Search results for: photography buying guides lighting modifiers
About 21 filtered resultsby 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 Luke Rollins · Posted
Subject and style may vary, but consistency is a quality shared by all successful photo studios. When working indoors, that begins with lighting. Strobes remain the bread and butter of many still photography studios. Unlike natural light, which can be finicky and unpredictable; on-camera flashes, which are not typically designed for studio use; or continuous lights, which can become costly as output increases; strobes are built to withstand the rigors of studio life while providing flexible and powerful light. But with so many options on the
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
Anyone who has dabbled in pet photography knows that it can be a rewarding yet challenging experience. While pets are considered to be part of the family, they’re still animals who walk to the beat of their own drum and do things at their own pace. Even the best listeners can be easily distracted or have trouble sitting still for more than two seconds. If you’re considering trying your hand at photographing our fuzzy friends, we’ve put together this helpful guide for you. In this guide, we’re going to cover the essentials for those with a
by Zack Young · Posted
While photography tends to get a lot of the spotlight here at B&H, 2025 was also full of groundbreaking cinema lenses, powerful LEDs, and versatile audio equipment. So we thought we'd take a moment to honor unique new favorites in lighting, video, and audio.
Lighting
Nanlite wand RGB LED Light
Yes, it's a tube light with a built-in handle and barn doors, but that's not a bad thing. The Nanlite wand RGB LED Light
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 Luke Rollins · Posted
Building a home studio setup is as exciting as it is daunting. While you may not need a warehouse, you’ll still need to put together a stable infrastructure that allows your work to shine and your business to scale. From backdrops to modifiers, stands to storage, this guide gathers the pro-grade accessories that fit tight rooms and tight budgets.
Camera Support: Tripods & Stands
Step one is mounting the camera. Your specific camera will dictate your needs here, but manufacturers like
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
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 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
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Food photography is an undeniably popular artistic medium, involving all kinds of people and gear to make those mouthwatering shots possible. If you’re an aspiring food photographer or someone looking to take their existing work to the next level, we’ve put together a special, themed gift guide that’s perfect for any skill level.
1. A 50mm Lens
Whether you are far into your photography career or just starting out, whenever you complete a dish in your kitchen or have a plate placed in front of you at a restaurant, there’s no better starting
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Wedding photography is a popular and lucrative genre of the industry. After all, weddings are an extravagant, emotionally charged event at which expectations run high. Couples put their trust in you as the photographer to capture this unrepeatable day, and second best just won’t cut it. Wedding photography takes a dedicated, skilled individual.
We all know it’s not the camera that takes the photo; it’s the photographer. That being said, having the
by Luke Rollins · Posted
The contemporary compact market is brimming with options for vloggers and content creators, taking the popular form factor beyond “point-and-shoot” to meet the hybrid demands of the day. The camera, however, is just the beginning when it comes to building a setup for high-quality content. For users who plan to make video content with a camera like the Sony ZV-1F, Panasonic LUMIX ZS99, Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III, or even the new PowerShot V1, we’ve put together an accessory guide to expand and elevate your compact camera’s creative