Ioannis Tsouloulis
Ioannis became Fujifilm X ambassador in February 2012. He is passionately training and coaching Fujifilm customers on how to achieve the best results with their Fujifilm gear.
As a professional photographer his main photographic subjects are property for real estate agencies, portraits for private and commercial clients, and advertising photography.
His private work consists of portraits, beauty photography and nudes.
He sees the inner beauty of people and uses that as the starting point for his photography.
Always passionate about the inner beauty of people,fellow photographers, vibrant cities and the eternal beauty of nature he always carries at least one of his Fujifilm cameras to register that glimpse of beauty or beautiful ray of light that happens when you least expected it.
My first impressions of the new Fujifilm EF-60 Flash and EF-W1 Wireless Commander
The existing lineup of Fujifilm flash units has just been expanded with the new EF-60 flash. And together with the flash, Fujifilm added the EF-W1 Wireless commander.
The introduction of the EF-60 flash marks a new starting point for flash photography with your Fujifilm gear. This flash is compact, powerful and reliable.
I’ve been asked to test the flash and commander and to write down how I feel about it.
The EF-60 Flash (Photo: Jonas Rask)
The EF-W1 Wireless Commander (Photo: Jonas Rask)
For this photo I used the flash on the camera, put the flash in TTL Mode and adjusted the power output to + 1 stop to get the result I wanted. I used the sun as a kick light to accentuate my model’s hair.
It was literally a matter of seconds to make this photo. I used the Astia Film Simulation for the delicate colors. No need for calculations or guessing the amount of light needed, the flash does the job for you!
To test the Wireless Commander in combination with the flash I chose this background. The sunlight fell through a gap between the buildings of the city of Gent and created this nice backdrop.
One flash wasn’t enough to overpower the sun in this situation, so I used 2 bare EF-60 flashes. I manually adjusted the power output to full power on both flashes by the EF-W1 Wireless Commander and had them pointed directly to Melissa’s face. I used the Astia Film Simulation for the delicate colors.
Adjusting the light output is really easy, you just select the channel, group and your settings on the Commander. The flash confirms the settings by a beep (if preferred you can mute the beep), and start shooting.
To create the perfect balance I wanted between subject and background, I used High Speed Sync mode to get this evening look in broad daylight.
I wanted to test the manual setting, so I chose the power output I expected would be fine for the photo. After a test photo, I adjusted the output, and this was the result. The flash was positioned on a light stand, and to soften the light, I put a translucent umbrella in front of the flash. I used the Astia Film Simulation.
Working manually and by Wireless Commander has never been so easy with a Fujifilm flash.
On the same location I created this “portable studio” within minutes. The grey blocks were the perfect background to accentuate my model. I used the Provia Film Simulation to get a bigger color contrast between model and background.
Here I used 2 EF-60 flashes. My key light on the right was an EF-60 flash through a translucent umbrella, and my kick light on the left was a bare EF-60. The power output was chosen manually on the EF-W1 Wireless Commander and I worked in HSS. Because the flash is so small and light, you can literally set up your studio everywhere and in no time.
Fast and easy portrait. Made with one bare flash, triggered remotely in TTL and HSS mode, and manual camera settings to create a darker background without having to worry for the correct exposure of the model.
I used the Astia Film Simulation for this photo.
Being afraid of using flash for your photography should become the past from now on.
Another fast and easy portrait. While walking through the city I saw these flowers in the background.
I showed Melissa how to pose, put the flash on the camera in TTL mode and made the photo! Perfect and easy fill flash where and when you need it.
Here I used the Velvia Film Simulation tho get these vibrant colors, even with dull available light for the background.
Environmental portrait with the same amount of light control as in a studio, but outdoors. I manually underexposed the background by 1 stop for a more balanced photo, and TTL did the rest for me. With Velvia Film Simulation to accentuate the warm evening colors
These roses were the perfect background for this photo, but the evening light was not enough for this shot.
So I created my own sunshine for this photo, by using a flash with a translucent umbrella to brighten up my model’s face and a bare flash to create the sunny atmosphere on the flowers.
Manual settings of camera and flash to really control the light and result. I used Velvia Film Simulation to get these vibrant colors!
Same location, same flash settings as in the previous photo, 2 stops more for the available evening light and the photo was made. Creative flash photography made really easy. I used Velvia Film Simulation to capture the warm evening colors!
A bit further down the same street and a couple of minutes later the sky turned to this beautiful symphony of blue and pink. I balanced the available light to my preference on my camera’s LCD screen and adapted the flash power manually on my remote commander. With Velvia Film Simulation to get the colors at their best.
The city lights gave us a warm atmosphere which I wanted to capture. I added 2 EF-60 flashes to light my model. The key light with a translucent umbrella on the right, and the kick light was a bare flash on the left side of the frame. Manual camera settings for the background and TTL for the flash. With Astia Film Simulation for soft colors.
This street filled with graffiti was a very different setting and gave me the possibility to create a completely different look. I accomplished the look on this and the next 2 photos with only one bare, off camera flash, remotely triggered in TTL Mode on a light stand. Manual camera settings and Velvia Film Simulation for the color photos and Acros – G Film Simulation for the Black and white photo.
For the last photo of that session I used manual camera and flash settings, and I added a bare flash as a rim light behind my model. Both flashes off camera on a light stand. With Acros G Film Simulation.
My opinion:
I’m really satisfied with this flash and Wireless Commander. The flash is small enough to fit in the smallest bag, and powerful enough to make a big difference in the photos you make.
The recycle time is fast enough for family and professional photoshoots. All the dials and commands are on the correct spot and are very easy to use! This flash gives high added value for all flash photographers and makes the transition to flash photography very easy.
Ideal for Weddings, reportage, strobist photography, newborn, family photos and lots more of applications. Compared to the previous models this flash delivers a very reliable response and is spot on in every photo.
So yes, I would definitely recommend the EF-60 flash, and also in combination with the EF-W1 Wireless Commander to all Fujifilm users.