DSLRUsers.com

Hi All...

I've been toying with this idea for a while now, but now I'll make it public...

Birddog's monastery of choice - Phuoc Hue, in Wetherill Park, Sydney have a conference room... They also have pictueresque gardens, statues & buildings.

I thought that it might be a good idea to organise a dSLRUsers workshop at that location dedicated to flash photography... Many of us have an SB-600/800 Flash, but if you're like me, you're probably only using about 10% of its capabilities.

I would like to organise an SB-600/800 workshop in the environs of the monastery, part theory - part practice sessions. (Owners of other brands are welcome too... but will need to be tolerant of us Nikon types)

I envisage a workshop that will allow us to pool our knowledge, helping us to learn to get the most out of our flash units...
- theory session - exploring the capabilities of the flash system
- practical session - in the gardens / buildings utilising the knowledge we've gained within the environs of the monastery
- review session - show & tell with PC & Projector - reviewing the shots taken with group feedback

I've asked Birddog if this would be possible and he has indicated that the monastery would be happy to support us and make their location available to us (given appropriate notice).

At this point, I haven't decided on a date and am merely looking for expressions of interest in taking part in this workshop...
The workshop is likely to take place on a weekend, probably in late Oct / early Nov. If the idea works, then we might repeat it on the weekend of the dSLRUsers Xmas dinner so that interstate members can take part too...

At this point could you please reply with a one-liner indicating your level of interest...

If anyone regards themselves as an semi-advanced user of the SB-600/800 and would like to cooperate in putting some structure around the theory session, please don't be shy and let me know by PM...

Interested

yep... I like this idea... only one caveat though... I think we need to ensure that we get some good structure around this so that maximum benefit can be made... rather that it turning into a free-for-all-shot-fest.

Not quite a one-liner but a response anyways!!!

Also interested.

Mj wrote:yep... I like this idea... only one caveat though... I think we need to ensure that we get some good structure around this so that maximum benefit can be made... rather that it turning into a free-for-all-shot-fest.

Agreed...

Interest here John, depends on my workload in October though. Like most people, I'm still coming to grips with using the SB800, have got the basics down but still need to nut out the more advanced topics, including how to optimally use the LS2. If I figure these out in time for this, particularly the latter (as we now have a few LS2 owners here), I'd be happy to share what I've learnt.

Thanks Leek great idea I use mine 1% of it's capabilities and would love to take advantage of your offer .The instruction book may as well be in Latin . yes

yep... I like this idea... only one caveat though... I think we need to ensure that we get some good structure around this so that maximum benefit can be made... rather that it turning into a free-for-all-shot-fest.

This is a very worthwhile observation and one that I saw all to well going wrong last month. An editor mentioned to a camera club bod that I was going to be in their city and so they invited me along to say gidday. They were having a practical portrait night... twenty or so photographers, six models, three different light set ups (tungsten, studio flash and compact flash). What I noticed was the amount of bad information that was being shared... it was scary. I'm sure everyone had fun pointing cameras at the models although I seriously doubt anyone learnt how to make better use of light, particularly with the intent of making the models look good.

I'm interested thanks.
Jeff

I'm interested, I reaaly need to learn the potential of flash photography

Paul

Definate interest here. Ditto what MJ said - there needs to be good structure, and we need to be mindful of where we are located too.

Other thing to watch re timing is we already have an outing towards the end of October - be aware of that. There's also the the A1 race early November to watch out for!

Thanks for getting something like this off the ground

Yes, agreed with sheepie, the calendar is now filled up with all the events at the w.e in late Oct. and early Nov. then Xmas party on the 9th Dec.
After mid Dec. I don't think many folks are around and they're ready to sneak out for the long awaited holiday.
Timing is little bit of challenge atm but see how we can slot it in, venue and facilities are OK with me, I can ask them whatever date which is suitable for us.

Count me in, as long as the SB-600 gets a look in

Same as MCWB - interested but can't tell for sure if I can participate.

Hlop wrote:Same as MCWB - interested but can't tell for sure if I can participate.

Sorry, I have to say, pls. don't get me wrong on this.

Yes, I understand all your and other commitments but one thing:

If you wish to learn and experiment more on your gears, then you HAVE TO MAKE yourself available, though the organizing in doing this won't cost anyone any damage but there're time & resources consuming and only with the purposes to help our fellow members to achieve their goals.
I do not hesitate in working together with all of you same as the Monastery and other contributors, who can helps us in digging more into the use of the speedlite.
So the choice is yours, YES or NO not MAYBE.

I'd love to join in but depends on when it is as i will be away for four weeks in OCT-NOV.

Including with the workshop, not only doing verbally, if it happens, I try to have all tricks and hints documented as what you learned from the day binding in a booklet and will distribute to the attendees same as outsourcing an "expert" of speedlite or Nikon CLS as our instructors if we could not find or none of anyone inhouse willing to raise up their hands.

This is the learning curves to help us to achieve our goals.

Birddog114 wrote:So the choice is yours, YES or NO not MAYBE.

With all due respect I can not agree with this. I'd love to say YES but I can not because I don't know if I'll be available. What the point saying YES just to make everyone happy and then pull myself out very last moment as it happened few times? I understand it might cause some hard time for people who organises thins but I'm trying to be honest as possible.

If I'll be available I'll be happy to participate and learn new things or restore forgotten things

Definitely interested in learning more about the SB800 at any location.

Ray

Yes. Happy to help out, teach and learn.

Matt. K wrote:Yes. Happy to help out, teach and learn.

Matt.K
I'll work out with you all documented hints + trick and put them together in one format so we can hand them to all the attendees.
Thanks for your interests and support.

Yes from me, will have to see my personal loans officer though, hey Matt??

Cheers,
Terry

Would anyone hold it against me if I came along and didn't have a SB-800 or any flash (other then the onboard speedlite) ? It's certainly a piece of kit I'd like to own, but at present I can't get the spending cleared. So could I attend as a "future owner"

Alpha_7 wrote:Would anyone hold it against me if I came along and didn't have a SB-800 or any flash (other then the onboard speedlite) ? It's certainly a piece of kit I'd like to own, but at present I can't get the spending cleared. So could I attend as a "future owner"

If you want to attend, I'll alocate you a loan unit of SB800 during the workshop for your learning.

Thanks birddog, very generous of you, if it's on while i'm in the country I'm there

I'm interested, hope I'm free when its on!

any oppurtunity to learn more about flashing -im there!

Yes, I am interested and will be there

A great idea !! Not only interested, but will make sure that I attend when it happens.

No disrespected intended here.... but how does one pronounce the name of this monastery without getting into major trouble???

kinetic wrote:No disrespected intended here.... but how does one pronounce the name of this monastery without getting into major trouble???

Sorry, I didn't get you clearly! can you explain more about your question.

Birddog114 wrote:

kinetic wrote:No disrespected intended here.... but how does one pronounce the name of this monastery without getting into major trouble???

Sorry, I didn't get you clearly! can you explain more about your question.

He probably isnt the only person here wondering how to pronounce Phuoc Hue. I've no idea either.


Just wish I could visit Sydney to join in. I hope to buy an SB800 soon to upgrade from the SB600.
cheers
Mark.

I've been here twice and had a ball both times. It's a very interesting place photographically and the people have an amazing peace to them.

Put me down John. I have lots to learn about my SB800.

Edit: And FWIW I don't know how to pronounce it, but I think it's something like FWOCK WHEY (but with the WH bit a little more silent than normal)

I would like to attend such an event but depends on the date (and my work comittments).

- - - - Bump - - - -

Anybody else interested???

Yeah I'm interested.

I know the SB800 inside and out, its use on the D70 and D2 series as well as its use on an all manual FM1 - the use on the latter is primarily the reason I opted for it over the SB600. I'd love to share my knowledge with you guys, but these days I'm working 12-14 hrs nightshift everyday and I'm surviving on 1 meal a day and barely get a chance to get online let alone outta the house for recreation...

Chi, are you in Jail?

Glen wrote:Chi, are you in Jail?

No, not real! evening detention!

Birddog114 wrote:

Glen wrote:Chi, are you in Jail?

No, not real! evening detention!

Sounds like he's joined the Navy.

I hope to join mini-meeting

joonha1004 wrote:I hope to join mini-meeting

joonha1004,
This is the SB800 workshop, not the mini meet,
the mini meet on another thread and it's on Saturday 8/10.

It's here:
http://www.d70users.com/viewtopic.php?t ... sc&start=0

Just an idea from your very jealous northern colleague:

As we Banana Benders can't tag along to these events is there any way someone would be kind enough to jot down a few notes summarizing the best tips and tricks arising from this meet? It could be published here as a mini-tutorial and therefore spread the knowledge far and wide. I'm not talking about the obvious stuff but moreso the things that have people saying "Wow, that's really cool" or "I didn't know it could do that" or "Could you show me how you did that again?"

I'm sure there would be many who'd share my gratitude for something like this.

Manta wrote:Just an idea from your very jealous northern colleague:

As we Banana Benders can't tag along to these events is there any way someone would be kind enough to jot down a few notes summarizing the best tips and tricks arising from this meet? It could be published here as a mini-tutorial and therefore spread the knowledge far and wide. I'm not talking about the obvious stuff but moreso the things that have people saying "Wow, that's really cool" or "I didn't know it could do that" or "Could you show me how you did that again?"

I'm sure there would be many who'd share my gratitude for something like this.

Good idea Simon... I think that Birdy has already suggested doing just that... and I'm sure that we can make it available as a tutorial document for all forum members (administrators willing!)... BTW... I'll be up in Brissy next week... Wed-Sun - fancy meeting up at long last for a photo shoot???

leek wrote:BTW... I'll be up in Brissy next week... Wed-Sun - fancy meeting up at long last for a photo shoot???

That'd be great John. If you could PM me to let me know what your plans/movements are I'm sure we can work something out. I'm working normal hours now so it'd really only be the weekend that I could do something.

Hi all

I know the last entry in this post was a while ago, but I've been off the air (so to speak) for a while so have missed out on visiting the forum. I've just dropped back in (long live laptops!) and noticed this post, which I am hoping is still live?

Is the SB800 workshop still on? If it is still a future event, can I book myself into it? I have one of these little beasties and would love to learn how to love it more efficiently!!

Thanks

NKF

Yes... It's still on... We'll probably arrange it in the new year due to the abundance of activities between now and Christmas...

We'll arrange a date and publish logistics soon....

Thanks for letting me know John. Look forward to it.

i would also like to attend this shoot if possible

leek,
Yes, after New Year is good ideal, I'll approach them to see what week which we can use that hall.

For other:
We are working on it. This workshop may take up to 6 hours, so prepare yourself a full day activities, I don't want to see few members with excuses that they have to go in the middle of any sessions.
And taking into account of distance travelling as well.