(If you're not a photographer, you can bypass this post where I'll be reviewing some gear)
To get the lighting I want, I have to overpower the sun with a strobe. A little more "umph" is needed than what you can get out of my SB800. Also, when looking for a "lightweight" portable lighting system, I wanted to find something I could realistically see me using in my everyday magazine and commercial work. A Lumedyne system would have been nice, but not practical for what I shoot most of the time back in the States.
Before this trip started, I bought two Dynalite Uni400 heads heads two jackrabbit batteries. I brought one head and the flash tube from the other as backup. The heads are much bigger that the Lumedynes, but they have their benefits. They can be used with AC or DC power... I like that. They are 400ws monolites plugged into the wall and 320 ws. with the batteries. They say you can get 70 pops at full power... I had two batteries. Also, the batteries can power my SB800, so I bought a cord for that purpose.
Overall, the system has worked great. Until yesterday, I could shoot all day with the SB800 and the jackrabbit battery. Unfortunately, this combo has stopped working. I've narrowed it down to the cord that goes from the jackrabbit to the flash. Bummer... back to AA's. At least my flash still works. "It could be worse."
When the opportunity arrives, I pull out the "big guns." In 2 minutes, I can throw the Uni400 on a stand with an umbrella and start shooting portraits. My dream would be to use this set up all the time, but that's not my only priority here, so I've only been able to set it up twice.
I've also used the Uni400 for some events clipped to a wall with a clamp as a massive "off camera flash."
The last piece of gear that I want to "geek out" on is a cool little printer by HP: the Photosmart A627 (battery available only from HP). Smaller than packing Polaroid’s, this little printer is great for breaking down barriers. Everyone wants to take pictures, right. Imagine if every time you saw a "mazungo", he took you picture... Take, take, take. The printer allows me to ask if I can "GIVE" someone a picture. Believe me, the response to the two different questions is very different!
I've used the printer on 4 occasions, but each time has been great. Some of the people I am photographing are so enveloped in poverty that it might be the only print they ever own. That makes it an honor to be their personal photographer. The mothers love the prints... what parent wouldn't? A few times I printed out a picture while walking to the car or bus and hand it to one of our hosts to give to someone I photographed. Besides the hassle of having to carry one more thing, it's been great.
Again, I don't always use the same formula every day. It seems my average time in one situation is 15 minutes. That is very limiting. The combination of the jackrabbit batteries and the options for light sources has been pretty good.
I brought two camera bags on this trip: A backpack for bodies, lenses, and my SB800. I also brought a great shoulder bag for the Uni400, printer laptop, and batteries- see the picture.
Got photogeek questions? Email me. Bryce@BryceBoyerProductions.com
