Grapes on a vine ...

EOS 60D, F/3.2, 1/250s, ISO-400, 24-70L @ 70mm + 580EXII + DIY softbox

A day out to test and learn how to use the small DIY softbox made a week ago. The whole Malaysian community in Chiba (almost) had decided to go for budougari (grape picking in Japanese). This is the time for me to let out the DIY softbox from the closet. The grapes as a bunch is still smaller than the front panel of the DIY softbox.

The first on brunch grapes pictured above was actually not yet ripe. There were still the protective sheet around it. Making use of the DIY softbox placed to the right of the camera and very close to the protective sheet will make the whole rig as a huge softbox (compared to the grape). The light was all around the grapes as can be seen from the picture on top. This is one more how to use the DIY softbox in my lists. You could actually use a bare speedlite but still the outcome will not be the same... maybe...

Here is two more photos of the grapes but with only the DIY softbox. There were no protective sheet around the  grape but still quite a soft light.

The first picture was taken at 1/250s to make the background darker than the subject being taken. By carefully adjusting the flash and DIY softbox, the light spill is controlled from entering the background. Since the grape is it self is dark in color, the dark background does give some feeling to the picture. 

EOS 60D, F/5.6, 1/250s, ISO-100, 24-70L @ 70mm + 580EXII + DIY softbox

The second one was composed so that the background greenery could be pictured as well. Thus the shutter speed is drop down compared to the first picture at 1/60s. It does compliment the picture in MHO. 

EOS 60D, F/2.8, 1/60s, ISO-100, 24-70L @ 70mm + 580EXII + DIY softbox

Now I'm hungry... Hmmm. Where did I put the grapes...

In house soft light.

EOS 60D, F/5.6, 1/200s, ISO-400, 100L + 580EXII + DIY light modifier

I was looking for a light modifier to soften my harsh flash light. Was thinking about buying LumiQuest III or Rogue. I was'nt sure if it will work for me... or do I have to work for it? Instead of buying and then trying, why not trying and then if it works for me then buy.

DIY time. With a cake box, scissors, tracing paper, tape and other nick naks, I build my first flash soft box. It looks similar to the LumiQuest but with the a small downside. Its not durable but do-able for now hehehe. It increases the light source to about 4x the speedlite flash area. Here it is. Not a preitty sight hehehe.

The above picture was the first test using the in house soft light. The spider above is actually larger than the one that was taken previously. Lighting it with a bare speedlite give a very harsh shadow. With the DIY light modifier I could take a bigger critters. Just need to remember that the light source needs to be bigger than the subject and must be near. Will post other tests with this light modifier.