I thought I had posted these by now so I am sorry for their tardiness. Tim hosted a very well-attended Photography 101 meet during Mousefest 2008. Besides Tim handling the main instruction, Gary and I helped to hand out Tim's excellent laminated photography tips placard, helped out with crowd control and even threw on some tips of our own. The time of day made for some nice lighting and also some competiton from the castle shows going on during the meet. Tim did a great job of keeping people focused (pun intended) on learning the basics of photography. Ray handled the video taping for prosparity. Tim (standing center) and Gary (standing left) during the Photography 101 meet. Tim showing the proper way to hold a camera and why. The Noodle Station's outer seating area is a nice location with plenty of room but a bit noisy when the castle show let off fireworks. Tim emphasizing a point. The students are enthralled. Hurry up, Tim! We're missing the light! Sort of joking. Great job, Tim! It was fun to be a part of and I was glad I could assist. If anyone attended, give Tim some feedback here so he can improve his presentations for future meets.
From a photography standpoint that location stinks. Both Tim and Lou Mongello hosted meets at the Noodle Station and stood with their backs to the castle. I guess from a visual standpoint it's great because you have the castle in the background. But from a photography and video standpoint, it's hard to keep exposures looking good. You either get the background exposed good and the subject is underexposed or the subject is exposed correctly and the background is just blown out.
I don't know Ray...that sounds like the perfect reason to have it there. 'Here is a COMMON issue: Which item to expose properly, the foreground, or the background. Here's how to get the best photo possible, and the answer is flash!' Hmmmmmmm...
Oh, like the last photo in the OP? Used rear sync, too. Flash for most of this group would have made their eyes glaze over. But, Ray, is right, you can see in the photos I kept trying different angles to keep either Tim or the background from blowing out too much. Since Noodle Station was shut down during the Mousefet period, maybe moving the presentation close to the food counter would have made it easier to hear Tim when the shows were being performed. Of course, there is no guarantee next time it won't be open. :
Yeah, I assumed the last shot was rear sync. Nikon's new CLS lighting solutions DVD with Joe McNally is fantastic. It walks you through several easy lighting techniques (fwiw, if any wants to unload an extra SB-800 let me know - I want 2 more!) with 1-4 flashes. It applies to all makes of cameras as it relates to how to use small flashes to get great results. I'd highly suggest picking it up! Joe's book 'The moment it clicks' is also fantastic, and I can't wait to read his new book 'The Hot Shoe Diaries' - it's all about small flash!
You might have better luck picking up a used SB-600 but I know they are not as versatile as the SB-800's. I reviewed Joe's book last year on the Picture This! photoblog and have "The Hot Show Diaries" on pre-order. Got to love that title! I'm going to try using CLS in the parks during my upcoming trip but I only have one SB-600 to use.
Yeah...missed that one this time around...I was still driving up, working my way through Orlando traffic to get to my hotel and check in! Nice job handling the challenging lighting situation, I think! And I'd agree both with Ray that the lighting is tough and with mPower that this might be used to some advantage by instructing on that very point. My big question is why, when the audience appears to be for the most part wearing short sleeve shirts, does the man from New Jersey look so cold, all bundled up in sweatshirt with long sleeves?
