Something I was looking forward to this past week when I visited Nashville, was to meet Chuck Arlund.  I’ve been an admirer of his Fashion photography for quite a while now, ever since he started posting on the Digital Wedding Forum.  To my eye, his work stands out above pretty much anyone else.  Chuck isn’t that well-known yet outside of the DWF, but I have no doubt he will become a big name in the industry.  His lighting ranges from interesting to impeccable.  His lighting and styling of his photos, as well as the styling of his models are always something to be studied.

Chuck Arlund has just started a new blog – Arlund, the blog – where he now only shows his work, but also shares his techniques and ideas, and the way he uses lighting.  And lots more.  Even though he has just started the blog, I know he has a ton of info and photos ready.  There are more posts brewing!   So check his blog out, bookmark it, RSS it .. whatever you do, make sure you check it out often.

Chuck was kind enough to actually help me out on the day of the workshop in Nashville.   Ever the clown, I caught him in mid-air while he was carrying the softboxes we had been using.  I tripped the speedlights with PocketWizards as he jumped.

So just for those who would be interested in the details of the shot, I was at 1/250th @ f5.6 @ 400 ISO.  As always when using non-HSS flash in bright conditions, I was at maximum sync speed.  I didn’t want to go lower, because I wanted to minimize blur from his movement.   I had the speedlights in the softboxes set to 1/16th power because I didn’t want the white diffuser panels to completely blow out.   The highlights on the sidewalk were enhanced in post-processing, and the entire image was popped a bit with some of the Totally Rad Actions.   And here’s the link for the details on the softbox set-ups that are used in the workshops.

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destination wedding photography

A few times a year I’m fortunate enough to photograph a destination wedding, where I fly out to a more glamorous location than New Jersey.  The Bahamas, Aruba, Jamaica, and even locations within the USA are choice destinations for couples who are looking to have their weddings in an exotic locale. 

The choice of equipment to fly out to photograph a destination wedding, as well as the way to transport them becomes a real concern.  You have to have a flexible selection of gear with you, with a certain amount of redundancy in case something goes wrong with a piece of equipment.  Yet it all has to fit into a portable camera bag or case – and one that can be taken on board a plane as a carry-on bag.  This really is of great importance, since if you read some news reports it would even appear as if thievery from luggage at airports are rampant.

So there is the delicate balance – a sensible choice of equipment that has to fit into a bag that is the right size for international carry-on luggage …

For that the Think Tank range of rollers are perfect.  The Think Tank Airport Security roller cases come in two distinct sizes .. one specifically designed for USA Domestic air travel size; and the other for the international standard for carry-on luggage.   (They also have a wide range of bags, speed-belts and harness systems.)

Last year I posted about my choice of equipment that I take with me on destination weddings, based around the Canon system.  I fit a surprisingly large amount of equipment in the Think Tank Airport Security (version 1), roller that I have.  It was also the roller case that I used when I traveled within the USA to present the workshops on flash photography.

Since then, I’ve changed to the Nikon system, and with me traveling more on international flights, (including the upcoming workshops in the UK and Ireland), I decided to update my camera bag to the slightly smaller sized bag, the Think Tank Airport International. My new bag arrived yesterday, and I was curious to see if I could fit in a solid selection of equipment into the smaller bag.  (This post will then also double-up as a review of the Think Tank Airport International (v2)

The newer case (Airport International) is 3″ shorter than the older (Airport Security) roller case: 

[ on the left is the Airport Security (version 1); on the right, the Airport Security (version 2) ]

So I was curious to see how I would have to re-arrange and re-think a new selection of equipment to take with me on destination weddings, and any other kind of travel overseas with camera equipment.  With some shuffling and re-shuffling of equipment, I was surprised to see everything I managed to fit into the bag.

Jam-packed!

In this next image, I moved some of the layers out of the bag, otherwise I don’t think anyone will believe me that I fit everything that I did, into the bag.

Looking at the smaller items first:

The rows from left to right, (top to bottom):

  -  Visible Dust – Arctic Butterfly.  I just can’t risk being powerless to remove a persistent dust bunny on my camera’s sensor
  -  two Nikon SD-9 battery packs, which I keep loaded with rechargeable batteries.

  -  Nikon SU-800 wireless TTL transmitter, in case I need to control a speedlight off-camera.
  -  two Tamrac memory card wallets.  
      Each wallet now contains eight 8Gb SanDisk CF cards.  Each camera also has two 8Gb cards.  I rely on the Nikon D3 offering a back-up card slot, giving me peace of mind against the possibility of  any of the CF cards failing.  As an aside, I only shoot in RAW.

  -  a polarizer filter  -  I don’t often use it, but like having it handy in case I want to super-saturate skies.
  -  a business card holder.  (It is the aluminum case with the red ends.)
  -  black hair bands.  (I use this to keep items in place such as the Black Foamie Things.)
  –  two pieces of black foam which I use as my light modifiers,
  -  on top of this I have displayed the cord and plug to recharge my iPhone and my iPod.

  -  NiMH battery charger for AA size batteries.
  -  a spare battery for the Nikon D3.

  -  my iPod, an essential item for traveling. 
      (I actually keep this in the carry-case for my noise-canceling headphones.)
  -  iPhone – indispensable. 
I have everything on hand with the iPhone - my Calendar and Contacts.
  -  the Mophie Juice Pack, to give my iPhone longer battery life.

If you’re interested in any of these items, check out these pages listing all my photo gear -  all which link to B&H’s website where these items can be purchased.  There is also an Amazon link at the end.

That’s already a fair amount of stuff, but I can squeeze those items into the corners and crevices.  The real bulk of the equipment are the following items:

Firstly, the two cameras are both Nikon D3 bodies.  They are currently my camera of choice, and nearly the Best Camera in the World, (but not quite.)   Another good choice would be the Nikon D700, which when used without the grip, is lighter than the D3, and would save some weight and bulk.

The two flashguns in the front are Nikon SB-900 Speedlites.

The lenses are,  in the back row, from left to right:
  -  Nikon 16mm f2.8 fish-eye
  -  Nikon 50mm f1.4G AF-S
  -  Nikon 14-24mm f2.8 AF-S (it’s a big lens, but I just don’t want to leave it behind.)
  -  Nikon 24-70mm f2.8 AF-S
  -  Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VR AF-S

To not have this post be Nikon-centric, please check out the previous posting on my selection of Canon gear that I used to travel with.  As before, it is interesting also to see what can be left behind and not hamper you on an important photo shoot where you aren’t close to your home-base or any kind of back-up

I hope this post, and the previous post will give some insight in the selection of equipment.  You have to be self-sufficient when you travel for a photo shoot such as this.  And paramount is that you travel as light as possible, without compromising quality and flexibility of equipment.

Once again, I am surprised at the amount of equipment that I was able to fit into this camera case.  The bonus of course is that this bag is designed to fit the requirements for carry-on luggage for international air travel.  On top of that, the Airport International bag (and Airport Security) come with a series of locks and cables, to help you secure your bag.

And again – if you’re interested in any of these items, they can be purchased via these pages listing all my photo gear, which all link to B&H’s website.  There is also the Amazon link.

If you find these articles interesting and of value, then you can help by using
these affiliate links to order equipment & other goodies.   Thank you!

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Some of the questions that I’m most often asked about here, relate to wedding photography.  Advice on a whole range topics such as posing people, business advice, album design .. and sometimes even lighting.   Amusingly enough, I sometimes get asked this a few days before the newbie wedding photographer is going to shoot a first wedding.   Regardless of the photographer’s experience level though, my advice is usually fairly succinct … that it is indeed time to do some homework.

Really, if you need solid advice on photographing weddings, whether artistic, technical or business related, your most reliable source of information is a book.  Yup, my advice then is to not idly surf the web and fire off questions, but to do some serious homework .. starting with a good book or two.   And for around $25, an informative book is an unbeatable and sound investment in learning more about photography.   

Here are some of the books I frequently recommend to others:

The first one here, by George Schaub and Ken Sklute is the book I always push on anyone who needs help with lighting and posing; ideas for portraits; as well as the essential images we need to get on a wedding day.    

The following two authors – Paul Gero and Michelle Turner – both have excellent overviews of the modern style of wedding photography. I’d happily recommend either book. In fact, get both!

And of course, there is this book on Flash Photography Techniques that I would recommend.  ; )
And more recommended books on the topic of flash photography and lighting.

But any of these are good books to dip into for inspiration.

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It’s always a bit of a thrill when a friend achieves success of some kind – in this case, my friend Michelle Turner who recently had her book on wedding photography published.  Even better is that this 128 page volume is filled with lovely photographs as she covers a wide range of topics – from equipment to the flow of the wedding day … all the way to post-production and albums.

(click on the image if you’d like to order the book via Amazon)

Whether you are simply shooting a friend’s wedding, breaking into the business, or wanting to refresh your approach, this book takes you through the essential skills and provides you with the newest tools and tips of the trade.

If you find these articles interesting and of value, then you can help by using
these affiliate links to order equipment & other goodies.   Thank you!

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gear for destination wedding photography (Canon)

I enjoy shooting destination weddings- and I’ve been fortunate to photograph weddings in Aruba, Bahamas, Miami and Las Vegas.

These are weddings are often in exotic locales.  (Well, nearly everything will seem exotic outside of New Jersey, but I digress.)  Even even though it sounds exciting to photograph in faraway places, there is a challenge that comes along with that -  packing enough of my gear and getting it safely to my destination.  It is even more of a challenge with restrictions placed on air travel.

Since I frequently get asked via emails to show what I have in my camera bag, I thought I’d post some of what my camera bag looks like when I travel.

For me it was an  easy choice for a camera bag – the Think Tank Airport Security. This roller case is sturdy, protects all my gear inside, and has roller wheels that just glide ever so smoothly.  It is also surprisingly roomy inside for a case that can be taken on-board an aircraft as carry-on luggage.

.
There are a few pockets on the outside.  These are handy for phones, and an iPod and airline tickets and various bits and pieces and papers.

But let’s have a look at what I keep inside …

As you can see, I don’t pack my roller-case super-tight with an overload of gear.  I still need to be able to pick this baby up when it is loaded.

Firstly, the inside of the roller case ‘lid’ in more detail …

Lots of zipped pockets for goodies, but mostly I keep this to stick various items onto the clear fronts of the pockets.  This is where I stick the CTS and 1/2 CTS filters that I use to balance my flash with Tungsten light.  There are also a few strips of gaffer tape. (Very handy stuff!  I never go without.)  And the white/grey/black card you see there is the Qpcard, in case I need it to easily correct the white balance in post-processing, for something I photograph in strange lighting.

.
The main compartment is where it gets more interesting …

… and here it is with the top layer of items unpacked outside the case :

Looking at the smaller items that I unpacked as the top layer …

The rows from left to right, (top to bottom):
-  Visible Dust – Arctic Butterfly.
This is a handy device to clean my cameras’ sensor if I need to.
-  two Canon CP-E4 battery packs, which I already have loaded with rechargeable batteries.

-  two zip-lock bags with 8 rechargeable NiMH batteries for the CP-E4 battery packs.
-  two Tamrac memory card wallets.
Each wallet contains four 8Gb SanDisk CF cards, and four 4Gb SanDisk CF cards.
Each camera also has an 8Gb SanDisk SD card in them.
(I use the SD cards to record medium JPGs on, as a safeguard against any of the CF cards failing.
As an aside, I only shoot in RAW, other than the back-up JPGs.)

-  Canon ST-E2 wireless TTL transmitter
-  two Stofen diffuser cups, of which one has a hole cut in the top.
-  a business card holder.  (It is the aluminum case with the red ends.)
-  one spare battery for the Canon 1D mkIII bodies.
-  two pieces of black foam which I use as my light modifiers,
-  on top of this I have displayed the cord and plug to recharge my iPhone and my iPod.
-  black hair bands.  (I use this to keep items in place such as the black foam light modifiers.)

-  iPod, loaded with cool tunes.  (An essential item for traveling.)
-  iPhone.  This is also essential in that I have my Calendar and Contacts close on hand.

If you’re interested in any of these items, check out these pages listing all my photo gear –  all which link to B&H’s website where these items can be purchased.

And now, the larger items at the bottom of my roller case :

Firstly, the two cameras are both Canon 1D mkIII bodies.  They are currently my camera of choice.
The two flashguns in the front are Canon 580EX II Speedlites.

The lenses are,  in the back row, from left to right:
-  Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L II
-  Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS
-  Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS  (on the lens hood you can see another piece of filter stuck.)
The two lenses in the front are, from left to right:
-  Canon 35mm f/1.4L
-  Canon 85mm f1.2L II

As you can see, I favor zooms over prime lenses, but I do hedge my bets by adding two superb primes.

And again – if you’re interested in any of these items, they can be purchased via these pages listing all my photo gear, which all link to B&H’s website.

Perhaps as interesting, are the lenses I leave behind.
Two lenses which are covered (nearly) by the superb 16-35mm f/2.8L II, are:
-  Canon 14mm f/2.8L
-  Canon 20mm f/2.8

Two other primes that I leave behind, are:
-  Canon 24mm f/1.4L
-  Canon 50mm f/1.2L
This is a specific choice, in that I feel that the 35mm and 85mm primes make an excellent pair for their focal length and perspective.

A zoom that I leave behind, is the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L – and the reason for this is that the range is already covered by the 24-105mm f/4 optic.  And since most destination weddings tend to be in areas where light abounds, I don’t need the extra stop that the 24-70mm lens offers.  Besides, I am covered with the other zooms and primes should I need a faster lens than the 24-105mm f/4 optic.

Other items that I take with me, but don’t put inside this roller case, are various bits of minimal lighting gear, and my battery chargers.  I place them in my check-in luggage.  Should my check-in luggage be mis-routed, I still have my core equipment to photograph the wedding shoot to my complete satisfaction.

As can be seen, I travel with a fair amount of gear, but carefully chosen.  There is back-up of everything, and redundancy in case of failure.  Since I’ll be far away from home and my usual resources, it is essential that I am self-contained, and can meet any challenge head-on.

If you find these articles interesting and of value, then you can help by using
these affiliate links to order equipment & other goodies.   Thank you!

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“What general words of advice do you have for new photographers ?”

I would say that 90% of emails that I get where people are unhappy with their cameras, have to do with not understanding the basics of exposure metering. This is especially true for newcomers to digital photography.

So you used to get great results with your F5, but the D200 gives you poor results?  Well, if you’ve been shooting slide film, then you might be onto something here, but most photographers used color negative film before trying digital.  And here’s the thing that you weren’t aware of – your lab has been correcting for all your errors in exposure all this time. But with digital, you get to see exactly what you’re doing. Your photographs come out too dark? Then it is something *you* are doing, or not doing. Trust me on this one.

So my general words of advice would be:
- understand how to use your camera’s light-meter more effectively.
- use manual exposure metering all of the time,
- get to understand exposure metering, but also
- know why centering the needle is quite often not the ‘correct exposure’,
- read up on the Zone System and adapt it for yourself,
- understand the histogram and how to interpret it,
- use the blinking highlights feature and when to interpret it.

All of which often leads to the next point …

“I’ve read the manual, but what do these buttons and dials actually DO ?”

Questions that come up all too often pertain to basic operations of a camera, such as apertures and shutter speeds.

So if you …

- need to know what an aperture is,
- and why changing the aperture affects depth of field,
- and what depth of field is,
- and why a slow shutter speed causes blur,

… then it is important that you stop dawdling! Get yourself a good general book on photography with lots of photos to illustrate these concepts to you.

Without grasping these basic tenets of photographic technique, your results will always remain hit-and-miss.

Think about it this way, if you have just bought an expensive D-SLR, with more money invested in lenses and a flashgun as well .. then it makes good sense to invest another $40 on a good book to help you actually make good use of your new toys.

And now a bit of tough love for those photographers who rationalize not wanting to read a book, by saying they learn best from being shown … well, you are reading this aren’t you?  Stop indulging yourself.  Without grasping the basics of photographic technique, you will only keep yourself back as a photographer.

If you find these articles interesting and of value, then you can help by using
these affiliate links to order equipment & other goodies.   Thank you!

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