Backscatter Mini Flash Field Test—What is a Snoot and Why You Need One

The new Mini Flash 2, Backscatter Mini Flash MF-1, and Optical Snoot OS-1 can turbo-charge your macro creativity by isolating subjects and creating a completely new perspective for your shots. We’ll look at side-by-side comparisons of the same subjects with and without a snoot to see the difference, and an image gallery showing creative ways to use a snoot. Click here for our comprehensive Mini Flash review.Click here to see amazing images form our Demo Squad.In this video, we will break down everything you need to know in order to capture great snooted macro photos using the Mini Flash 2, Backscatter Mini Flash MF-1, and Optical Snoot OS-1 accessory.Why Do You Need A Snoot? One of the biggest challenges in macro photography is making your subject stand out from the surrounding environment. When using only a single strobe with a broad beam, it is nearly impossible to selectively light just your subject and not all of the sand, reef, and distracting elements nearby. Unless your flash beam is significantly narrowed down, your subject won’t be able to ‘pop’ out from a dark background. The best way to overcome this challenge is by using a snoot. Snoots add that desired level of separation between subject and background by severely reducing the diameter of the flash beam, allowing you to exclusively light the subject and preserve a clean, dark background. These classic fundamentals of macro photography add mood to your shots and create a much more dramatic effect. By adding a snoot you can take your ‘standard fish ID shot’ to something that looks ready to hang on a gallery wall. Take a look at these example images of the same subject shot with and without our Optical Snoot OS-1 accessory for the Mini Flash 2, Backscatter Mini Flash MF-1,. In the images shot without a snoot, it’s easy to see how the subject appears much more ‘flat’ and less interesting. When the snoot is added we instantly achieve a much more eye-catching and captivating presentation of the same subject. REGULAR FLASH & MINI FLASH WITH OPTICAL SNOOTLeft image: Regular flash only. Right image: Backscatter Mini Flash MF-1 and Optical Snoot OS-1 accessory.Left image: Regular flash only. Right image: Backscatter Mini Flash MF-1 and Optical Snoot OS-1 accessory.Left image: Regular flash only. Right image: Backscatter Mini Flash MF-1 and Optical Snoot OS-1 accessory.Traditional strobes light up distracting backgrounds. The Backscatter Optical Snoot OS-1 uses twin optics to amplify and focus the light on the subject making artistic lighting easy for even beginner photographers.Fresh Sample Images From The Field Following the launch of our new Mini Flash 2, Backscatter Mini Flash MF-1, and Optical Snoot OS-1, we set out for an expedition to Komodo to perform some hardcore field testing and put the strobe through its paces. On this particular expedition, we were lucky to have guests with a very wide range of shooting experience, from the salty snoot veteran to those who had never even heard the word ‘snoot’ before. Below is a gallery of awesome images captured over several days of macro-tastic diving. Whether a seasoned master of the macro craft or a first-time snoot shooter, the Mini Flash 2, Backscatter Mini Flash MF-1, and Optical Snoot OS-1 proved to be just the tool for producing outstanding macro images. Big thanks to Berkley White, Erin Quigley, Bonnie Wong, Jill McCarty, Natasha Hinojosa, and Philip Seys for sharing their images and showing what the Backscatter Mini Flash MF-1 and Optical Snoot OS-1 can do. Nikon D850 | Nikon 60mm Lens | 1/250 | ISO 250 | ƒ20Nikon D850 | Nikon 105mm VR Lens | 1/250 | ISO 320 | ƒ22Canon 1DX II | Canon 100mm IS Lens | 1/250 | ISO 320 | ƒ22Canon 1DX II | Canon 100mm IS Lens | 1/250 | ISO 200 | ƒ14Canon 1DX II | Canon 100mm IS Lens | 1/250 | ISO 100 | ƒ18Canon 1DX II | Canon 100mm IS Lens | 1/250 | ISO 100 | ƒ14Canon 1DX II | Canon 100mm IS Lens | 1/250 | ISO 400 | ƒ32Canon 1DX II | Canon 100mm IS Lens | 1/200 | ISO 200 | ƒ18Canon 1DX II | Canon 100mm IS Lens | 1/250 | ISO 100 | ƒ18Canon 1DX II | Canon 100mm IS Lens | 1/250 | ISO 400 | ƒ18Canon 1DX II | Canon 100mm IS Lens | 1/250 | ISO 100 | ƒ22Canon 1DX II | Canon 100mm IS Lens | 1/250 | ISO 100 | ƒ22Canon 1DX II | Canon 100mm IS Lens | 1/250 | ISO 200 | ƒ16Olympus OM-D E-M5 II | Olympus 60mm Lens Lens | 1/250 | ISO 200 | ƒ10Nikon D850 | Nikon 105mm VR Lens | 1/250 | ISO 320 | ƒ22Sony a6300 | Sony 16-50mm Lens | 1/160 | ISO 400 | ƒ11Sony a6300 | Sony 16-50mm Lens | 1/160 | ISO 200 | ƒ16Sony a6300 | Sony 16-50mm Lens | 1/60 | ISO 320 | ƒ29Sony a6300 | Sony 16-50mm Lens | 1/160 | ISO 500 | ƒ16Check out our full review of the Backscatter Mini Flash.LEARN MOREBACKSCATTER MINI FLASH 2 STROBE & PACKAGES: BackscatterMini Flash 2 $399.00ORDER NOW BackscatterMini Flash 2 Snoot Combo Regular Price: $548.00 Sale Price: $499.00You Save: $49.00ORDER NOW BackscatterMini Flash 2, Snoot, Filter Combo Regular Price: $684.00 Sale Price: $598.00You Save: $86.00ORDER NOWBACKSCATTER MACRO WIDE 4300 LIGHT & PACKAGES:Backscatter Macro Wide 4300 Video Light $499.00ORDER NOWBackscatter MW-4300 Light Combo Regular Price: $648.00 Sale Price: $598.00You Save: $50.00ORDER NOWBackscatter MW-4300 Light Combo With Filters Regular Price: $784.00 Sale Price: $697.00You Save: $87.00ORDER NOWAccessories:Backscatter Optical Snoot OS-1 $149.00ORDER NOWBackscatter Color Filter System for MW-4300, MF-1 & OS-1 Regular Price: $136.00 Sale Price: $99.00You Save: $37.00ORDER NOWXtar 18650 Dual Battery Package with Charger & Battery Case $62.85BUY NOWBackscatter MF-1 MW-4300 Filter Holder $19.00ORDER NOWBackscatter OS-1 Filter Holder $19.00ORDER NOWBackscatter Bold Filter Set $49.00ORDER NOWBackscatter Pastel Filter Set $49.00ORDER NOW

Related Posts

Backscatter Hybrid Flash Underwater Strobe & Video Light Review

Retra Flash Pro Max Underwater Strobe Review

Sea & Sea YS-D3 Duo Underwater Strobe Review

The Best Underwater GoPro Wide Angle Lens & Filter System

OM System TG-7 Underwater Camera Review

Guide for the Best Filter for your GoPro