Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

For overpowering the sun and for 5fps action/fashion pix using PLMv.2, check here:
http://www.paulcbuff.com/pcb2009/plmv2ad.html

For shocking comparisons of Einstein to the mega buck Euro Lights, check here . . . . you'll be amazed
http://www.paulcbuff.com/pcb2009/e640ad.html


These ads will appear in Shutterbug soon.

Hey Paul,

Can I critique your fashion shoot your going to put in AD print? Everything about the technical side of the shoot is wrong. Your wife is lovely but her poses don't really do her justice. Looking past that though, she is too close to the backdrop. Strong shadows don't really make light modifiers appealing, at least with people shots usually, especially fashion.

I only bring this up because if I wasn't already a "FanBoy", if you will, those photos wouldn't do any selling to me.

This is only one mans opinion. Just giving you a consumer's point of view for what it's worth.

You make great products for the money. "Live long and prosper..." -Spock-

These shots were not done with the intent of producing Madison Ave images. They were done to demonstrate the ability to overpower the sun under conditions nearly impossible with other equipment (26' light to subject distance with a huge, shadow wrapping 86" source.

Please notice there are no discernible shadows for the flash . . . . the shadows visible are what's left of the sun shadows and they were included for demonstration of the effectiveness of the Einstein/PLM.

I suggest you grab your 58 year old wife, give her 5 minutes to get dressed and made up, take another 5 minutes to do the shoot and show me the results

I'm sure you can rent a model and MUA, $15,000 worth of 5000WS equipment and position everything to make a "prettier" picture. But what will that demonstrate?

As for strong shadows having no place in fashion shots, I might suggest you bone up a bit on modern shooting styles . . . . I Love Lucy and traditional high key work is a bit passe. You might leaf through the magazine rack from time to time.

No offense intended :?

A gentle critique of the Einstein ad. And it is just a very subtle thing that intelligent people would not be confused by...

You show the Einstein without a reflector and specifically say it is not included; however, you show the Cypersync receiver in the ad and describe it as 'Optional'. I know that implies 'not included in the stated price', but why not just say so?

Great ads. Just got my v2 PLMs yesterday, planning on testing them out over the weekend. Love my Einsteins.

I was in the hospital when these ads were done. The focus of Einstein in these ads was with PLMV,2. No reflector is needed or desired for this use.

We have a number of different reflector options, as do most flash makers. Please scan the trough this and tell me again how I am wrong http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Monol ... 4294551027

We chose to not show a reflector so the reader can see the frosted dome and front end assembly. Everyone knows what a reflector looks like.

Also, please reread http://www.paulcbuff.com/pcb2009/e640ad.html and notice "Reflector not included" The phrases Optional and Not Included are totally interchangeable.

Too much nit picking here for me :twisted:

For what it's worth I like Deborah's images. Playful and goofy, they have a certain honesty to them. I get a keen impression that she's like that in real live. In commercial photography I often feel pressure to build up something spectacular out of not much, and it is really nice to just pick up the rig and have fun shooting. Without equipment etc getting in the way. Which, come think of it, might have been Paul's point in the ad as far as his product was concerned.

Another side of it, I suppose, is celebrating not being concerned so much with what every last person may think.

-- Alex Karasev

Thanks Alex . glad someone here rose out of the muck and mire of technical perfection and actually saw what this 10 minute shoot was all about, For the record, I happen to think Deb is a superb impromptu model, particularly considering she's 58 and my Secretary Treasurer rather than one of those oh so perfect - oh so boring professional models. It took her five minutes to dress and makeup for this shoot. I also think showing the company is composed of real people is a huge plus.

I would also ad it is dangerous territory for me to try to out shoot my professional customers. The thought is, Gee if Paul (an admitted non pro photographer can get this in 10 minutes with no MUA or wardrobe master or fashion Diva), imagine what I (Mr. Pro) can do with it and 4 hours to do an all star shoot.

Paul - I'm sorry to hear about the hospital stay. Hopefully everything has turned out ok.

I also like the playful nature of the images and I can only hope I look that youthful and alive when I reach 58! To me the ads sell the product strengths well, as long as you read the captions and not just look at the photos. I recently purchased 2 Einstein lights and 2 PLM's based off of ads or other media you produced having never used your products. The mix of science, technical and straight-forward marketing sold me.

King Luap,

How about a compromise?

Why not tight crop 1/2 of the many photos to demonstrate the phenomenal display of light on your lovely wife?

I for one would like to see a tighter view of how the modified light dances on facial features skin and hair. I would also like to see the killer reflection of the PLM in her shades

Anyone else agree?

These are 300ppi images. Set PSD for 100% instead of asking me to do everything that tickles your fancy. I do have a couple of other things to do!