In answer to another reader question: what’s better, an umbrella or a softbox? Well, they’re both light modifiers that soften light and in many situations they can give similar results. Here’s a quick video to show some features of each:
Subscribers view video here:

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In the video: on the right, the Calumet Genesis 200 1-Light Kit (the strobe, 8″ reflector, 10′ light stand and umbrella). On the left, the same basic kit minus umbrella and with the Nova Soft Box, White Interior, 36 x 48″ and Elinchrom …

Last week we looked at creating portraits with just one light. This week’s video is a natural progression, building upon the foundation of one light portraits. Adding additional lights should serve a purpose and here they help add greater detail and dimension, as explained in the video. There’s also a web gallery of the still photos that helps show the progression.
The most obvious purpose of this video is to further explain portrait lighting. I hope, though, that the video also helps increase your awareness of how light affects a subject, …

This is a really quick video (just around a minute long) aimed at studio beginners. Nick left a comment on the quality of light video asking:
“I know that the ad blurb says it’s compatible with Elinchrom speed rings, but does that mean that any soft box will work, only an Elinchrom, or what?”
Nick, I hope this video explains how the whole softbox / speedring relationship works. If anyone else has a question on studio terminology or how something works I hope you won’t hesitate to ask. Either I or someone …

In this video we’ll look at three fundamental styles of portrait lighting. Whether you’re using a studio strobe or a Strobist setup, this is a great intro to portrait lighting with just one light. Just as in last week’s quality of light video, we’ll be using the inexpensive Genesis 200 1-Light Kit from Calumet.
Subscribers view video here

View the still images from the shoot (along with EXIF data in this photo gallery:

Many thanks to our friends at Heyman Talent for providing the wonderful talent!

It’s time to shoot portraits! This one is a must see, it provides a great foundation in portrait lighting whether you use a studio strobe or a Strobist setup. In Monday’s video we’ll explore three very different styles of portrait lighting, all using just a one-light setup. It’s amazing what can be accomplished with just one light.
See you on Monday…

In this video we’ll look at how different sized light sources affect the quality of light (hard and soft light) obtained in a studio setting. Understanding these basic principles lays the groundwork for learning to control your main light source. To keep things simple and accessible we’ll be using an inexpensive (but very nice quality) lighting kit (the Genesis 200 1-Light Kit from Calumet) that was purchased complete with stand, strobe, reflector, umbrella and cords for $170 (normally priced at $270).
Subscribers view video here.

I’m experimenting with more efficient ways to …

Monday’s video is all about achieving different “qualities of light” from a very basic studio strobe setup. To keep things simple for illustration I shopped around and purchased a really basic, entry-level (but really well made) strobe lighting kit found on sale for $170 (plus free shipping). It’s the Genesis 200 1-Light Kit from Calumet.

My friend and fellow photographer, Tom Uhlman, is an accomplished nature and sports photographer. I was only able to spend a few hours with Tom in his backyard one morning but I learned a whole lot about photographing birds.
Tom explains it in a way that makes me feel like I can head out into my own backyard and start making nice bird photos right away. Here is our conversation, preserved on video:
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Tom has a great love for all animals and stresses being considerate to the animals you’re …

We saw a flood of new faces (do we have faces on the internet?) at prophotolife yesterday, thanks to Scott Kelby giving us a shout from Photoshop Insider . I have a ton of respect for Scott’s many accomplishments and the great work he and his team do at Kelby Training (the definitive resource for Photoshop and Lightroom instruction). Their seminars and training materials really set the standard for the industry.
There was also great response to part one of the studio equipment guide , so here’s part 2 of 2:
(subscribers …

This practical intro to photography studio lighting equipment was really fun to make, I hope you enjoy it. There were so many things worth mentioning, I ended up dividing the video up into two separate, easy-to-digest portions. Part two will follow tomorrow (bumping the tech article back a day).
In future video lessons we’ll be studying different qualities of light and often referring to the equipment in these videos. We’ll also discuss how to translate these lessons to your natural light photography. Understanding light is the key to better photography, whether …