Strobist Equipment at Disney

[pgowder]

Just read an interesting thread on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/strobist/discuss/72157623567813582/

So what do you use for lighting at WDW?

Just natural lighting? Built in flash?

Anyone ever carried an umbrella or softbox in?

 

[JoeDif]

The extent of my lighting is 1 external flash, a flash cord and a Demb Flip It and gels. Even though you can now get some really compact modifiers I can't imagine carting around umbrellas, stands, etc.

 

[pgowder]

The extent of my lighting is 1 external flash, a flash cord and a Demb Flip It and gels. Even though you can now get some really compact modifiers I can't imagine carting around umbrellas, stands, etc.

What gels do you use in the parks?

 

[JoeDif]

What gels do you use in the parks?

http://www.adorama.com/Als/ProductPage/ROSKGF.html

These are used indoors where flash is allowed depending on the type of lighting. Sometimes I'll use a 1/4 or 1/2 CTO outside to warm up the image for fill flash or the ND gels to knock down the flash output. I haven't really played around with the colored gels yet.

 

[disneyboy2003]

Thanks so much for asking this! I've been wondering this myself...wondering what other folks here do about external flash. Even though I've tried to read tons about flash / strobist stuff, I'm still far from where I hope to be, and I've got TONS to learn.

I always bring my external flash, and I find that it frequently helps me with a lot of my photos. I use it during the day to provide a little "fill flash" to bring up the shadows. I use it at night and indoors.

However, I know I'm doing the wrong thing with the Stofen cup always on my flash and pointing my flash directly on my subject (ie my wife + a Disney character). Oftentimes, I don't have any wall or ceiling to "bounce" my flash off of, so I've resorted to pointing my flash directly on my subject. Because of this, I get really strong, harsh shadows, especially behind my subject.

That's why I'm very thankful that you've asked this question. Hoping to learn what other folks are doing. For sure, the umbrella and light stand are WAY overkill.

The extent of my lighting is 1 external flash, a flash cord and a Demb Flip It and gels. Even though you can now get some really compact modifiers I can't imagine carting around umbrellas, stands, etc.

I'm very close to buying a flash cord, just to get my flash off-camera. But I've never seen anyone else doing this at Disney World. I just found out about Demb Flip It a couple days ago, and I'm actually very tempted to get one. Sounds like a lot of folks really swear by it. Does it work okay if there's no ceiling / wall to bounce the flash? Sounds like it works like a big bounce card.

 

[boBQuincy]

When I carry an external flash I always take a small diffuser too. It doesn't work for much distance but is good for portraits and character greetings. The quick recycle time of an external flash helps too.

 

[JoeDif]

I'm very close to buying a flash cord, just to get my flash off-camera. But I've never seen anyone else doing this at Disney World. I just found out about Demb Flip It a couple days ago, and I'm actually very tempted to get one. Sounds like a lot of folks really swear by it. Does it work okay if there's no ceiling / wall to bounce the flash? Sounds like it works like a big bounce card.

It really works well for fill flash when there aren't any walls or ceilings for bounce. The angle of the bounce surface is adjustable so you do have some control of the light.

I've got a Stofen as well and can never figure out when to use it so I'm up for suggestions

 

[pjacobi]

One of the reasons that I bought the 580 EXII was because of the built-in pull-out bounce card. It is more convenient than taping an index card to the stobe. Photographer have been doing that trick for 30-40 years.

If you are crafty, you can make your own bounce card from

http://www.abetterbouncecard.com/


-Paul

 

[bob100]

One of the reasons that I bought the 580 EXII was because of the built-in pull-out bounce card. It is more convenient than taping an index card to the stobe. Photographer have been doing that trick for 30-40 years.

If you are crafty, you can make your own bounce card from

-Paul

I think all flashes now have a built-in bounce card, even the super cheap YN460 flash ($40) has a built-in diffuser and white card.

 

[MICKEY88]

1.

However, I know I'm doing the wrong thing with the Stofen cup always on my flash and pointing my flash directly on my subject (ie my wife + a Disney character). Oftentimes, I don't have any wall or ceiling to "bounce" my flash off of, so I've resorted to pointing my flash directly on my subject. Because of this, I get really strong, harsh shadows, especially behind my subject.

That's why I'm very thankful that you've asked this question. Hoping to learn what other folks are doing. For sure, the umbrella and light stand are WAY overkill.



2.I'm very close to buying a flash cord, just to get my flash off-camera. But I've never seen anyone else doing this at Disney World. I just found out about Demb Flip It a couple days ago, and I'm actually very tempted to get one. Sounds like a lot of folks really swear by it. Does it work okay if there's no ceiling / wall to bounce the flash? Sounds like it works like a big bounce card.

1. in these situations you would want to reduce the power on your flash to make it a subtle fill flash..

2. I often use my strobe off camera in wireless mode at WDW, Seaworld etc...

 

[GrillMouster]

Bouncing flash wastes a lot of light and battery power, but it can be worth it for the directional and pleasing light it provides for your subject. However, when you're shooting outside and/or you've got nothing to bounce off of, just point the flash direcly at your subject and turn down the power, so that the flash blends more with the ambient light.

 

[MICKEY88]

However, when you're shooting outside and/or you've got nothing to bounce off of, just point the flash direcly at your subject and turn down the power, so that the flash blends more with the ambient light.

unless of course you have the money to buy the flash I saw some guy using at the PA Ren Faire last season, he was bouncing off of the clouds/sky

he had the flash pointed straight up with no bounce or diffuser attached..

talk about wasting battery power..

 

[JoeDif]

2. I often use my strobe off camera in wireless mode at WDW, Seaworld etc...

My Oly E-520 has wireless mode where the E-510 which I previously used doesn't. I can't wait to try that out when I'm down there during May.

 

[cpbjgc]

unless of course you have the money to buy the flash I saw some guy using at the PA Ren Faire last season, he was bouncing off of the clouds/sky

he had the flash pointed straight up with no bounce or diffuser attached..

talk about wasting battery power..

...or was he signalling the Mothership?