We’re always learning as photographers, and sometimes the lesson we learn is not to ignore the lessons we’ve already learned.
I had one of those experiences this week. (more…)
Lighting Equipment
Photography for Trade
We’ve talked in the past about how it harms the photography industry when amateur photographers give away photos that they should be charging clients for.
Afternoon sunlight with reflector. Lightroom post-production with filter from Pretty Presets. Canon 5D Mk II and Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS. Settings 90mm, ISO 200, f/4.5, 1/320 sec.
The flip side of this coin is that we all encounter many opportunities for trade, where it makes perfect economic sense to swap our photographic skills for something of value in return. (more…)
Phottix Odin—The Ultimate Flash Trigger?
Phottix Odin Transmitter
My Phottix Odin flash triggers just arrived, and oh, man, it’s like Christmas came early at my house.
Finally a gear-maker has delivered all the features I’ve been wanting in a flash trigger for years!
- TTL Metering? – Check
- High Speed Sync? – Check
- Second Curtain Sync? – Check
- Manual Power Settings? – Check
- Multiple Groups? – Check
- Backward Compatibility with cheaper triggers? - Check
- Super Low Price? – Well, um… six out of seven ain’t bad
Seriously, I can’t think of anything that is missing from these triggers. Technology has finally caught up to my fantasy wish list.
So, why is this trigger a big deal? (more…)
Phottix Strato Flash Trigger – Now Even Better!
Phottix Strato II Multi
If you follow my product reviews at my photography training website, you probably know that the Phottix Strato has long been my favorite radio trigger for off-camera flash photography.
(If you want to learn why, you can watch my video review of the Strato.)
Well, the geniuses at Phottix have just improved on perfection by creating the new STRATO II MULTI flash trigger. (more…)
Rooftop Model Shoot – Minus Sunset
For the full gallery click here. (Requires Flash, sorry iPad users.)
This was supposed to be a sunset shoot on a gorgeous rooftop of a high-rise downtown. We had the perfect angle to place the setting sun behind the models for dazzling backlight effect.
Everybody ready? Lights, camera, action…
Clouds.
Oh well. I’m on a roof with several beautiful models, so we’re going to make the most of it. Switch to plan B.
Since we had a gray day I tried to create dramatic lighting and dramatic effects in post-processing to make the best of the situation. Underexpose the sky (oops, missed that in some shots when my camera got bumped into Av mode instead of Manual. How did that happen?). Add some vignette in processing and punch up the blacks, etc.
I’m not sure I really succeeded, in getting exactly what I wanted, but do I like some of the shots. And more importantly, I learned some things from my mistakes. Sometimes that is more useful than getting exactly what you planned for.
This was all lit with Speedlites. The techniques I’m experimenting with here are all part of the preparation for an upcoming course on “Advanced Off-Camera Flash.”
I’ll keep you posted on that.
First Look: Cactus V5 Wireless Flash Trigger
Cactus V5 Wireless Flash Trigger Set
I recently had the privilege of Beta testing the new Cactus V5 Duo Wireless Flash Trigger during its development phase. Now that the veil of secrecy has been lifted, I’m happy to report that this new trigger is a big leap forward over its predecessor, the V4, and it gives a good run for the money to any other flash triggers on the market.
Review: Phottix Strato Wireless Flash Trigger with TTL Pass-Through
Phottix sent me a pre-release set of these new triggers to test, and now that the product is on the market I can finally talk about it.
I love this trigger. It’s got all the 2.4 GHz reliability of the Yongnuo RF-602 (previously my favorite in the low-budget trigger market), but with the added advantage of a TTL-pass-through hot shoe.
If you don’t know what the heck that means, or why it might be useful, then watch the video!
And if you buy a Strato from the link below you’ll help keep me fueled with beer (which leads directly to an increase in the quantity, if not always quality, of my photography and tutorial production).
Flash Photography Tips (video)
Gotta love YouTube for always coming up with a splash screen where I have a funny expression on my face. They must have a special filter that searches for those frames.
If you’re interested, here is my course on Off-Camera Flash Photography.
You can also view this Flash Photography Tips video on YouTube.
