Search results for: photography buying guide light modifiers how to choose use them
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by Shawn C. Steiner · Posted
After you pick up your first speedlight, strobe, or LED panel, the best investment you can make is in some modifiers. These are tools that shape and alter the intensity of our light source. Modifiers come in all shapes and sizes based on the type of light you plan to use them on, which can make it difficult to pick one out if you are new to photography. Since each modifier comes with its own distinct look and ideal use, here is a
by Cory Rice · Posted
The trick with any home studio is in creating a space that can be used to create images that do not betray the fact that you shot them in your living room, in your pajamas, using your pet dog as an assistant. Luckily, creating a home studio can be done fairly easily without breaking the bank. This article will help get you up and running.
Planning Your Studio
Before making any purchases, it is important to sit down first and answer some basic questions about what you want your studio to accomplish. First, what type of photographs do you plan
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
While much of what makes a great family portrait photographer comes with practice, there are ways you can improve your workflow with the right gear. Today, we’re going to look at accessories that will make your life as an at-home or even aspiring professional portrait photographer easier.Family portraits can be one of the most challenging yet rewarding genres of photography. On top of technical expertise and a familiarity with your gear, it also requires personability and the ability to (sometimes) wrangle up large groups. Even after you get a
by Cory Rice · Posted
Whether you are shooting a fashion editorial, a wedding reception, or anything in between, on- and off-camera lighting can make a huge difference outdoors. Natural light is wonderful, but there are scenarios in which you simply cannot run the risk of an unexpected cloud or rapidly setting sun ruining your shot. This article introduces the gear and accessories necessary to be prepared outdoors always, no matter what
by Cory Rice · Posted
One of the leading trends in digital cameras over the past few years has been the development of advanced video capabilities in mirrorless and DSLR cameras. Features that could once only be found in costly cinema cameras now come standard in still cameras targeted toward hybrid photo-video content creators. Accompanying the interest in cameras able to create high-quality stills and videos has come a demand for lights that can be used for both purposes.
While on-camera flashes and strobes have long been the standard for photographers, the short
by Cory Rice · Posted
Looking for a light stand? Seems like a simple task, until you head to the category and find that there are hundreds of options, each with its own set of features and specifications, which can make the whole experience a little overwhelming. We are here to help. Whether you are a beginner or experienced photographer, choosing the right light stand comes down to answering the same set of questions. This guide will take you through them one at a time.
How Heavy Is Your Light?
The most important job of any light stand is to provide a solid,
by tom kirkman · Posted
A softbox is an enclosure designed to fit around an artificial light source, such as a flash tube or halogen lamp. Its reflective interior intensifies the light output and projects it through its only means of escape—the front diffusion screen. This creates a quality of light long appreciated by photographers and videographers, which resembles the softer light one might find streaming through a window. It also creates square or rectangular highlights in the reflective surfaces of your subjects. The "soft" name stuck because of the quality of
by Richard Scali · Posted
The word “photography” literally means “to draw with light” and is a simple way of expressing how essential light is to our craft. At times, however, natural light can be a scarce commodity and thus, it falls upon the photographer to create it. Fast-forwarding through the days of flash powder and disposable bulbs, we arrive at the modern day, an exciting time for “strobists,” when a plethora of compact options exists for creating and shaping light. Below, we’ll review some of the classic, essential, and innovative accessories for the
by Daniel Wagner_1 · Posted
Always shooting with an on-camera flash is like always shooting with the sun behind your back. While this is a good way to illuminate a subject and capture an image, it may not be the best way to capture your imagination creatively. Positioning your flash off-camera, using an on-camera flash for fill with a second flash, or shooting with three or more Speedlites at the same time, is a great way to add a new level of expression and control to your photography. And, thanks to the integration of radio transmission on Canon’s latest Speedlites,
by Jill Waterman · Posted
With the year winding down and arrangements for family gatherings in the works, some advance planning for recording these moments through photographs is a worthwhile consideration. It’s no longer the era of your grandfather’s Kodak, with family members captured stiff as a rail or suffering from red-eye. There are lots of exciting imaging options out there, all of which involve slightly different approaches. In an effort to help you to make sense of the current spectrum, we’ve outlined these seven tips to walk you through the process, and to
by Shawn C. Steiner · Posted
An on-camera flash, also known brand-wise as a “speedlight” or “speedlite,” is an indispensible accessory for many photographers; it provides additional light when conditions become too dark to handhold your camera comfortably, allows you to achieve more balanced exposures in daylight, permits freezing of fast-moving subjects, and can also be used to control or trigger other flash light sources. Additionally, a flash can be used as a highly effective creative tool to establish an aesthetic that elevates your imagery when lighting conditions