YOUR SETUP GUIDE TO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY

DUSTIN DIAZ


Your Setup Guide to Flash Photography

Dustin Diaz
Peachpit Press
This is Strobist Info: Notice of Rights
Your Setup Guide to Flash Photography All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted
Dustin Diaz in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording,
or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Published by Peachpit Press. For information on Peachpit Press books, contact: For information on getting permission reprints and excerpts, contact
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Notice of Liability
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To report errors, please send a note to errata@peachpit.com and hardware products described in it.
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Trademarks
Copyright 2012 by Dustin Diaz
All photography Dustin Diaz except where noted Strobist is a registered trademark of Strobist.com. Used with permission.
This Is Strobist Info is not affiliated with or endorsed by David Hobby or
Editor: Ted Waitt Strobist.com.
Production Editor: Lisa Brazieal All Canon products are trademarks or registered trademarks of Canon Inc.
Interior Design: Mimi Heft All Nikon products are trademarks or registered trademarks of Nikon and/or
Compositor: WolfsonDesign Nikon Corporation.
Indexer: James Minkin Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish
Cover Design: Mimi Heft their products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear
Cover Images: Dustin Diaz in this book, and Peachpit was aware of a trademark claim, the designations
appear as requested by the owner of the trademark. All other product names
and services identified throughout this book are used in editorial fashion only
and for the benefit of such companies with no intention of infringement of the
trademark. No such use, or the use of any trade name, is intended to convey
endorsement or other affiliation with this book.

ISBN-13 978-0-321-80354-2
ISBN-10 978-0-321-80354-X

987654321

Printed and bound in the United States of America

 To Erin

Shes pretty cool.

This page intentionally left blank
Contents
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi two: Understanding Light Travel 13
Backstory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi Shutter Speed, Aperture, and ISO Sensitivity . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
On Strobist Info . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi Shutter Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
This Book. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii Aperture. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
ISO Speed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
one: Lights, Camera, Action 1 Okay, Now What about This Flash Thing?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
What Is a Guide Number?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
On Acquiring Lights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Okay, Im Ready for That Inverse Square Thingy . . . . . . . . . . 17
Speedlights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Right On. So Now What?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Radio Triggers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Light Stands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Umbrella Adapters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 three: This Is Strobist Info 19
Light Modifiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Grid Spots. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Buying Advice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

v
 Introduction
I swore on my mothers grave that I would never write a
book again. With that said, Mom, I am terribly sorry for even
insinuating that you werent alive. Ill send you a copy once
this is over, and Ill await that embarrassing phone call where
youre all like, Mijo, what was that all about? And Ill be like,
Oh, yeah. Sorry about that. I didnt have a clever opener so
I just went with it.
Nevertheless, this wasnt yet another painful experience to
complete. Luckily, I had an amazing wife (Erin), a patient
editor (Ted Waitt), and a plethora of friends (an excuse to
mention JR and Ashley) who helped push me along (or took
me away) to complete this book. Pro tip for first-time authors:
Dont write a book immediately after having a first child and
switching jobs. Just dont.
To the pointyou see, this was all a big misunderstanding with
one thing leading to another. And it all happened like this.
vi This is St ro b i st I nfo
Backstory
In 2006, I bought my first SLR camera, a Nikon D40. I took a
lot of terrible photos. Like...just badly terrible. In 2007, I added
more to that terrible collection. In 2008, I decided I liked taking
terrible photos so I bought more lenses, figuring that would
improve my ability to be a terrible photographer. Unfortunately,
near the end of the year I caught a bug that made me care
about taking good pictures. Then finally came Christmas 2008,
when I decided to do one of those cheesy 365 photo a day
projects for 2009. Long story short, it became stupidly suc-
cessful. I wrote some things about lighting and drew some
diagrams. I learned a lot of things, many hardships were had, and
I am now a better person. Years later, I wrote a book about it.
The End.
On Strobist Info
Just to be up front, Strobist is part of the David Hobby Hair
Club for Men brand. If you havent been there, I highly recom-
mend you take a visit back to the old town and know your
flash roots. Visit strobist.com for more information.
But seriously, if it werent for David pouring in countless hours
of blood, sweat, and beers, I can honestly say Id be doing
something else other than pretending to act like Im a writer.
David Hobby is the Godfather of Flash Photography.
This Book
Considering this book made it into your hands one way or
another, its highly unlikely youll ever read this introduction
thing. For example, chicken butt banana brains! Am I right?
Given that this book is filled with full-page, high-resolution
beautiful photos (just sayin) accompanied by detailed setup
shots, there seems very little reason to bother reading about
gear, light travel, and the inverse square law. And to your
defense, Im right there with you! Photos speak a thousand
words! But for what its worth, in the spirit of terseness and
not wasting your time, youll be a thousand times better off
reading the accompanying text chapters before trying to
decipher the photo diagrams. So if youre learning about flash
photography for the first time via this book, first off, good
choice, and secondly, dont skimp out on the words. Everything
from aperture settings to softboxes to rock music is covered,
helping you streamline your way to becoming a professional
flash diagram decoder and allowing you to recreate any image
shown in this book. So just read the text, for you and for me.
Together. We can make a difference. Now queue the happy
music and read on.

In tro d ucti o n vii

This page intentionally left blank
t hre e : Th is I s Str o bist I nfo

You've now arrived at the part of the book where you can skip to any page you
want. With that in mind, use each photo as a guide to provide means to your own
ends. So get out there, take some pictures, rock the lights and...oh my gosh I sound
like every other photographer giving advice!

Oh well, I tried. Good luck, and may the schwartz be with you.

19
20 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 50" Softbox
3 x SB-900 @ 1/1 @ 17mm

Note the dust spots by the

San Francisco Bay Bridge.
Lens in dire need of a
cleaning.

D 3 | I SO 2 00 | f/8 | 1 /80t h | 2470 m m f/2. 8 @ 24m m 21

22 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 SB-900 @ 1/16 @ 200mm
with 1/8" Grid

10'

50" Softbox
SB-900 @ 1/2 @ 17mm

Silver Reflector

3'

2'

D 3 | I SO 2 5 0 | f/ 7.1 | 1 /2 5 0t h | 2470 m m f/2. 8 @ 70 m m 23

24 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 43" Umbrella 60" Umbrella
SB-900 @ 1/1 @ 24mm SB-900 @ 1/1 @ 17mm

5'

7'

It took seven runs to get the

final shot.

D 3 | I SO 1 00 | f/ 6 . 3 | 1 /2 5 0t h | 1424m m f/ 2. 8 @ 14m m 25
26 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 Near 22nd & Mission, S.F.

43" Umbrella
SB-900 @ 1/16 @ 35mm
with 1/2 CTO Gel

9'

Jansport Big Student

SB-900 @ 1/8 @ 135mm

with Blue Gel

It's kind of a big deal to get

50% off at Foxy Lady's.

D 3 | I SO 5 00 | f/2 | 1 /4 0 th | 20 0 m m f/2 @ 20 0 m m 27
28 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 45" Collapsed Umbrella
SB-900 @ 1/4 @ 17mm

4'
60" Collapsed Umbrella
SB-900 @ 1/4 @ 17mm

3'

D 3 | I SO 1 00 | f/ 3.5 | 1 /2 5 0 th | 85 m m f/1.4 @ 85 m m 29
30 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 SB-900 @ 1/32 @ 200mm

60" Umbrella
SB-900 @ 1/4 @ 17mm

10'

4'

Husbands make great light

stands.

D 3 | I SO 2 00 | f/ 5 | 1 /2 5 0t h | 2470 m m f/ 2. 8 @ 24m m 31
32 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 SB-900 @ 1/32 @ 200mm
with 1/8" Grid

46" Umbrella
SB-900 @ 1/1 @ 17mm

50" Softbox
SB-900 @ 1/4 @ 17mm

Charcoal Seamless

D 3 | I SO 2 5 0 | f/ 7.1 | 1 / 1 00t h | 2470 m m f/2. 8 @ 70 m m 33

34 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 SB-900 @ 1/8 @ 200mm

28" Softbox
SB-900 @ 1/2 @ 17mm
with Blue Gel SB-900 @ 1/16 @ 200mm
with 1/8" Grid

42" Silver Reflector

50" Softbox
SB-900 @ 1/2 @ 17mm
with 1/8 CTG Gel

Charcoal Seamless

Use a Windex bottle filled

with water for shining up hair.

D 3 | I SO 2 00 | f/ 8 | 1 /2 00t h | 2470 m m f/2. 8 @ 70 m m 35

36 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 50" Softbox
2 x SB-900 @ 1/1 @ 17mm

2'

28" Softbox
SB-900 @ 1/1 @ 17mm
3'

Apparently, the theme of the

night was "twins."

D 3 | I SO 2 00 | f/ 1 1 | 1 /2 5 0t h | 1424m m f/2. 8 @ 16 m m 37
38 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 43" Reflective Umbrella
SB-900 @ 1/2 @ 24mm
SB-900 @ 1/2 @ 17mm
Bounced to Ceiling

50" Softbox
SB-900 @ 1/1 @ 17mm

28" Gold Reflector

Happy bride.

D 3 | I SO 2 00 | f/ 6 . 3 | 1 /2 5 0t h | 2470 m m f/2. 8 @ 24m m 39

40 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 60" Umbrella
SB-900 @ 1/1 @ 17mm

Palace of Fine Arts

5'

5'

43" Umbrella
SB-900 @ 1/2 @ 24mm

Two umbrellas are used

to ensure even, full-body
coverage.

D 3 | I SO 2 00 | f/ 1 0 | 1 /2 00t h | 2470 m m f/ 2. 8 @ 3 1m m 41
42 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 White Seamless

28" Softbox
SB-900 @ 1/2 @ 17mm

SB-900 @ 1/32 @ 200mm 42" Silver Reflector

(Behind Softbox)

The reflector adds just the

right amount of fill light.

D 3 | I SO 2 00 | f/ 6 . 3 | 1 /2 5 0t h | 2470 m m f/ 2. 8 @ 48m m 43
44 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 580EX II @ 1/32 @ 24mm

28" Softbox
SB-900 @ 1/8 @ 17mm
with 1/2 CTO Gel

7'

Camera 25'

I carried all this stuff!

You can, too.

D 700 | I SO 5 00 | f/ 2 | 1 /2 5 th | 20 0 m m f/2 @ 20 0 m m 45
46 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 SB-900 @ 1/16 @ 200mm
with 1/8" Grid

45" Collapsed Umbrella

SB-900 @ 1/4 @ 35mm
7'

3'

I'm not even sure how we

made this effect, but the
building made a neat
reflection and we went with it.

D 3 | I SO 2 00 | f/ 5 | 1 / 1 00t h | 2470 m m f/2. 8 @ 42m m 47

48 This is St ro b ist I nfo
50" Softbox
SB-900 @ 1/16 @ 17mm
with 1/2 CTO Gel

SB-900 @ 1/32 @ 200mm

with 1/8" Grid (Feathered)

9'

Camera 20'

D 3 | I SO 800 | f/ 2 | 1 /2 5th | 20 0 m m f/2 @ 20 0 m m 49

50 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 46" Umbrella SB-900 @ 1/32 @ 200mm
SB-900 @ 1/4 @ 17mm with 1/8" Grid

50" Softbox
SB-900 @ 1/2 @ 17mm

Cheap Entertainment

Charcoal Seamless

D 3 | I SO 32 0 | f/ 6 . 3 | 1 /2 5 0t h | 2470 m m f/ 2. 8 @ 70 m m 51
52 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 SB-900 @ 1/64 @ 200mm
with 1/2 CTO Gel

15'

Note the unimpressed

security guard.

D 3 | I SO 32 00 | f/ 2 . 8 | 1 /2 5 t h | 2470 m m f/2. 8 @ 24m m 53

54 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 SB-900 @ 1/8 @ 200mm
with 1/4" Grid

50" Big Mama

SB-900 @ 1/2 @ 17mm 9'
Charcoal Seamless

Erin

4' 5'

45" Collapsed Umbrella

SB-900 @ 1/4 @ 17mm

4'

32" Silver Reflector

SB-900 @ 1/4 @ 135mm

The fancy umbrella was

abandoned in the final shot.

D 3 | I SO 2 00 | f/ 6 . 3 | 1 / 1 2 5 t h | 2470 m m f/2. 8 @ 48m m 55

56 This is St ro b ist I nfo
50" Softbox
2 x SB-900 @ 1/1 @ 17mm

5'

Beware of the Mary Poppins

effect these softboxes have,
and take extra precaution
when shooting alone.

D 3 | I SO 1 00 | f/ 8 | 1 /80t h | 1424m m f/2. 8 @ 14m m 57

58 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 4'

60" Collapsed Umbrella

SB-900 @ 1/4 @ 17mm

D 3 | I SO 1 00 | f/ 2 . 8 | 1 /2 5 0 th | 85 m m f/1.4 @ 85 m m 59
60 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 45" Umbrella
SB-900 @ 1/16 @ 17mm
with 1/8 CTO Gel

Camera Stood Here

3'

Be clever with what already

exists in people's homes (like
this photo collage).

D 3 | I SO 2 00 | f/ 4 .5 | 1 /2 5 0t h | 2470 m m f/2. 8 @ 70 m m 61
62 This is St ro b ist I nfo
50" Softbox
SB-900 @ 1/16 @ 17mm
with 1/2 CTO Gel
SB-900 @ 1/64 @ 200mm

20'

7'

This place gets crowded in

the mornings.

D 3 | I SO 6 4 0 | f/ 2 | 1 / 30 th | 20 0 m m f/2 @ 20 0 m m 63
64 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 43" Umbrella
SB-900 @ 1/2 @ 14mm
with Diffuser

1'
White Reflective Paper

There was an attempt to

shoot some fruit, but that
idea was abandoned in favor
of the gnome.

D 3 | I SO 2 00 | f/ 1 1 | 1 /2 5 0t h | 2470 m m f/2. 8 @ 70 m m 65
66 This is St ro b ist I nfo
SB-900 @ 1/1 @ 200mm SB-900 @ 1/1 @ 200mm

SB-900 @ 1/1 @ 200mm

SB-900 @ 1/1 @ 200mm

Never be afraid to leave

Speedlights in the shot. They
make cool starburst effects.

D 3 | I SO 2 00 | f/ 1 3 | 1 /2 5 0t h | 2470 m m f/2. 8 @ 24m m 67

68 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 46" Collapsed Umbrella
SB-900 @ 1/2 @ 24mm

3'

D 3 | I SO 2 00 | f/ 7.1 | 1 /2 5 0t h | 2470 m m f/ 2. 8 @ 26 m m 69
70 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 SB-900 @ 1/8 @ 200mm
with 1/8" Grid
50" Softbox
SB-900 @ 1/2 @ 17mm

10'

8" Softbox
SB-900 @ 1/4 @ 35mm 4'
5'

Silver Reflector
SB-900 @ 1/4 @ 24mm

5'

D 3 | I SO 2 00 | f/ 6 . 3 | 1 / 1 2 5 t h | 2470 m m f/2. 8 @ 6 2m m 71
72 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 46" Umbrella
SB-900 @ 1/2 @ 24mm

Gold Reflector

3'

Red brick walls are overrated.

D 3 | I SO 2 00 | f/ 7.1 | 1 /2 5 0t h | 2470 m m f/ 2. 8 @ 45 m m 73
74 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 60" Umbrella
SB-900 @ 1/1 @ 17mm

SB-900 @ 1/1 @ 200mm SB-900 @ 1/1 @ 200mm

3'

D 3 | I SO 2 00 | f/ 8 | 1 /2 5 0t h | 2470 m m f/2. 8 @ 40 m m 75
76 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 SB-900 @ 1/32 @ 200mm
with 1/8" Grid

50" Softbox
SB-900 @ 1/2 @ 17mm

42" Silver Reflector

SB-900 @ 1/8 @ 35mm

Charcoal Seamless

D 3 | I SO 2 00 | f/ 8 | 1 /2 5 0 th | 85 m m f/1.4 @ 85 m m 77
78 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 45" Convertible Umbrella
SB-900 @ 1/32 @ 18mm
with 1/2 CTO Gel

Interested bicyclist.

D 3 | I SO 800 | f/2 . 8 | 1 / 1 5 t h | 2470 m m f/ 2. 8 @ 70 m m 79

80 This is St ro b ist I nfo
46" Umbrella
2 x SB-900 @ 1/1 @ 24mm

SB-900 @ 1/1 @ 50mm

3'
6'

Sometimes you need bare

light sans modifier to
overpower the sun.

D 3 | I SO 2 00 | f/ 1 4 | 1 /2 5 0t h | 2470 m m f/2. 8 @ 24m m 81

82 This is St ro b ist I nfo
43" Umbrella
SB-900 @ 1/4 @ 24mm
with 1/2 CTO Gel

8'

D 3 | I SO 6 4 0 | f/ 2 .8 | 1 / 30 th | 1424m m f/2. 8 @ 14m 83

84 This is St ro b ist I nfo
43" Reflective Umbrella
SB-900 @ 1/1 @ 35mm

4'

Not Shown
43" Shoot-Through Umbrella
SB-900 @ 1/1 @ 35mm

5'

D 3 | I SO 32 0 | f/ 8 | 1 /2 5 0t h | 1424m m f/2. 8 @ 14m m 85

86 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 43" Umbrella
SB-900 @ 1/32 @ 50mm

5'

3'

SB-900 @ 1/64 @ 200mm

with Red Gel into
10-Degree Snoot

Check out the ugly sweat

pants from 1996.

D 3 | I SO 2 00 | f/ 3. 2 | 1 / 1 2 5 t h | 2470 m m f/2. 8 @ 6 0 m m 87
88 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 50" Softbox
SB-900 @ 1/4 @ 17mm

8" Softbox
SB-900 @ 1/4 @ 105mm

6'

2'

Silver Reflector
SB-900 @ 1/4 @ 35mm

4'

D 3 | I SO 2 00 | f/ 4 . 5 | 1 / 1 2 5 t h | 2470 m m f/ 2. 8 @ 70 m m 89
90 This is St ro b ist I nfo
45" Convertible Umbrella

SB-900 @ 1/32 @ 20mm

with 1/2 CTO Gel

12'

Erin (Human Light Stand)

Rohe Family

Train Tracks

They stood vertical for the

actual shot. All settings
remained the same.

D 700 | I SO 4 00 | f/ 2 | 1 /6 0th | 20 0 m m f/2 @ 20 0 m m 91

92 This is St ro b ist I nfo
60" Umbrella (Not Shown)
SB-900 @ 1/1 @ 17mm

4'

SB-900 @ 1/1 @ 200mm

SB-900 @ 1/1 @ 200mm

If the light stands are masked

well, why not leave the lights
in the final shot?

D 3 | I SO 2 00 | f/ 8 | 1 /2 5 0t h | 1424m m f/2. 8 @ 24m m 93

94 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 28" Softbox
SB-900 @ 1/4 @ 17mm
8" Softbox
SB-900 @ 1/8 @ 200mm

3'
5' Silver Reflector

4'

Charcoal Seamless

D 3 | I SO 2 00 | f/ 5 .6 | 1 /2 00 th | 85 m m f/1.4 @ 85 m m 95
96 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 50" Softbox
2 x SB-900 @ 1/4 @ 17mm

SB-900 @ 1/4 @ 200mm

Found a shopping cart.

D 3 | I SO 4 00 | f/9 | 1 /4 0t h | 1424m m f/2. 8 @ 14m m 97

98 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 SB-900 @ 1/1 @ 105mm 4' 60" Umbrella
2 x SB-900 @ 1/1 @ 17mm

7'

8" Softbox
SB-900 @ 1/1 @ 35mm

Find the hidden,

watching dad.

D 3 | I SO 2 00 | f/ 1 1 | 1 /2 5 0t h | 2470 m m f/2. 8 @ 24m m 99

100 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 45" Umbrella
Calumet Genesis @ 1/2

SB-900 @ 1/4 @ 105mm

SB-900 @ 1/4 @ 105mm

Red Bed Sheet

8'
8'

4'

5'

Red Wine SB-900 @ 1/8 @ 200mm with

1/8" Grid and Blue Gel

Red Nike Shoes

Necessary music and bottles

of wine.

D 3 | I SO 1 6 0 | f/9 | 1 /2 00t h | 2470 m m f/2. 8 @ 6 2m m 101

102 This is St ro b ist I nfo
60" Umbrella
SB-900 @ 1/32 @ 17mm
with 1/2 CTO Gel

3'

D 3 | I SO 32 00 | f/ 2 .8 | 1 / 1 0t h | 2470 m m f/2. 8 @ 24m m 103

104 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 43" Silver Reflective Umbrella
SB-900 @ 1/16 @ 17mm

4'

7'

SB-900 @ 1/32 @ 200mm

with 1/8" Grid

Seamless Paper

D 3 | I SO 2 00 | f/ 3. 5 | 1 / 1 2 5 t h | 2470 m m f/ 2. 8 @ 70 m m 105
106 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 43" Umbrella 43" Umbrella
SB-900 @ 1/4 @ 24mm SB-900 @ 1/4 @ 24mm

SB-900 @ 1/8 @ 200mm SB-900 @ 1/8 @ 200mm

12'
10'

2' 3'

D 3 | I SO 1 00 | f/ 1 . 8 | 1 /2 5 0 th | 85 m m f/1.4 @ 85 m m 107
108 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 46" Umbrella
SB-900 @ 1/4 @ 24mm

SB-900 @ 1/4 @ 17mm

4'

D 3 | I SO 1 00 | f/ 1 .4 | 1 /2 5 0 th | 5 0 m m f/1.4 @ 5 0 m m 109
110 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 43" Silver Umbrella
SB-900 @ 1/64 @ 35mm

4'

D 3 | I SO 2 5 0 | f/2 | 1 / 1 2 5 th | 20 0 m m f/2 @ 20 0 m m 111

112 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 60" Umbrella
SB-900 @ 1/2 @ 17mm

8" Softbox
SB-900 @ 1/4 @ 50mm

4'
8'

D 3 | I SO 1 6 0 | f/2 . 8 | 1 /2 5 0t h | 2470 m m f/2. 8 @ 70 m m 113

114 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 43" Silver Reflective Umbrella
SB-900 @ 1/16 @ 17mm
with 1/2 CTO Gel

10'

Tina

Robert (Human Light Stand)

Camera 40'

Powell & Market, S.F.

D 3 | I SO 1 2 5 0 | f/ 2 | 1 / 5 0 th | 20 0 m m f/ 2 @ 20 0 m m 115
116 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 SB-900 @ 1/8 @ 200mm

28" Softbox
580EX II @ 1/2 @ 24mm

42" Gold Reflector

SB-900 @ 1/32 @ 200mm

with 1/8" Grid

50" Softbox
SB-900 @ 1/2 @ 17mm

Charcoal Seamless

D 3 | I SO 2 00 | f/ 8 | 1 /2 5 0t h | 2470 m m f/2. 8 @ 5 6 m m 117

118 This is St ro b ist I nfo
 46" Umbrella
SB-900 @ 1/4 @ 17mm
with 1/2 CTO Gel

7'

You wouldn't even know

she was two months
pregnant here.

D 3 | I SO 1 6 00 | f/ 2 . 8 | 1 / 1 0t h | 2470 m m f/2. 8 @ 29 m m 119

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Index charcoal seamless background, 33, 35, 51, 55,
77, 95, 117
G
clamps, Manfrotto Super Clamp, 6 gels
compact umbrellas, 8 blue, 27, 35, 101
1/8 grid, 11 CTG gel, 35 CTG, 35
8 softbox, 11 CTO gel, 27, 45, 49, 53, 61, 63, 79, 83, 91, red, 87
28 softbox, 10 103, 115, 119 See also CTO gel
42 reflector, 9 gold reflectors, 39, 73, 117
43 umbrella, 8 grid spots, 11
45 umbrella, 8 1/4 grid, 55
50 softbox, 10
60 umbrella, 9
D 1/8 grid, 11, 23, 35, 47, 49, 51, 71, 77,
101, 105, 117
430EX II flash, 2 depth of field, 17 Guide Number (GN), 1516
580EX II flash, 2, 3 diffusers, 65
distance and light, 17
double-A batteries, 2
H
A hair, shining up, 35
adapters, umbrella, 7
aperture settings, 1415
E Hobby, David, vi
home-based photos, 61
equipment. See lighting equipment Honl 1/8 Speed Grid, 11
Honl Traveller8 softbox, 11

B F
backgrounds
charcoal seamless, 33, 35, 51, 55, 77, 95, 117 flash setups I
seamless paper, 105 1-flash shots, 53, 59, 61, 65, 69, 73, 79, 83, inverse square law, 1314, 17
white seamless, 43 91, 103, 111, 115, 119 ISO speed, 15
black backgrounds, 33, 35, 51, 55, 77, 95, 117 2-flash shots, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 41, 43, 45,
blue gel, 27, 35, 101 47, 49, 57, 63, 85, 87, 95, 105, 109, 113
bracket, TriFlash, 7 3-flash shots, 21, 33, 37, 39, 51, 75, 77, 81,
89, 93, 97, 101
4-flash shots, 35, 55, 67, 71, 99, 107, 117
J
See also softbox setups; umbrella setups Jansport Big Student pack, 27

C flash units
Guide Numbers, 1516
Cactus V4 transmitter/receiver, 3 power considerations, 15
Cactus V5 transceivers, 4 speedlight recommendations, 23 L
Calumet 7 stand, 5 See also lighting equipment Lastolite TriFlash adapter, 7
Calumet 10 stand, 5, 6 four-flash shots, 35, 55, 67, 71, 99, 107, 117 light
Calumet umbrella adapter, 7 f-stops, 1415 aperture and, 1415
Canon 430EX II flash, 2 flash power and, 1516
Canon 580EX II flash, 2, 3 inverse square law and, 17
ISO speed and, 15
shutter speed and, 14

I n d ex 121
 light stands, 56
lighting equipment, 212
R spots. See grid spots
stands, light, 56
adapters, 7 Radio Popper JrX, 4 starburst effects, 67
buying advice, 12 radio triggers, 34 strobist.com website, vi
grid spots, 11 receivers, 3 sunlight, overpowering, 81
light stands, 56 red bed sheet, 101 Super Clamp, Manfrotto, 6
radio triggers, 34 red gel, 87 swivels, Manfrotto, 7
reflectors, 9 reflective paper, 65
softboxes, 1011 reflectors, 9
speedlights, 23 gold, 39, 73, 117
umbrellas, 89 silver, 23, 35, 43, 55, 71, 77, 89, 95 T
lighting setups. See flash setups; softbox setups; three-flash shots, 21, 33, 37, 39, 51, 75, 77, 81, 89,
umbrella setups 93, 97, 101
S transceivers, 4
transmitters, 3
SB-700 Speedlight, 2, 3 TriFlash adapter, 7
M SB-900 Speedlight, 2, 3 triggers, radio, 34
Manfrotto 6 Nano stand, 5, 6 seamless backgrounds two-flash shots, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 41, 43, 45, 47,
Manfrotto Super Clamp, 6 charcoal, 33, 35, 51, 55, 77, 95, 117 49, 57, 63, 85, 87, 95, 105, 109, 113
Manfrotto swivels, 7 white, 43
Mary Poppins effect, 11, 57 seamless paper, 105
shutter speed, 14
silver reflectors, 9, 23, 35, 43, 55, 71, 77, 87
snoot, 10-degree, 87
U
umbrella adapters, 7
N softbox equipment, 1011
8 Honl softbox, 11 umbrella equipment, 89
Nikon SB-700 Speedlight, 2, 3 28 Westcott softbox, 10 43 umbrella, 8
Nikon SB-900 Speedlight, 2, 3 50 Westcott softbox, 10 45 umbrella, 8
softbox setups 60 umbrella, 9
8 softbox, 99, 113 umbrella setups
8 + 28 softboxes, 95 43 umbrella, 27, 39, 65, 83, 85, 87, 105,
O 8 + 50 softboxes, 71, 89 107, 111, 115
one-flash shots, 53, 59, 61, 65, 69, 73, 79, 28 softbox, 43, 45 43 + 60 umbrellas, 25, 41
83, 91, 103, 111, 115, 119 28 + 8 softboxes, 95 45 umbrella, 47, 55, 61, 79, 91, 101
28 + 50 softboxes, 35, 37, 117 45 + 60 umbrellas, 29
50 softbox, 21, 23, 33, 39, 49, 51, 55, 46 umbrella, 33, 51, 69, 73, 81, 109, 119
57, 63, 77, 97 60 umbrella, 31, 59, 75, 93, 99, 103, 113
P 50 + 8 softboxes, 71, 89 60 + 43 umbrellas, 25, 41
60 + 45 umbrellas, 29
paper 50 + 28 softboxes, 35, 37, 117
See also flash setups; umbrella setups See also flash setups; softbox setups
seamless, 105
white reflective, 65 speedlights
See also seamless backgrounds recommended, 23
PocketWizard Flex, 4 See also flash units
PocketWizard Plus II, 4
power, flash, 15

122 This is St ro b i st I nfo

W
Waitt, Ted, vi
Westcott softboxes, 10
white reflective paper, 65
white seamless background, 43
wireless radio triggers, 34

I n d ex 123