Off Camera Flash Sally and Patryk

Okay, I forgot to post a few killer off camera flash shots I grabbed from Sally and Patryk's wedding so I wanted to share. I get allot of emails from other photographers asking me how to go about using the off camera flash technique so I thought I would share a few tips.

- I always start with my flash(s) set at manual 1/8 power to start and then adjust from there. I use a Canon 5D, 3 - 580 EXII flashes (one on my camera with a diffuser attached) plus 3 - Pocket wizards w/ light stands.

-The first thing I always try to do is grab a test shot with the available light so I can adjust the power on my flash(s) and camera settings. Use your assistant or 2nd shooter if available.

- Once you find your correct settings it's really all technique and creativity from there.

- Make sure your subject is in between you and your flash. The tricky part for the rim lighting effect is making sure you can't see the flash in your viewfinder. It's best for the flash to be either behind your subjects head(s) (about 10 feet) or just out of the frame in your camera. Although, sometimes you can get some really cool effects with the flash directly in your sight. It's all relevant to your style and the "look" your going for.

- Sometimes to make it easier, I will set up two flashes to offset the couple dancing and hit different angles (can be tough when they are moving quickly). Of course the slower they dance the easier it is to track your flashes and place them where you want in your frame.

- And last but not least, be creative! Put the flash or flashes all over the place. On the floor, 10 feet in the air or even across the room. It's all trial by error from there.

Here are a few from my last wedding.


Here the flash was on the ground pointing up towards heads.

Here the flash was about 10 feet behind the brides head.
Here the flash was just out of my frame on the floor which allowed the cool burst effect.
This one broke my own rules with the flash directly at the top half of the frame. I love this one because of the light shower effect.
Again, just off the outside of the frame. This gives an awesome light streaking effect.

I enjoy using the flashes to give the dance shots life and to create atmosphere. I think it works.

Eric

Foley Farms Maple Syrup = mmmmmmmmmmm!

As some of you already know, we bought a new home this past December. One of the coolest things this home has to offer is a 1/3 acre yard with a handful of sugar maple trees. And you know what comes from sugar maple trees right? Maple syrup!!!!!! So I took some tips from my good friend Gabe who taps his trees in Tolland and gave it a whirl. Needless to say it was nothing short of amazing!! I guess it gave me a sort of "primitive" sense of accomplishment (or something like that????) to utilize mother nature in her purest form.

I'm still collecting sap so I can have enough to throw a Foley Farms French Toast party featuring my wife Erin's famous pumpkin french toast. Seriously, so stay tuned! The one draw back is that it takes 40 gallons of sap to make 1 cup of syrup. That's right! 40 to 1, and now you now why the real stuff is sooo expensive.

Check it out! 1st batch = 2 1/2 cups

XL Center - Hartford Bridal Expo! 2.22.2009

I will be attending the Hartford Civic Center (XL Center) this Sunday from 11am to 4pm.

I have 4 tickets available so if your interested in going and would like to save the 10$ bucks, shoot me an email asap! Come down and say hello and check out all the stuff we will have on display.

Hope to see you there!

The Cascade - Sally and Patryk!!

Welcome the 2009 wedding season! Congratulations Sally and Patryk! This was a great way to start off 2009. This wedding was awesome in so many ways I can't even begin to explain. Okay, so of course I'm not going to leave you hanging like that. 1st off, my girl Sally is from my home town of Hard Hittin New Britain so you know she's cool. 2nd, I went to school with her sister Concetta, who almost killed me because I couldn't remember her (it's been a loooooong 16 years). And 3rd, she had her whole family flown to the states from the old country (my families native land, Sicili). It doesn't get much better than that :)

Oh, by the way, Patryk is an awesome guy too! Seriously! I'd have to say, these two are my most laid back couple of 2009 (so far?) Sally was a true BRIDE CHILLA and Patryk was like "what ever". We had a great time and I know they did too.



These 1st four are taken at the Salon Medusa in W.Hartford. Wow, this place was screaming with color. I fely like I was inside a comic book. Very cool.


So I guess this was Medusa?
When I look at this image I hear Jefferson Airplane ringing in my ear.


The Groom.


They had these awesome individual wedding cakes for their guest, how cool.
I just love the texture overlay combined with the patter on the wall.
The beautiful bride!


This ring shot was taken on top of a piano with a christmas tree behind it. Love the lights!