It's not the camera, it's not the flash. It's the photographer. I know everybody says that, but it's true.

Bill

Absolutely correct!!

I know several other successful wedding photographers who use minimal equipment and turn out fansatic results.

You don't need a $5000 camera for weddings.

Russ

Arkayem,Your equipment list sounds right on the money.I think a lot of photographers that are working hard to get their equipment together get lost in the oceans of different Lens,lights,back-drops,ect...It's nice to get some straight advice.

Arkayem,you said you use two SB800 with umbrellas.Are you using your on camera flash as the commander if so do you put your two other speedlights in manual mode(then set their out-put from your camera) or do you stick with the TTL mode?What works best with this type set-up...I shoot with the D300 I will be using my built in flash as my commander and my two SB800 w/umb at each corner of my large groups.

123

I usually use TTL and then adjust each flash with plus or minus compensation as needed. Seems to work well for me.


Foley

123, Why are you using umbrellas with groups instead of direct flash? the distance the umbrellas are from the group makes the larger light source negligible. And the umbrella reduces your light output. Try it both ways and see if you really see a difference. Don't assume there is one. Plus a larger light source creates glass glare. I know a lot of photographers use an umbrella, and use two flashes in one umbrella to boost the light level. I use umbrellas for portraits, not the wedding photography. There a flash placed in the right place is perfect and not in the way. Travel light and use a voice activated light stand.

123, Take at look at the video here on the use of Nikon flash.

http://www.honlphoto.com/servlet/StoreFront

Hi Billy,It is always great to read your replys.Yes,I have always assumed that my umbrellas or bouncing my flash was the way to go.Guess I have bare Flash phobia.I've had this condition for many years and it's hard to over come.There seems to be so many products on the market to ease me into a different way of thinking,So I am making progress.Now all I need is about 20 people to do some test shots....As you already know, I'm new at the(CLS)I now have a couple of SB800 and hopefully will never
haul my Novatrons lights again.But with this Bare Flash Phobia
and 20 models no where in site (for test shots)and an event on my heels,Im feeling a little nervous.It will work out,it always does.I'm just glad there are people like you that are willing to give good advice and direct me to such informative links...
Thanks Billy....PS-That non slip speed strap looks like a must have.I use to be horse poor,then I was house poor,and now I'm camera equipment poor.....(smile) 123 (Kim)

123, You don't need 20 models, just one. Allow the room as if you had 10 on each side of your model and shoot. You can see what you get. Do it simple and easy. I have been shooting with umbrellas since 1966, but there are times it will not help or add anything. An umbrella focuses the light to about 3-5 feet (most people don't know that). It is a parabolic reflector and it focuses the light to a point. That's why they make big umbrellas, really big umbrellas and really big light boxes (the light box does not focus the light). When you just need light on a subject like a wedding...well don't believe anyone. Try lighting anything with the light 10 or fifteen feet away from the subject. You will be surprised.

Do you know what the dome that clips on the SB800 does for a photograph? Have you ever heard "angle of incidence equals angle of reflection"? Look at where the light is going and what it's bouncing off. Don't tilt your flash up just because you saw someone do it. If there is not anything above the flash that is reasonable close then there is nothing to bounce off of. Do lots of test shots and with digital it's free.

I shoot everyday, even if I'm not working on a job. When I hear or read something, I check it out. Most people are wrong about how to light. You can create some great portraits with direct flash using the SB800's. Just get your flash off the camera.

Helmut Newton use to say "Just put light on it". Look him up.

What flash bracket are you using on camera?

123, Take a look at Joe McNally's new post on lighting. This is how I usually do portraits. Not weddings. There is lots of information in his description.
http://www.joemcnally.com/blog/2008/02/11/location-lighting-in-the-philippines/#more-61