Learning to See Light: Exploring Blue Hour

We often think about pushing flash into the post-sunset sky. But just behind us, there is a cool mix of light happening from the east as night encroaches. Paying attention to that mix can serve you well when you are learning to create interesting light on your own. Read more »

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Considering a Three-Way? Here's What You Need to Know.

After Monday's OA post, several people asked via Twitter and comments about the three-way flash brackets.

They are super-useful, small, light and cheap. Or not, if you mistakenly buy more capability than you need... Read more »

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On Assignment: Reed Quintet

I shoot a lot of individual artists for the Howard County Arts Council. But when Bassoonist Eddie Sanders (center, above) asked if we could instead shoot his military reed quintet, I jumped at the chance.

Really, how often do you get a chance to photograph a reed quintet?

One condition: we'd have to do something cool, and with a little attitude… Read more »

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SaxonPC Grids: Straddling Store-bought and DIY

Like McNally says, if you want to make something more interesting, don't light all of it. To that end, I use grid spots a lot. In fact, probably just as often as I use umbrellas.

My workhorse speedlight grid has long been the HonlPhoto 1/8". But for those looking for a lower entry point (or more extreme beam widths) SaxonPC grids offer a second choice.

They are both designed to be used on speedlights, but take very different approaches from there. Today, a head-to-head comparison to help you decide which best suits your needs. Read more »

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Anatomy of a Project: Miller Mobley's Re-enactors

When I worked at The Sun, a lot of emphasis was put on always having multiple projects in the hopper. Self-generated projects are the lifeblood of any good paper, and they promote exploration and serendipity.

Since I have gone out on my own, I can honestly say projects have the single most important vehicle for developing my photography. I always have at least one on the front burner, with a couple more in the on-deck circle.

When my friend Miller Mobley tweeted last week about his series of U.S. Civil War re-enactors, I reached out to him to see if he could give us a little BTS — not only into the photos and lighting, but into the process of his project as well. Read more »

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Q&A: C-Stands

Several people asked about the C-stand (short for century stand) that I used on the Rosco OA posted on Monday.

Long story short, after spending 2 months on the road with McNally and crew last year, I have become a convert. If you have never used a C-stand, and/or are considering getting one, here's what you need to know. Read more »

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Always Bring a Model Release

I try to be pretty open with this blog. Sometimes I get it right, and sometimes I screw up royally.

A recent shoot I did for Rosco is a good example of both.

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Royce Bair's Night-Lit Landscapes

There are no AC plugs near Delicate Arch in Grand County, Utah, where Royce Bair made this night landscape shot. So all of his flashes needed to be battery-powered to illuminate the 20-meter tall formation.

Two of his light sources were Norman 400B's, weighing in at 6 lbs and from which he needed a total of 48 pops to make the image.

But his Big Gun required only two pops to balance with the Normans. That 110,000 lumen light source weighed about a pound, all-in. And it ran off of a 9-volt battery. Read more »

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