Strobe positioning?

[nivla80]

Heya,

I am relatively new to photography, and just purchased a PnS camera, Canon SD800 IS (to replace the same one i lost UW)..
I got myself a cheap strobe too (Sealife SL960D), and the whole rig looks pretty alright for leisure photography.

I am not lookin to take magazine quality pics, but was just wondering how to position the strobe for macro shots, where I have to go really close. If i position the strobe too near the subject, it gets washed out. I can't use the internal flash cos i blacked out the flash diffuser, and if i use the internal flash without the diffuser, weird shadows appear...

My question is, how can I take macro shots with the strobe, and not having it over exposed? Also, when taking normal shots of reefs, or other divers, what is a good method for reducing back scatter? I've read up a bit on positioning the strobe as far away as possible from the lens and position it at a slanted angle, but when i tried that, there was still a high degree of scatter..

Please help a novice photographer like me... I would hate to take lousy pictures of beautiful U/W life... THanks!

 

[alcina]

Here's a good place to get started complete with diagrams

 

[bobf]

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

 

[alcina]

Oh, and I should have added - practice, practice, practice

 

[nivla80]

Alright! Thanks a bunch for the tips!

 

[DiverLS]

Since no one answered your question about macro photo's, position your strobe over the lens pointing down. Put it as high as you can, but not more than 20". I think your strobe has a 1/2 power. Try that. I usually position the strobe to slightly back lite the subject.

And yes - practice practice.

 

[alcina]

Since no one answered your question about macro photo's....

heheheheee...did you click bob's link?