Question How to narrow strobe lighting area for macro?

[theoceanlens]

Hi everyone,

I’m shooting macro with the following setup:

• Sony A7III + Sony 90mm macro
• Seafrogs housing
• 2× Sea&Sea YS-03 strobes
• BigBlueDiveLight VL4600PB focus light

Shooting in manual mode (M) with AF-C focus.
I usually set ISO between 100–500 (most often 200).
Shutter speed is 1/160s, aperture f/8–f/16, and up to f/22 when using a wet lens.

The focus light has 3 power settings — I typically use it at 2300 lumens. It does not have an auto-off function when the strobes fire.

Focus is fine, but when I shoot, the two strobes plus the focus light cause overexposure.
If I place the strobes farther away, the exposure is reduced, but the light spreads across the whole frame.

I want the strobes to light up only the smallest possible area around the subject — not the entire frame — without changing my gear.

One more challenge is that if I stop down the aperture further and reduce the focus light power, the scene becomes too dark for accurate focusing.

Any suggestions on how to achieve this with my current setup?


Thanks!

 

[Searcaigh]

Check if a snoot is available for your strobe model.

What shutter speed / f stop are you using?

 

[theoceanlens]

Check if a snoot is available for your strobe model.

What shutter speed / f stop are you using?

I’ve tried searching but couldn’t find any snoot for this strobe model.
I’m currently shooting at 1/160s, f/8–f/16, and up to f/22 when using a wet lens.

 

[Tassie_Rohan]

Are you shooting in manual or some automatic mode?

I would suggest trying manual following the tips here.

To get the effect you mention I would probably go with only one flash, with a snoot, on manual, along with a small, weak focus light (is your VL4600PB a 4600 lumens video light?) that has an auto-off function when it detects a flash.

Feel free to share some pics and their settings to aid discussion.

Cheers
Rohan.

 

[davehicks]

Iso 500 is really high for macro and not helping your problem. Turn strobe power down to 1/4 or 1/8th. Angle the strobes so only the edge of the light hits the subject. Use just one strobe.

Any or all of these suggestions may help.

 

[VsubT]

Check out the Retra Light Shaping Device, it has an adapter for your strobes. Good advice above too.

Lance

Edit: Sorry, just realized you said -03, not -D3.

 

[Searcaigh]

I’ve tried searching but couldn’t find any snoot for this strobe model.
I’m currently shooting at 1/160s, f/8–f/16, and up to f/22 when using a wet lens.

Use the highest shutter speed that works with your strobe, and probably only one strobe.

If possible shoot upwards from below your subject with a small aperture f22-f32 depending on the colour of your subject.

You should be able to get results like this although the reef is still visible in the background



This was shot with two strobes and only water in the background, no reef.

 

[BoltSnap]

BigBlueDiveLight VL4600PB focus light

The wrong focus light to use. Focus light should have a "strobe detect off sensor":

1. 1300-Lumen Auto Flash Off + Red LEDSKU: AL1300RAFO | Bigblue Dive Lights

2. Much better options:

Light

www.seaandsea.jp

I usually set ISO between 100–500.

ISO of 500 for MACRO, and you complain about overexposure? I set mine at 200 (or lower).

I’ve tried searching but couldn’t find any snoot for this strobe model.

What about this snoot:

Other Accessories for Strobes

www.seaandsea.jp

 

[Searcaigh]

What about this snoot:

Wrong strobe, he's using a YS-03 not D3

 

[theoceanlens]

Thank you to all the divers who replied.
I’ve just updated my original post with more details about my shooting setup and the issue I’m facing, so everyone can better understand the situation.
Hopefully, I can find a solution soon.