the Rested Traveler's photostream  

One of the photos from this afternoon's session with my friend ReZsaun Lewis' new band, Impulse. They're the new house band at Wing Time in North Charleston beginning February 15th. This was my first opportunity to hear ReZsaun sing and I have to tell ya - the guy can do anything. His new band mates sounded pretty tight, too...which is great for their first rehearsal! If you're near North Charleston on Wednesday nights starting in February, you must stop in for some wings and good music!

This is the first photo I've processed out of 596 that I took...so I had best get to it! I hope there are at least a couple dozen more in there as good as this one! This is also the first true shoot where I got to use my AB800 and AB1600 together. It became obvious to me today that I need a 3rd light for a back light to separate my subjects from the background better. This shot is a perfect example of that.

Go Large.

Strobist:
========
- Alien Bees B1600 on 1/4th power, bounced out of a 64" soft silver PLM with white diffuser fabric, slightly above and to the right of the camera, triggered by CyberSync CST/CSRB.
- Alien Bees B800 on 1/4th power, in a socked 22" white beauty dish, to the left of the camera, triggered by CyberSync CST/CSRB.

So...I took the AB1600 and 64" PLM out into the wind this evening and shot a few shots of Mici. What I've been told about the PLM is true. It does catch the wind pretty easily, so it's probably not the best solution for beach portraits without a lot of sand bags or some very strong assistant on the grip. I may have to re-consider the ABR800 Ring Flash for beach shots.

As you can see, though, the results are astounding! It doesn't hurt that my wife is beautiful, even when perturbed with me. :-)

Go Large.

Strobist:
========
- Alien Bees B1600 on 1/4th power, bounced out of a 64" soft silver PLM with white diffuser fabric, camera right, triggered by CyberSync CST/CSRB.

Mici and Buggy Bug were willing Guinea Pigs as I tested out my new AB1600 and 64" PLM this evening. Thank you to both for being such great sports! The AB1600 was a very unexpected and extremely awesome Christmas present from Mici's parents. Thank you to both of them as well! With this gift, I will be able to continue to capture moments like this one for years to come.

Of course, what does one do when they receive an AB1600 as a Christmas present? They buy a radio receiver, light stand, and some sort of modifier. :-) I bought a 10' light stand, Cyber Sync CSRB, and a 64" soft silver PLM with white diffuser fabric. It all arrived last night. Everything works wonderfully except for the CSRB, which would not receive any trigger signal on any frequency from my CST. Paul C. Buff is sending a replacement to me now and I've got to send the defective one back to them within 30 days. Fortunately for me, the optical trigger still works!

Our 5th bedroom is quickly becoming a mini portrait studio.

Go Large.

Strobist:
========
- Alien Bees B800 on 1/16th power, in a socked and blocked 22" white beauty dish, boomed above and behind Mici and Buggy Bug, triggered with Cyber Sync CST/CSRB.
- Alien Bees B1600 on 1/8th power, bounced out of a 64" soft silver PLM with white diffuser fabric, camera right, triggered by the flash from the B800.