Photographing Food With Speedlights Normally, I make use of a couple of ELB500 kits for my food photography. The heads are light, and can be boomed overhead without any real thought as to counterbalancing etc. They are certainly what I would say were ideal for the job. However, occasionally, I need to pack ultra light 'n' tight, and between you and me, the battery packs
Review Phottix M200R LED Panel You know, considering I'm a dedicated stills only type of guy (Of some considerable years, I might add!), I'm getting a lot of LED panels for review. To be honest, I've been pleasantly surprised by all those I've reviewed, not only by their features and abilities, but by the fact I've actually found them useful. That last bit was a
What is a portrait? It's certainly not a headshot, mugshot or snapshot. A portrait isn't merely the likeness of a person, a quick snap of the Friday night happenings with inane grins and vacant eyes. Nor is it pouting lips and filtered plastic skin. (Yes, I'm looking at you, Snapchat) A portrait is much, much more. It shouldn't just display the physical representation of a
Using One Light Using artificial light can make a huge difference to your images, and therefore your appeal to potential clients. And yes, I can hear you, Thomas, and your “I only shoot ambient”. Ambient is great, if the light is exactly as where you want it to be, in the right direction, at the right intensity and at the right time of day. But
Quick And Simple Product Photography Lighting techniques for products can vary as wildly as the range of products themselves. You can create highly complex setups for fairly simple products, and the reverse can also be true. In all honesty, as with anything I shoot, I tend to create a lighting scenario that best suits the subject, and I tend not to consider the complexity of
Review Phottix Raja 65cm I've used the Phottix Raja range of softboxes for quite a few years, and found their quality to be outstanding. So when I was looking for a smaller alternative to my Phottix Raja 105cm, I took a look at the Raja 65. Well, to be fair, I prevaricated over buying it about three years ago, when I went on a bit
Motorcycle Photography Carlisle Cumbria Harley Davidson Sportster 883 I've said it before, automotive work is certainly amongst my favourite genres, and I really don't mind what it is I've been asked to photograph. Huge lorries or the smallest car, it's all good. But, I do enjoy shooting interesting or challenging vehicles the most. And oddly enough, motorcycles can be every bit as challenging as a
Creating Lifestyle Product Shoots Lifestyle imagery is far more than simply a photograph of a product being used. Your client has a very specific target market In mind, and the lifestyle imagery needs to appeal to the prospective end client. We all buy on an emotional level, whether it's shoes, cars or camera equipment. Often, items are purchased with a goalor aspiration in mind, rather
Review Elinchrom One The Elinchrom One. 131Ws in a small, and rather aesthetically pleasing little unit. But is that all there is to it? I mean, 131Ws? It doesn't seem like an awful lot of power to me. I photograph cars, food and all sorts of stuff, and I tend to need more than 131Ws. As with any equipment I'm asked to review, I make
Location Dance Shoot Well, I've utilised the Elinchrom One review kit on a number of client shoots so far, including food photography for the Lavender Hotel Group, and a couple of automotive shoots. And as I pondered which shoot I should take the kit along to next, I was hijacked. Erm, apparently, I was asked if I would like to see what the Elinchrom Ones
