Digital Photography 1 on 1: Understanding Watt Seconds: Ep239

In this video episode of Digital Photography 1 on 1, Mark Wallace explains all about Watt-Seconds. Mark answers the question, “How many watt-seconds do I need?” Mark will show you that Watts don’t equate to light output. He’ll put several studio strobes to the test to find out which one is the most efficient.

Comments

Luis says:

Your website has to be the elcierontc Swiss army knife for this topic.

GT3x24x7 says:

Still, Mark does take great pains to get out of the way when metering, even though he intends to stand in front of the umbrella to take the shot. I thought this was a bit incongruous too, but I can understand he does it to ensure the integrity of the test.

peckerdecker says:

the result from this video was that new digital flash heads are more accurate and can produce more power than the old gas filled tubes

best wishes

phsyckomantis says:

xD the Doggy, that was funny 🙂

sjs2657g says:

@17:00 I love the way the dog starts making a chew toy out of the model’s leather sandal.

RLJSlick says:

Excellent job, well done Mark.

Arely says:

essalam alykommon fre8re sid ahmed j’ai de9ja lu ce vous avez e9crie allah ma3ak et nous somme les e9lement de aiedlbeina derrie8re vous pour toujourston fre8re Samir

I LOVE the deleted scenes (are there even more in each episode???)

TheFilmingMachine says:

The deleted scenes are so funny

TheDinismota says:

1º Question, do I really need to shoot at a scenario like that at F22?? If with a 50mm at 15 feet and a Aperture of F11 it gives me a total depth of 4.5m/15feet; and if we use a 35mm lens we can get a total of depth of 18.47m/60.59feet which I think it’s more than enough…So, do I really need?
By the way, great work Mark, thanks for all I learn with you! Keep up!

Donald says:

16a11c3515fWe admire what you have done right here. I like your elneemt in which you state you are carrying out this kind of to give back on the other hand would certainly presume through each of the responses which is working for you as well. Have you got anymore info on this kind of? 18b

VideoCast714 says:

I don’t understand this phenomenon with the parabolic. How standing in front of it doesn’t block the transmission of light to the subject. Fascinating! It would probably take a whole video to get into all the science behind the light travels. I assume the light bounces more with the parabolic rather traveling in a directional form? Anyhow, thank you for the info.

kauxkaux says:

And those more efficient heads mean smaller electricity bills as well? 🙂

terenas1986 says:

so I’m not the only one noticing that it was licking her feet :DDDDD I think she was confused either to stay silent or what to do about it :)))))))

WiseGuy02 says:

A very interesting episode.

P. Clodius says:

Awesome tut Mark, setting the bar high as usual. Thx!

@mark – Hey Mark Quick Question — if you remove the reflector of the flash light…. it should reduce the light density as the light will be more spread it is no more directional… this should make F stops go down… how did it increased the F stop …??? What am i missing here ?
-ty

KKocaarslan says:

What i have learnt about photograhpy i have learnt thx to Mark Wallace. Greetings from Turkey Mark. Keep your nice works going!

goonswarm007 says:

Lol the dog is a small Feet Fetischist

zygotepeyote says:

The fact that an Alien Bee 800 performed almost as well as a Profoto Acute 2 1200 should be the story here. We all know Profoto makes quality gear but I would venture to say that most beginning photogs would be better served buying multiple AB’s or equivalent with money to spare than put their eggs in one basket and only have a one light setup. I never saw that Alien Bee in that small room. Always great info and a great comparison Mark. Beginners would be better off with multiple lights IMHO!

zygotepeyote says:

When showing your results it would have been interesting to see price as well. Just trying to keep it real! As always you are the best and wish you well on your workshops!

could some body send me a video of how to use a minolta auto metr iiif with flash photo plase my email is el_don_61@yahoo.com

Gary Wayne says:

excellent explanation.
Thanks for sharing.

tmcbroome says:

This was perfect, it clearly and quickly explained a number things to consider for strobes: power, circuitry, reflectors, all at once.

EvopicsDe says:

is the angle of each normalreflector the same?

guijumy says:

with such a title “Understanding Watt Seconds”, I would only expect a boring video, but this was absolutely great!! Very well done Mark!! I think one of the clearest and most entertaining videos I saw on the topic!!

MrPerryPhoto says:

I’ve always wondered why profoto equipment cost so much. I now have a much better understanding. I still can’t afford them, but at least I know why now. Thanks!

kingalias says:

I love how the model doesn’t even react as the dog licks/sniffs her toes 17:15

sealion16 says:

I came to this video thinking I knew it all and that higher wattage equals more power. Thank you for taking the time to enlighten me Mr. Wallace.

888chinaman says:

I wonder when Sekonic will come up with talking light meter, that would be cool. LOL.

Staci Yuriko says:

Would an ND filter on your lens help bring your f/stop down if you had a higher powered strobe in that 10′ space?

algisskara says:

Mark, is that air version of d1 1000? Also which meter did you use to measure light here?

Soumia Taoussi says:

Do you use flash on camera also, or turn of when you use strobe flash light?

Raymond Isbill says:

So would it be safe to say that a Flashpoint 620M would have metered around f16-18 or one stop lower than the 1220? Since the design is identical between the two. Where would a speedlight such as a Canon 430ex II fall in this test. I know watt seconds and guide numbers aren’t the same but f stops are f stops. I was looking to buy a couple of FP 620’s for my small studio and just wondering how the power compares.

FrankAndCandid says:

Gosh, I wonder what new product line he’s selling here? Why even bother bringing out Alien Bee’s and Einstein’s? Why didn’t you also show us how low the AB’s would go? Isn’t that what is making a name for the Einstein?

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