A little blog about shooting Mixed light set ups with the Fuji X-Pro
It seems to be that most people first looked at the Fuji X -Series cameras as street style cameras or reportage cameras. At least this might of been how they were first marketed.
It was quickly very evident that the camera system was more than capable for much more. A fashion photographers dream is a quick, simple, stripped down camera that packs a punch. Super sharp and super punchy. Shooting natural light is a lot of fun with these cameras as it does let you travel with smaller kit bags and encourages freedom and movement. Being able to use the “photographers eye” to work with natural light can be super rewarding.
[Check out our FUJIFILM home page for more Fuji info, tips and tricks]
For my work, I love to create a mix of the two. As much as I love the lighting styles of people like Joey L and Damien Lovegrove. I am trying to work out what my lighting style still is. Maybe one day I might work it out !!
The Fuji works great in the studio, on location and a mix of the two. Which is what I like to to.. Using speed lights, mixing them with naturally created light and additive lighting styles is just so much fun. Playing about with light can be very rewarding.
When syncing the X-Pro, you have a number of options. It is great having the back up Sync port for a cable, but I use the Pocketwizard triggers. I do find that keeping the shutter around 1/160th of a second works well compared to the 1/250th that most people would be used to with a DSLR in a studio. Also.. when in the studio or using strobe lighting, I tend to go for the 18-55 zoom lens for some reason over the faster primes. I think this is the idea that if I don’t need a fast lens I might as well have the OS lens or the chance to zoom.
It would be nice to have the X-Pro shoot using some kind of tethering to Lightroom or Capture one though, maybe some day !! The other thing that would be nice, which I am sure they will change for the next iteration of the X-Pro is to have the screen show the exposure rather than balance the LCD and only leave you to gauge exposure using the +/- meter. Trying to balance out all your tones can be hard, and shooting with colour filter or grad filters is not much fun either. Maybe also a dedicated X- Sync mode would be nice.. Kinda something like Pentax have. I am a big fan of the Pentax shooting modes.
Lighting using the Westcott IceLight
Having fantastic low noise at high ISO makes the X-Pro one of the better cameras for shooting Mixed Lighting set ups.
This is my simple guide to better use of light with the X-Pro
- Shoot on RAW (auto white Balance)
- Balance your Natural Lighting elements first
- Add in your created light to give high lights or balance the Images
- Strobe lighting can be great for lighting other things than people.
- Rear Sync your flash if your using long exposures
- Shoot in Manual
- In low light, a torch can help focusing. But I like to use manual
- NEVER underestimate how useful a tripod can be
- Always carry spare battery power ( lights, Camera & for your Pocketwizards)
- A good PC sync cord in your bag WILL save your life one day.
- A frio Cold Shoe & a tripod is an Instant Light stand for your Flash Gun
- A good reflector is a great addition to your camera kit, but a good assistant to hold it is worth its weight in gold.
- Shoot.. Review, edit ….. Pause and look about.. then carry on.. Are you getting the best shot?
- Timing is everything… when using Natural light, look to see what the clouds are doing and how the light around you is evolving. Should you come back in half an hour ?
- Research, know your location and plan for the right time of day.
- Play about with your ISO
- The X-Pro Sync’s at 1/180th, but 1/160th is as close as you can go. with a non Fuji Flash.
- The EF X20 flash will sync at 1/250th
- Have fun and try stuff !!
All of these images have been shoot on the X-Pro and edited using Adobe Lightroom & Photoshop.
See HERE for information regarding my Lighting for Location Workshops. – For more info please e-mail, or get in touch via (Here)
For more info please e-mail, or get in touch via (Here)
