Tag Archives: lighting

Read My Article in The New Issue of CLARITY, Vol 6

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The latest issue of CLARITY: Photography Beyond The Camera is out on virtual stands and ready for download.

In addition, CLARITY, Vol 6 features an article written by me called The Secret Ingredient Behind Luck, in which I discuss how to apply the concept of anticipation to shooting action and adventure.

In our fast moving world, moments often pass by before you can even register that they actually happened. when the dirt is flying and your adrenaline is spiking, there’s barely enough time to raise your camera, let alone, pull off a successful shot.

If there was only a way to improve your luck, or better yet, see into the future…

The eight-page article features a number of photos and tips that will help you increase your percentage for success when shooting things that move quickly. Check it out.

I’m excited to be featured in CLARITY again, I had the cover photo on the last issue, Volume 5. That issue featured an article about cold weather photography so if you missed it, you might want to give that issue a look too, since winter is just around the corner here in the Northern Hemisphere.

If you haven’t seen CLARITY before, it’s a very well done PDF magazine geared around the lifestyle of photography. Rather than focus on gear, CLARITY features in-depth topics that surround things like light, composition and technique.

With regular contributors like Kevin Kubota, Piet Van den Eynde, Sean McCormack, Chris Corradino and Ian Plant, the journal contains some really articles, fantastic imagery and even video. The current issue features 37-minutes of video content, and 70 beautifully designed eBook spreads.

And, as I’ve said before what I love most about Clarity: Beyond the Camera, is that it’s published by a super nice guy named Dave, who apparently just sent his little girl off to First Grade this fall. Dave pours his heart and soul into CLARITY and shares his passion for photography in such a way to enrich the lives of other shooters. In my book, that kind of thing is worth our support.

I think that Dave does an excellent job with the magazine, so be sure and check out the latest issue– it only costs a few bucks- about the same as a coffee and a pastry. Good inspiration is worth that.

Anticipation1Here’s the full list of content that’s included in CLARITY, Volume 6:

  • Mixing Flash With Natural Light Outdoors: Learn from the master of lightweight lighting, as Kevin Kubota demonstrates his setup for mixing flash with natural light outdoors. Video tutorial included!
  • Digital Darkroom: Learn how and why digital photographers should embrace post-processing tool as being just as much a part of photography as is the development process of film photographs.
  • The Secret Ingredient Behind Capturing “Lucky” Moments: Action and outdoor photographer, Dan Bailey shares the secret ingredient to capturing the perfect shot right when it happens, so you’ll never miss another unique moment again.
  • Moving (Back) to Film: Whether you are a digital or film photographer, learn how to shoot with both passion and purpose every time you press the shutter button.
  • Color Theory for Photographers: Color is an entire toolbox for photographers. In this first of a four-part series on color, Cheryl Machat Dorskind breaks down the basics of color as it relates to digital photography and how our cameras record color. Understanding this aspect of your gear will help you to make better decisions when it comes time to frame your next composition.
  • Why Image File Formats Matter in Photography: The age-old debate between RAW vs. JPEG never burns cold. You’ll learn the real pros and cons of each format, but it’s not just about RAW and JPEG anymore – there’s a new player in town…
  • A Photographer’s Guide to a Happy Life and Prosperous Career: Chris Corradino is a respected photographer with a long list of impressive credentials. In this piece, Chris shares his top 10 tips for staying passionate along with his code of values for building a prosperous and rewarding career.
  • Creativity Unleashed: In this spotlight feature interview, photographer Ian Plant provides insight into how he creates his striking photographs through his use of color and contrast. Ian shares his process, intention, and techniques for scoping out the right scenes to photograph.
  • Long Exposure: Long exposure images have a surreal and zen-like quality as we capture motion in a single frame. In this piece, Piet Van den Eynde shares his 7 top tips for making stunning long-exposure photographs.
  • Photoshopping Tourists (Video Tutorial): We are proud and pleased to welcome expert Photoshop and Lightroom instructor, Serge Ramelli, who will take you through a simple process for removing unwanted distracting elements (like tourists) from a busy street scene using Photoshop.
  • Lightroom Video Tutorial: Learn when to go black & white, and how to create dramatic black & white photographs using Lightroom with Serge Ramelli.
  • Lightroom for Photographers: In our continuing series on the Lightroom Develop Module, Sean McCormack reveals how to created black & white and toned black & white images in Lightroom.
  • Sharing the Craft: Editor-in-chief, Dave Seeram, discusses his thoughts on the future of photography as a result of new education platforms as they replace traditional photography education venues. Free video course included on how to shoot professional looking family portraits (courtesy of our friends at Craftsy).

New Aviation Client: Bendix/King

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I’m excited to have a brand new client. Bendix/King is an aviation related company that’s been making radios and navigation equipment for decades. In fact, I’ve got an old King KX 170B nav/com with the white number click dial in my little yellow Cessna. I have no idea how old the thing is, but it still works fine.

The folks at Bendix/King found some of my Alaska aviation photography on the web and they contacted me directly. They’re featuring one of my images on their brand new website and they expressed interest in continuing to use my imagery in future projects as well.

The photo that they chose is one from my bush pilot portrait series that I shot a couple of years ago at the Valdez Air show. It was shot with a Nikon D700 camera, a Nikon 24mm f/2.8D lens, two Nikon flashes and a Lumiquest Softbox III flash diffuser. You can see a detailed behind the scenes post about this photo here.

Big thanks to Bendix/King for using my imagery, and I look forward to building a strong relationship with them in the coming years.

3 Great Books For Learning About Light

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In photography, light is king. It dictates everything. No, really. I mean everything. Lens and equipment choices, compositional decisions, exposure factors, vantage point- they all depend on the light, and at the end of the shoot, when the shutter comes down, your picture will only be as good as the light.

As I’ve said before, when you take a photograph, you’re not simply taking a picture of “The Thing,” you’re actually recording HOW the light hits, slams, kisses, graces, nudges, punches, whispers at, screams at or ricochets off of your subject. The merits of a great image depend more on the the quality, direction, color and intensity of the light as it affects your subject matter than any specific thing about your subject itself.

Don’t believe me? Go ahead think about some really iconic photographs, like Steve McCurry’s Afghan girl, or Galen Rowell’s most famous landscapes. Would they carry the same impact with crappy light? See what I mean?

So, with that in mind, you can see how imperative it is to understand light, how it affects your photographs, and how you can control it and make it work for you. No matter what you’re shooting, knowing how to use, shape and modify the light will make you a better photographer.

Here are three great books that can help educate you about light. They all come at the subject from a slightly different standpoint, so depending on where you are with your photography, you might find that one is more suited to you and your style. Any one of them will make a difference- really, anything you read and study will make a difference.

1. Light, Science & Magic, by Hunter, Biver and Fuqua

Think of this one as a textbook on light. Actually, Light, Science & Magic is often used as required reading for many high school and college photography courses. It’s a comprehensive theory on the nature, physics and principles of light, and it is regarded as the most fundamental guidebook to photographic lighting.

Light, Science & Magic is full of photos, illustrations and diagrams that help you understand the role of light and how it’s used as a tool in photography. The authors premise by saying that Light is the language of photography, and in order to master it, you need to know the grammar and vocabulary of light. The gist of this book is that light is not a fad, it’s physics. Grasp the basics, and you’ll be able to apply it however you want in your photographic style.

Light, Science & Magic is probably the best and most definitive guidebook on light. It’s a lot to digest, and while you probably won’t want to read the entire book in one sitting, it’s a great book reference manual to have on your photography bookshelf.

2. Lighting for Digital Photography, by Syl Arena

On the other end of the spectrum, you have Syl Arena’s new book, Lighting for Digital Photography. It’s a much more easy to read, basic guide for photographers who want to better understand the basics of light. Syl is a great photographer and a solid author and teacher who knows how to explain things in simple terms.

In Lighting for Digital Photography, you’ll see how to see, use and modify the light so that you can start taking better, more compelling pictures. It’s full of very straightforward illustrations and photos that cover a wide variety of subjects, both inside and out. He covers that qualities of natural light also talks about using flash and light modifiers, such softboxes, umbrellas and diffusion panels.

This book is definitely more basic than Light, Science & Magic, but it’s a quick, practical and effective guide for those who are new to photography. The Kindle version of Lighting for Digital Photography only $9.99, which makes it a pretty affordable choice as well.

3. Sketching Light, by Joe McNally

Then there’s Joe. Joe knows light. Joe wrangles light. Joe owns the light. He’s been experimenting with light for forty years, and in that time, he’s come up with some amazing stuff.

Sketching Light is a journey through the mind and methods of a master photographer, and a class on how to push your creativity when it comes to using camera flashes. He walks you through a number of different shoot, explains what worked, what didn’t and shows you what goes into his final images.

Joe’s technical skills and his “let’s try this” style, combined with his honest wit and wisdom, make for an excellent learning resource for photographers who are interested in expanding their own creative boundaries with flash. If you want to study a master in action and apply it to your own photography, then Sketching Light is a great option. I’ve learned more from Joe’s books than any other photographer when it comes to using flash.

I will point out that like his other books, this one is geared around Nikon flashes. However while specific settings and gear will vary, the techniques and creative ideas are applicable to any flash and camera system.

Shameless Plug: If you’re interested in using flash, check out my own eBook, Going Fast With Light. In this 83 page manual, I show you effective lighting schemes that allow you to get great light with just one or two flashes, even if you’re an outdoor photographer who likes to pack minimal gear.

I also show different methods for triggering remote flashes, and I present an entire array of tips, techniques, equipment and light modifying tools that you can adapt for use in your own style. These are lighting rigs that are all highly portable, that let you achieve professional results without compromising your own fast moving style.

Publication: Alaska Magazine Snow Biking Feature Article

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Another recent publication, this full page shot appears in the TOC page of the current Dec/Jan issue of Alaska Magazine. It’s the lead off image in the issue, which contains a feature article about the joys and gear of snow … Continue reading →

$20 Rice Paper Light Modifier – Great Light, Cheap

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Want good light? Then pick pick up any one of the large softboxes out there that are made buy Photoflex, Lastolite or Westcott. I’d recommend 24″ or bigger, especially for shooting full length people shots. Expect to spend anywhere from … Continue reading →

My First Photoflex LightingSchool Lesson – Now Online

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I celebrate my birthday today with two great professional notes. First of all, I’m the featured photographer this month in the Photoflex Pro Showcase. As someone who’s been using (and sometimes abusing) Photoflex gear for 20 years, I’m honored to … Continue reading →

Going Cold With Light: Using the Photoflex TritonFlash Outside in Winter.

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It’s no secret, I occasionally go fast with light. Sometimes I even go cold with light. Lately, I’ve been doing both with the Photoflex TritonFlash. It’s a lithium ion batter powered strobe system that packs a great deal of light … Continue reading →