Search results for: photography buying guide speedlights buying guide
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by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Who doesn’t want to capture fun and creative portraits of our four-legged friends? We know we love it. In fact, pet photography may just be the most popular form of photography there is. Think of all the smartphone snaps of yawns, big stretches, and funny moments we all take of our cats, dogs, chinchillas, and beyond.
Quick snaps aside, you know what really ups the quality of our pet portraits? Lighting. Just as with any form of portrait, lighting unlocks possibilities that can be impossible without it. But what lighting system should we use?
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
There are innumerable odds and ends that photographers can add to their bag. From a new lens to protective and creative filters, photographers are always buying new gear. If this sounds like your mom or dad, why not help them out a bit and gift them a fun or practical accessory for this Mother’s Day and Father’s Day!
In this guide, we’re focused on the essentials—including a few you may not have previously considered. Without any further ado, let’s take a look at some must-have accessories for your photographer parent.
Circular Polarizer
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Family portraits are a great way to capture a moment in your family’s history. You may find yourself wanting to capture family photos every few years or so, more often when the little ones are, well, little. Maybe you’re looking for a way to take matters into your own hands, or maybe you’ve been taking your own family photos for years and have found yourself being asked to take photos of friends, family members, or even paying clients.
Family portraits can be a lot of fun to shoot. Maybe you’ve been taking photos of your kids and want to
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Typically confined to the northernmost latitudes of our planet, the northern lights—or "aurora borealis"—are a natural spectacle many dream of seeing. Recently, it may seem like auroras are occurring more often and are visibly farther south than ever before. Maybe you've already seen one or even photographed one with your phone.
While rare, exceptionally powerful auroras have been seen with the naked eye as far south as Alabama. These are uncommon, but in mid-latitude states, visible auroras are a bit more frequent. Last summer, I found myself
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Everyone loves cute baby photos. It may seem simple, but these are important images. These little ones won’t be this small again, and they certainly don’t remain that size for long. Whether you have a little experience under your belt or just getting started, one area that can seem overwhelming is lighting. In this guide, we’re looking at the lighting tools needed to capture stunning portraits of infants and newborns.
The Basics
First, some general newborn photography pointers.
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Photography is, by definition, the capture of light on a light sensitive surface. Exactly what kind of light this is in reference to is up to you as the photographer. When we think of lighting for photography we may immediately conjure up images of on-camera speedlights or big studio lights with soft boxes atop towering light stands.
While these lights can give us control over our scene in a variety of lighting conditions, they're not the only way we can light our images. Natural and ambient lighting can be harnessed to dramatic effect, if we
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 Mathew Malwitz · Posted
One of the most effective ways to improve your portraiture is by controlling the light, and one of the most effective ways to control your light is to move it. Seems like a simple enough concept, but it can be daunting at first, especially if you're using a speedlight or an on-camera flash. Despite its misleading name, an on-camera flash can, very easily, be used off the camera. The "on-camera" part simply refers to its form factor
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
As the holiday season fast approaches, you may find yourself looking for the perfect gift for the photographer in your life. With all the gear on the market, finding the right gift can seem overwhelming, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We’ve compiled a list of some of the most popular gift items for both digital and film shooters.
35mm Film and Beyond
Film is back and there are plenty of vibrant stocks to choose from. You can never go wrong with
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Finding the right lighting solution on a budget can be overwhelming, even for the most seasoned shooters. To make things a little easier, we’ve put together a list of some our favorite lights and lighting accessories for under $100.
Speedlights
The Godox TT350 Flash is a small TTL speedlight available for most major brands. TTL stands for “through-the-lens” metering, which is as close to auto as flash photography can
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Getting great pictures of your newborn or infant is certainly no easy task. Indeed, the window of opportunity for coaxing a perfect expression and a picturesque pose from your little bundle of joy is fleeting, at best. For parents (and others) who aspire to capture such moments, user-friendly gear, highly functional accessories, and photogenic props can make all the difference. With this in mind, here are our best recommendations to help make photo sessions with your unpredictable little darlings a success.
Pick the Right Camera for the Job
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Street photography is the art of capturing candid, unmediated chance encounters and moments in everyday life. There are a number of approaches to this genre, from the fly on the wall to the Bruce Gilden style of getting in someone’s face with a camera and speedlight. Whatever your personal feelings on the matter, there’s no wrong way to do it. Of course, modern cities are quite different than the streets some of the greats walked.
The world is a very different place than the one many great photographers lived in. Cameras are a part of
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
For macro photographers, having the right gear is essential. Magnification and lighting are key, but you don’t necessarily need the biggest, priciest macro lenses out there to get close-up shots. If you’re a macro photographer yourself or buying a gift for one, we have some excellent recommendations for every budget.
Gifts Under $50
1. Close-up macro filters (like this Macro Lens
by Rebecca Melville · Posted
Shopping for lighting solutions can be overwhelming, even if you are a professional photographer with decades of experience. Sometimes it’s easier to cut right to the chase with a kit that has everything you need―whether that’s multiple fixtures, bundled accessories, or even just a good carrying case. We have compiled our top flash and continuous lighting kits you should consider for your own creative workflow.
Flash Lighting
Flash lighting,
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Whether you’re interested in photography or a semi-experienced beginner looking to upgrade your gear, this is a guide to the essentials you need to build a complete camera kit for any budget. But what do we need in a basic kit? Of course, you can’t take photos without a camera and lens, but we’re looking to help you take your photography to the next level. To do this, we’ll need other staples like a tripod, flash, and select filters to enhance our image taking abilities.
The Basics
When building a kit, there’s more to consider than just the