Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Use Pentax Flash With Soft Boxes

Older cameras relied on powerful flashbulbs that could only be used once, then had to be replaced.


Any time photographers have subpar lighting conditions, they should consider using an external camera flash or two if possible to add light to their picture. If you are shooting with a Pentax digital camera and are using Pentax-dedicated flashes, you can set up two flashes that will fire via a wireless signal. You can also attach those flashes to a light stand and fire them through light boxes for an improved lighting solution. Light boxes are larger tentlike products with a very white front. When used with any light source, they provide an evenly dispersed, softer source of light than a straight flash head.


Instructions


1. Attach two Pentax-dedicated flashes to two individual light stands. Connect a light box to each flash or to the light stand. Depending on the style of the light box, it may connect to the stand directly or it may connect to the flash head.


2. Position each flash stand with the light boxes attached at a 45-degree angle to your subject, one light box on either side of the subject. Select one flash as your key light, turn the power on, press the menu button on the rear of the flash, set the mode to "Wireless P-TTL" and set the power to full power. This flash will be your key light. Turn the second flash on, set the mode to "Wireless P-TTL" and set the power to half and this flash will be your fill light.


3. Turn your Pentax camera on, press the menu button on the rear of the camera and toggle through the menu screens until you reach "Flash mode." Toggle to the icon for "Wireless Flash," which is identified by a "W" and a diagonal lightning bolt, and press "OK" to set the camera into this mode. Set the camera's exposure mode to any of the automatic program settings to enable the systems P-TTL (Program Through The Lens) metering system.


4. Position your subject toward your key light, and you are ready to start shooting.

Tags: your light, button rear, each flash, flash head, flash mode, flash mode Wireless, flash will