New to the forum, My first year of camera trapping

[J Formstone]

Hello all. My name is John, I live in the UK and I have been camera trapping for 1 year now and am completely hooked.
My kit consists of :
DIY Peli case housing,
Nikon D3300 with 18-55 kit lens, 12-24, F4 lens and a 50mm F1.8 lens (I am also currently experimenting with a Fuji X-T2, with mixed results)
3 x Nikon SB28 flashes,
Camtraptions PIR V3 sensor and triggers.
I have been photographing wildlife for a few years now, but have managed to capture some of my best images ever with my camera trap.
I am looking forward to interacting on the forum, here are a few of the images I have manage to capture on my camera trap in my first year.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48986479123_64157f6758_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2hCLvzD)The Rat catcher (https://flic.kr/p/2hCLvzD) by John Formstone (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jformstone/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49153401146_523f0d0819_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2hTw2Fy)The Sentinel of the woods (https://flic.kr/p/2hTw2Fy) by John Formstone (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jformstone/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49924948633_36469351f1_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j4GpSr)Silhouetted Wood mouse (https://flic.kr/p/2j4GpSr) by John Formstone (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jformstone/), on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49222976168_a60cd94ba4_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2hZEBUU)Fox low key (https://flic.kr/p/2hZEBUU) by John Formstone (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jformstone/), on Flickr

[-jeff]

Welcome to the forum John. Excellent images. Great lighting.

[J Formstone]

Thank you for the welcome Jeff.

[ronwoodcraft]

I just joined the site and I want to say these are incredible photos!!..I'm just getting started in this and reading all I can...I saw your settings on Flicker but would you mind sharing the distance between target area to your flash guns?..Also what power settings for the flashes? Thank You.

[ArthurV]

Those are great images.

[J Formstone]

Hi Ronwoodcraft, Thanks for the kind words. The distance between the target area and the flash is very variable. Although i would say it is usually in the region of around 5-15 foot (around 2-6m) and i usually like to set them at around 45 degrees or so to the camera, as this gives a more pleasing light than having the flash in a line behind the camera. I have the zoom on the flash to around 50mm-85mm to create a small pool of light, rather than blasting the whole scene, which i prefer.
As for power settings, again very variable but usually between 1/32- 1/8 and i usually roughly aim to get a ratio of around 2:1, with the fill light around half the power of the key/main light.
This is a very brief description of a very deep and variable topic, but i hope it goes some way to answering your question.
regards
John

[J Formstone]

Thanks ArthurV. :)

[ronwoodcraft]

Hi Ronwoodcraft, Thanks for the kind words. The distance between the target area and the flash is very variable. Although i would say it is usually in the region of around 5-15 foot (around 2-6m) and i usually like to set them at around 45 degrees or so to the camera, as this gives a more pleasing light than having the flash in a line behind the camera. I have the zoom on the flash to around 50mm-85mm to create a small pool of light, rather than blasting the whole scene, which i prefer.
As for power settings, again very variable but usually between 1/32- 1/8 and i usually roughly aim to get a ratio of around 2:1, with the fill light around half the power of the key/main light.
This is a very brief description of a very deep and variable topic, but i hope it goes some way to answering your question.
regards
John

Thank You J Formstone. You're response is greatly appreciated and helpful.

[stinky]

Wow, your 'Fox Low Key' image is fantastic. Good job!

[J Formstone]

Wow, your 'Fox Low Key' image is fantastic. Good job!

Thanks Stinky. :)