Someone at Godox Should Be Shot

Also in this issue:

• A6700 Update
• Safari Update
• Two projects worthy of your attention
• The latest edition of Cameracraft is free to read

Someone at Godox Should be Shot

I get offers all the time for free photo gear if I either give the reseller a positive review or if I post a glowing review of the product on youtube.  So far I've only accepted the offer once.  But a few days ago I got an offer from a Godox reseller wanting great exposure for Godox' latest low-end product, the TT520III Flash.  (And if you're been reading my blog for awhile, you'll know that I really love Godox flashes!)  Here's the email I received from the reseller:

===

Hi there,

This is an authorized Godox seller, and I'm excited to invite you to review our latest product, the Godox TT520III Flash!  I believe your insights would be invaluable to our community. 

Why You'll Love the Godox TT520III Flash:

- 8 - level manual power (1/128 - 1/1, ±1/3 stops)

- Support for S1/S2 optical control allows it to function as a slave flash in multi-light setups

- Support wireless triggering

- Flexible rotation: -7° ~ 120° vertically, 0° ~ 330° horizontally

- Built-in reflector & diffuser

===

Okay, so it's a low-end, manual-only flash.  Sells for about $59 USD which includes a "dumb" radio trigger.  Nothing to write home about - at least not yet.  

But just LOOK at these inept product shots from the official Godox website:

Nobody shoots with a flash oriented this way.

Look at the shadows and you'll conclude (correctly) that the model was lit from above / right (Rembrandt position) using a diffuser.  Not by a flash that is pointing over her shoulder lighting the backdrop!

This is not how you light a model using an on- or off-camera flash.  That little white card is supposed to be used when the flash is pointing UP at a low white ceiling to provide a catchlight in the eyes.  I made a quick video showing what the actual results would look like if you pointed a flash this way (which appears later).

So I immediately wrote back:

"Hi, Eyue.  Thanks very much for your offer.  Whoever did your product photography doesn't understand how to use wireless flash!!!   The configurations shown will not result in the model lighting shown.   For $2,000 USD I'll create more realistic product-in-use shots for you which shows people the correct way to position manual flashes to get great modeling light.

Please let me know.  Sincerely, Gary"

Needless to say, they declined my generous offer.  But I'm going to order one anyway, because this solves one of the biggest headaches I consistenly have when teaching a wireless flash workshop at local photo clubs: 

1. People come to the event with all sorts of camera brands, many of which I may not be familiar with.
2. People come with the flash they have, not knowing if it's capable of doing wireless.
3. People rarely have a wireless trigger that's compatible with the flash they brought with them.
4. I rarely have a flash that works with non-Sony cameras (all manufacturers have proprietary hot shoe interfaces to support their proprietary TTL flash metering mechanisms.).  I have some old flashes that have been jerryrigged to work in manual mode but this doesn't help participants after they've gone home.
5. Most of my first hour is spent helping individuals figure out their equipment and set things accordingly.  Do I always succeed in solving every problem that's thrown at me?  Not hardly. :-) 

How does this flash solve all of those initial issues??

1. It doesn't matter what camera brand a participant brings to the workshop.  Any camera with a hot shoe, regardless of brand, will do.
2. I have the participants set their cameras to 1/60th, f/5.6, ISO 100 and then just adjust the flash's manual output until the light looks the way you want it.  Drop. Dead. Simple.
3. Changing triggering channels on conventional wireless flashes to eliminate cross-triggering from other is the most obscure user interface issue plaguing ALL camera systems.  The DIP switches on the back of the flash makes changing channels dead simple (again).
4. Hey, it's $59!!!  Now there's no reason not to get started learning this high-impact technique.

So if you're a beginner and have been intimidated by the complexities of wireless flash in the past, this lowers the barrier.  (And, let's face it, you don't need TTL flash for studio work.  Just set the lights once and shoot away!)  And I even made a youtube video showing this simple approach in action:

I may even come out with a new edition of my "Ways to 'Wow!' with Wireless Flash" e-booklet that just caters to using this flash to help newbies get started.  (And maybe I'll sell it to Godox since they really seem to need it!)

The Godox examples reminded me of so many bad stock shots made by people
who had no clue about what it was they were photographing.

The usual Announcements

Sony has released a Firmware update to the Sony A6700, which I'll release an update for once my current travels are over.  (More about that next month.)  If you bought a .pdf file or registered your printed or Kindle version purchase with me, you'll automatically receive the free supplement.

Safari Update

Believe it or not there are STILL two slots available for the Photo Safari that was such a hit last year!  The trip will happen between Nov. 10-17; just get yourself to Nairobi and we'll take care of your every need from there.

The safaris are hosted by expert Maasai guides, all of whom understand the unique needs of photographers (especially good light).  Expect golden-hour game drives, dramatic landscapes, intimate wildlife encounters, and the unmatched thrill of capturing that once-in-a-lifetime moment. This is more than a safari — it’s an opportunity to give your camera something meaningful to do, build your portfolio, grow your creative skills, and tell powerful visual stories of Africa’s wild beauty.

Have a look at the trip report from 2024, or have a look at more pictures at the catagory on the Friedman Archives website.  And even it you're just sort of maybe possibly thinking about going, check out the week-long itinerary that's in store for you which includes two safari camps and airfare between the parks.

https://FriedmanArchives.com/safari

Two projects worthy of your Attention

D.E.L.T.A. Animal Rescue

Back in 1979, Leo Grillo (one of my readers) founded the Dedication & Everlasting Love To Animals (D.E.L.T.A. Rescue), a non-profit wilderness animal rescue organization.  D.E.L.T.A. Rescue is the largest no-kill, care-for-life animal sanctuary in the world, housing over 1,500 dogs and cats.  "D.E.L.T.A. Rescue is keeping the promise Leo made to each rescue . . . to keep them safe and loved for the rest of their lives."

This month Leo has created a new YouTube channel, on which he plans on uploading over 55 new episodes per week(!).  Its goal is to help with fundraising and to raise awareness of his work.  Go ahead and subscribe to his channel and help spread the word about his mission!

I've admired Leo Grillo's work for some time, and I've advised him on animal photography and lighting techniques in the past.  

20/20 News Network

A friend of mine has worked in the entertainment industry since forever.  He started out as a summer intern in Los Angeles at K-100 in 1974, before joining 710/KMPC in 1975 working alongside Gary Owens, Wink Martindale and Geoff Edwards. then went on to produce the Robert W. Morgan Radio show for 10 years.  Then he worked at Paramount studios at Solid Gold, Entertainment Tonight, Hard Copy and all of their first-run syndicated shows  They laid him off a year before he was to earn retirement benefits.

So he's pivoted, and is now working on reviving the spirit of the legendary Boss Radio/RKO news format via some wit and some cutting edge AI tools.  The 20/20 News segment is a daily 1-minute video which is an homage to and comedic parody of the legendary 93/KHJ Los Angeles and Detroit, Michigan/Windsor, Ontario radio powerhouse CKLW 20/20 newscasts of the 1960s and 1970s. This production, featuring the fictional news anchor Grant Marshall, utilizes real news stories ripped from the headlines and reinterpreted with sensationalized alliteration and over-the-top commentary in the spirit of classic radio news.  It is an affectionate and humorous nod to the golden age of radio journalism.

Here are two recent one-minute videos to give you an example:

Like everyone else on social media, he'll make money only if he attracts enough eyeballs.  So if you like this, please help it go viral.  You can see more and subscribe to the daily feed at https://2020newsnetwork.com .

CameraCraft Magazine - The latest edition is free to read

You won't believe the article starting on page 22!!  https://cameracraft.online/

     You can order a printed copy HERE if you live in the U.S.

     You can order a printed copy HERE if you live in the UK.

Until next time,

Yours Truly, Gary Friedman