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| speedlight in the darkness. speedlight: 1/8th power, 50mm focus. Camera: 18mm, wide open 1/200 shutter speed |
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| 30 second exposure, subject moves out of frame after initial flash. Creates a transparent effect. |
Of course, owning more equipment doesn't mean that I would automatically become a better photographer. I still have to learn how to use it. I still have to explore all the capabilities that my single speedlight has to offer. After all, many photographers go through the lions share of their career using only natural lighting. I figure there is enough content here for me to get creative. Creativity is a product of limitation as well as freedom.
This is why I set a challenge for myself.
My challenge is to have 30 photoshoots with a single speedlight (My sb-900) before I buy another one.
Not just crap ones either, ones where I actually learn something and make something beautiful.The photoshoot I am featuring on this post was performed at Piedras Pintadas in the middle of the night with a single speedlight and diffusion dish. I wanted to see how fast I could go with a speedlight and how much detail I could get in. I mean, they don't call it a speedlight for nothing. I managed to get some pretty crisp action shots but not a whole lot of background detail. I also learned how to go the other way; and learning how to use a flash during long exposures. While it is arguable that I made anything portfolio worthy, I definitely increased my understanding of light in my setup.
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| This photograph was made in very much the same way the previous one was, except Alex didn't move out of the way after the flash. He moved a little during the 30 second aperture but the flash kept the photo crisp and his body blocked the light. |
The 30 Photoshoot speedlight challenge is a Self Challenge where I attempt to learn as much as I can about single source lighting before I graduate to adding a second source to my kit! The reward of course is a second speedlight. I do my best to be reflective about my experiences to make them as instructive as possible. Read more about the 30 photoshoot challenge and follow my journey by clicking on the links below.
View Photoshoot #1 Here
View Photoshoot #2 Here
View Photoshoot #3 Here
View Photoshoot #4 Here
View Photoshoot #5 Here
View Photoshoot #6 Here
View Photoshoot #7 Here
View Photoshoot #8 Here
View Photoshoot #9 Here