Using the 580EX II for fish pics

[Recty]

I'm really liking this new flash... it is so amazingly better than the built in flash I've been using.

Not only do I just get better results, it is way more controllable AND one of the things I like the best is since even while mounted on the camera it is 6" or 7" higher than the lens, so you dont get a real harsh shadow right behind the fish.

Just a couple pictures from today. I now need to get a cord so I can move the flash off the camera a little ways and try some other angles

This is one with the old flash... notice how you can just really see the shadows. To me since they are aligned so closely to the fish it is just distracting.

Here are some I took without the built in flash and using the 580, I like the effect so much better, plus it really gives a more accurate representation of the coloration of the fish, the on camera flash seemed to redden things a little too much. I can fix since I'm shooting in RAW, but it's nice to not have to.

Anyway, I'm just really loving the new flash

 

[Roy G. Biv]

Wow.. Those are great. Try this for ettl cords.
http://www.flashzebra.com/ttlcords/ettlcords/index.shtml

 

[Recty]

Thanks.

There is also a 10' one, I think even made by Canon but I cant remember, I'm probably going to get that or the 15 footer, I havent decided yet. I need to get a tripod for holding the flash too I guess

 

[Roy G. Biv]

:thumbsup:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/shop/1366/Lightstands_General_Purpose.html

 

[Recty]

Yep, those are the ones I was looking at Next time I feel like spending a little more cash on the hobby I'm going to get the cable and a stand, and maybe two stands and another flash I'd like to be able to do two different lighting directions.

 

[Recty]

Another good one. The shadow wouldnt have been very noticeable with the built in flash, but it would have been there making a dark spot behind the fish. But with the 580...

You can clearly see how there is no shadow at all in the picture.

Anyway, enough showing fish pictures! I think you guys get the idea, I like the new flash.

 

[TWallace]

Wow those are pretty good. Usually I think 99% of aquarium photos taken with a flash look terrible, but yours don't.

 

[Recty]

Thanks.

I've been experimenting with dialing the flash down in power, so it doesnt totally wash out the fish and light it up overly much, I've been stopping it down a full stop or 1.5 stops, so it's basically just a fill light to catch all the detail in the scales and what not, it hardly even leaves a glint in their eye which is nice. I hate the pictures that come out with a huge white spark in their eye from the reflection of the flash.

 

[zef004]

Great pic's what is your % on your flash?

 

[Recty]

I'm not sure on the %, how do I find out? I'm really new to the flash, I've just been using the camera to set it down about a stop.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

No you have just changed the channel to a whole new genre of photography. Enjoy the ride!

 

[Reef Bass]

Nice job Grant! I think dialing back the power helps a lot.

 

[Recty]

Yeah, it's a softer, more of a gentle fill light type instead of a harsh small source of light. I think using a softbox or some type of umbrella would probably really be nice, but I dont have that, YET...