review: Fuji X100s
review: Fuji X100s
One of the most compelling cameras in recent years, was the Fuji X100. It had a slick retro look, solid build, and some interesting features such as the hybrid optical viewfinder. The camera looked quite sexy slung over your shoulder, and felt great in your hands. But it had a few flaws. Sluggish handling at times, and more crucially, erratic auto-focus. It tended to grab the background when focusing in low-contrast light. I loved my Fuji X100, but eventually sold it because of these frustrations. Well, the Fuji X100 was updated with the Fuji Read more inside...Studio lighting: harder light = dramatic light
Studio lighting: harder light = dramatic light
When I first started exploring bounce flash, and then off-camera flash and then progressing towards studio photography, my tendency was also instinctively towards softer light. A large light source gives you softer light, which is also more forgiving in terms of how you position your subject and yourself in relation to the light. A large light source is easy to work with because it creates softer light that easily wraps around your subject. Soft light is flattering. But it soon became obvious that I was missing out on that dramatic Read more inside...Video clip: Studio Photo session
Video clip: Studio photo session w/ Anelisa
To promote my studio as a rental photography studio here in New Jersey, I created this video clip. It's not quite a behind-the-scenes clip since my intention was to show some of the diversity that is possible in the studio. Using different lighting, and different backgrounds and setups, the final photographs look quite different. Gallery of images of photo session with Anelisa, and other models subsequently. Photography studio rental NJ For more videos, follow me on Vimeo / YouTube The specific sequences will appear as Read more inside...What if bounce flash isn’t strong enough?
What if bounce flash isn't strong enough?
Because I so often use on-camera bounce flash, one of the questions I'm regularly asked is, what if there is nothing to bounce your flash off? There is also the variant - what if there isn't enough light from the bounced flash? In both cases, the answer is the same - you improvise! Not only that, but you need to be prepared to improvise. The photograph above is from a recent Bat Mitzvah, showing the big group shot of the kids. If you've photographed Bar / Bat Mitzvahs before, you know this is coming up, and you have to be prepared for Read more inside...Continuous lighting – Westcott Spiderlite TD6
Continuous lighting - Westcott Spiderlite TD6
The beauty of continuous lighting, such as the Westcott Spiderlite TD6 (B&H / Amazon) , is that you can see exactly how the light falls on your subject. It is easier now to nudge your lighting to the best position, as well as your subject in how they should move or pose. The Westcott Spiderlites can take a softbox, which gives you beautiful soft light. The downside of these lights, are that they usually aren't very powerful. Unless you are working with a tripod, you'll have to rely on higher ISO settings and wide Read more inside...Studio lighting: Ringflash as a single light-source
Studio lighting: Ringflash as a single light-source
I have a confession to make about ring-flash, especially when it is used as a single light-source. I've never been a fan. I've never liked the stark over-lit look that it produces. Even in images that are supposed to be edgy and trendy. I've seen some incredible examples where the ringflash is part of a multi-light setup, with the ring-flash doing a just little bit of the work. But I haven't yet seen an image where the ring-flash was the only light source (or dominant light source), where the photo has set my world Read more inside...Boudoir photo session w/ Westcott Spiderlites
Boudoir photo session w/ Westcott Spiderlites TD6 and TD5
When Morgan contacted me, I knew I wanted her tattoos to feature. (Check her Model Mayhem portfolio.) We met up in my studio for the shoot to try several ideas. First, I tried ring-flash, but as usual, disliked the look of ring-flash. I just can't get into it. A funny thing about style - I like soft light - so I went Westcott Spiderlites (continuous lights) and a large softbox on Morgan, and a Profoto flash head to light up the white paper backdrop. It looked pretty cool. Then, for the final part of the photo session, I Read more inside...You must have a great camera
Your photographs are wonderful - you must have a great camera
There is an amusing anecdote doing the rounds as a graphic on Facebook and elsewhere - it's a quote ascribed to Sam Haskins. Now, if you consider the number of quotes that get propagated on Facebook that are ascribed to Morgan Freeman, I'm surprised Sam Haskins even got a mention. But I digress. The quote relates a story where a photographer smacks down a socialite in New York for some comment about the photographer's camera. Well, here it is, and it kinda rankles me ... Read more inside...review: Litepanels Croma LED video light
review: Litepanels Croma LED video light
What sets Litepanels Croma LED video light (B&H / Amazon) apart from most, is that you can vary the color temperature. You can vary the WB between 3200K and 5600K by dialing a knob. No more need for a gel to be clipped in and out. The gel (or lack of gel) would mean a specific WB with the LitePanels Pro. With the variable adjustment of the Litepanels Croma, you have every color balance setting inbetween. Read more inside...- « Previous Page
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