Nikon Creative Lighting System

IanHoughton · 07-01-2008, 13:45

Was searching on YouTube for any Nikon SB-600 related videos and came across these, clever stuff.

YouTube Video

YouTube Video

YouTube Video

Hacker · 07-01-2008, 15:56

Great find!

JMitchell · 07-01-2008, 19:58

Great vids, shows just why nikon rulez

Les Meehan · 07-01-2008, 22:59

Not wanting to throw cold water on anything but there is nothing in these vids that can't be done with any flash units that have power reduction control and slave triggers and the necessary knowledge, except the fact that the power output of the units can be controlled from the camera/main flash.

These vids have been made for publicity and so are designed to give the impression that there is some kind of magic going on here, which isn't the case.

Having said that I do think the system is solid but you still need to know what you are doing.

JMitchell · 07-01-2008, 23:33

Oh Les, immer der Verfechter, yes I agree to an extent, but I would say that changing multiple flash ouput from a single unit is a relatively time saving and extremely useful thing to be able to do, as the 'fading light' type example shows here, although I'm sure super experienced 'old pros' wouldn't have a problem

Les Meehan · 08-01-2008, 00:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMitchell

Oh Les, immer der Verfechter, yes I agree to an extent, but I would say that changing multiple flash ouput from a single unit is a relatively time saving and extremely useful thing to be able to do, as the 'fading light' type example shows here, although I'm sure super experienced 'old pros' wouldn't have a problem

Thought I said it was a useful thing to be able to do that??

And you're right, us 'super experienced old pros' wouldn't have a problem which is why we are super experienced old pros that can eat this stuff for breakfast!

Remember in our day photographic education at college was exactly that, an education that taught us how to be pro photographers i.e. optics, physics, chemistry, camera movements, lighting skills, processing, printing, presentation, working to a brief, meeting deadlines, running a business, being creative within the limits imposed by clients..., need I go on?

Just a tad more than today's colleges: "ere's a digi toy now go and do something arty wiv'it and after three years you can have your honours degree" and if not just write a clever sounding thesis instead explaining what you would have done had you the skills and talent of an old pro photographer.

JMitchell · 08-01-2008, 00:33

Sort of agree, at least at my level. I have to say I do not find it hard to "bullsh...." my way through aspects of the course, and probably could do with the whole thing, although with interesting research and of course shooting I try to maintain earnest endeavour. Gawd I hope my teachers don't read this, but the level of some of the people on the course is so low, as if the school think that 'photography' is as simple as 'art', and therefore allow anyone who has taken art to take photography. It isn't.

Granted I know not many people of my age know much about photography, and it would be a minority value of people on any given course if they were selective in terms of knowledge with course entrants; however, they say it isn't a "technical course", it's an 'art course'. This means, from experience, that they say, oh, 1/250 and f/8 is what you need to get a good picture. To me, I can't stand to hear that.

People say,
"Oh, I'm not so interested in the technical side, I just know how to take nice pictures."
I'm sorry, but I have always believed, and will always, that part of understanding how to take a 'good picture' is grasping, and forming a relationship with, the intrinsic elements of the camera and the world around you.

Perhaps taking it too far (comments?), if it happens that said snapper doesn't know how to control depth of field and basically most of the things you can change to completely differ an atmosphere in a shot, like exposure, processing methods, lighting etc. then surely there will always be something to improve in their photo until they know their camera as well as their vision?

Sorry for the rant, but have never suddenly had the inspiration to express my views so clearly. And believe me I could go on if anyone wanted to explore this further (Les?

).

Les Meehan · 08-01-2008, 09:57

Jack, I don't mind debating the points you have raised (let's both have a rant and invite everyone else to rant with us) but it is probably as well to start a thread in the General Chat section.

brian wright22 · 08-01-2008, 11:56

Right lads I found this video quite interesting thanks for the link Ian

.
I'm one of these people that likes to think I know it all but find I am still learning stuff at the age of 68!!.
I have just taken about a 150 shots in a soft play area of my 4 year old grandson and 20 pals.
I could not have multiple reflection panels set up and could not use bounce flash due to all of the bright mutli coloured panels above which would ruin the white balance.
What I did use was a Stoflen diffuser on my Canon 430 flasgun ,just purchased the day before and I have found that the shots are all underexposed and looking at most of the histograms are cut off at the high end by about 20%. Very disappointing.

The few shots taken in almost total darkness ( when cutting the cake and no Stoflen) the exposure is fine.

From this video it would appear that a couple of slave flash units may have been the answer?
Any ideas why the diffuser should affect the results of under exposure.

Regards Brian

Les Meehan · 08-01-2008, 13:36

Brian, slightly confused here by your info. You say the shots are UNDER but that the histogram is cut off at the HIGH end? Isn't that a contradiction? If the histogram is pushed up to the high (white) end then the shots must be OVER exposed, no?

I don't know the equipment you used but it suggests to me that there simply wasn't enough light output for the ISO and/or f/No being used. The diffuser will have reduced output by at least one stop if not more, did you compensate for this? Was everything on 'auto' and so possibly picking up bright reflected light from shiny environment, which might cause the flash to cut-off too quick.

Can you supply us with an example to look at together with relevant technical info?

brian wright22 · 08-01-2008, 14:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Les Meehan

Brian, slightly confused here by your info. You say the shots are UNDER but that the histogram is cut off at the HIGH end? Isn't that a contradiction? If the histogram is pushed up to the high (white) end then the shots must be OVER exposed, no?

I don't know the equipment you used but it suggests to me that there simply wasn't enough light output for the ISO and/or f/No being used. The diffuser will have reduced output by at least one stop if not more, did you compensate for this? Was everything on 'auto' and so possibly picking up bright reflected light from shiny environment, which might cause the flash to cut-off too quick.

Can you supply us with an example to look at together with relevant technical info?

Thanks for that Les, Yes I'll upload a file complete with Exif info. And yes I was using TTL flash setting on the gun and full auto on the Canon 350 in such a hectic environment
What I meant was by being cut off is that there is no picture content at the right hand end of the histogram . I was using my video terminology (incorrect here) cut off being Black level so no picture info at the RH end.
Regards Brian. Wish me luck in the upload because my software ucually removes the Exif info!!.

Les Meehan · 08-01-2008, 15:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian wright22

Thanks for that Les, Yes I'll upload a file complete with Exif info. And yes I was using TTL flash setting on the gun and full auto on the Canon 350 in such a hectic environment
What I meant was by being cut off is that there is no picture content at the right hand end of the histogram . I was using my video terminology (incorrect here) cut off being Black level so no picture info at the RH end.
Regards Brian. Wish me luck in the upload because my software ucually removes the Exif info!!.

Vindicated!!

Just goes to prove what I keep saying about the use of correct terminology, without which communication breaks down too often!

Right, so the images are definitely under-exposed, I'll take a peep at the sample when ready.

brian wright22 · 08-01-2008, 17:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Les Meehan

Vindicated!!

Just goes to prove what I keep saying about the use of correct terminology, without which communication breaks down too often!

Right, so the images are definitely under-exposed, I'll take a peep at the sample when ready.

Les its very nice of you take time on this much appreciated

. Hopefully these will have the Exif info. Adobe Elements, 7 & Micrografx seems to remove it when I change the size so that Pixalo accepts the file but I found Irfanview has options to retain the Exif!!. I know that I can post tweak the whole lot but having a look at a few of them and because they are in jpeg I am trying to recover information that has been losted. Raw may have helped but not on this batch
Regards Brian

07-01-2008, 15:56	#2 (permalink)
Hacker Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 623	Re: Nikon Creative Lighting System Great find!

07-01-2008, 19:58	#3 (permalink)
JMitchell Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 3,515	Re: Nikon Creative Lighting System Great vids, shows just why nikon rulez

07-01-2008, 22:59	#4 (permalink)
Les Meehan Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: I conduct workshops in Andalucia, Spain Posts: 778	Re: Nikon Creative Lighting System Not wanting to throw cold water on anything but there is nothing in these vids that can't be done with any flash units that have power reduction control and slave triggers and the necessary knowledge, except the fact that the power output of the units can be controlled from the camera/main flash. These vids have been made for publicity and so are designed to give the impression that there is some kind of magic going on here, which isn't the case. Having said that I do think the system is solid but you still need to know what you are doing. __________________ Les Meehan www.zone2tone.co.uk www.creativeinsightworkshops.com

07-01-2008, 23:33	#5 (permalink)
JMitchell Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 3,515	Re: Nikon Creative Lighting System Oh Les, immer der Verfechter, yes I agree to an extent, but I would say that changing multiple flash ouput from a single unit is a relatively time saving and extremely useful thing to be able to do, as the 'fading light' type example shows here, although I'm sure super experienced 'old pros' wouldn't have a problem

08-01-2008, 00:33	#7 (permalink)
JMitchell Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 3,515	Re: Nikon Creative Lighting System Sort of agree, at least at my level. I have to say I do not find it hard to "bullsh...." my way through aspects of the course, and probably could do with the whole thing, although with interesting research and of course shooting I try to maintain earnest endeavour. Gawd I hope my teachers don't read this, but the level of some of the people on the course is so low, as if the school think that 'photography' is as simple as 'art', and therefore allow anyone who has taken art to take photography. It isn't. Granted I know not many people of my age know much about photography, and it would be a minority value of people on any given course if they were selective in terms of knowledge with course entrants; however, they say it isn't a "technical course", it's an 'art course'. This means, from experience, that they say, oh, 1/250 and f/8 is what you need to get a good picture. To me, I can't stand to hear that. People say, "Oh, I'm not so interested in the technical side, I just know how to take nice pictures." I'm sorry, but I have always believed, and will always, that part of understanding how to take a 'good picture' is grasping, and forming a relationship with, the intrinsic elements of the camera and the world around you. Perhaps taking it too far (comments?), if it happens that said snapper doesn't know how to control depth of field and basically most of the things you can change to completely differ an atmosphere in a shot, like exposure, processing methods, lighting etc. then surely there will always be something to improve in their photo until they know their camera as well as their vision? Sorry for the rant, but have never suddenly had the inspiration to express my views so clearly. And believe me I could go on if anyone wanted to explore this further (Les? ). __________________ Jack Mitchell "We accept the reality with which we are presented" - - New website, online, but still in progress!

08-01-2008, 09:57	#8 (permalink)
Les Meehan Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: I conduct workshops in Andalucia, Spain Posts: 778	Re: Nikon Creative Lighting System Jack, I don't mind debating the points you have raised (let's both have a rant and invite everyone else to rant with us) but it is probably as well to start a thread in the General Chat section.

08-01-2008, 11:56	#9 (permalink)
brian wright22 Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Maidenhead Posts: 1,221	Re: Nikon Creative Lighting System Right lads I found this video quite interesting thanks for the link Ian. I'm one of these people that likes to think I know it all but find I am still learning stuff at the age of 68!!. I have just taken about a 150 shots in a soft play area of my 4 year old grandson and 20 pals. I could not have multiple reflection panels set up and could not use bounce flash due to all of the bright mutli coloured panels above which would ruin the white balance. What I did use was a Stoflen diffuser on my Canon 430 flasgun ,just purchased the day before and I have found that the shots are all underexposed and looking at most of the histograms are cut off at the high end by about 20%. Very disappointing. The few shots taken in almost total darkness ( when cutting the cake and no Stoflen) the exposure is fine. From this video it would appear that a couple of slave flash units may have been the answer? Any ideas why the diffuser should affect the results of under exposure. Regards Brian

08-01-2008, 13:36	#10 (permalink)
Les Meehan Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: I conduct workshops in Andalucia, Spain Posts: 778	Re: Nikon Creative Lighting System Brian, slightly confused here by your info. You say the shots are UNDER but that the histogram is cut off at the HIGH end? Isn't that a contradiction? If the histogram is pushed up to the high (white) end then the shots must be OVER exposed, no? I don't know the equipment you used but it suggests to me that there simply wasn't enough light output for the ISO and/or f/No being used. The diffuser will have reduced output by at least one stop if not more, did you compensate for this? Was everything on 'auto' and so possibly picking up bright reflected light from shiny environment, which might cause the flash to cut-off too quick. Can you supply us with an example to look at together with relevant technical info?