On 11.12.08, In Gear, Uncategorized, By Chester
Within the photography world, as with the rest of the world, there are people driving Ferrari’s and people driving Geo Metro’s. With respect to off camera flash equipment, the Ferrari’s would be Pocket Wizards and the Geo Metro would be the Cactus Radio Triggers – also known as eBay triggers. In fact, there seem to be some different versions of the eBay triggers that all work together. For the purposes of this review, I’ll just deal with the Cactus V2s.
I purchased these in July in anticipation of doing Real Estate Photography here in Lakewood and also for whatever portrait work I might start.
My best test for these was when I was shooting the Ferringway condo we stayed in recently in Durango. The layout of the unit was such that there was an open loft over the main living room. I wanted everything there to be lit well, so I got out the Cactus remote and attached my flash. I put the whole contraption on the included stand and took it upstairs. I bounced the light off the ceiling, so it diffused a little, but you can still see that shadows were cast in the final product.
For the one transmitter and one receiver, I paid roughly $40. I should have gone ahead and ordered a second receiver at the time, and have since acquired another. I have yet to test the full range, but I am suitable impressed with what I have seen so far. If you have been thinking about getting a pair, go for it. At this price point, you can use them for a few years to get comfortable before you invest in the Pocket Wizards.
Photo by Karl Zemlin
Ever since I got an external flash for my Canon Powershot G5, I have been researching and building home made light modifiers. Some are more elaborate than others, some look better than others, but they have all had the desired effect. Here is a rundown of the ones I have tried, with links to instructions (some might go to videos). The DIY softbox above is one I have not made yet, but you can get the plans here. [edit - on 12/14/08 I made it and then did a review]
Milk Jug Diffuser
The milk jug diffuser is one of the simplest ones to make. Lop off the end of a milk jug, slot the edges so it will wrap around your flash head, and presto chango – instant diffuser. Not as pretty or professional looking as a Gary Fong Lightsphere, but it will get the job done. I haven’t made one of these yet. We have our milk delivered, and their jugs are much heavier gauge than the store bought ones. Hmm, that might make for better diffusion though. I’ll have to see if they are so thick as to not be pliable enough to fit on the flash.
MuzzBounce™ Ghetto Flash modifier
The MuzzBounce™ Ghetto Flash modifier is similar to the milk jug diffuser in that it uses a translucent jug (mine was from windshield wiper fluid). The effect is different though. It is designed to redirect (bounce) the light from a flash, while at the same time diffusing it. It works quite well in portrait and macro photography. I built my first one shortly after I got my new Olympus E-510 and FL-36 flash. My wife made a comment immediately, something about spending so much money on a camera only to put a jug on it. I thought it was a funny comment, but it didn’t stop me from using it around the house. Certainly doesn’t project a professional image though. Not really sure what the “professional” (store bought) equivalent would be, but if you spent enough time on this one, you could make it look professional.
DIY Reflector-Diffuser
I have a slightly different version (cannot find the site it was on now) of the DIY Reflector-Diffuser. It is on;y slightly different, and the results are pretty much the same. I like it so much, I keep it in my camera backpack all the time and use it fairly frequently. Construction is very easy, using craft foam from a hobby shop. The DIY Reflector-Diffuser site also includes plans you can print and use as templates when cutting the craft foam. This is a “must make” for the do it yourself light modifier. Other alterations I have seen include cutting a honeycomb pattern (with large hexagons) into the modifier to let more light escape vertically.
A Better Bounce Card
This was one of the first thing I tried. A simple bounce of light from my flash, that allowed enough light loss to spread the remaining light out properly. It worked OK, but I certainly liked the results from my Muzzbounce better. The plans for A Better Bounce Card have been updated to use craft foam. I think the original may have been something else, as simple as copy paper. It certainly served it’s purpose though.
The Finn Bounce
For those of you with a P&S camera that has a pop-up flash (or even a DSLR like my E-510 that has a pop-up), the Finn Bounce is an easy to make light reflector (bounce card) that, given it’s size, has a tremendous impact on the quality of your pics. Don’t take my word for it, find a piece of cardstock, rubber cement and aluminum foil, then follow the 9 easy steps to make it. You will be glad you did.
This covers the ones I have tried. Below is a list of ones I want to try, along with the softbox that led this article. Hope this has been worthwhile to you.
Miscellaneous Others I Have Not Tried
Here are some highlights of projects I plan to try at some point:
- DIY Softbox
- DIY Ringlight (Flickr groups, particularly the Strobist one, are a great resource for DIY light modification projects.)
- A different ringlight idea
- Homemade lightbox for product photos
- Inexpensive Light Tent for product photos
On 09.25.08, In Gear, By Chester
I was at a Lakewood High School football game the other night, and it suddenly dawned on me that they have a great system for doing aerial photography. They mount a camcorder on a stand that is then cranked up to the desired height (typical max height seems to be around 35′ or so). They put one in the end zone in order to get a high level view of how plays develop, but in a perspective that would be more useful for a player than the traditional sideline view. They also do a sideline view from the pressbox. None of this matters though, what matters is the pole.
I did a quick Google search for “end zone camera” and came back with a few good results. They all seem to be priced around $5000 or $6000 dollars. One company offers 5 year financing plans, as well as month to month rentals ($350/ month). If you can find a company that can tailor their product for still photography, then you might have a winner. Way more costly than a painters pole, but if you have the budget and really want to look ultra-professional (or use your DSLR tethered into Lightroom maybe), one of these might be for you. If you find something similar at a lower price point, let me know.
On 08.21.08, In Commentary, By Chester
I am still trying to find my way around this photography thing. I am devouring books left and right, taking pictures when I feel inspired, and generally just trying to figure out what subject matter is going to be best for me.
Aside from being completely inspired by David Tejada, I have been very interested in real estate photography. As in taking pictures for real estate flyers, websites, etc. I like to think I would have a good eye for this and that I would be able to help people sell their house faster, while also making some money on the side.
The other day I came across an interesting technique for getting an aerial photo of a property. I have seen plenty of things written about using a kite, a balloon of some sort, even an r/c helicopter to get a good picture. Had never though about using an extension pole. I should have. After all, I use one to hang Christmas lights on my very tall Douglas firs. It definitely gives me adequate reach. As the article I linked to explains, the investment is actually fairly small. And whether or not you want to risk your DSLR or use a less expensive point and shoot, there are options for you. Check out the article and see what it is all about. The comments afterward are pretty helpful too. Ad watch for a pole mounted aerial from me sometime in the near future.
By the way – the photo above was taken from the roof of a building, not a pole.
On 08.11.08, In Commentary, Photos, By Chester
I was at Dairy Queen earlier this summer, getting ice cream with the kids. I didn’t have my camera with me. So naturally the weather did something fantastic. As you can see in this terrible cellphone photo, a massive thunderhead bloomed to the east of us (always the case, Aurora gets rain, Lakewood gets nothing). The Dairy Queen is situated right across the street from an old bank building. Not sure when it was built, but I am thinking 70′s because it is round and unusual. The way the cloud was forming, it looked like it was boiling over from within the building, almost like a nuclear cooling tower or something. It was awesome to see in person. Would have been great to have had my “real” camera with me. But I didn’t. Drat. So much for my Boy Scout past – I clearly wasn’t prepared.
Five months ago, I bought a Caselogic EVA Hardshell Camera/ Laptop Backpack in preparation for my first plane ride with the new camera. Before this, I had been using a Targus laptop backpack that my old Canon G5 fit into pretty well, along with my 17″ laptop. But when I bought the Olympus E-510 and everything it came with, I needed a bag that was designed for DSLR’s and laptops. I searched and searched (see original post), and looked at options all over the price range. I decided that, with the type and frequency of travel I’d be doing, the Caselogic was worth a try.
Since purchasing this bag, I have been on planes to Orlando, Florida and Rochester, New York. I have also been on a camping trip to Lake McConaughy, Nebraska and numerous weekend day trips all over Colorado. It is also my everyday, to and from work bag. Let’s break down the pluses and minuses, then show some photos (this is a photo blog after all).
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I wanted to go longer than the 150 that came in my Olympus E-510 two lens kit. Ideally I want the reach of a 300, but the budget isn’t there for that. I had a sizeable Amazon gift certificate to use, and the Sigma 55-200 was reasonably priced. I read a lot of review about it, and had some apprehension as a result. It sounded like some Sigma lenses come out fine, while others don’t. Basically it sounded like a crap shoot.
I was one of the fortunate ones I suppose (and a post on dpreview made it sound like many others had also been fortunate). The lens works really well for what it is, and I haven’t had any issues with it. I still want a fast 300, but until that finds it’s way into my budget, the Sigma 55-200 is working well for me.
BTW – in the photo at right, the left side is at 55mm, the right side is at 200. I did a side-by-side so people could see what they would get at either end.
On 07.27.08, In Gear, By Chester
[Chester's Note: This message originally appeared at One Day, One Picture on March 7, 2008. I plan to do a follow-up soon.]
Going on a trip to Florida in a couple of weeks, and I didn’t want to hassle with carrying on my camera bag and laptop backpack. I looked around at the options, and there were some impressive ones. But I didn’t want to spend a fortune, so I would up going with the Caselogic EVA Hardshell Camera/ Laptop Backpack. It’s going for about $67 right now. The one I ordered arrived today. It’s about the same dimensions as my Targus laptop backpack (that I absolutely love), but with specific design for the camera and lenses as opposed to the laptop and general backpack versatility.
It is pretty rugged, and has a firm, waterproof base to keep it from falling over. The camera compartment is supposed to be totally weatherproofed (the zipper does have a seam seal). Kind of unfortunate they didn’t do that for the laptop zipper since laptops have similar environmental needs.
I don’t have my camera with me today (doh!), so I can’t properly test the fit of the camera area, but I do like the “shelf” system they have devised for the lenses and accessories. Everything I have will easily fit in here.
The laptop compartment holds my Dell 17″ laptop just fine. I was kind of concerned about this, until I realized that the 15.4″ in the description is the straight width of the laptop, not the diagonal screen measurement. With the laptop in it’s area, I am also able to fit a legal pad and a Lightroom book, which should be fine for this trip. If I were going somewhere that I knew I would have more cargo needs, I would take the Targus and figure out something to do with the camera.
Besides the Camera, Lens and Laptop compartments, there are two side zippered compartments that are big enough to hold miscellaneous items. In one of them I am storing the power brick and mouse for the laptop. In the other I have travel documents, business cards, pen, etc. Should be wholly sufficient for this trip. Attached to these side panels are straps and buckles, implying to me that I could strap my tripod or some other items to this pack. Caselogic has always built tough things out of ballistic nylon, so I would expect these to stand up to some pretty good abuse. There are also various loops you could use to attach carabiners or other devices to hang god-knows-what off your pack.
Even though it only just arrived today, I am suitably impressed. The real test will come in a couple of weeks when I travel to Florida, but I am going to use it daily for now to get a feel for it. So far I am comfortable recommending it if you are looking for an economical backpack for a laptop and camera.
Ghosts of the Past
Hard to believe, but on this day 68 years ago, Pearl Harbor was attacked, throwing us into World War II. But you didn’t need me to tell you that. The only reason I am posting about this today is that I was recently going through some old photos I have taken over the years, and came across this group from my trip to Hawaii in 1984. I was 13, and armed with my Kodamatic instant camera. Anyone old enough to remember it knows that this was the Kodak version of the Polaroid, and that the film production had to cease because of a lawsuit from Polaroid. I think I got a rebate check for $30 from Kodak as a way of saying “sorry, we shouldn’t have sold you this camera.”
Nearly everyone agrees that a good photo should evoke some sort of emotion. In that regard, I love these pics. I can’t remember much of that weeklong trip (except the Dole pineapple cannery tour, Hilo Hattie’s signs everywhere, the beach), but these pictures remind me vividly of what it was like on the Arizona Memorial that day. It was a strange feeling, standing on the monument, straddling the remains of the Arizona, and knowing there were still people (their remains anyway) in there. There were also reminders that the ship is not done settling in, as there were small oil slicks (maybe a few inches across) hanging out near the rusted gun turret mounts. It’s a powerful mood, being out there and seeing these things. No, these Kodamatic pics don’t do it justice, but if you have been there, maybe these are all it takes to bring your memories back. If so, let me know by commenting below.