Available light portraits
Available light portraits
A theme we have touched on regularly here is that “using the available light” is not a random decision. The best results with portrait photography in available light, is when we are deliberate. Deliberate in how we position our subject in relation to the light. This is the central idea in my book, Direction & Quality of Light - posing and lighting are inter-connected. With available light photography, it becomes a little harder to find light that is flattering - compared to using off-camera flash, where you can sweeten the light most of the time with the Read more inside...Review: Canon Speedlite 470EX-AI flash
Review: Canon Speedlite 470EX-AI flash
Before we get into this review of the Canon 470EX-AI speedlite (B&H / Amazon), I need to mention that I wanted this review video to be more than just a listing of the features of this flash. We therefore also delve into bounce flash technique. So there is something here even for those photographers who don't shoot Canon, or have no real interest in getting this flash. So please do check the video out. I was really curious to get to play with the Canon 470EX-AI speedlite (B&H / Amazon) for a review, Read more inside...Fuji Instax SP-3 printer
Fuji Instax SP-3 printer
I’m still loving my Fuji X-H1 that I bought recently. A sweet extra that I added was the Fuji Instax SP-3 printer (B&H / Amazon). This printer allows you to print directly from the camera itself, giving a 2.4” x 2.4” polaroid. But you don't need a Fuji camera to use it. You can print from your phone as well, to create 2.4 x 2.4" polaroid type prints. This photo above is my first test print - the make-up artist for the photo shoot in the studio today. I know it’s old news for Fuji shooters, but it’s new for me, and I’m kinda excited Read more inside...Available light: Boudoir photography & Feminine portraiture
Available light: Boudoir photography & Feminine portraiture
The direction of light is an elemental part of portrait photography. We can control how we pose and position our subject in relation to the light - and we might be able even control the direction of light, as we did with this sequence of photos of our model, Adrienne. To start off this personal workshop on Lighting for Feminine Portraiture and Boudoir Photography, we used only the available light that was streaming through the large windows in my studio. This painted canvas backdrop is on a roller stand. Read more inside...Studio photo session with a dancer – gelled flash
Studio photo session with a dancer - gelled flash
Following on the article showing the Outdoor photo session with a dancer, Ella - here is a studio photo session with another dancer - Grace. For this particular sequence, I decided on using gels to add a splash of color to the images. Grace is impressively elegant, with powerful movements when she jumped. As far as the poses and movements were concerned, I again let myself be guided by the expert here - the dancer herself. Similar to how I described the collaborations with Ella (previous linked article), and with Anna Russel, and Read more inside...Outdoor photo session with a dancer
Outdoor photo session with a dancer - Ella
An additional challenge when photographing dancers in movement, is the exact timing. That fleeting pose in mid-air needs to be captured at the exact moment when their feet, hands and the entire body is positioned in ideal way. Some advice about this was given in a previous article on photographing dancers - tips on photographing dancers and ballerinas - but much of it relies on constantly conferring with the dancer, who will know exactly what they want. Ella is a dancer, with a delightfully confident personality - especially so for Read more inside...Silent Shutter / Electronic shutter vs mechanical shutter
Silent Shutter / Electronic shutter vs mechanical shutter
I “accidentally” bought a new camera recently. I had no real intent to. This is going to be a long story ... or a short review. The story starts when I dropped the small camera Fuji X-T20 (affiliate) that I use on a gimbal. While it was still in for repairs, so I went in to my local camera store, to see what I could rent for a gig that upcoming weekend. I idly asked to see the new Fuji X-H1 (affiliate) ... and the moment I tripped the shutter, I knew this was the camera I had been looking for. It has the Read more inside...New York infrared B&W photos
New York infrared B&W photos
It’s Summer again and (intermittently) sunny outside, and the trees are green ... or snow-white as in this B&W infrared photo. The contrasty tones, and the dark skies with bright foliage are typical of B&W infrared photographs. Last year, in this article on mirrorless cameras and B&W infrared, I mentioned how I had searched for a Fuji camera & lens combination that worked without giving me a central hot-spot. I found the Fuji 14mm f/2.8 lens (B&H / Amazon) worked beautifully on my infra-red converted Fuji X-E2, Read more inside...Bounce flash photography and dark ceilings
Bounce flash photography and dark ceilings
With the tutorials here on how to bounce flash, the questions inevitably come up - what if there is nothing to bounce your flash off? What if there are dark ceilings? Well, these limitations do affect how I use flash at events - but I still work according to a few set guidelines that give me the best results with bounce flash. I bounce my flash into the direction that I want to come from, regardless of whether there is a white wall or ceiling. It really is all about the Direction of Light. I also shy away from using any of the Read more inside...- « Previous Page
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