For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s starting to get a lot warmer outside, and today’s ‘Photography Thursday’ Video Corner shows us how to create a classic studio portrait in any outdoor location using the Sun as the only light source. To shape the light, the photographer in the video simply uses a Matthew’s 6×6 diffusion panel, a muslin background (with a couple of light stands to support it), and a couple of plexiglass mirrors to reflect the sunlight onto the subjects hair for back-lighting. Read more »

Today’s Photography Thursday edition of “Video Corner” is a continuation from Video Corner #15: How to Use Lighting Ratios in Photography, which was posted last Thursday. The video below discusses a variety of specific lighting setups and their lighting ratios by looking at 7 different lighting setups (outlined below the video for your reference) with each setup including several sample photographs. Read more »

When we think of “glamour photography” we might think of elegant ladies in black and white photographs, or we could envision tasteful or artistic nudes, and we might even think of those photographs that put “ordinary” people in place of traditional “models” with makeup, lighting and expensive clothing.

The essence of glamour photography, however, is that it is never candid or casual. This means that it uses optimal conditions for recording very finely crafted photographs. Is it always perfect? Nope! There are, however, some editing tools that can really improve the overall appearance of such images. Read more »

This video is the third part (fourth video) in a 3-part series that discusses “what lighting should I buy.” If you haven’t already, check out the first 3 videos here:

• Video Corner #3: Basic Principles of Light Usage in Photography
• Video Corner #5a: Photography Lighting Equipment Review
• Video Corner #5b: Photography Lighting Equipment Review

In the video below, we’ll learn about a basic, 3-light setup which includes a key light, a fill light, and a separation light. The video also discusses using a grid, flag, and a reflector in a 3-light setup.  Read more »

Last week we took at look at the Basic Principles of Light Usage in Photography in the first installment of the “what lighting should I buy” series. Part 2, a look at the various photography lighting equipment available, is divided up into 2 videos that have both been posted on the Corner Blog today. After watching part 1 here, watch part 2 below as we look at different types of lighting equipment including grip (light stands, c-stands, etc.), light modifiers (such as reflectors, reflectors, snoots, barn doors, grids, flags and soft boxes) and light sources.

Note: Before watching Photography Lighting Equipment Review (Part 2b) below, you may want to start off by watching Photography Lighting Equipment Review (Part 2a) available here. Read more »

Last week we took at look at the Basic Principles of Light Usage in Photography in the first installment of the “what lighting should I buy” series. Part 2, a look at the various photography lighting equipment available, is divided up into 2 videos that have both been posted on the Corner Blog today. Watch part 1 below as we look at different types of lighting equipment including grip (light stands, c-stands, etc.), light modifiers (such as reflectors, reflectors, snoots, barn doors, grids, flags and soft boxes) and light sources. We also get a peak inside of a large soft box, with a little insight into how they work. Read more »

There are few people who haven’t done even the most basic portrait photography. How is that possible? Because every camera owner usually ends up taking a group photograph, or capturing a friend or family member in a “picture”, meaning they have taken a portrait. The differences between such casual images and formal portrait photography may seem numerous, but in fact are really only a matter of setting and attention to detail. Read more »

Most people know that lighting is the key in most photographs. If a scene is under lit the subjects are lost; too much light and the scene is washed out; unbalanced light and the effects are lost – most photographs can be greatly affected by light.

How does a photographer adjust lighting? There is equipment as well as techniques that photographers use to address difficulties or issues with lighting in a scene or of a subject. Read more »

Recently I was asked by a subscriber of mine in New York State as to how he could improve his daylight digital photos to create a more even light across his digital photos. I suggested that in digital photography there were many tools such as a polariser, a Neutral Density Filter and some other fancy tools. Read more »