Gerard Maas' Blog

Hunting Easter Eggs. In this image, one speedlite with a Lumiquest softbox was used to light the egg and another flash in a Lastolite Ezybox was used to light the girl behind. The balanced output was automatic calculated by the E-TTL system, even when the lights where illuminating different planes, requiring different power levels to achieve a similar light effect.

After getting familiar with using a speedlite off-camera, the need for more control will soon arise. Adding one or more additional speedlites to your kit will expand the creative possibilities while the advanced E-TTL system will take care of the complexity of setting and balancing different light to achieve a natural effect.

Mitha and Roses. Two speedlites were used to create this portrait. The main light was located to the right of the image while a soft fill was located to the left and sideways of the model

The wireless E-TTL system can seamlessly grow to support many speedlites in several configurations. Each speedlites can be configured with a group A, B or C.  A and B are supposed to lit the subject -wherever in the frame- while C is supposed to illuminate the background.

Belly Dancer fancy dress. - A 3-light setup was used for this image. Two speedlites were setup in front, one on the ground (A), lighting up and one above, pointing down (B). A 3rd speedlite was located behind the girl (C) to highlight the hair. Ratio A:B=4:1, C=+1

The best advice that can be given is to always start with one light, but once you explore many of the possibilities of a single wireless speedlite, the need for additional lights will arise to better control the scenes and multiply your creative possibilities.

Eye with special make-up

Special Make-up - Second light. Introducing a second speedlite allowed us to better illuminated the eye to show the make-up in all its detail.