AN AFTER DARK FANTASY ON ST HELENA | Darrin Henry

Capturing pictures of St Helena that are a little bit different is not always easy, but with strobist landscape photography I think we might have something new. For WTSDN, anyway.

Of course, St Helena landscape pictures during the daylight we’ve done many times, but we’re constantly trying to come up with something new.

Once again Sharon and I have our Project 365 daily picture challenge, to thank. Creativity often needs a little kick, and that’s what Project 365 repeatedly does for us.



Photography strobes are basically external (as opposed to on-board) flash units, also known as speedlights, or flash guns. They fit or communicate via a camera hot shoe. Modern camera flash units though are pretty high-tech, with built in electronics giving photographers almost limitless creative lighting control.

Ten years ago I stumbled across strobist photography techniques. Strobist photography is basically using one or more off-camera strobes to light a photograph. I’ve dabbled over the years but can’t believe I’ve never really invested serious time exploring the potential.

Until now.

Strobist Landscape Photography – Napoleon’s last home, Longwood House, St Helena.

 

Strobist Landscape Photography – Master and Slave

How to shoot strobist landscape photography? Well, you’re are going to need some good flashes.

As a Canon photographer I naturally use Canon speedlights. My kit bag includes the Canon 600EX-RT, Canon 420EX and the Canon 580EX-II.

I’ve accumulated these speedlights over a long period of time.

For extra strobe options I also have much cheaper, Yongnuo speedlights, the YN560-II and YN560-III. These are Chinese made clones, unsurprisingly lacking some of the connectivity features of the Canons. Even so, Yongnuo speedlights are very affordable, functional and make great slave units working off the Canon masters.

I find the best deals for speedlights on Amazon. For their current deals, click these linked images:

        

Strobist landscape photography is a big chunk of a challenge to take on. Working outdoors, lighting up big spaces with strobes can be a little intimidating. But, with some careful planning the results can be quite cool.

Here’s a selection of five after dark images, a sample of what we’ve been shooting after dark on St Helena, so far this year.

Strobist Landscape Photography – High Knoll Fort, St Helena.

 

Strobist Landscape Photography – Castle Gardens in Jamestown, St Helena.

 

Strobist Landscape Photography – Cannon at Saddle Battery, St Helena.

 

Strobist Landscape Photography – Tomb Road, St Helena.