On category that has been exploding these past few years is mobile content creation. Between major upgrade in phones, the move to USB-C in all phones (yes, I know Android has already been there) and the ability to record ProRes/4K direct to external small SSD’s, the democratization of creating higher end videos is here to […]

We have all seen, and probably used, a ring light. Basically, this gives you a shadowless light that may be flattering, although EVERYONE has been using this! If you don’t believe me, have a look at the eye in a screen grab. In what we call a catchlight, you can see the ring light on […]

I’m definitely a problem v. solutions kind of person, and look at gear to make life easier. And make better content. The new goal/problem was to find a small, powerful source of light, to add onto my Fuji, and be able to get interviews at trade shows. What was needed was a nice, compact, source […]

Many years ago, my Lowel Tote-A Lights were a go-to. Quartz lighting, compact, lightweight, and great color. And warm to the touch Well, that was then. The new upgrade to LED has a some of the same greatness: Solid build, PERFECT color (5600º), and versatility Barn doors top and bottom, let you further shape the […]

It’s a constant search for the Holy grail of the best light modifier. We’ll just talk about the speedlight range here. Since not a whole lot new has come on the market since last year, that should adjust your thinking. I’m sure you’ll want to try at least one of these units, and perhaps add them […]

Have you tried them all? The explosion of LED lighting solutions in the past years have yielded some great choices for the videographer or still photog needing continuous light. The Studio options are getting cheaper, but are they getting better? After year of using the square or rectangular, which are still viable, I’ve found that […]

Not a person, but a sweet new bag in a workable size. Sure they make our favorite camera bags. From the City walker, which is my daily bag, to the Airport International for every travel photo assignment, they just know how to make the best. Why? How about because pro shooters own the company and […]

Years ago, Litepanels came on the scene with rheostats,cool to the touch, color balanced lights. Battery or AC, a whole new world of lighting opened up.Pricey, but delivered. Output was the big issue. If you moved too far away from the source, the dropoff was dramatic. I was happy to move away from the hot […]

When actors come to a casting session for an audition, the headline above is many times what they hear as they leave. The “head shot” or medium CU photo of a persons face, used to be the exclusive domain of actors or executives. Fine, real estate agents and politicians, too. It’s the visual calling card. […]

There was such a great response to the last time we gave away the Gary Fong Lightsphere, that we knew that it would come around again. How about a full up kit with a ton of the components that Gary Fong makes? Details on how to enter to win at the end of this post. […]

Probably a good idea to let one of the masters of the speedlight give you his version of lighting first. Even if you think you got it all down, Joe McNally has some lessons for you that you need. We all need em. And if you just bring your speedlight out for some flash on […]

There was such a great response to the last time we gave away the Gary Fong Lightsphere, that we knew that it would come around again. How about a full up kit with a ton of the components that Gary Fong makes? Details on how to enter to win at the end of this post. […]

Rogue FlashBenders light shaping tools. Sure, we’ve talked about em, given some away, and had some nice still photos. To really understand some of the best uses, it takes a live demo to see what you can get. At PhotoPlus Expo 2010, photographer David Guy Maynard set up camp at the Expoimaging booth to give […]

We are always trying to find the most weight, and size efficient gear for the work we do. In an interview situation, our light of choice is LED for speed and weight, and the stands we use to point them also have to be in the same mode. For awhile now, we have used Manfrotto […]