A photographer’s journey is full of learning, playing and enjoying the art and beauty of photography. As the photographer goes on in their photography exploration and experimentation, they will enter into the world of flash photography. When I started learning flash photography a few years ago, it was quite a challenge and a bit of a steep learning experience. One of my mentors, Daniel from The Camera Workshop taught me very basics of flash photography, it had been a fun learning hands on journey with speedlight photography.
As I take the next step into advanced flash photography, it started with using 3 Canon Speedlite 580ex2 to light up my alumni mater Gan Eng Seng Dragon Scout Group Anniversary Dinner Group Photograph in the school hall. It got me started to learn more about using off camera flash and multiple flashes. I slowly read up and researched by reading photography sites, youtube videos and e-guides. One of the key sites was strobist where I started learning basics and built up my basic lighting photography setup kit. During that time, I chanced upon 2 e-guides by Profoto, titled “The Profoto Advantage: For Wedding and Portrait Photographers”. The 2 e-guides introduced Profoto products such as the Profoto D1, modifiers and accessories. There is an article inside titled “Profoto D1 vs Speedlights” and it gets me thinking ahead.
My strobist flash photography journey gets more interesting and exciting after working with Weili, photographer and owner of Poisonous Online Boutique Store. Weili is very knowledgeable and experienced with strobist/studio lighting photography using Profoto lights. I learned a lot from him by asking him questions and learning from him over coffee sessions. Recently, I was given the opportunity to be his photographer assistant for his Dance Photography Shoot and this was my miaden entry into strobist lighting photography. The experience was great, nothing beats being hands on learning from the expert!
The highlight and euphoria for me came when I was invited by Weili, the golden opportunity to loan and review Profoto latest technology, the Profoto B1 Off-Camera Flash for 2 days over the weekend. This was an excellent and golden opportunity that I grabbed with both hands eagerly! I brought the Profoto B1 out for 2 days and I had a very fun self learning, testing and sharing with fellow social media friends and photographers on the Profoto B1.
What are my thoughts and views of the Profoto B1 during the 2 days review period? Here they are below –
Pros
– Not too heavy and easily portable
– Versatile for different photography needs, indoors and outdoors, portraits, products, pets, fast action photography
– Powerful ~ 500Ws
– Energy Range ~ 9 f-stops
– Compact and cordless
– Good battery life
– Consistent lighting output
– Good recycling time for quick burst shoot
– High speed sync
– Profoto Air Remote is versatile and can be used on different cameras
– If equipped with the Air Remote TTL-C for Canon, makes it easier for photographers to carry out their assignment faster.
– No electrical cords
Cons
– Price is on the high side for the Profoto B1 light (standalone)
– Addition of accessories will add up the cost further e.g. remote, modifiers, accessories
– Too good and smart with the Air-Remote TTL-C feature, that might make photographers lazy
During the 2 days with the Profoto B1, I went to test and get hands on feel of the Profoto B1 personally, starting with my family dog at home and at the office furniture showroom before meeting my friends later. I had a fun photography testing and sharing session with fellow social media friends/photographers DK and Ridz on a Saturday night at the Esplanade area. The Saturday night shoot and sharing with DK and Ridz was fun and we were able to see for ourselves how 1 off camera flash such as the Profoto B1 can have the impacts to portrait photography!
Model: Ridz
Photographer: DK
Photographer Assistant: Myself (holding the Profoto B1)
On the Sunday afternoon, I met fellow photographer friend David Tay from David Tay Photography for outdoor portrait photography. We took turns being the photographer and model, exchanging tips, posing, camera settings adjustments while experimenting with the Profoto B1. During this shoot, I had a better understanding and control of the Profoto B1 that gave me two nice portraits that I really like, check them out here on 500px!
Photographer: David Tay
Model: Myself
If you are looking to buy a studio light or planning to upgrade your studio light, the Profoto B1 Off-Camera flash definitely should be part of your choices for selection. The Profoto B1 can be purchased via Poisonous Online Boutique Store; check out the single unit Profoto B1 or the dual travel kit Profoto B1 package!
You get what you pay for and for the amount of money invested in the Profoto B1, it’s definitely worth it. Their marketing slogan from Profoto website “Once You Try It, It Changes Everything”, definitely lives up to their branding, marketing and publicity. From a photographer who just entered into advanced strobist lighting and having the Profoto B1 for 2 days, the Profoto B1 lives up to its reputation and quality. I am pretty confident that I am able to tap on the full maximum potential of the Profoto B1, shooting with multiple B1 lights in the future with the TTL capability. The Profoto B1 sounds like an excellent investment for me in the future when I do sports photography shoot/portraits!
I would like to thank Weili from Poisonous Online Boutique Store for the Profoto B1 loan review opportunity.
Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.
Thanks for sharing your first impressions for that interesting light.