Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips
Pre-PMA Press Release
Photo Basics, a division of the F.J. Westcott Company, is developed to be the only series of photographic lighting kits to come packaged complete with education. For the individual who always had a love of photography but never thought it could be taken to the next level, Photo Basics is the answer! The constant light line offers 500 watts of constant light allowing the user to see the image prior to capture just as the camera would. [Read more…]
Pre-PMA Press Release
Professional Photographer Rick Sammon has teamed up with Westcott to create a new kit for outdoor photographers – the Rick Sammon On-Location Lighting Kit and Tote®. Ideal for creative outdoor photographers, this kit makes it easy for anyone to turn snapshots into great shots.
The kit originated when Rick Sammon, author of twenty-seven photography books, realized he needed an all-in-one, easy-access tote to include his essential accessories for travel photography. The F. J. Westcott Company, headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, is a leading manufacturer of lighting and light control equipment for image-makers. Westcott welcomed Rick’s breakthrough idea since the company has a long history of using input from industry experts and customers to design & produce products of the highest quality.
Included in the Rick Sammon On-Location Lighting Kit and Tote® is one 30” diffuser, one 30” Sunlight/Silver Illuminator® reflector, one Micro ApolloTM and a carry tote. The diffusion panel is a 1-stop diffuser, used to soften harsh sunlight. To bounce sunlight onto a subject’s face for dramatic lighting, fill in shadows or add catch light to the eyes, the Sunlight/Silver reflector can be used. Westcott’s Micro ApolloTM attaches to any accessory flash with Velcro® for diffusing the light, resulting in softer portraits. The lightweight carry tote is 12” in diameter and includes three interior pockets to separate lighting accessories.
“With my camera and zoom lens on one shoulder, and my tote, packed with the reflectors/diffusers, Micro Apollo Light Modifier, my flash and extra batteries, on the other, I am good to go – and I go a lot of places in search of interesting subjects,” says Rick Sammon. MAP $119.90
Originally uploaded by joshuatargownik
Consists of:
1 x sb800
2 x sb600
3 x sb28dx
Coffee can in the center and some tape to put it all together. For more info, click on the photo or check out the writeup at DIY Photography. Also, check out the mastermind’s (Joshua Tarogownik) awesome photos at his personal website.
[tags]ringlight, nikon, speedlight, sb-600, sb-800, sb-28dx, diy, lighting[/tags]
Olympus has released firmware version 3.1 for the SP-560UZ superzoom that allows you to wirelessly control off-camera flashes.
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Get more info from the Olypmus .PDF here. Get the firmware here.
[tags]olympus, 560uz, firmware, update, version 3.1, flash, wireless, off-camera[/tags]
Bowens has announced a new accessory that they seem to be pretty pumped about. The Ringlite Converter attaches to standard strobe flashes. If you’re not familiar with ringlights, consider Strobist’s Ring Flash Week for a primer (and then some) on the subject. [Read more…]
Are you familiar with these photography lighting accessories for your flash unit? Check it out on Strobist, there are great photos and descriptions to go along with the funky names.
Bert Stephani is a professional photographer based out of Zaventem, Belgium. His work consists of portraiture, kids, weddings and corporate photography. Fortunately, for you and me, he’s videotaped one of his shoots and then walked back through it teaching his techniques and observations along the way. If you’ve not come accross Mr. Stephani yet, then take a few minutes, sit back and learn something.
1. Lighting Right at High Noon
2. Backgrounds and Light
3. Light Leftovers
Check out more of Bert’s photos and musings on his blog.
[tags]lighting, tutorial, how to, diy, photography, flash, off-camera[/tags]
Do-it-Yourself Tungsten OmniBounce
Originally uploaded by carpe icthus.
This popped up on a recent “strobist” search on flickr. I’m constantly surprised by the ingenuity of the strobist clan.
Notes from the photographer:
I had to shoot a giant gala tonight — close to 500 people. I knew most of the action would be happening in a place with very little light and a ceiling far too high to allow bounce flash. Furthermore, whatever ambient light there was would be VERY warm, about 2500K. And all I had was my no-frills SB-600.
So I went all McGuyver. I took the back of a reporter’s notebook (which would provide nice, warm bounce light to match the ambient), cut it down and fastened it to my flash with a sturdy rubber band. This is basically an industrial-strength, warm-light version of the old index card trick.
But I wanted a broad flash that would cover the frame, so I needed the top to fan out. I ran down to the coffee shop and got a few wooden coffee stirrers. I cut them to match the notebook and fastened them to each end with clips.
It looks silly, but worked marvelously.
[tags]diy, howto, flash, photography, strobist, nikon, sb-600[/tags]
While this video demonstrates some high video frame rates, the shots below from flickr show off some amazing things captured with a still camera:
Both of the photos above are by flickr user nebarnix.
Want to know how you can do it too?
Check out the Guidebook over at HiViz with plenty of activities and different “triggers” to capture the perfect moment.
While you’re at it, check out the excellent galleries of Andrew Davidhazy.
[tags] photography, highspeed, high, speed, photo, pics, bullet, video, flash [/tags]
Originally uploaded by rougerouge.
I was stumbling around the web today and came upon PlanetNeil. Neil van Neikerk is a pro photographer in NJ. You should really check out his blog and photos. He’s got a creative vision that really shows in his work.
You’re wondering about the whole on-camera flash bit, right? This is where the stumbling comes in. I landed on his FAQ for flash techniques, specifically, the use of on-camera flash. Solid stuff. His FAQ is very well written with nice example photos of what he’s talking about. If your photos just look plain wrong when your shooting with your on-camera flash, head on over now to learn how to do it right. That said, if you think you know how to bounce your flash and you’re still reading this post then you need to read it too – go now.
Thanks for the great article Neil and thanks to rougerogue on flickr for opening blogs on the cool shot above.