Cole: Mojo's Made Me Get A Vagabond

[KellyL]

OKAY...enough already. Mojo, I am glad I purchased the Vagabond II and the pop up soft box. I take the Vagabond II out tonight for the first time...with the giant pop up softbox. Really was absolutely no hassle to set up. Reading the meter was fine and dandy...and what I am used to. I still need to work on balancing ambient and flash...but this one...well, made me happy!

HIs father came to the shoot with him, and when I saw him sitting like this, I yelled...

"HOLD IT! DON'T MOVE!"

Snap.

I looked over at his father. "I had to grab that. That just looks like HIM. It looked so natural."

His pappa chucled. "Yep, that' him alright," he said.

So Mojo, my hats off to you. You have encouraged me for how long to get a vagabond.... I think my new adventure is going to warrant many postings.

Okay...for the record...both his father and I decided we wanted the tungsten light included in the picture for the atmosphere....

And I know, perhaps I could have chosen a higher camera angle to keep the derned bleachers from running into his head...

Sure, he's all slumped...but his father wanted a picture of Cole....the Cole he knows...

And no Sis, he isn't in the power corner....you know I always point that out, but this one wouldn't work in the PC/

but I kinda like this shot.

[OdzBodkinz]

Perfectly exposed. Nice.

[KellyL]

Thanks Odz. I've been working on it.

[k9ofkaos]

Congrats on getting that Vagabond Kelly. Your first effort looks great. I've found it's pretty easy matching ambient and strobe. I'm looking forward to seeing more.

You're gonna love the Vagabond.

[clarebear]

Originally Posted by KellyL

Okay...for the record...both his father and I decided we wanted the tungsten light included in the picture for the atmosphere....

i decide that too.

Originally Posted by KellyL

And I know, perhaps I could have chosen a higher camera angle to keep the derned bleachers from running into his head...

then you may have missed this great pose/expression, dont think twice on it!

Originally Posted by KellyL

Sure, he's all slumped...but his father wanted a picture of Cole....the Cole he knows...

father knows best.

another toy i think im wanting now. but i really want to harness natural light first. meh!

[Athena]

Looks good to me Kelly. Just like it is.

and congratulations on your new baby...erm...I mean GEAR.

[felix.reichardt]

Kelly,

you might find this Using Sekonic Meters to Balance Flash and Ambient II - Digital Photography 1 on 1 with Mark Wallace « Sekonic Blog useful in regards to mixing (metering) ambient and flash light.

I am jealous - I just received my cheapo chinese made radio control system to take my flash off-cam. Something like you new toy is on my wishlist.

Are you still accepting applications for an assistant?

[KellyL]

Thanks Clare. I think I am really going to like this portability.

Thanks Athena. He just looks so boy.

Felix, I just checked with human resources and you are tied with about 10 other camels, so we may need to fly each one of you here for an in house interview.

Thanks for the link!

[Lee4145]

I like it Kelly. And I like the light back there, too.

[gaopa2]

Kelly, you and your Vagabond did well on that shot! We look forward to many more! Cheers, Bill P.

[KellyL]

Thanks. I am learning, as always...just after that perfect portraiture. I also got myself one of those big globes Benji talked about. I will be anxious to try it out as well and see how the quality of light works with the Bee and the Vagabond.

Why is there always more to do than there is time?

[KellyL]

Also: I finally started shooting with my Canon f/2.8 70 - 200 IS USM using the FLR technique. I am much more pleased with the results I am getting from this lens.

[patterfr]

I just like it Kelly.

[JimH]

Excellent exposure execution Kelly!

Not a fan of the light myself, so I tried:

> Image >> Rotate Canvas >>> Flip Canvas Horizontal (makes a mirror image in CS3)

Eyes aren't so easily drawn to it, now that it's up out of the way top camera left. Also, as the viewer is drawn in there is more of the subject to get drawn into. Try it, you might like it.

[KellyL]

Post it Jim!

[JimH]

aye-aye captain

[KellyL]

That does put him in the power corner and make the light less distracting.

[Maggie_B]

Great exposure Kelly! I want a vagabond II. Nice looking kid too.

Mag

[JimH]

Don't know the first thing about power corners.

I think I figured out what was distracting me, would almost appear as the background light was acting like the light source as there is a natural angle that draws me up past the subject and into the light. Mirroring it simply takes that away and allows more room to lead the eye into the subject. If there is a comparison between leading lines/angles and power corners - maybe that's it.

[Rain Lily]

Originally Posted by KellyL

That does put him in the power corner and make the light less distracting.

BUT - you don't like it better, do you, Kelly?

Sometimes I think we just get it right, in spite of the 'rules' - I like to fly by my heart and the seat of my pants, with just enough knowledge in there to make it work.

Don't get me wrong - I love learning and want to learn more. But I think your version, no power corner and bright light, works just fine. I bet they buy that one.
Sis