Tag Archives: equipment

Photography, Tutorials

Using Canon’s E-TTL part3

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Finally, I get to the part where I tell you what you get when you cough up the extra bucks for the Canon Speedlite or Nikon Speedlight.

Max, my talent was rendered perfectly by E-TTL set to 1:1. Speedlite A on the left was set about 11 o'clock. Speedlite B was at 3 o'clock

Under normal situations your DSLR will only be able to synchronize with a generic flash at a maximum 1/200 sec.

In some cases, you might get away with 1/400 sec but that would mean unpredictable results.

If this concept is new to you, read my earlier post about “Getting Started with off-camera-flash.”

After my 1st attempt with Max where I set his bed on the ground, I quickly realized my camera position was too high.

Sort of like when you photograph young children. Seeing them on their level sometimes makes the images more engaging.

Since I didn’t want to be crawling on my belly on the very soggy ground thanks to our recent rains, I chose my tent trailer as my “stage”. Continue reading Using Canon’s E-TTL part3 →

Photography, Tutorials

Using Canon’s E-TTL part2

Now that I have my 2 Speedlites talking to the transmitter STE-2, a field test is in order.

Max lit up when I brought out his toy. The flash output as you can see is too harsh. With a subject like Max, there's not much time to fine tune.

In case those of you who use Nikon are feeling left out, Nikon also has a similar transmitter, the SU-800 Wireless Speedlight Commander. It does the same exact thing but even better. You can control 3 groups of Speedlights compared to 2 for Canon’s STE-2..

Instead of a still life, flowers, a plant or bric-a-brac around the house I decided to try using my kittens as my subject.

Was I up to the challenge?
Continue reading Using Canon’s E-TTL part2 →

Photography

Using Canon’s ETTL Flash system

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The STE-2 flanked by the 430EX Speedlite (left & 580 EX Speedlite (right)

I recently bought a well-used Canon STE-2 infra red transmitter, just to see how well ETTL (Evaluative Through the Lens) works.

Nikon calls their system iTTL (intelligent Through The Lens) but it’s very similar.

Photographers are mostly a savvy group. If a product works well, that product is seldom easy to find “used.”

Even with my years of experience I found Canon’s Wireless Flash System not very intuitive.

If it weren’t for those years at the newspaper, when I my used Lumedyne flash units on manual figuring exposure with Guide numbers and a Minolta Flashmeter, I’d be lost.

Canon’s infrared based transmitter STE-2 for their flash system is due for a makeover, or at the very least, an update. Enough of the griping…
Continue reading Using Canon’s ETTL Flash system →

Assignment

RCC Vocal Jazz Ensemble performs for Jon Secada

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Jon Secada, internationally acclaimed Emmy award-winning singer, listens to RCC's Vocal Jazz ensemble during a special audition.

Ensemble director John Byun works his magic

Jon Secada, internationally known Grammy award-winning singer, was back to listen to Riverside City College’s Vocal Jazz Ensemble this year.

He did so in such a low-key fashion, there was barely 20 people in the auditorium.

There was no fanfare and it was clear he was there just for the students.

Had I not read on one of the lists I’m subscribed to as a part time-instructor on the main campus, I would have missed the opportunity to watch passion to share, artistry and humility in action inspiring a new generation of very talented singers.
Continue reading RCC Vocal Jazz Ensemble performs for Jon Secada →