Color correction

[jlyle]

Does that mean that you should ONLY use the strobe for shots closer than 5 feet? For photos beyond 5 feet, should you turn off the stobe? Would the stobe increase backscatter for pictures beyond 5 feet?

It's too much trouble to turn the strobes off for "long shots." If the strobes are properly positioned, you should not get backscatter, even under snotty conditions. Point the strobes "out" so that only the edge of the light cone lights the subject. Too many newbies point their strobes towards the subject and are disappointed when they get lots of white spots in their shots. It's important not to light the water between the lens port and the subject, just the subject.

http://www.kelpfish.net/strobe.swf

 

[MJSmith]

GREAT diagrams. Thanks! Those pictures showed me a lot. Are there diagrams that you can use with your camera and strobes to check your alignment on dry land--maybe shoot a few practice shots to give you an idea if you are aimed correctly?

 

[jlyle]

GREAT diagrams. Thanks! Those pictures showed me a lot. Are there diagrams that you can use with your camera and strobes to check your alignment on dry land--maybe shoot a few practice shots to give you an idea if you are aimed correctly?

If your strobe has a modeling light built in, you can go into a dark room, set the camera housing on the floor and see where the cone of light falls on the floor.

You can also look up the angle of coverage for your strobe and cut a piece of paper to represent the cone.

Dedicate a dive to strobe positioning - find a reef and systematically move the strobes from pointing at the subject to pointing away to find the sweet spot.

I have long strobe arms. With my strobes pointed straight ahead, I can move the strobes out so that the distance between them is about the same distance as the subject. For closer subject, I move the strobes closer to the housing, keeping the separation about the same as the distance.

In really poor vis, I'll point the strobes away from the housing and move them closer together. Trial and error. Thank god for digital cameras.

 

[deeper thoughts]

If your strobe has a modeling light built in, you can go into a dark room, set the camera housing on the floor and see where the cone of light falls on the floor.

You can also look up the angle of coverage for your strobe and cut a piece of paper to represent the cone.

Dedicate a dive to strobe positioning - find a reef and systematically move the strobes from pointing at the subject to pointing away to find the sweet spot.

I have long strobe arms. With my strobes pointed straight ahead, I can move the strobes out so that the distance between them is about the same distance as the subject. For closer subject, I move the strobes closer to the housing, keeping the separation about the same as the distance.

In really poor vis, I'll point the strobes away from the housing and move them closer together. Trial and error. Thank god for digital cameras.

Hi I have a single strobe with the ys01 strobe. I have the strobe head positioned high while yours is low on the arm. Is it better to move the strobe low or is this for 2 strobe setups? Thnx

 

[MJSmith]

My strobe is a OLY UF-1. I couldn't find a modeling setting. Too bad there is not something like a test pattern that you can use to make your settings. Nevertheless, that was GREAT information with the diagrams. It made it instantly clear how the strobe should illuminate the object. I also realize the arms may move around some during the dive, due to entry and current, etc, so you have to be aware of the general direction anyway. Thanks jlyle again.

 

[jlyle]

Hi I have a single strobe with the ys01 strobe. I have the strobe head positioned high while yours is low on the arm. Is it better to move the strobe low or is this for 2 strobe setups? Thnx

With a single strobe, side lighting will give you a hard shadow on the side away from the strobe, thus high is better. With dual strobes, you can light both sides of the subject. In the above picture, I'm shooting wide angle and trying to fill the reef with light.

 

[deeper thoughts]

Thnx Jiyle