Tag Archives: Lighting

Strobist London Workshop Review

By DSLRBlog Editors | Published May 14, 2007

Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting The Strobist. Myself and 30 or so other photography geeks got to rub shoulders as we learned from the master of off camera flash.

I am still processing all the photography lighting nuggets David hurled at us in a torrent but the stuff that stuck to my grey matter is already spawning a hundred different lighting ideas. Of course it has also inspired me to get myself further into debt for gear I “must” now purchase.

If you get the opportunity to attend one of Davids seminars, do so. Even if you have to sell your tv, pet or family member.

Now I am looking forward to blowing the dust off my strobes and getting stuck into Lighting 102. Listening and observing is only part of the story with learning a skill like this, you learn best when you listen, observe, do and teach. I’ll be doing L102 and “teaching” right here. You have been warned ;)

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DIY Camera Flash Softbox

By DSLRBlog Editors | Published September 1, 2006

I’m still learning even the basics of off-camera light. While I am not known for my restraint in purchases there are some things I just can’t justify buying even to the little demons that sit on my shoulders (you know, the good one and bad one that both seem talk me into buying camera gear).

One of those expensive but really useful things is a softbox. A softbox turns harsh direct light into beautifying soft diffused light. Most portrait lighting tutorials will mention them. Anyone who does portraits really needs one of these bad boys but they are darned expensive for anyone who A) will only use it on occasion and B) doesn’t get paid for this stuff. I mean, it is a lot of money if you will be taking pictures of the kids and pets, not so much if you have celebrities as paying clients. YMMV.

Anyway, this is all moot, using this DIY Softbox I will be able to put one together myself for a tiny sum and be ready for when Natalie Portman drops in for a random amateur photoshoot.

via: Strobist

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Photography Lighting 101

By DSLRBlog Editors | Published May 12, 2006

What looks like potentially a great resource, Strobist: Lighting 101 aims to teach lighting numpties a thing or two about photography lighting

Intimidated by the idea of off-camera lighting? Don’t be. We are pretty much starting from scratch, so no worries. The first posts will be about what kind of gear you will need to do the minimalist strobe thing.

One thing I have to disagree with is their assertion that “light gives you far more bang-for-the-buck than does fast glass”. My nifty-50 lense is the best bang for buck I have ever spent on photography!

I am glad I came across these posts as I am in the market for a flash. I have had my eye on the Canon 580ex flash unit, items like the following will help me in my purchasing decisions

we are going to assume a couple of things:

1) You have a strobe that can be triggered externally via your camera’s PC connection, as seen in the first photo. (This example is a Nikon SB-28dx, a circa “D1 era” pro flash.)

2) You have a strobe that can be set to manual power and “dialed down,” as seen in the second photo.

Well it turns out the 580ex, despite being a leading model, does not have external PC control …

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Posted in Flash and Lighting, Lighting, Photography Gear, Photography Techniques | Also tagged , , , , 2 Comments