Lighting with the Dogs

As some of you already know I have 2 dogs. These dogs tend to be my test subject whenever I get new equipment or lenses. Luckily they love the camera and I think they like the lime light.

These two shots were taken with my recently bought Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 lens. I had it on my 30d Canon and typical stupid Youn left the ISO at 800 and forgot to bring it down. I was happy with my lighting technique but when inspecting the shots on my computer it was bit too grainy for my taste.

I used an el'cheapo wireless flash receiver/transmitter similar to a pocket wizard and set up two 430ex flashes. the first flash was placed to the dog's right, infront and at a 45 degree height with a beer jacket snout attached. The beer jacket snout are those foam jackets you wrap around your beer so it stays colder. The snout makes less cast off and gives a more spotlight effect. Also when you place the light source at that 45 degree angle aiming downwards it is called the "Rembrandt" lighting (I think, don't quote me). I then placed my second flash on the floor at the dog's left and at the dog's eye level but made it bounce of the wall. If you see the dog's eyes, the catchlight is different in each eye depending which flash reflected.

I went to full manual and shot at f9, shutter speed 1/200. The flashes were set on manual as well and I had them set at 1/8 power. For the second shot I increased the flash on the dog's left to increase the fill light. 

The only post production work I did on the shot was some sharpening and vignette.