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How to Modify a Canon Flash PocketWizard

PocketWizards are small remote control devices that when installed on Canon flashes or cameras can trigger both pieces of equipment to fire at the same time. Studio photographers will often use PocketWizards to trigger their strobe lights. By using these devices, you can eliminate sync cords and the possibility of tripping over them, which may bring down a studio light or your digital camera. However, you can modify their traditional use and set them to trigger a remotely placed digital Canon digital camera and flash at the same time, which can produce some interesting sports pictures.

Instructions

- 1
  Place a Canon single lens reflex camera in an interesting shooting location for any sport you traditionally shoot. If you shoot hockey, for example, build a protective case and install the camera in the back of the hockey net. If you shoot basketball, install one at the top of backboard aimed down toward the floor. Choose a place that would create an interesting picture.
- 2
  Set the camera to manual focus and aperture priority shooting mode.
- 3
  Set the aperture to f16 for the greatest depth of field. Set the camera's ISO to a high number, 1000 or above, so the camera will select a shutter speed quick enough to freeze the sport you are shooting.
- 4
  Attach one of the PocketWizards to the camera's hot shoe, turn the PocketWizard on, set the Channel to "1" and "Transmit Mode" to "Remote." If shooting indoors, place a flash where it will illuminate the action, but won't flash directly into the eyes of the competitors. Ideally you would be installing your flash into the ceiling rafters.
- 5
  Connect another PocketWizard to the remotely installed flash using the sync cord. Set the channel to "1" and "Transmit Mode" to "Remote." Turn the flash on and set the mode to "E-TTL."
- 6
  Attach another PocketWizard to the hot shoe of the Canon DSLR you are shooting with. Turn the PocketWizard on, set the channel to "1" and set the "Transmit Mode" to "Both." Now when you take a picture with your camera, both the remote camera and flash will fire at the same time, creating two pictures shot from two locations at the exact same time.

Photography