Yesterday morning, the Boston Cyclists Union (of which I am a member) sent out a call: "Our photographer backed out last minute, can anyone shoot the event tonight?" I was already going to be there, and I had my rig in my bag already, just because... I always tend to have it, lately. I had the XT1, the 23 f1.4, the 18-55, and the 50-230, which wouldn't be of much use. But I ALSO had both flashes and the commander...
So I got there a little early, set up the flashes on the front corners of the speakers on stage, each one pointing back across the stage towards the center. I set one to Group A, and the other to B, so i could dial them up and down from the camera by remote as people moved left and right on the stage between setups. When I wanted flash, I flicked the commander on and BOOM, I had flash. When I didn't, I turned it off. Nothing goofed, everything worked, and I really didn't even have to edit the photos. These stage shots are SOOC. They were happy this morning, and I'm thrilled.
No flash
KBRX6913 by
gordopuggy, on Flickr
KBRX7359 by
gordopuggy, on Flickr
Flash
KBRX6985 by
gordopuggy, on Flickr
KBRX7011 by
gordopuggy, on Flickr
KBRX7123 by
gordopuggy, on Flickr
KBRX7152 by
gordopuggy, on Flickr
KBRX7207 by
gordopuggy, on Flickr
I really, really wish I'd had the 35 and the 56 with me. I used the kit zoom a little, and it was fine with flash, but it struggled in the crowd. The 23 was, frankly, pretty fantastic for that work. It's pretty soft wide open -- most lenses ARE, but not most of the magical Fuji XFs. But it's sharp enough, and it focused well, so I moved and worked quietly and happily. Oh, to have had that 56 for the stage.
Just didn't want to bike home first, THEN bike up the hills there.