twmeyer

<p>Ambient light levels are where your ghosting will come from... including your modeling lights. This image was made in a pretty dark gym... t</p><div></div>

Yeah I think what you want is near the end of this thread on the buff forum. I'm on my phone or I'd hot link it for you:

http://www.paulcbuff-techforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2520

Gotta love those guys at Buff… t

<p>Characteristics of the artwork will determine the appropriate lighting. Is is heavily textured? Is it varnished? Watercolor? Oil? mixed media? <br /><br />When I don't know, or can't preview the work (when photographing on location), I take 4 lights with a cross polarizing system. These lights must be color matched, and consistent light-to-light. When cross polarizing, I mount two lights on each (large) stand (using super clamps for the lower light on each stand) . Lately I've been using the Einstein e640, for their color and power consistency. I would never use shoe mount flashes for photographing artwork. I'd rather set up in the shady side of a building where there are no trees or grass.<br /><br />Unless you are very prolific painter, and need to supply a dealer with an image of every piece you create because they are selling these paintings like latte's at a Manhattan Starbucks, I'd suggest you edit which work will be photographed and hire a professional to do it.<br /><br />If you think this might become a second career, then buy 4 Einsteins and the polarizing filters (one gel for each light and a VERY good one for each of your macro focusing, flat field lenses). <br /><br />What has been missing from suggestions made, is <br>

1) a white balance target. White balance to the target (wear neutral shade clothing, and *mid gray* walls, ceiling and floor would be best, especially if you varnish or use any high gloss materials) and also include it in one frame of every painting you photograph (make at least two images of each, and clean your sensor before you start). <br /><br />2) a hand held meter. You're trying to create identical exposure at all four corners and the center of the painting.<br /><br />To teach someone how to photograph artwork at a professional level in a web post is almost impossible. This type of photography is highly technical and very boring/frustrating and is barely less expensive than taking your work to a good pro or a lab with a huge scanner.<br /><br />Good luck, more later... t<br /><br />and for a web sized image you camera is fine. Your lens isn't. More important than your sensor size, is your skill at post processing the image files. That's a completely separate and critical skill set. Are you ready for that?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p><div></div>

Ah. I figured since you had a couple of ABs, you had access to all Buffs gear. Good luck. You might post the specs of

whatever battery / inverter you're considering in a query on the Buff Tech Forum, and see what they think.

<p>Why bother ordering <a href="http://www.thestudiooutfitters.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65_93&products_id=417">that</a> from Singapore, when you can get a <a href="http://www.paulcbuff.com/vm120.php">Vagabond Mini</a> from Memphis and stay within the designed (and warrantied) Buff system, for almost exactly the same price? I see no advantage, and can think of several reasons not to... t</p>

<p>Like the man says, RTFM... t</p>

<p>The take away message from that vid is... don't do that. (I wonder why he posted a 32 minute video that is almost 30 minutes of nothing. hmmm.)<br /><br />The link I offered shows a cheap and elegant solution, that only takes a few determined minutes with a good drill. It's an especially good idea if you want to dangle an Einstein or an AB from a boom. The speed ring is under $40 and the other stuff can be found at any adequate hardware store for under $10.00. Pretty affordable peace of mind. That guy should take it to the Buff Tech Forum, instead of advertising his adventure on You Tube. Lots of good stuff there... t<br /><br /></p>

<p>not Bob. But you're welcome.</p>

<p>Since the OP is wanting to hang an AB from this rig (whatever it's final construction may be), they and others here may find something useful in <a href="http://www.paulcbuff-techforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2520">this thread at the Buff forum</a>. I made two of these speed ring modifications, and they are very confidence instilling, when dangle an Einstein from a cantilevered arm... t</p><div></div>

<p>Yep. Kupo makes one, too. $92 at B&H... t</p>

<p><a href="http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101.html">Here </a>is a good place for your learning to start.</p>

<p>The SB700's native wireless system (CLS, which is an infrared signaling system) needs direct line of sight to work. Radio slaves like a Pocket Wizard, do not. An umbrella is easier to use with the line of sight type of cordless sync. Soft boxes tend to block the line of sight and <em>may</em> require a radio slave.<br /><br />Try a <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=softbox+for+shoe+mount+flash&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a">google search on "softbox for shoe mount flash"</a>. You'll get more ideas and examples than you'll know what to do with... t</p>

One and only one? A 45" white umbrella… t

<p>I second the <a href="http://www.paulcbuff.com/e640.php">Einstein E640</a>, and add a radio slave of some kind, either Paul C Buff's <a href="http://www.paulcbuff.com/cc.php">CyberSync</a> and <a href="http://www.paulcbuff.com/csxcv.php">transceiver</a> or<a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/605715-REG/PocketWizard_801_143_MiniTT1_Radio_Slave_Transmitter.html"> Pocket Wizard Mini TT1</a> and <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=724310&Q=&is=REG&A=details">AC3</a> with the <a href="http://www.paulcbuff.com/mc2.php">MC2</a>, so you can control the light from the camera... t <br /><br />(I'm betting the light you already have is a Nikon SB910)</p>

<p>I use <a href="http://mitsubishi-imaging.com/cp-d70dw/">this one</a>... t</p>

<p>I concur. She presented a wealth of practical experience with humility and common sense. This is a gracious gesture by photo.net... t</p>

<p><a href="http://flashzebra.com/monominiphone/splitters.shtml">http://flashzebra.com/monominiphone/splitters.shtml</a></p>

<p>It's not brain science. Or dangerous. Someone may sprain an ankle jumping in the dark. Clear the area. Not rocket surgery. Have your assistant wear oven mitts if they're clumsy. Post a pic when you're done!</p><div></div>

<p><a href="https://www.shootproof.com/">https://www.shootproof.com/</a></p>

Pre-focus in the dark, set a shutter twice the length of the time needed to complete the properly exposed, sparkler drawn

circle. Have an assistant dressed in black (black gloves) draw the circle in the air (how perfect does it have to be?). Then have the

dancer leap through that well rehearsed spot as another assistant manually pops the flash (via radio trigger). Shutter

closes. Repeat as needed… t

<p>After remembering a 1gb micro SD card stuck in an old cell phone, I pulled a compatible card reader out from under a jumble of cables and made the Einstein firmware upgrade to 5.0<br /><br />I am happy to report that after updating both Einsteins to firmware V5.0, both lights have total and repeatable functionality with MiniTT1 and AC3. Adjustable 6 stop range within the Einstein's 8 stop capability, with independent control of both/either via Zones on the AC3.<br /><br />It's pretty cool that two independent companies can collaborate and produce such a brilliant liaison of their respective product lines. Yes, this is a personal endorsement for both Einsteins and the TT system of Pocket Wizard. I may even sell my Dynalites... t</p>

Referrals are the single best way to find new clients in the wedding business.

 

If this DJ want to use the images as part of a "media buy"... such as an ad in The Knot or some other wedding

publication, then a fee would be appropriate.

 

If its use would be on his website, then a visible photo credit, a hot link to your page from the image, and inclusion on his

list of recommended associates would be as valuable to you as the image is to him, and of greater value than the fee for

a non-credited image in an ad for his services.

 

Assess his business potential, and how much work he does... that he's not just a weekend warrior, but a professional with

steady work and client traffic on his website, and that *his* clients are *your* clients. Don't be so business "smart" that

you miss an opportunity for such market-specific exposure and the referral from a professional in your market... t

<p>Update: It only works with one of the two Einsteins. The only difference I can see between them is one is firmware version 2.6 (doesn't work) and the other is 3.1 (does work).</p>

<p>And yes, I've tried swapping the two MC2 units with the two Einsteins. It's a problem with the light, not the MC2. As soon as I can find a 1 or 2gb micro sd card I'm gonna update them both.<br>

<br />Messages into both manufacturers as of 2013 12 17. Stay tuned.</p>

<p>Has anyone suggest getting some basic photography lessons? That's my advice. <br /><br />Your problems, as have been ably pointed out, are not resident in the equipment. In pilot's lingo, it's pilot induced oscillation. Get thee to a good photo instructor, and all your problems will dissipate... t</p>