Off-Camera Flash Photography Tips - Where to Mount the Flash
August 11, 2008
This article is a continuation of the previously discussed how to trigger your flash article. Once you have your flash and are able to trigger it remotely, now you have to figure out where to put the darn thing! This is a great question and you have many different options here. The method you choose will depend on the type of photography you’re wanting to pursue…oh, and how fat your wallet is.
Lightroom 2 - Better External Hard Drive Support
August 1, 2008
The release of Adobe Lightroom 2 is packed with tons of useful new features and capabilities. One note-worthy addition is the extended support for external hard drives.
If you’re like me, you probably have at least one external hard drive used as a back-up device or for additional photo storage. In Lightroom 1, all imported photos were visually clumped together in a often-confusing folder list. Version 2 of Lightroom gives us a much more meaningful and informative view of our photo folders and attached devices.
What is Focal Length Multiplier
July 28, 2008
If you spend any time reading through photography forums or blogs, or if you actually cracked open the manual that came with your camera, you may have come across the term Focal Length Multiplier. While this term does sound intimidating, the concept is fairly straight-forward.
Before digital cameras came along, 35mm film was a popular format. The majority of consumer-grade digital cameras available today have sensors that are smaller than 35mm film. The majority of these smaller sensors align themselves with the Advanced Photo System type-”Classic” (APS-C) image format, which measures smaller than traditional 35mm film (36×24mm). Therefore, by nature, these digital sensors are only capable of capturing a portion of the image that 35mm film is capable of. This is where the term focal length multiplier (FLM) comes into play.
Capturing Catchlights in Photography
July 18, 2008
Catchlights in photography are simply the specular highlight (reflection) of the light source in the subject’s eyes. This highlight helps give life and that extra spark to a portrait.
Catchlights can be achieved using any light source, even ambient light; though, you will have more control when using a flash or strobe. In these cases, the size and shape of the catchlights will depend on your light source and light modifiers.
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II - Nifty Fifty
July 15, 2008
As I mentioned earlier in my Lowepro Slingshot 200 review, I’m really getting into the photography scene. My wife and I are expecting our first child, so I want to be able to take really nice photos of all the special moments we have ahead. Well, I recently picked up a new lens: the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II, otherwise known as the “nifty fifty”.
Since I’m still quite the amateur photographer, I didn’t want to drop a lot of money on a new lens, but, of course, I wanted the results that a nicer lens can provide. My good friend Bo, who has written most of the wonderful photography and Photoshop posts for this site, recommended this Canon 50mm lens. I’ve had some time to learn some of its strong points and quirks; the following is a few of my thoughts.
Read more
Exposure Techniques for Backlit Subjects
July 9, 2008
If you’ve ever taken a picture of someone standing in the shade with the bright sunlight highlighting the scene behind them, you’ve probably been disappointed with the resulting photo. The background will be correctly exposed, but your subject will be too dark.
This happens because, when your camera is taking its automatic meter reading, it’s programmed to make the midtones of the photo 18% gray to avoid clipping the highlights in the scene.
Fireworks Photography Done Differently
July 4, 2008
Last year around this time, I was stoked about the 4th of July. I’d gotten a new lens for my camera and was ready to shoot some awesome fireworks. I had my tripod and cable release, I had my focus set on infinity and was prepared for long shutter speeds.
The next day I realized that I’d taken over 200 photos of fireworks and only a handful of shots that included my family and friends. A friend of mine had taken his camera along and had only snapped a few photos. One shot he’d taken was of his son holding up a miniature American flag with the fireworks going off in the background.
Off-Camera Flash Photography Tips - How to Trigger Your Flash
June 25, 2008
Previously, we discussed which flash to buy. It should go without saying that, once you have a flash, you must have a way to trigger it off-camera.
There are various ways to do this, both wired and wireless. We’ll be covering both methods here, but be forewarned that it’s easy to sink a lot of cash into triggers, as you’ll soon see.
Off-Camera Flash Photography Tips - Choosing a Flash
June 20, 2008
Last week we discussed off-camera lighting with small flashes. In order to get started in the world of off-camera flash photography, there are a few things that your flash will need in order to work correctly.
1. Your flash must have a way to be triggered off-camera. This could be your typical hot-shoe adapter or PC connection.
2. Your flash must have the ability to be controlled manually. That is to say, you must be able to change the amount of light that’s being emitted from the flash.
Lowepro Slingshot 200 AW
June 18, 2008
I’m not the guy who usually writes about photography gear, but thanks to the fact that my first child is on the way, I’m slowly getting into it the photography scene. I picked up my first digital SLR (a Canon Rebel XTi) around a month ago. Since then I’ve learned a fair amount about my camera and how to take some decent shots. Beyond that, I’ve come to appreciate all the sweet gear that’s out there.
I soon realized that I needed a way to carry my camera around. I also knew that I would purchase a new lens and flash soon. So I started looking around online and reading reviews.
Read more
