You need great light to direct attention to your subjects and help your photos appear natural. If you want to make great light with flashes, you need gels. Gels simply color your flash's light which allows you to match the flash color to the light in a room. When the light from the flash doesn't match the ambient light, it stands out and looks like it was flashed. You'll make more natural-looking photos if you use gels. I recently made a photo for a pro bono ad in a local magazine. This fellow has started a food bank in town, and the local … [Read more...] about Want Natural-Looking Light? Use Gels.
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How to Use On-Camera Flash for Events
Using a flash at an indoor event is a probably the simplest way to make pictures of small groups look their best. At weddings, parties, and fundraisers, friends and families are together for a short time and they are surprisingly willing to be in a photograph. It's best to use a speedlight, not your camera's pop-up flash, but the speedlight alone will probably give you faces that are too bright, backgrounds that are too dark, and light that is too harsh. There are lots of camera settings listed below, but if you'll do the following it'll make … [Read more...] about How to Use On-Camera Flash for Events
Understanding Flash Sync Speed (It’s Simple)
I'm wholeheartedly opposed to being only a "Natural Light" photographer. I can't imagine being limited to only working with the light available on hand. I have so much fun using strobes (which are the same as flashes) to light my work and help me create in any situation. However, there are some challenges to working with strobes, and the biggest one you need to understand is flash sync speed. If your sync speed is wrong, you'll end up with a picture like you see above, or even a completely black exposure, which is so frustrating. Read on and … [Read more...] about Understanding Flash Sync Speed (It’s Simple)
Modifying Speedlights & Magmod
Making great light is essential to making great portraits. And I mean that: you've got to make great light. You can find a good source of available light, but I've rarely seen any available light that couldn't be made better, either with reflectors and flags or by adding light somewhere with a flash. When you need to use a flash, you also need to modify the light coming out of it, and my favorite new modifier for small flash is the Magmod system. Let me share a few ideas about modifying light, and why I like Magmod. Why Modify? Modifying … [Read more...] about Modifying Speedlights & Magmod
Wildlife Photography – You Can Use Flash
I don't use flash very often and I especially don't use it very often with wildlife but it is possible. For this image made with a Canon 1D MK II and Canon 500 f/4 lens, mounted on a tripod with gimbal head, I used a Canon flash with a Visual Echoes FX-1B "Better Beamer" Flash Extender because the eagle was hiding under the canopy of some trees. He was very tame and patient but there just wasn't any light to speak of. Because I didn't want the flash to overpower the bird and blow out the highlights I used on-flash exposure compensation of … [Read more...] about Wildlife Photography – You Can Use Flash
Vello Off-Camera TTL Flash Cord for Sony Multi Interface Shoe
Ever since Sony replaced their proprietary Minolta hotshoe in favor of a their Multi Interface Shoe many users have been asking for an Off-Camera TTL Flash Cord for Sony Multi Interface Shoe Cameras & Flashes. Good news, the wait is over! Vello 3' Off-Camera TTL Flash Cord for Sony Multi Interface Shoe ($29.95) allows you to remotely fire Sony flashes with ADI / P-TTL capabilities and the Multi Interface Shoe - removing the flash from the camera's hot shoe. This coiled 3' flash cord is enough distance to accommodate hand-held lighting … [Read more...] about Vello Off-Camera TTL Flash Cord for Sony Multi Interface Shoe
Photofocus Photowalk: San Diego’s Embarcadero with Levi Sim and Erika Thornes
This is a hands-on shooting time when you can practice various techniques, like dragging the shutter, long exposures, and light placement for the most flattering portraits. All skill levels are welcome! Here are some pictures I've made during other photowalks. We're really pleased to team up with Perfectly Clear for this event. This is a free event, and we've got several raffle prizes, including a license to Perfectly Clear. The photowalk is a hands-on shooting time: bring your camera and tripod with fresh batteries and empty memory card, … [Read more...] about Photofocus Photowalk: San Diego’s Embarcadero with Levi Sim and Erika Thornes
Photofocus Photowalk: Lighting Up the Night in Chicago with Levi Sim & David Crewe
This is a hands-on shooting time when you can practice various techniques, like dragging the shutter, long exposures, and light placement for the most flattering portraits. All skill levels are welcome! Here are some pictures I've made during other photowalks in Chicago. We're really pleased to team up with Perfectly Clear and the gang at Out of Chicago for this event. This is a free event, and we've got several raffle prizes, including a license to Perfectly Clear, and a complimentary ticket to Scott Kelby's Shoot Like a Pro Reloaded Tour … [Read more...] about Photofocus Photowalk: Lighting Up the Night in Chicago with Levi Sim & David Crewe
Bounced Flash for Casual Shooting
I live in a cave. Not literally, but it sure feels like it. My house is so dark. Even with the windows wide open, on a bright sunny day, I still have to shoot at a minimum of ISO 1600. Sometimes I embrace my cave, I shoot with the high ISO, and I don't sweat it. But, honestly, the images that I love, the images that I keep, the images that I share of my family in my home almost alway use my flash aimed at a corner of my ceiling. Why Bounced Flash? Because it is flexible and easy. There are lots of ways to bring in extra light to shoot indoors … [Read more...] about Bounced Flash for Casual Shooting
Canon 600 EX-RT Speedlites with Sony A7 Cameras? Yongnuo to the Rescue
When I sold my Canon 5D Mark III and 7D Mark II cameras and bought into Sonys A7 camera system one of the deciding factors was the Sony cameras ability to use Canon lenses via third-party adapters. As someone who has a long-standing love affair with Canons L-series glass, I was loathe to give them up. A have also been a fan of Canons underrated 600 EX-RT Speedlites and I am happy to report that they work wonderfully with my Sony A7R Mark II thanks to the Yongnuo YN-E3-RT commander module. Clone Wars When I invested in the 600 EX-RT system a … [Read more...] about Canon 600 EX-RT Speedlites with Sony A7 Cameras? Yongnuo to the Rescue
Photofocus Photowalk: Lightless in Seattle, or Speedlighting the Fremont Troll
Seattle is calling! So let's make pictures in one of the best places in the country. We'll start with portrait practice under the bridge on Aurora Ave where the Troll lives. We'll use speedlights, so bring 'em if you have 'em, and if you don't have any flashes, well then come on down and see what can be done. We'll work together and make some frames. After the portraits, I'll probably seek out a cityscape or two as well. This is a hands-on shooting time when you can practice various techniques, like dragging the shutter, long exposures, and … [Read more...] about Photofocus Photowalk: Lightless in Seattle, or Speedlighting the Fremont Troll
Photofocus Photowalk: Evening Portraits in Washington, D.C. with Levi Sim and Lisa Robinson
We're really pleased to team up with Perfectly Clear and the PAC for this event--check out their groups around the world. This is a free event, and we've got several raffle prizes, including a license to Perfectly Clear, and a complimentary ticket to Scott Kelby's Shoot Like a Pro Reloaded tour on Friday (here's an interview with Scott detailing some of the things you'll learn there) This is a hands-on shooting time: bring your camera and speedlight/flash if you've got them, as well as triggers you use (or would like to start using). Normally, … [Read more...] about Photofocus Photowalk: Evening Portraits in Washington, D.C. with Levi Sim and Lisa Robinson
2 Photowalks: Models & Lighting in Phoenix, AZ with Levi Sim and Robert Vanelli
We're really pleased to team up with the PAC for this event--check out their groups around the world. This is a free event, we've got several raffle prizes, including a license to Perfectly Clear, and a complimentary ticket to Scott Kelby's Seminar on Tuesday! This is a hands-on shooting time: bring your camera and your speedlights/flashes. Don't worry if you don't have any lights, we'll share tools. The retouching demonstrations will not be hands-on (it just isn't feasible), so you can leave your computer at home. We'll show you how we use … [Read more...] about 2 Photowalks: Models & Lighting in Phoenix, AZ with Levi Sim and Robert Vanelli
Blurry Pictures Feel More Genuine, and Photoshop Can Help
Editor's Note: Don't miss this week's free event on when to jump from Lightroom to Photoshop. For some reason, people laugh at me when I make a picture with them. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining: laughing makes a wonderful expression. My subjects crack a big smile, and usually also bend in half with the joy of it. They're moving, and my photograph allows us to enjoy that blissful movement forever. I love it when they laugh. The thing is, I also love a sharp picture. I'm usually using a tripod to make their portrait, and I'm also … [Read more...] about Blurry Pictures Feel More Genuine, and Photoshop Can Help
Photographing Candle Flames
Let's photograph a candle lit and not. It's simple right? Well, maybe... The Setup When I start to photograph anything, I ask myself "What is it?" By that I mean describe its properties. Looking at the candle, I see it's round. No. Make that cylindrical. It's reflective. It has texture, well the wick has it anyway. The properties tell me what the light wants to be. Reflective cylinders must be defined with a highlight running the length of it to reveal the roundness. How important is the texture of the wick compared to shape of the candle. Not … [Read more...] about Photographing Candle Flames
When to Use Photoshop: Head Swapping
I'm a Lightroom guy. I like to use Lightroom because it's simple and helps my photographs look the way I imagined when I clicked the shutter. However, sometimes I just need the powers of Photoshop to make the best picture possible for my clients, and the number one way I use it is to swap heads in a group photograph. Let me show you how to do it in four simple steps. Oh, and this technique will work in any version of photoshop back to at least CS3. 1. Open As Layers in Photoshop Here's a good example of two pictures that would be better if I … [Read more...] about When to Use Photoshop: Head Swapping
Elinchrom + The MAC Group
Back in March Elinchrom announced it would form a company to distribute their electronic flash products. The company was to be called Elinchrom USA scheduled to debut on May 5th. Times change... MAC Group to distribute Elinchrom The MAC Group announcement quotes Elinchrom President Chris Whittle as saying Last month we announced the birth of Elinchrom USA, but since then a far better and even more exciting plan has emerged. We are pleased to announce that MAC Group will be taking on the sales, marketing, distribution and service for Elinchrom … [Read more...] about Elinchrom + The MAC Group
There’s Just 1 Trick to Photographing Glasses
The trouble with photographing eyeglasses is that they're made of glass, which is generally pretty reflective and reflections of my flashes may obscure the eyes behind the glass, and if we can't see a person's eyes we might as well not make a picture. I was pretty intimidated by this when I was a new photographer. Tips I'd read for beating the problem included tipping the glasses on the face, removing the lenses, and taking a shot without the glasses and blending it with the glasses in Photoshop. As a guy who wore glasses, the idea of removing … [Read more...] about There’s Just 1 Trick to Photographing Glasses
My Most Profitable Light Is Also My Cheapest
Six years ago I started making pictures, and I dove right in planning to make a portrait business. The best thing I did was attend David Ziser's workshop where he taught me that shadow and light are the most important technical things to learn in photography. He showed image after image of stunning portraits, and they were almost all lit with the same modifier, and I bought one from him that night. Six years later, that Zumbrella is still my most profitable tool, and while it's seen better days physically, it's still the fastest and easiest way … [Read more...] about My Most Profitable Light Is Also My Cheapest
Upgrade Your Computer! Upgrade Your Performance! Part 1: CPU
I, like many of you, have dealt with technology for quite a long time. I can understand how confusing (or even difficult) it can be upgrade or a replace an already expensive machine, but let me tell you that now is the time to upgrade! An upgrade from a four year old machine to a new machine can yield a pretty impressive performance boost if you choose the right stuff! Choosing the right stuff for the performance you want can be a little confusing. So time for me to geek out and hopefully get you on the right track for a good investment! Why … [Read more...] about Upgrade Your Computer! Upgrade Your Performance! Part 1: CPU
Powerful Environmental Portraits Need 3 Things
Environmental portraits show people in their place, their habitat. The environment sets the mood and the place of the story, and a single look at the photograph can tell you what the story is about. Let me show you three things I think about as I light the background to make an environment worth photographing. 1. It's Gotta Be Believable Lighting and posing a person so he looks his best is my primary concern. (Here are two other articles about lighting and posing to help people look great.) After that's under control, I've got to figure out … [Read more...] about Powerful Environmental Portraits Need 3 Things
Beat a Rainy Day With a Polarizer and One Tool That’s Practically Free
Today was rainy, and then it was rainy and windy, but what else can I expect in the winter in the Pacific Northwest? Trouble is, I still have to make a living even when it's raining. Fortunately, I had a willing client and two tools that helped me make the most of the situation. Twist to Enrich My client was going to meet me at my office where I had a decent background of greenery available and a covered porch to shoot under. However, things changed, and we ended up going to a different spot. Changing locations can be really terrifying. As you … [Read more...] about Beat a Rainy Day With a Polarizer and One Tool That’s Practically Free
How to: Make Magic with a Flash and Rear Sync
The most powerful flash setting you have is the one that controls when your flash fires. This setting works for your pop-up flash, for a speedlight on your camera, and for any off-camera light you're controlling. It's called Rear Sync, or 2nd Curtain. What you need: Camera--point and shoots may not be capable and your iPhone can't do it, but many bridge cameras and every changeable lens camera I've ever handled will work Flash (pop-up, speedlight, mono-block, power-pack and head, nuclear bomb--anything will do) Tripod--strongly recommended … [Read more...] about How to: Make Magic with a Flash and Rear Sync
Digital Camera Basics – 10 Tips For Keeping Your Memory Cards From Becoming FUBAR
When you first start out trying to learn any subject, you don't know - what you don't know. While this post may be very old hat to most of you, every day a brand new photographer visits Photofocus for the first time and I want to make sure everyone can get something valuable from the site. So newbies - today is your day. (And a refresher never hurts anyone.) Keep Those Memory Cards Safe I want to share some best practices with you regarding memory cards. This isn't a memory card Bible. I won't mention every single thing you need to know about … [Read more...] about Digital Camera Basics – 10 Tips For Keeping Your Memory Cards From Becoming FUBAR
Building Your Bag: Accessories | Part 2 – Functionality
Filters of all sorts, flashes, cards, readers, light-meters, remote triggers, straps, battery chargers, batteries, business cards, business card holders, lens bags, cases, cords, levels, tripods, lens cloths, blah, blah, blah. Do you need it all and does it have to be the best of the best? YES, GO BUY IT ALL RIGHT NOW-- but only if you've got a limitless income! Well, most of us can't go out and buy a car full of photography equipment, so I'd recommend that you start off slow and figure out what you need and want to use first. I always felt … [Read more...] about Building Your Bag: Accessories | Part 2 – Functionality
iBlazr LED Flash for Smartphones and Tablets – Mini Review
iBlazr is a small (about one inch square) LED Flash that works (to some degree) on any smart phone or tablet. It can even mount (via a cold shoe) on any still or video camera, providing the worlds smallest LED flash and/or hot light. The package comes with the iBlazr LED flash, a diffuser, a USB charger, a carrying bag and a cold shoe mount. In other words, the makers don't nickel and dime you for all the little odds and ends that just should (and do) come with the unit. iBlazr has a built-in rechargeable 130mAh battery that can be charged … [Read more...] about iBlazr LED Flash for Smartphones and Tablets – Mini Review
The Photokina Files – New Siros Monolight from Broncolor
I just got back from a week in Cologne Germany at the MASSIVE Photokina photo expo. Now I'm a trade show veteran, but the sheer scale of this 7 day show is unbelievable. No wonder manufacturers wait to release their newest products until this big gathering of visual creatives, every two years. If you've been anywhere near the internet I'm sure you've heard about the new cameras, software (Capture One 8), lenses (Tamron 15-30mm), and lights (Broncolor Siros) that were announced. As a professional photographer, lighting is one of the skill sets … [Read more...] about The Photokina Files – New Siros Monolight from Broncolor
Simple Ways to Use Your Flash by Joe McNally
In a recent podcast with Joe McNally, he mentioned a few simple techniques that will be further explored at his upcoming Photoshop World Pre-Conference class. Usually when people use a flash, they think that it's only for low-light situations. Joe mentions a few things that can open your eyes to simple tricks that can certainly inspire you to utilize the tools you have. 1. Once you get used to flash, you can utilize it to blend with ambient light or even dominate ambient light. 2. Flash can be used to "bounce". (This is a technique of … [Read more...] about Simple Ways to Use Your Flash by Joe McNally
Using a Wireless Transmitter to Trigger Strobes
This tutorial is from a new class called Up and Running with Studio Strobes I just completed for Lynda.com. It is co-taught with my friend Abba Shapiro. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srP-EHdZUOA Wireless triggers can come in handy during a photoshoot and free up the photographer to focus on creative direction. In this tutorial, Abba Shapiro and Rich Harrington explain how to trigger flashes remotely using transmitters such as the PocketWizard. ___________________________ … [Read more...] about Using a Wireless Transmitter to Trigger Strobes
10 Step Guide to Using Flash in Sunlight
In the shot above I used a single 400Ws flash pack and head. I fitted a 28cm high efficiency reflector and lit my model from a distance of five metres. The pack was an Elinchrom Quadra and it was flat out on full power. Full length pictures require more flash power than close ups because the light has to cover a wider area. Here are my steps to producing repeatable results on sunny f/16 days using manual control flash. Things you will need: A loupe Things you won't need: A light meter The 10 steps 1. Set the cameras shutter speed to the … [Read more...] about 10 Step Guide to Using Flash in Sunlight
