Archive for flash units
Finally a Flash for Outdoors
Posted by: | CommentsI just purchased my first Alien Bee flash unit. It is a self-contained studio flash unit that I can take outdoors to use as a fill light. Perfect for groups when I can’t use a reflector.
Why use a flash outdoors? I am sure you have seen many images where people’s eyes were dull and lifeless. Eyes need a catch light, that little reflection that makes them look alive.
Many photographers underexpose a subject’s face especially with outdoor portraits. A reflector is a good answer when you are working with one or two subjects and you have an assistant to hold the reflector but when you have a family group you need something more.
I have tried small flash units held off to the side of the camera but they never had enough power and the recycle time was so slow. Keeping them stocked with batteries was yet another chore.
This little unit is small, light weight, and still enough power to add sparkle to a family group’s eyes.
I got the green one at http://www.paulcbuff.com/b400.php (And might I add that they have great customer service!)
The Hardy Photogenic Flash Unit
Posted by: | CommentsI recently had a Photogenic studio flash unit repaired. This was my first repair on any of my Photogenic units ever and I have owned them for over sixteen years. Not bad!
When the unit came back, I marked the date of repair on it and added the repair info to my equipment list. Since I have three identical Photogenic units, I want to know which unit had the repair in case I have other problems. Marking the unit this way is a time saving monitoring tip. Similar to labeling other equipment purchases like I talked about above in my personal message, this makes for fast and headache free organization.
Just two weeks ago, a different Photogenic unit tipped over and fell to the floor. Okay, that freaked me out, but since a client was near by, I had to play it really cool. I did not have the tripod legs spread out adequately enough and got it tangled up in a background I was whipping around. Anyway, the unit was fine and no customers were injured! I only broke the modeling lamp, which is to be expected with fall like that. The modeling lamp is the cheapest part. I always keep spare parts and it did not slow me down.
A couple other things I happen to like about Photogenics is that, unlike Eilenchrome, I can change the flash tube myself. I also actually like the fact that they are not as high powered so I can shoot with larger apertures to throw the background out of focus in my portrait work.
