Polarizing filter and flash?
Jun 22, 2012 09:08:37 #
I'm about to use a polarizing filter in conjunction with multiple flashes. I'm using the filter as a way to reduce the sensitivity of the camera (effective lower ISO) to eliminate effects of sun light. I know this is a bit strange but that's what I'm doing. Does anyone know if rotating the polarizing filter will have any affect at all on contrast or color when the only source of light is coming from flashes? I think the polar nature of sunlight comes from light passing through the atmosphere. Is there a polar aspect to the light coming from flashes? I would not think so but I'm not sure.
Jun 22, 2012 10:42:50 #
Your flashes are not polarized. If they reflect off of metal, or glass or water that light will be. So you may get varying effect from your filter.
Most times I would use a short shutter speed to reduce the sunlight and use aperture to affect the flashes.
Most times I would use a short shutter speed to reduce the sunlight and use aperture to affect the flashes.
Jun 22, 2012 10:50:13 #
Bigdaver wrote:
Your flashes are not polarized. If they reflect off of metal, or glass or water that light will be. So you may get varying effect from your filter.
Most times I would use a short shutter speed to reduce the sunlight and use aperture to affect the flashes.
Most times I would use a short shutter speed to reduce the sunlight and use aperture to affect the flashes.
Thanks Bigdaver, I'll be using my flashes directly, not reflected so that simplifies things for me. The polarizing filter will only be used as a modest ND filter and that's what I want. Thanks Dave.
Jun 22, 2012 14:35:48 #
Instead of using a CPL for softening the light try using a WB of cloudy, you said you were outside. If you are in the sunlight why the flashes in the first place, just for fill??
Jun 22, 2012 14:36:32 #
Jun 22, 2012 14:46:44 #
Raider Fan wrote:
Instead of using a CPL for softening the light try using a WB of cloudy, you said you were outside. If you are in the sunlight why the flashes in the first place, just for fill??
I was waiting for / (fearing) that question. I'm stopping the action of hummingbirds wings using flashes. The light from the flashes must be orders of magnitude more intense than the ambient sunlight or the wings will blur. Look for my resent examples of a hummingbird frozen in time. Now you know what I'm doing. I'm working on improving my technique a bit more.
Jun 22, 2012 15:29:10 #
Jun 22, 2012 15:50:33 #
I use a Nikon D70 and a Sunpak flash. The D70 can go to 1/8000 shutterspeed, shutting down the sun, and the aperture can be at any value to adjust the flash. Freezes hummingbirds and bugs at the duration of the flash discharge. Leaves the background black if you want.
Jun 23, 2012 07:06:41 #
I use just a small amount of fill flash for my hummingbird shots, A fast shutter speed and an aperture for desired DOF.I shoot in RAW so I'm not worried about WB.
Pappy
Pappy
Jun 23, 2012 09:30:04 #
Here's a great link to hummer flash photography if anyone is interested. http://www.rpphoto.com/howto/hummer/humguide1.asp
Jun 23, 2012 09:34:12 #
skidooman wrote:
Here's a great link to hummer flash photography if anyone is interested. http://www.rpphoto.com/howto/hummer/humguide1.asp
Ah shot! Now everyone knows what I doing. :) Yep, this is how I took my pictures.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8009/7383313618_aa8f106854_b.jpg
The thing that surprises most people is that shutter speed has practically nothing to do with it. It's all done with strobes.
Jun 23, 2012 09:43:05 #
Davethehiker wrote:
Ah shot! Now everyone knows what I doing. :) Yep, this is how I took my pictures.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8009/7383313618_aa8f106854_b.jpg
The thing that surprises most people is that shutter speed has practically nothing to do with it. It's all done with strobes.
skidooman wrote:
Here's a great link to hummer flash photography if anyone is interested. http://www.rpphoto.com/howto/hummer/humguide1.asp
Ah shot! Now everyone knows what I doing. :) Yep, this is how I took my pictures.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8009/7383313618_aa8f106854_b.jpg
The thing that surprises most people is that shutter speed has practically nothing to do with it. It's all done with strobes.
Awesome photo. I have been wanting to try this, just have to find the time. I have plenty of lights, and willing hummers.
Jun 23, 2012 11:24:36 #
Jun 23, 2012 11:31:23 #
Mark Koons wrote:
How do the hummingbirds react to being hit with multiple flashes?
They definitely twitch. The first time they are hit with the lights the fly away. After repeated hits, they grow accustomed to the lights and continue to feed.
Jun 23, 2012 12:09:19 #
Dang! That's an impressive image! Was the background dropped out in PP or just blown out by the strobe?
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