Browsing all posts in lighting.

Backgrounds and Backdrops Outside The Studio

Last week, on the subject of backgrounds and backdrops, I focused on the studio environment; a place where the photographer is in control. I thought it would be good to complement that article with one where the photographer has less control; outside the studio. In doing so I’ve decided to list a number of things [...]

Studio Backdrops/Backgrounds

When you look at most professional portraits you might think that the photographer had a really nice studio in a room of their home or even a really nice space in an office building or a retail building. The truth is that most photographers have their studios in old warehouses, garages of their home or [...]

Christmas Wish List 2011 – Prepare for Black Friday – Part II

Black Friday is this week. As a complement to Tiffany’s article on November 11, I thought I would put together a Christmas Wish List for the advanced photographer in your life or if that photographer is you, a list you can give to someone else as a hint. As Tiffany suggested, get a cup of [...]

Understanding Light in Photography – Beginner Level

The word “photography” comes from the Greek, photos – light – and graphos – writing, delineation, or painting. In other words, photography is light painting. As humans, we don’t see color, we see light. The retina of our eyes contains two types of photoreceptors (light receptors) called rods and cones. The rods are more sensitive [...]

Review: Studio Lighting 101 Workshop by SnapFactory

Last month I had the opportunity to attend the Studio Lighting 101 Workshop hosted by Mark Wallace and Snapfactory in Phoenix, Arizona. Mr. Wallace is a fixture in the photography world, well known for his approachable and engaging instructional videos on Adorama.tv’s Digital Photography One on One series, Pocket Wizard tutorials, and more. The one [...]

October Photo Challenge

We haven’t had a monthly challenge in some time but we’re re-starting the feature and plan to have it every month going forward. The monthly challenge is designed to: • Add to the fun and enjoyment of photography • Get you out of your comfort zone a little • Provide a photography theme or subject [...]

Review – Light It, Shoot It, Retouch It

A couple of weeks ago I attended a Scott Kelby Training seminar called Light It Shoot It Retouch It Live. It was almost eight hours of very interesting, well presented information and demonstration about studio photography. Whether or not you’re interested in studio photography I highly recommend you attend this seminar if you possibly can. [...]

Lighting – Where To Begin

One of the most intimidating things to venture into in photography is studio lighting. At one point or another we all feel a bit limited by using only ambient light or light from our pop-up or external flash, and we begin to entertain the thought of getting a few lights. So we start to research, [...]

Back to Basics: Fill Light Two Ways

Fill light is used when the subject of the photograph is darker than the background. It is intended to lighten shadows and reveal detail. When you observe a photographer using a flash in the outdoors, during the daytime, often they are using the flash as a fill light. There is also a way to increase [...]

Review: Renting A Studio (Roharik Productions)

It’s a safe bet that for every photographer with their own studio, there are four or five that wish they had one. While it’s a great convenience to have a studio and even a little ego boosting because a studio is somewhat of a validation that you’re a “real” photographer, studios require space and a [...]