Some (Nikon) flash stuff...

I've recently come across a bunch of useful flash posts from Strobist , Larry Becker, and bythom on Nikon SB-900, SB-800, and SB-600's and wanted to share them with you today.

First, the SB-900: "How to Use Your Nikon SB-900 in Optical Slave Mode" is a tutorial walk through on how to setup the built-in slave in a Nikon SB-900 speedlight. There are also pointers on getting better results when using any slaved flash.

Second, the SB-800: "Unlock The Superslave in Your Nikon SB-800" is a similar post to the one above but for the SB-800. You will want to check it out just to see the demonstration photo showing just how far it works outdoors in bright sunlight. I was also surprised to learn that it was not just line of sight, but that it works around corners too.

So what's the big deal about firing your flash optically? if you don't have pocket wizards (or have more flashes than pocket wizards) and want to fire your flash off camera it is a very big deal.

Third, the SB-600: This one comes from Larry Becker, he does a regular segment on DTown TV call "cheap shots" where he features tools and techniques that will help photographers do things for less money. Stretching your photographic dollar is always a good thing and I always pay close attention to what Larry has to say.

Larry loves his Nikon SB600's for a bunch of reasons, a big one is because you can buy it brand new for less than half of what the SB-900 costs. But the down side is that less money also means a few less bells and whistles. But as usual smart people always come up with great (and in this case inexpensive) workarounds.

So check out how Larry overcame the SB-600's lack of a sync cable port and built in optical slave.

You should also check out his blog in general as it is packed with good and useful information.

Finishing up with bits and pieces: You can read a comparison between the SB-800 and SB-900 here and a review of the SB-900 bythom here. If you head over to bythom you can find reviews and resources on just about everything ever produced by Nikon.

And the winner is...

drum roll please....

Alexis Coxon!

Yes Alexis you had been selected as the winner even before chiding me for being so late with my post today.

So email me and we can get your snail mail address to send this book out to you and get some info from you in return to share with our readers.

Thanks to everyone for participating, especially those of you willing to lie about my good looks and charm, it was fun and something we will be doing again real soon.

HAPPY EASTER!!

Photo Credits: Hokuli'i Images

Today is the last day...

If you want to win "The Photoshop Elements 8 Book for Digital Photographers" By Scott Kelby & Matt Kloskowski.

Tomorrow we are going to randomly pick one posted a comment (to any post) written during this month (March) and the writer of that comment will receive the book.

I need to kill the rumor that people writing comments about my striking good looks will receive preferential treatment, it's absolutely not true, but feel free to write them anyway.

Join our Flickr spring assignment...

Here are three images that show spring is upon us here in Maine.

My hope is that you too will post images that show spring around your house over at the Weekly Photo Tips Flickr group.

Sign one - buds on the lilac bushes sprinkled throughout our yard.


Sign two - the day lilies breaking through the ground around our foundation.


Sign three - my dogs get new collars, here is Gracie modeling her new pink number.

VIVA'S BOOK CLUB - WEDDINGS BY TARA GUERARD

Since opening the doors of Soiree by Tara Guerard in Charleston South Carolina over a decade ago, Tara has been noted as a leading arbiter of entertaining and style. She was selected as a Top 25 Trendsetter by Modern Bride Magazine and Soiree's work has been featured by a wide range of media including InStyle Weddings, Town & Country Weddings, and Martha Stewart Weddings.

In her latest book Weddings By Tara Guerard (January 2010), Tara takes you on a guided tour through twelve dream weddings and shares the tools and tricks of the trade from over a decade in the industry. The book is filled with ideas and inspiration, and each chapter overflows with beautiful photography and details to incorporate into your own wedding.

Here are a few tips from Tara for a successful Soirée:

▪ Hire a great photographer. You want someone who can capture the ambiance, the details and the memories.

▪ Choose colors and foods that reflect a time of year.

▪ Never do a seated dinner around a dance floor. Define each space - one area for cocktails, one for dinner, and another for dancing.

▪ Let your personalities show through at your reception.
▪ Try a 4X4 foot table for 8 - it's a guarantee that people will talk to each other.
▪ Offer guests a signature drink as a welcome. It is a personal detail and prevents that initial backup at the bar.
▪ For outdoor weddings, always remember... if you don't have a backup plan IT WILL RAIN!

FREE Photoshop actions from V Gallery....

For the next week (through March 31st) you can get V Gallery's Action Pack 1 for FREE!

Action Pack 1, which usually sells for $69, has 25 time-saving Photoshop actions that will improve your digital workflow and enhance your images.

And if that isn't enough V Gallery is including one additional action from Action Packs 2 & 3.

Stop by this page if you would like to see some before and after samples.

The video below will give you a good idea of what actions are included and how they are used and (of course) if you are a subscriber you will need to return to Weekly Photo Tips to watch the video or had over to Vimeo.