Tangents

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Off-camera flash with a small softbox

July 14, 2013 Neil vN 10 Comments

Off-camera flash with a small softbox

Most of the images shot as part of the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG lens review, were with available light only. But for one sequence, I used off-camera flash. I didn't intend carrying a lot of equipment, so I stripped it down to the minimum. That meant forgoing my usual softbox, the Lastolite EZYBOX 24×24" softbox (affiliate). Instead, I opted for the much smaller Lastolite 8.75" speedlight softbox (affiliate). And instead of a light-stand, Nicole's friend, Andrew helped out on the day by holding the softbox and slave speedlight. In  Read more inside...

review: Sigma 35mm f/1.4 ART lens

July 12, 2013 Neil vN 27 Comments

review: Sigma 35mm f/1.4 ART lens

I have to admit upfront that I am a lens snob. Not so much for a lens being esoteric or collectible, but rather that I have a particularly strong preference for the name brand lenses. When I shot with Pentax way way back, I only used Pentax lenses. Similarly, I only have Canon lenses for my Canon bodies, and Nikon lenses for my Nikon cameras. Part of it is that the styling of the lens and camera is more consistent. Yes, I do like my cameras to have a certain aesthetic appeal. I know, I know ... how pretty a lens looks has no real correlation to  Read more inside...

Flash photography tip – Adding flash to ambient light

July 9, 2013 Neil vN 14 Comments

Flash photography tip - Adding flash to ambient light

When I saw the beautiful architecture of the Court House in Denver, CO, I knew that I wanted to use this as a backdrop for part of the mini photography workshop in Denver. In terms of composition, the imposing pillars and leading lines of the steps would simultaneously make a simple and classic background. Our model, Elizabeth, fortunately had this simple, yet elegant black dress as part of her wardrobe. For me, this photo comes together with the way the model (with her own style and styling), and the chosen location, complements  Read more inside...

ISO comparison – various Canon and Nikon cameras

July 6, 2013 Neil vN 21 Comments

ISO comparison - various Canon and Nikon cameras

I had a number of people ask about more details about the Canon 6D and whether I would recommend the Canon 6D (affiliate), or Canon 5D mark III (affiliate). It's tough enough to give advice at best of times, since the decision to buy a top-notch camera is a nuanced one. There are so many factors that come into play - your budget, weight of the camera; ergonomics; features & specification. Everyone has a different requirement of their camera gear. So when I was able now to get my hands on a broad enough  Read more inside...

How scammers are trying to rip photographers off

July 4, 2013 Neil vN 154 Comments

How scammers are trying to rip photographers off

In a previous article on how e-mail scammers are targeting photographers, the question came up exactly how the photographer is going to lose money. What exactly is the system the scammers have in place where the photographer is going to be out of pocket? The over-payment scam works on the principle that the scammer books you but overpays you, and then asks you to pay the difference to another vendor. So you send money to the "other vendor" (who is actually the scammer). The transaction where you got paid the money turns out to be  Read more inside...

Fuji cameras manual focus mode

June 30, 2013 Neil vN 6 Comments

Fuji cameras manual focus mode

The way that Fuji implemented manual focus mode on their cameras, turn them into possibly the best manual focus cameras around. Now some will say the most recent series camers' AF is so good that you don't need manual focus. However, I'm not convinced of that. The AF is pretty good, but there are times (such as with strong back-lighting), where even the top cameras of any brand would struggle. Then manual focus can be a huge help. And it makes sense to be familiar with the manual focus options on your camera. Anyway, here is why I think the way that  Read more inside...

Comparing max flash sync speed – 1/250 vs 1/200

June 24, 2013 Neil vN 20 Comments

Comparing maximum flash sync speed - 1/250 vs 1/200

A comment that was posted in the photo gear section, asked about the relative merits of 1/250 max flash sync speed, vs 1/200 max flash sync speed. Hi Neil, thanks again for Tangents, & your books which I refer to a lot. You have a gift in teaching and your passion is contagious. You’re probably my no 1 reference out there amongst the myriad of info now available. That’s why I’d like your opinion on the D600, particularly the 1/200 sync speed factor. I just bought one. Do you think it’s a big issue. Mr Hobby considers major  Read more inside...

Exposure metering for a backlit subject, using the histogram

June 20, 2013 Neil vN 10 Comments

Exposure metering for a backlit subject, using the histogram

When our subject is backlit, we have a number of options: expose for the background, and then either: -- go for a (semi) silhouette, -- add light to your subject to balance their exposure with that of the background. expose carefully for our subject, and let the background blow out. This is the "ambient-light-only" option. anything somewhere inbetween those two choices, where *we* decide how we want to balance the exposure between our subject and background. Exposing for our subject, very often gives us this  Read more inside...

adapting your photographic style during a photo session

June 17, 2013 Neil vN 19 Comments

adapting your photographic style during a shoot

I had the pleasure of photographing Rebecca and Max's elopement wedding in New York. They're both from Denmark. (Actually, Max is from Spain originally.) They both planned to get married in New York while over on a trip here. I met up with them at City Hall on the day, where I was the witness to their wedding ceremony. That's quite an honor too. Then, after the ceremony, we ventured out into Manhattan for an extended photo session. And this is where there is a certain balance that I need to maintain. If I have a specific style in  Read more inside...

Father and son portrait – Deconstructing a photograph

June 13, 2013 Neil vN 11 Comments

Father and son portrait - Deconstructing a photograph

My friend, Chuck Arlund, visited New York with his son Lachlan, for a few days. At the end of the trip, I had a short opportunity to photograph them. Since this is Chuck, whom I greatly admire, and his son (who is so used to a camera by now), I wanted to come up with something outside of the usual guaranteed way of working with a longer lens, and a simpler background. I wanted something a little out of the ordinary. What I envisioned was some place in New York that was very busy, and then go to a slow shutter speed, and let  Read more inside...

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