Speedlights

Some people prefer to use continuous light and some prefer strobes, but if you combine the two you get a certain kind of magic. The continuous light gives you the smearing effect you would get from dragging the shutter, while the strobe will freeze the action. Photographer Erik Christian used that fact to create compelling portraits for a local newspaper annual basketball all-stars piece. After some practice with a light as a basketball stand it, Erik had the setup nailed. Each shot would start under the continuous gelled light and end at the exact spot where two gridded strobe would...


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Strip lights have become quite popular over the last couple of years, and we’ve seen numerous options released compatible with both speedlights, as well for continuous light. The StrobiStrip from Strobius presents something unique, not seen in these types of light modifiers before.  As well as being extremely thin, and usable with pretty much every speedlight ever made, the StrobiStrip is also collapsible, with the StrobiStrip 50 breaking down into a small pouch not much bigger than your average 105mm lens. Available in three sizes (50cm, 100cm, and 150cm), the StrobiStrip range...


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How do we view reality? How contrast sparks our interest I have for years pondered how to render 3 dimensions on to 2 dimensional walls and surfaces, or how to add greater topographical richness to predictable lighted interior landscapes. © Benjamin Kanarek Our brain, through our eyes and life experiences, allows us to determine how light will be rendered in our familiar environments and, as a result, we are rarely surprised when we turn on the corner lamp of our room, or the sun comes shining through the picture window in the library. But have you noticed that, when those rare lighting...


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Speedlights often go hand in hand with shooting portraits on the street, especially at night, but small flashes have one big issue.  Due to their size, they often give very hard, harsh and unflattering light, especially if you’re forced to use one on the hotshoe. After being asked to photograph a night time outdoor music event, and wanting the minimise the risk to expensive equipment, photographer Tom Simone came up with a DIY solution to help make that light a little bigger and provide a more pleasing look with help from a Chinese paper lantern lampshade. You could use one on a light...


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