A Conversation with David Ziser: Master Wedding and Portrait Photographer (Part I)

David Ziser is a famous wedding photographer who regularly lectures on the craft. Hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio, David has photographed weddings for years, and was one of the first photographers to make a full transition from film to the digital world. Besides lecturing, David also offers lots of tutorials on his blog, Digital Pro Talk.

We had the opportunity to talk with the wedding great for a bit. This is Part I of his perspective on the photo industry.

B&H Pulse: The Biggest Stories from CES 2012

If you've been following B&H Pulse on Twitter, you've noticed that we've been tweeting the latest announcements as they came in. Now that the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is over, here's a roundup of the most-watched stories, to cut through all the clutter.

If you want to keep in the loop of all the latest announcements, be sure to follow Pulse on Twitter.

What’s the Best F-Stop?

“What’s the best f-stop?” This is the second most commonly asked question that arrives in my inbox. It’s no surprise—depth of field (DOF) is a mystery, since you really can’t see it in the viewfinder of your DSLR. No matter if you’re just beginning or a seasoned pro, this is a question you should always ask yourself when you put that camera to your eye. (In fact, you should be asking that before then.) It’s not a question you should be asking Moose. Not that I don’t know the answer, but I only know the answer for my own photography. Since it’s your storytelling, you need be the judge of what the best f-stop is.

But how do you get to that point, come to learn, and to own the right lens with the best f-stop for your photography?

Editor's Note: This is a guest blog post by Moose Peterson.

Steve Huff on Small Cameras and Running a Community

Steve Huff needs no introduction: As a veteran blogger with a large fanbase, he is also known across the internet as a rangefinder and small-camera aficionado. We recently got to chat with him about the different cameras he's used over the years, about running his site, and about his photographic adventures with famed musician Seal.

 

 

 

Real Exposures: A Conversation with Vincent Laforet

Recently, our very own David Brommer chatted with famous photographer and cinematographer Vincent Laforet. They discussed filmmaking, creativity, technology, his photographic upbringing, and his new book, Visual Stories.

Get into the mind of the master himself. Check out the video after the jump.

Note from the Editor: Introducing Perspectives

Here at B&H Insights, we’re excited to share with you a few new initiatives which we have in store for the future. In addition to adding to our roster of influential guest writers, we’ll also be interviewing and sharing the perspectives of many of those prominent and inspiring photographers whom we work with on a daily basis, in both text and video format.

Taking Control of Exposure

Few things improved my photography more than learning when and how to set the exposure manually. That knowledge allows us to get good exposures in situations that automatic exposure can't handle. Setting the exposure manually also encourages us to make conscious, creative decisions about exposure.

I've heard some photographers say that they don't see any reason to use manual exposure. If that's your view, here's why I think you should reconsider.

Dramatic Studio Light from a Portable Flash

Studio lights are essential for many types of product and fashion shots, and I’ve used them for decades. Sometimes I like to keep things simple, though, and it’s fun to challenge myself to create lighting that evokes a mood and an emotion with just a single portable flash. I recently photographed a beautiful young model, Ellecie White of Hillsboro, Tennessee, and I thought this would be the perfect time to minimize my equipment. I felt it would be less intimidating to a five-year-old, and I was sure I could create the type of lighting I wanted.

 

 

 

Labeling and Defining Photographers and Photography

As a professional photographer, I am often labeled—even pigeon-holed—using simple titles like stock photographer, documentary photographer, photo-essayist or fine-art photographer. That makes sense to me, because people want a quick way of knowing who I am as a photographer, and what kind of work I can do. A student recently asked me to explain how one photographer (me), would approach one subject, and photograph that subject different ways while wearing those four different hats.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bonaire: Not Just Pretty Fishies

Bonaire, along with Aruba and Curaçao, form a Caribbean Island group referred to as the ABC islands. They are located north of Venezuela. The island has pristine reefs close to shore, and is below the hurricane belt. Many people consider this island “Diver's Paradise,” just as it says on the automobile license plates. When a group of friends said they were going to Bonaire, my dive partner Olga Torrey and I decided that after a season of Northeast wreck diving, practicing photography at Dutch Springs, and a trip to the cold waters of Alaska, a nice and easy pretty-fish trip should be put on the calendar.

 

 

First Impressions: Nikon 85mm f1.4G by Stacy Pearsall

I've recently gotten my hands on the Nikon 85mm F/1.4G lens, and I have to say I'm not disappointed. I put the lens to the test by shooting portraits in my studio of three young ladies who are also budding photographers.

Not only did the lens live up to my expectations, it surpassed them. I used the lens with my Nikon D3s, and one Elinchrom Digital Style 600RX flash with a Rotalux Softbox 39"x39" light modifier.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking Back

Autumn: an appropriate time to be thinking and writing about cycles. The garden is fully formed, yielding all that it has to offer. The mornings are cooler with the smell of crisp change perched on the air, and once again, my thoughts turn to another year. Another year of productivity, highs, lows, little celebrations and small defeats. Each year brings better understanding of the way I work and the work that I do now, potential uncertainty about the work to come, and acceptance of the work that's been done. And the crux here is that it is all connected.

 

 

 

Triggering Remote Flashes

Light that comes into a scene off-axis from the camera view will ALWAYS look more dynamic, interesting and pleasing. It looks more three-dimensional, and it creates shadows on textures, shapes and form that enhance the visual appeal of the image.

And aside from that, using the flash off-camera prevents red eye and that horrible “deer in the headlights’ look that straight-on flash usually gives. You probably already know all this, though.

Of course, the main issue with using off-camera flashes is how to trigger them. Essentially, there are five different ways to trigger a remote lighting unit:

 

Seven Questions You Should Ask Every Accomplished Photographer

I have been taking photographs for almost four decades—mostly for money and always for myself. Over those forty years, I have slowly figured out what I wanted to ask the many photographers I encountered along the way.  I have distilled this down to a list of questions that I would ask any photographer, knowing that the answers will help any photographer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RIP Steve Jobs: 1955-2011

We here at B&H are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Steve Jobs. Our sincere condolences go out to Steve’s family, and we wish them the best as they deal with this tragic and difficult time. Apple products have been a very important part of the B&H catalog, and we take pride in our position as one of the premiere retailers of Apple computers, tablets and portable media players. Steve’s creative spirit and amazing legacy will always be with us. Rest in Peace, Steve. You will be missed.

Steven P. Jobs, co-founder of Apple, passed away on October 5, 2011 following years of declining health.