Nikon Wednesday 2014: #18

<p>Got a new lens. A Sigma 70mm. First product shot I ever tried. Have to work on lighting.</p><div></div>

<p>Matt's suggested themes seem to keep anticipating my own experiments. I've been trying to concoct the perfect portable lighting modifier for my V1 and SB-N5 flash. Over decades I've tried all the usual tricks: lens tissue over the flash; envelope with rubber band bounce; homebrewed diffusers made from flexible sheets of white translucent plastic and isopropyl alcohol bottles.</p>

<p>But what I really wanted was something to control and confine the flash to a specific area, rather than light up an entire room. And after looking at some fancy schmancy modifiers including portable "beauty dishes", I realized I already had the perfect portable modifier in my hand: It's my hand.</p>

<p>I twisted the flash head backward and angled upward, cupped my left hand - palm out - and held the camera with just the right hand. Easy with a lightweight camera like the V1, and the 10-30 VR really helps offset any camera shake. After a few experiments I found the right amount of palm cupping to direct the light without over-lighting the background.</p>

<p>Drawbacks? A few. You need a bounce flash head, and preferably rear-facing flash head. I couldn't one-hand my D2H and SB-800 like this, although I could several years ago. And a palm reflector is naturally warm colored, which is fine for impromptu portraits and many casual or candid photos, but may not suit every photo.</p>

<p>One of my first successful uses of the palm reflector trick was on Eartha Kitty, pre-spaying. Helped to minimize distractions in my cluttered office area. Previously I've used various flashlights, or an off camera flash held in my left hand, to get this selective area lighting effect.<br /> <img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17751800-lg.jpg" alt="Eartha Kitty - pre surgery" width="469" height="700" border="0" /></p>

<p><br />And Eartha Kitty last night, post-surgery. The green lens flare ghosting looks like orbs leaking from her incision. I'm not sure whether to call the vet or the ghostbusters. Or maybe I should use a lens hood.<br /><br /> <img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17751801-lg.jpg" alt="Eartha Kitty - post surgery" width="700" height="469" border="0" /><br /> <em>All Nikon V1 and 10-30 VR, SB-N5 rear-facing flash with my palm as a reflector</em>.</p>

<p>Balsamroot and meadowgrass in the morning light, last Saturday in the Columbia River Gorge, Oregon.</p><div></div>

<p>A very protective female Canada Goose sitting on her clutch of eggs in the pouring rain. </p><div></div>

<p>Bumblebee having a field day among rosy plectritis, Columbia River Gorge.</p><div></div>

<p>I photographed a friend's carpentry inventory last weekend. He builds unique pieces from reclaimed materials and finishes them by hand to best replicate a bygone time. The challenge was to work in a very confined space. In two shots of this cabinet I used an SB800, camera mounted, and pointed overhead. The other is ambient light. </p><div></div>

<p>Wildflowers with Mount Hood playing peek-a-boo in the distance, Columbia River Gorge.</p><div></div>

<p>#2</p>

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<p>#3 of cabinet</p><div></div>

<p>not so long ago</p><div></div>

<p>A couple of spring photos from the Coolpix...</p><div></div>

<p># 2</p><div></div>

<p>Bicycles for rent in Austin, Texas</p><div></div>

<p>My Bluegrass series continues. Here's Sierra Hull.</p>

<p> </p><div></div>

<p>Granddaughter Iris smiling at grandpa.</p>

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<p>Uncle Nick with Iris.</p><div></div>

<p>Gus likes the new cushions.</p>

<p>Gus likes the new cushions. (Again)</p><div></div>

<p>Well heck, some wanted to see photos made where I "brought my own light," and other are showing train shots. OK, I'll do both--at once. The ice finally left the rivers here, giving me new possibilities.</p>

<p>Kent in SD</p><div></div>

<p>With onboard flash, I caught this little bat hibernating in Longhorn Cavern. They are loners. We counted, 38 bats during one hour walk. Without the guide, I probably wouldn't have even found one.</p><div></div>

<p>I was told that you can have private events in this cavern. Literally we saw tables and chairs in one of the big chambers.</p><div></div>

<p>Love the color.</p><div></div>

<p><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2905/14049011362_52ca44d38b_z.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="427" /></p>

<p>Rainy day in Dublin, what a surprise. F4 with 20/2.8 AF on Kodak Portra 160.</p>

<p>Dash, with Nikon D4S, 400mm, f4, 1/1600 sec, and ISO 200.</p><div></div>