflections at all.

 

[gardenersassistant]

Looks like a good tactic - very even lighting in all of these shots and no flash reflections at all.

Thanks Alan.

We are seeing differently. I see flash reflections in all of them.

 

[AlanLichty]

Thanks Alan.

We are seeing differently. I see flash reflections in all of them.

I do see flash reflections but not ones that are distracting me from your subject.

 

[gardenersassistant]

I do see flash reflections but not ones that are distracting me from your subject.

That's how I feel about it. There was only one from the session where I felt the need to use the clone brush to do a local cover-up. That was for an area that was completely blown, on a highly reflective subject. Operator error in setting the flash level/ISO.

 

[JimFox]

Hey Nick,

These are really great! #2 and 4 are my favorites.

I had spotted a few reflections in some of them before I had read your and Alan’s, comments as I was assuming reflections might have been your issue as you were taking about using a diffuser. I will say that to me the reflections are very minimal, and don’t take away from the subjects. So I think you have something workable with these flashes.

 

[gardenersassistant]

Hey Nick,

These are really great! #2 and 4 are my favorites.

I had spotted a few reflections in some of them before I had read your and Alan’s, comments as I was assuming reflections might have been your issue as you were taking about using a diffuser. I will say that to me the reflections are very minimal, and don’t take away from the subjects. So I think you have something workable with these flashes.

Thanks Jim. I suppose I'm a bit .... I don't know, oversensitive I suppose about flash reflections. I have tried really hard with diffusion over a long period (years). I've tried loads of different options, but whatever I've tried I still get horrible, strong reflections with highly reflective subjects (none of these is like that) so I either have to ditch the photos or use the clone brush, and that feels on the edge of being dishonest. Oddly enough I'm fine with cloning out bits and pieces in the background that intrude and break the balance of an image, but putting false texture/colour/detail on to a subject - I do it (the last one in the album at Flickr was the only one of this set where I did that) but I'm never comfortable with doing that. I'd much rather get the illumination sorted out so it doesn't happen.

I'm ok with the reflections in these, but I do get nervous about what other people might think about them, so it's great to get feedback about it, with both you and Alan being ok with the level of reflections here.