There’s a lot you can do with a fairly simple lighting setup. In this video, Joe McNally shows how he used a single flash and a bed sheet to light up a shop from across the street: The setting for McNally’s photo was an old sewing shop on a narrow street in Guanajuato, Mexico. To […]
At the most general level, photographing light trails means locating a place where you can capture some type of light that will be seen over time. Some examples of light trails are the beams of light created by moving cars or those created by stars in the night sky. In general, capturing light trails entails […]
Using strobes outside is one way to create drama in your photographs. By adding artificial light to your scene, you can include a background that utilizes ambient light without sacrificing the quality of light on your subject. But sometimes it’s difficult to determine how exactly to light your subject to get specific results. Joe McNally […]
The use of proper lighting in taking photos is important. It enables you to take clearer images that you can be proud of, particularly in an environment where light is low. But to achieve your goal, you need the right accessories for your camera. Hotshoe Flashes The basic accessory is the hotshoe flash. A flash […]
Advertising is a funny thing. Its goal is to entice the viewer to purchase or otherwise further engage with the person, product, or service being sold. To do that often requires semantic trickery, as is the case of the following video, which is essentially a three minute advertisement for Matthews Studio Equipment masquerading as an […]
In previous articles, we began our study of lighting patterns for portrait photography with broad lighting, short lighting, and split lighting. Now let’s move on to loop lighting. In portrait photography, this lighting pattern tends to be one of the most popular. It’s easy to set up and is flattering to most faces. Remember that […]
I’m using the term on-camera to make a distinction between portable strobes and the type of lights used primarily indoors that require a wall plug for electricity and have built-in modeling lights. I hesitate to call them portable because I can guarantee that if you get a set of studio flashes or monolights, the second […]
When starting out using strobes, you might think it’s pointless to use them outside on a sunny day. However, there are many situations that call for more than just sunlight and/or reflectors. Outdoor strobes can help you balance your exposure between your background and the side of your subject that lies in shadow. Strobes will […]
In previous articles, we’ve discussed photo lighting patterns where we place the light source to the side of the subject–split lighting, loop lighting and Rembrandt lighting–and create shadows that go off to the side. Continuing with our series of portrait photography lighting patterns, today’s photo tip discusses butterfly lighting. Keep in mind that shadows create […]
Umbrellas are great lighting tools for beginners and pros alike. They’re not too hard to figure out, and they give you great light coverage that you didn’t have before. A more advanced technique with umbrellas is using them to imitate natural light. In this tutorial, Jay P Morgan shows you how to use umbrellas to […]
