Next Tutorial?

[LMarge]

Mark, are we still working Rule of Thirds? Or are we onto another subject/assignment? Sorry if you've addressed this already, I've been off the boards for a few days - too many sporting events going on!!!
Thanks!

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Funny you should ask. I was just about to post a request that someone do the next few tutorials. I'm starting another project and don't think I'll be able to devote much time to doing the tutorials. So if any of you have an interest in putting together a tutorial, please do so.

My new project is something on using flash with your camera. I started with the idea of making a presentation to my photography club on flash. After thinking about it, I decided that it would be better as either a very long web article or perhaps a video.

I've found that a large number of DSLR users have very little understanding of flash. The stupid flash manuals and most of the references I've seen talk about what each button does in a basic sense, but they provide very little information on why. I've found lots of good articles on different topics, but nothing comprehensive.

My idea is to have a single article or video that covers all of the main flash topics with a focus on "why" and "how" along with examples. The topics that come to mind include (in no particular order):

Coverage angle and flash zoom
Diffusers
Batteries and cycle times

Bouncing flash

Second Curtain Sync
Dragging the shutter
Flash Exposure Compensation
Flash Exposure Lock
Modifiers (umbrellas, softboxes, reflectors, etc)

Making your own diffusers and reflectors

ETTL

Focus assist
Master/Slave
Fill flash
Using flash on reflective subjects
Using flash when shooting through glass
Using flash on iridescent subjects

Are you happy with the resources you are aware of on the subject of camera flash? If I put together a comprehensive guide on flash, would it be useful? Would it be better as a written reference like a website or PDF or would it be better as something like a DVD?

 

[AndrewWG]

Mark,

That would be a great resource. I think I am one of the the people you are talking about. I have the DSLR, nice flash unit and have no idea what to do after I turn the darned thing on! I would personally find it more useful in a DVD format. I am a better learner by seeing what is going on. A video or webpage embedded with video would work great for me. If I have to read it and never see it in action, I seem to learn very little. For some reason, I would read something like "with second curtain flash" and my brain is thinking "what's for dinner?". I am hands on/visual learner I guess.

 

[Gdad]

Great topic- and I love the video idea- I have learned several things with some of the video tutorials on the Strobist website.

 

[LMarge]

I vote for video!! Much like Andrew, my brain starts to wonder away from the subject at hand when I have to do a lot of indepth reading!!