It takes less than 100$ to move your strobe off camera. Definitely worth it

If you already own a hot shoe strobe you already have one of the most powerful tools for shaping light. Now, if you only took it off camera it would do a great deal to the final image. And you’d be surprised at how low of a cost it actually takes to move a hot shoe strobe off camera.

Photographer Manuel Ortiz  (previously) shows how with only $100 worth of gear you can take your strobe off camera and add another layer of light to your photography. (See what I did there?).

Now, Manuel uses a Flashpoint R2 speedlite, but the cost of a transmitter (godox X1T here), a generic brolli, swivel and a generic stand is just about $100 for many 3rd party brands.

This video is definitely a strong demo of why moving a strobe of camera is such a powerful tool. Here are some photos to help see the difference.

This is the basic exposure, it sets the ambient light. even shooting at ISO 100, going with F1.4 forces a 1/3200 shutter speed

no strobe, 1/3200 1.4 iso 100

On camera fill flash (with HSS) added and opens up the shadows, but lighting is flat

on camera strobe, 1/3200 1.4 iso 100

Lastly the strobe is taken off camera (and moves to 1/5000)

off camera strobe, 1/5000 1.4 iso 100

Here is a quick comparison between no flash and off camera flash

and between on camera and off camera flash

Here is a rough cost calculation for you, even got spare for a visit at In and Out burger:

• godox X1T: $46
• generic brolli: $15.95
• swivel: $6.29
• generic stand: $15.99
• Total: $88.23