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Phottix Odin—The Ultimate Flash Trigger?

Nov 15th, 2011
by Phil Steele.
33 comments
Phottix Odin Transmitter

Phottix Odin Transmitter

My Phottix Odin flash triggers just arrived, and oh, man, it’s like Christmas came early at my house.

Finally a gear-maker has delivered all the features I’ve been wanting in a flash trigger for years!

  • TTL Metering? – Check
  • High Speed Sync? – Check
  • Second Curtain Sync? – Check
  • Manual Power Settings? – Check
  • Multiple Groups? – Check
  • Backward Compatibility with cheaper triggers? – Check
  • Super Low Price? – Well, um… six out of seven ain’t bad

Seriously, I can’t think of anything that is missing from these triggers. Technology has finally caught up to my fantasy wish list.

So, why is this trigger a big deal? (more…)

Canon 320EX — Do You Need It?

Sep 22nd, 2011
by Phil Steele.
No comments yet

Canon’s new 320EX flash is the first to feature a continuous LED light for shooting video.

Sounds great, but will it still meet your needs up as a dedicated flash?

Watch the video to learn why I have serious doubts about the 320EX as a flash for still photography.

Rooftop Model Shoot – Minus Sunset

Jun 13th, 2011
by Phil Steele.
2 comments

For the full gallery click here.  (Requires Flash, sorry iPad users.)

This was supposed to be a sunset shoot on a gorgeous rooftop of a high-rise downtown.  We had the perfect angle to place the setting sun behind the models for dazzling backlight effect.

Everybody ready? Lights, camera, action…

Clouds.

Oh well. I’m on a roof with several beautiful models, so we’re going to make the most of it.  Switch to plan B.

Since we had a gray day I tried to create dramatic lighting and dramatic effects in post-processing to make the best of the situation.  Underexpose the sky (oops, missed that in some shots when my camera got bumped into Av mode instead of Manual. How did that happen?).  Add some vignette in processing and punch up the blacks, etc.

I’m not sure I really succeeded, in getting exactly what I wanted, but do I like some of the shots.  And more importantly, I learned some things from my mistakes.  Sometimes that is more useful than getting exactly what you planned for.

This was all lit with Speedlites. The techniques I’m experimenting with here are all part of the preparation for an upcoming course on “Advanced Off-Camera Flash.”

I’ll keep you posted on that.

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