[nichpr]

Had the opportunity to shoot at the Packard Motor Car Proving Grounds just north of Detroit recently. Now a National Historic Site, there were a few 1950's era Packard Clippers awaiting restoration. I fired my SB800 flash remotely from where the front seat would be using a diffusion dome to minimize any hot spots. Have to say this Nikon CLS system is tremendously flexible and easy to use. Now, using it well may be another story, but I'm having fun learning.
Here is my first effort. Looking forward to your comments.

[fionaB]

oh thats nice, very haunting, you can actually almost feel the dereliction of the vehicle

Fi

[sawdust]

yes this is a fantastic shot like to see more

[Whipspeed]

Now this I like

[Willow5075]

excellent, quite a "spooky" feel - what is a Nikon CLS system?

[Rob Barron]

I like this Paul. I think I'd like just a touch of detail in the exterior of the car just to balance the image up a little. Other than that it is an excellent capture, full of character.

Cheers,
Rob

[nichpr]

Originally Posted by Willow5075

excellent, quite a "spooky" feel - what is a Nikon CLS system?

CLS stands for Creative Lighting System. This is essentially a system that allows you to get your flash off your camera and fire it wirelessly. It also allows you to control multiple flashes [speedlights] from your camera. You can have multiple speedlights organized into 3 groups and vary the power of each group from the camera.

Not all Nikon DSLRs support all aspects of CLS so ymmv. My D80 is fully supportive and I have a SB800 and a SB600 that will allow me to get really creative with still life and portraits particularly when coupled with natural light and a reflector or two.

While the Nikon speedlights are not a substitute for studio lights, some pros are using them in the same way they use those large studio lights. They fire them thru umbrellas or softboxes and say that it is much easier taking a bag full of speedlights to a shoot than trying to transport heavy studio lights.

To learn more simply Google Nikon CLS. There is also a Nikon CLS group on Flickr with discussions and tutorials.

[Willow5075]

Thanks for that explanation - they sound pretty nifty.

[JMitchell]

That's a fantastic shot!!! Very nice use of the CLS, 'creative' is the operative word here

[Markulous]

Originally Posted by nichpr

CLS stands for Creative Lighting System.

Had occasion to see the pro 'tog for the national newspaper use this off-camera for a portrait shot. Lovely evening light outside and he set up (single flash on a stand), shot and was finished within 10 minutes. Half page shot in the paper next day and they've used it a few times since

Really like that shot too! Very atmospheric

[Warren D]

Great shot loads of atmosphere!

[Les Meehan]

Agree with others, nice shot and good to see you using your flash creatively.

[robbo]

Great shot. Just waiting for the zombie to grab my shoulder while I look in the car!