This morning I woke up to a sight I’ve never seen before: the sun sparkling from windows on Point Loma, on the far side San Diego Bay, reflecting a fiery shimmer across the water. Still half-asleep, I grabbed the nearest camera and my 70-200 f/4 L lens, snapped a shot, and went back to sleep. [...]
Posts under ‘Photography’
Phottix Odin—The Ultimate Flash Trigger?
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 [...]
Book Review: Off-Camera Flash by Neil van Niekerk
Neil van Niekerk is one of my favorite writers on flash photography. When I reviewed his earlier book, On-Camera Flash, I got so excited that I praised him as “…that rarest of things, a great teacher.” Thankfully he hasn’t made a liar out of me with his second book. Off-Camera Flash: Techniques for Digital Photographers [...]
Don’t Give It Away
We all get these requests, some of us many times per week: “We don’t have a budget for photography, but we’d like to use your photos. We will offer you credit.” Before I go on, check out writer Harlan Ellison’s video rant below (caution: strong language). It applies to writers, photographers, or any creative person [...]
Canon 320EX — Do You Need It?
Canon’s new 320EX flash is the first to feature a continuous LED light for shooting video. Sounds great, but will it still meet your needs up as a dedicated flash? Watch the video to learn why I have serious doubts about the 320EX as a flash for still photography.
Book Review: How to Photograph Nudes Like a Professional by Ashley Karyl
Holy Moly! You’re not going to believe how much information is packed into this gigantic 328-page ebook from photographer Ashley Karyl, a 25-year veteran of the fashion and beauty industry: How To Photograph Nudes Like a Professional This guy knows it all, and he reveals it all in this book that goes WAY beyond nudes to cover almost everything involved [...]
Phottix Strato Flash Trigger – Now Even Better!
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 [...]
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 [...]
Book Review: ON CAMERA FLASH: Techniques for Digital Wedding and Portrait Photography, by Neil van Niekerk
I have a serious impulse-buying problem at my local camera store. The other day I went in for a $5 lens cap and came out with $75 worth of stuff, including the book ON CAMERA FLASH: Techniques for Digital Wedding and Portrait Photography by Neil van Niekerk. I should know better than to even peek [...]
Meetups, Models, and Photo Retouching
Last week I participated in a “Models and Photographers” Meetup event where I took the photo at left. If you’re an aspiring photographer, or even a pro looking to meet new models or experiment with new techniques, I highly recommend using Meetups (www.meetup.com) as a low-cost, low-stress way to get out in the field and [...]
