Lighting issue - Profoto B1 off-camera flash kit – sequence of photos, movement

[gosia1234]

I'm going to be photographing a footballer doing a trick with a ball (called around the world) and I need to photograph a sequence, of about 5 images while he's doing that. I'm using a Nikon D700, I was advised to photograph using a shutter of about 1/1000 sec and using Profoto B1 off-camera flash kit.


The trouble I'm having is the flashes do not recycle fast enough, so when shooting a fast sequence the lights are uneven, or don't fire. I found that you can use the flashes in a Quick Burst Mode, which means the following: When the output is set to three stops below full power, you will empty 1/8 of the tank with every flash, which means that you can flash eight consecutive times with almost no delay in between.



When setting the camera to the flash/bracketing option of 1/135 which allows me to photograph on any chosen shutter speed with flash, and shooting on a range between 1/500-1000 sec, the flashes lock to the range 8-10 (10 is max) and I can't reduce them any more than two stops, the Air TTL-N remote switches into the high sync mode - and still flashes don't recycle fast enough and are uneven if I attempt to shoot a sequence.



I'm really struggling to find a solution to this, so I would appreciate any advise on the above and how I can improve the situation and the set up to get this right. The location of the photoshoot means I won't be able to plug into the mains.

 

[skene]

Have you set your sync speed to 1/250th? IIRC that is what most flash units will be able to read. What unit are you using to trigger? Your shutter time will need to come down as well if you wanted to try and catch motion. I see no need to shoot at 1/1000 for something like this, unless you are trying to darken a background.

 

[gosia1234]

Hi there,

Thank you for your reply, I appreciate that.

I've tested in the high speed sync and set it up to 1/1000 sec instead, as that's what I was recommended. I'm using two Profoto flashes, with Profoto Air Remote TTL-n for my Nikon and I've set my Nikon to the flash sync option: 1/350* FP, which is camera's FP High speed sync mode. I need to produce an action sequence, so will need to take between 5-8 shoots as the player does the trick, the images would be later overlaid in post production, I need them to be sharp. Do you think 1/250 of the second would freeze this motion?

Thanks, Gosia

 

[skene]

I would test before going to the shoot with either a remote or someone that can stand in and throw a ball up to make sure that whatever you are trying to capture can be achieved.