Nikon Creative Lighting System

I hooked up with my latest Model at Stockport Train Station today and then the both of us made our way to the location of our shoot.

To me this shoot was a very special one… the reason being is because I did get to try out my latest bit of kit.  Now this new bit of kit of mine is the SB600.  The special bit is, is that when my SB600 is being controlled by my SB900 (Commander) then I am now……..  Wait for it……. Working with ‘Nikons Creative Lighting System’. 

So yes people, today for the very first time I did then get up, close and personal with Nikons Creative Lighting System.  The first thing I noticed about Nikons CLS (Creative Lighting System) is, wow just how handy is it to have this system about ?   I mean from the very first second of setting up this system, then I was taking instantly Technical Perfect images of my latest model.

Moving on the second thing that I learnt about Nikons CLS is that it does tend to struggle to work effectively in certain situations.  For example, if you don’t use ‘Line Of Sight’ with Nikons Set Up.  Then the CLS System can fail to work.  In my 'broken window' shots below you will see my Model posed in front them broken windows.  Now, these final broken window images were NOT shot with Nikons CLS and instead the final broken window images were shot using the SB900  off cam and triggering them via my trusty Pocket Wizards Plus II Transceivers.

Don’t get me wrong though, I did try the CLS option, but it appeared to NOT be working effectively, if even at all ?  My first thought was that the ‘ambient’ light coming in from the window was ‘overpowering’ the infer read light that’s being fired by my SB900 (Commander) ? 

Hence why I ended switching to using my pocket wizards.  My first impressions of Nikons Creative Lighting System is 50 / 50.  That is to say that if I be totally honest with you.  Then basically I see Nikons CLS as just being another tool that photographers can carry in their bags with them and have access to where and when it is required.   I also feel that it is only with experience that I will learn to master this new way of working with light i.e. Nikons CLS.

But to finish this blog with, then just how cool is my latest Model ?  Wow this girl is cool, Cassie (her name) is a very experienced Model.  As a matter of fact one only needs to talk to her and to listen to her replies in order for one to conclude that this Model does indeed have bags full of experience. 

It must be noted that I really did enjoy working with Cassie today and I hope that in the not so distant future Cassie and my-self will be making more images together with Nikons CLS System.

I hope you have enjoyed this blog posting, many thanks........

Gaz
http://www.strober.tk/