Comments on: Tip: Ambidextrous off-camera lighting http://www.meejahor.com/2008/08/02/tip-ambidextrous-off-camera-lighting/ Web site of Andrew Smith, newspaper photographer Wed, 11 Aug 2010 11:03:50 +0100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Wedding Photographer France http://www.meejahor.com/2008/08/02/tip-ambidextrous-off-camera-lighting/comment-page-1/#comment-3408 Wedding Photographer France Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:04:51 +0000 http://www.meejahor.com/?p=950#comment-3408 Excellent post - the photos are very helpful. Indeed the left handed grips seem pretty cumbersome, but I'll give it a try! Thanks! Excellent post – the photos are very helpful. Indeed the left handed grips seem pretty cumbersome, but I’ll give it a try!

Thanks!

]]> By: Jonathan Dear http://www.meejahor.com/2008/08/02/tip-ambidextrous-off-camera-lighting/comment-page-1/#comment-3395 Jonathan Dear Sun, 17 Aug 2008 20:58:07 +0000 http://www.meejahor.com/?p=950#comment-3395 Good technique but useless for those who have moved there focus to the back * button as alot of sport and wedding togs do. Good technique but useless for those who have moved there focus to the back * button as alot of sport and wedding togs do.

]]> By: Steve Kalman http://www.meejahor.com/2008/08/02/tip-ambidextrous-off-camera-lighting/comment-page-1/#comment-3335 Steve Kalman Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:42:21 +0000 http://www.meejahor.com/?p=950#comment-3335 I hold the camera upside down in my left hand and hold the cable release (CR) and the strobe in my right (right thumb on the CR button with the body of the CR against the side of the strobe). I have a spot of velcro on both CR switch and on side of strobe to keep in in place. On my Canon, that puts the CR plug on the same side as the strobe, making the cord long enough. On other models, an extension cord might be needed. I hold the camera upside down in my left hand and hold the cable release (CR) and the strobe in my right (right thumb on the CR button with the body of the CR against the side of the strobe). I have a spot of velcro on both CR switch and on side of strobe to keep in in place. On my Canon, that puts the CR plug on the same side as the strobe, making the cord long enough. On other models, an extension cord might be needed.

]]> By: Kevin M http://www.meejahor.com/2008/08/02/tip-ambidextrous-off-camera-lighting/comment-page-1/#comment-3310 Kevin M Sun, 10 Aug 2008 15:36:45 +0000 http://www.meejahor.com/?p=950#comment-3310 Sahweet! Sahweet!

]]> By: Andy http://www.meejahor.com/2008/08/02/tip-ambidextrous-off-camera-lighting/comment-page-1/#comment-3308 Andy Sun, 10 Aug 2008 10:51:10 +0000 http://www.meejahor.com/?p=950#comment-3308 An: I use the default AF/AE settings. When I need to adjust the exposure I let the camera hang (it's on the neck strap) and make the adjustments with my right hand as normal. I do mostly use manual exposure though so AE isn't really an issue. OTCD: It's a Quantum Turbo Compact high-voltage pack. An: I use the default AF/AE settings. When I need to adjust the exposure I let the camera hang (it’s on the neck strap) and make the adjustments with my right hand as normal. I do mostly use manual exposure though so AE isn’t really an issue.

OTCD: It’s a Quantum Turbo Compact high-voltage pack.

]]> By: PHF http://www.meejahor.com/2008/08/02/tip-ambidextrous-off-camera-lighting/comment-page-1/#comment-3300 PHF Sat, 09 Aug 2008 23:31:38 +0000 http://www.meejahor.com/?p=950#comment-3300 I tried wrapping my left wrist around to the right side of the camera as you described but it's just too difficult with my arthritis. Instead I use my monopod as a lever with the strobe as the load, my right (sometimes left) elbow crook as the fulcrum and the opposite arm as the effort. I angle the monopod in the crook of my right elbow. With the monopod in my right elbow I place my left arm on top of the monopod and cradle it. By moving my arms in or out from by chest I can position the strobe and shoot with my right hand perfectly in landscape or portrait modes. I make sure to position the monopod between my chest and the camera strap in case of an accident. When I'm done shooting I just the lower the camera so the camera strap holds the monopod against my chest. I just grasp the lower end of the monopod with my left hand first and then slide my right hand under the top part of the monopod. I've even used this system with a 32" umbrella. Sounds strange but it's worked for me and I can really get some extension on my strobe. I tried wrapping my left wrist around to the right side of the camera as you described but it’s just too difficult with my arthritis. Instead I use my monopod as a lever with the strobe as the load, my right (sometimes left) elbow crook as the fulcrum and the opposite arm as the effort. I angle the monopod in the crook of my right elbow. With the monopod in my right elbow I place my left arm on top of the monopod and cradle it. By moving my arms in or out from by chest I can position the strobe and shoot with my right hand perfectly in landscape or portrait modes.

I make sure to position the monopod between my chest and the camera strap in case of an accident. When I’m done shooting I just the lower the camera so the camera strap holds the monopod against my chest. I just grasp the lower end of the monopod with my left hand first and then slide my right hand under the top part of the monopod. I’ve even used this system with a 32″ umbrella. Sounds strange but it’s worked for me and I can really get some extension on my strobe.

]]> By: O. T. C. D. http://www.meejahor.com/2008/08/02/tip-ambidextrous-off-camera-lighting/comment-page-1/#comment-3287 O. T. C. D. Sat, 09 Aug 2008 00:30:46 +0000 http://www.meejahor.com/?p=950#comment-3287 Thanks for the information. I have been using the corded technique for nearly a year and had always found it hard to light from my right side. I have a question... what is attached to the bottom of your flash? Thanks for the information. I have been using the corded technique for nearly a year and had always found it hard to light from my right side.

I have a question… what is attached to the bottom of your flash?

]]> By: An http://www.meejahor.com/2008/08/02/tip-ambidextrous-off-camera-lighting/comment-page-1/#comment-3284 An Fri, 08 Aug 2008 23:22:08 +0000 http://www.meejahor.com/?p=950#comment-3284 Thanks for showing this great method! I will definitly try it on my upcoming wedding shoot. Just have one question regarding left-hand shooting, do you have your AF and AE in two different buttons (Custom function #4 for Canon DSLR) ?If so, how do you manage to meter and AF with just your left hand? thx Thanks for showing this great method! I will definitly try it on my upcoming wedding shoot.

Just have one question regarding left-hand shooting, do you have your AF and AE in two different buttons (Custom function #4 for Canon DSLR) ?If so, how do you manage to meter and AF with just your left hand?

thx

]]> By: Jason http://www.meejahor.com/2008/08/02/tip-ambidextrous-off-camera-lighting/comment-page-1/#comment-3283 Jason Fri, 08 Aug 2008 21:42:52 +0000 http://www.meejahor.com/?p=950#comment-3283 Came to you by way of Strobist - very interesting holding technique - reminds me of the Joe McNally left-eye shooting, albeit with a different twist. I am wondering how effective it would be on a smaller body (I use a 40D, and I notice you have the Mark III).... Came to you by way of Strobist – very interesting holding technique – reminds me of the Joe McNally left-eye shooting, albeit with a different twist. I am wondering how effective it would be on a smaller body (I use a 40D, and I notice you have the Mark III)….

]]> By: Raisin http://www.meejahor.com/2008/08/02/tip-ambidextrous-off-camera-lighting/comment-page-1/#comment-3282 Raisin Fri, 08 Aug 2008 21:37:40 +0000 http://www.meejahor.com/?p=950#comment-3282 I hold with my left, and I don't do it as convoluted as any of those ways. I hold the zoom ring with my thumb and index finger, middle finger on the focus ring, ring finger on the shutter and use my pinkie to work the function dial. When I'm shooting landscape, I use the vertical grip dial and button, and when I'm shooting portrait, I rotate the camera so that the main shutter button and dial is on the bottom side where the vertical grip button normally is, and I use that. I'm left-handed, and was taught to shoot by a left handed shooter. He taught me to shoot in a similar way, because on the OM series camera, if your left hand was positioned that way, you could adjust focus with one finger, aperture with another finger, and shutter speed with another finger, depending on where you moved your thumb. Then you used your pinkie finger for the shutter. I hold with my left, and I don’t do it as convoluted as any of those ways. I hold the zoom ring with my thumb and index finger, middle finger on the focus ring, ring finger on the shutter and use my pinkie to work the function dial.

When I’m shooting landscape, I use the vertical grip dial and button, and when I’m shooting portrait, I rotate the camera so that the main shutter button and dial is on the bottom side where the vertical grip button normally is, and I use that.

I’m left-handed, and was taught to shoot by a left handed shooter. He taught me to shoot in a similar way, because on the OM series camera, if your left hand was positioned that way, you could adjust focus with one finger, aperture with another finger, and shutter speed with another finger, depending on where you moved your thumb. Then you used your pinkie finger for the shutter.

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