Canon’s Digital Learning Center recently posted the video of my December presentation Mastering the Speedlite 600EX-RT. I had a great time at the Canon Hollywood Professional Technology Center. Thanks to all the Speedliters who attended.
If you’re looking for tips on how to maximize the potential of your 600EX-RT or wondering whether you should upgrade to the new Speedlite system, click here to watch it. The video is divided into eight sections. So it’s easy to jump to the topic of greatest interest.
- Overview
- The Menu System
- Radio Wireless Flash
- Understanding Group Mode
- Menu-based Speedlite Control
- Light Modifiers
- Remote Shooting
- Real World Radio Wireless Flash Q&A
Random Bytes 130211 highlights the work of so many talented photographers. Enjoy!
Zack Arias: If I had to start my photo business today
God Made a Farmer: Super Bowl Commercial Shot by Ten Photographers
Digital Convergence Podcast #108: Dean Sherwood on Making Music Videos
I’m convinced that we are turning into a world of scanners. Everyone wants to know more, yet wants to read less. I think this evolution is due the fact that we carry the WWW in our pockets these days. My response…I just rewrote the bio on my portfolio site.
My previous bio talked about me in the third person (even though I wrote it). “Syl does this and that…” My thinking was that the narrator’s voice sounded more authoritative than my own. The content talked mostly about my photographic abilities.
My new bio is in the first person. I want prospective clients to know me as a person first and as an imagemaker second. So, I lead off with the fact that my wife, Amy, and I met when we were young kids. It’s a memorable point. I want the folks who read it to remember me.
For the scanners, I now use paragraphs with one or two sentences. The old bio had three blocky paragraphs. The new bio has ten streamlined paragraphs. It is 38 words shorter than the old one (174 vs. 212 = 18% reduction). Yet, it says so much more about me.
The more time we spend online, the more important it is for photographers to market themselves as real and memorable people. Whose voice are you using? What is it saying about you?
A quick announcement to NYC-area Canonistas that I’ll be speaking next week in the B&H Event Space. The two-hour presentation is suited for anyone interested in how I use my Canon Speedlites to create off-camera flash. Click on the pic below for more details. Hope to see you there!
I receive many questions about the batteries that I use in my Speedlites. Here is the exact gear that I use to keep them well fed and happy.
Batteries
Eneloop AA Rechargeable Ni-MH Batteries—If you’re a power Speedliter, then rechargeable batteries are the only way to go. I use Eneloops because their chemistry–low-discharge, nickel metal-hydride (Ni-MH)–means that they will hold their charge for an extended time. Regular Ni-MH batteries (like Powerex) will discharge over time when not in use. The last thing I want is for my Speedlite to not fire if the batteries I have in my bag have not been charged for a couple of weeks. If you cannot find Eneloops, other brands of low-discharge Ni-MH batteries often have pre-charged, rechargeable on the package.
Eneloops on B&H
Eneloops on Amazon
Regular Alkalines—If you are not a power Speedliter, then regular alkaline batteries are fine. So grab the Energizers and Coppertops when you need a fresh set of batteries.
Avoid Lithium Batteries—Lithium has the ability to hold onto electrons for a very long time. You may have noted that the Use By dates are often a decade away. However, under heavy loads, such as a Speedlite firing again and again, my tests have shown that lithium batteries get extremely hot. In one test, I measured their temperature at 165ºF!
Remove the Batteries—If you are not going to use your Speedlite for a few weeks, remove the batteries to protect against random battery leakage.
Last week was a great week for image-centric blogs. Here is a random run-through of several of my favorite posts from the blogs I read.
Inside the Camera Bag of Peter Read Miller: Super Bowl Photographer
Catch Magazine #27 (Fly Fishing Photography_Film)
World Press Photo 2013 Multimedia Contest Winners
Joey L: Killing Lincoln—Test Subjects vs. Real Subjects
PhotoShelter: Photographers Outlook on 2013
Chris Orwig Webinar: Creating Compelling Photographs
Save the dates: August 4–10 and August 11–17, 2013. I have two weeklong lighting workshops scheduled at Maine Media this year. Midcoast Maine + August + playing with light for a week = Summer camp for lucky adults.
My Canon Speedlites Demystified workshop runs Aug 4–10. This will be the third summer that I teach this great session that focuses exclusively on…you guessed it, Canon Speedlites. We start the week with an exploration of one-light techniques and end the week with everyone shooting multiple Speedlites. Even if you hardly know how to use a pop-up flash, if you shoot Canon and want to learn flash, this is the workshop for you. Check out the details here on the Maine Media site.
My new Creative Lighting on Location workshop (Aug 11–17) is for shooters who already have a working knowledge of flash photography and want to push into using mixed lighting and strobes (Einsteins, Profoto D1s, etc.) on location. Of course, what’s a strobe good for without a toolbox of modifiers? So, we’ll also play with a range of softboxes, grids, gels, etc. as we shoot portraits on a wide range of indoor and outdoor locations. You’ll find the details here on the Maine Media site.
And yes, if you are looking for an excuse to spend two weeks in the beautiful central coast of Maine, then consider Canon Speedlites Demystified as a great way to get up to speed for Creative Lighting on Location.
Canon has a great instant rebate program on now for 40+ lenses and several Speedlites (including the 600EX-RT). Hurry! These deals expire in a couple of days (on Feb. 2 to be exact). Click here to take a look.
Welcome to PixSylated’s inaugural Random Bytes. Here’s are a handful of recent blogs and web articles that I’ve found interesting. Random Bytes will be published…well, randomly. Enjoy!
Chris Crisman New Portfolio Video
Red Digital Video: Shooting Video for Stills
DP Review: RAW COnvertor Showdown
Technologically Advanced Publishing Conference at NAB in April
My latest project is a 24-page booklet on creating off-camera light with Canon Speedlites. The Quick Start is a mini field guide (5.5″ x 8.5″) that covers the fundamentals of creating great light with Speedlites. While oriented towards those just starting with off-camera flash, it contains loads of tips for shooters at all levels. The Quick Start will be available as a PDF via electronic download and as a printed booklet. All the details, including sneak peeks inside, will be available here in about two weeks.
Spring 2013 Speedliting Tour
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Syl Arena Workshops & Events
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Long Off-Camera Flash Cords
Speedliter’s Handbook
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Syl Writes for Canon Pro Network
Syl Teaches Lighting Online at Kelby Training
