This is a follow up to yesterday’s post with links to a couple of extra excellent resources.

I’ve written before about using small softboxes, snoots, grids etc. with small but powerful hot shoe flashes like my SB800 but how many of you knew that these tiny marvels have more than enough oomph to use with much larger softboxes, softlites and other light shapers? OK you can put your hands down all of you smart ones out there but for those who didn’t know already here is a link to an excellent tutorial/resource with a comprehensive discussion on this and pointers to the sort of equipment you can use plus techniques etc. It’s written by Julia Greer who, like me, uses Nikon gear but as she says I see no reason why the same tips wouldn’t apply to Canon users and others. The only real difference to my practice is that I favor and use Chimera softboxes - pricier but arguably the best you can get. Anyway, if you need portability and flexibility in your lighting set ups the suggestions she makes are right on the money!

One last tip - Julia uses and recommends the Lumiquest snoot for when you need to narrow and direct the beam on your flash unit but I recently noticed a recommendation on the Strobist site for the Honlphoto alternative. It looks better than the Lumiquest and it costs less. I have one on order but I’m sure you wouldn’t need to wait for a report from me on it - the snoot and, indeed the other stuff in the range, looks just the ticket.