Reader Question: Where's the Content?

Reader Adam McAnaney was left feeling both used and confused after the Wired BTS post earlier today. So much so, that he fired back the following question:I have a sincere question. I know this is going to sound like I'm being a smart-aleck or a pain in the *ss, but I am being sincere. My question is:What were we supposed to get out of that post or...

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BTS: Wired Cover Shoot

Wired Magazine has posted a series of photos from their shoot of Bill Gates and Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg for this month's cover. It was shot by photographer Carlos Serrao, seen above looking pensive.Gear-wise, it's a mix of Broncolor and Profoto, which may have just been what was available from local rental. A Para is used as a key light, and a Profoto...

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On Assignment: Gas Station Tacos

I did a quick "RestRev" (as they were affectionately known back at The Sun) today at the R&R Deli, a Mexican joint located inside of a gas station in Jessup, MD.Just small flashes, and working fast. After all, I certainly did not want those delicious Tacos de Carnitas to get cold before it was time to eat… Read more...

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Test Drive: Mystery Meat 400ws Chinese Flash

Ever tempted to look to the east for a less expensive option on a bigger flash? Not an unreasonable thought, considering many name-brand flashes are made there anyway. A couple weeks ago I got a chance to play with one of the new Chinese flashes that are designed to compete with the Elinchrom Ranger Quadra. Short version: Several good surprises --...

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Dave Hill Verizon BTS

L.A. photographer / Photoshop stud Dave Hill has been cranking on the behind-the-scenes videos lately. Lots of new stuff on his site, including this one from one of his trademark composites for a Verizon ad.Lots to glean in this 5-min segment if you are willing to look closely. And I can't imagine there are too many people are shooting components for national print ads in their living rooms, either. I always love the garage band ethic Dave brings to his high-level work.Oh, and he calls Paul Buff out on the (non) wind-tested flash mount, too. Final...

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PocketWizard MultiMaxes Get Major Firmware Upgrade

Own a PW MultiMax? Is it a newer one, with a little USB port on the side? If so, then today is your birthday. PW has just uncorked a set of new capabilities for pre-existing MultiMaxes, via firmware upgrade. Oh, and if your MultiMaxes are the older ones (without the USB ports) you probably don't even want to keep reading. It's just gonna piss you off.With...

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On Assignment: Earth Treks, Pt. 2

One of the coolest things about the recent Earth Treks shoot was the variety of scale the assignment contained. With the 5-story canyons, we kinda threw everything we had at it and built the whole thing on an ambient base. But with the bouldering shots, we were essentially lighting a hole -- with a person inside. The geometry of that problem knocked...

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GOOM* Trip: UK

[UPDATE: London and Birmingham are now fully booked.]__________(*Get Out of Maryland)See that thing on the left? That's oak pollen. It is the most vile substance known to man. Or at least to this man, as it has conspired to ruin every single one of the otherwise beautiful Maryland spring seasons that I would certainly have enjoyed otherwise.It is because...

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Einstein is In The House

Well, my day just got rearranged. Moments ago, the UPS guy just dropped off a hot-off-the-presses Einstein monobloc from Paul C. Buff at my doorstep.First impression: This ain't your father's AlienBee. Lots more after the jump. Read more...

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Light Fare at the Bar

Two notes: YouTube made me upgrade my Adobe Flash today before it let me see the videos. They might make you upgrade, too. And, as always, if you are reading this in an email or RSS feed which does not support embedded video, click here to get to the original post.__________Strobes are taking the day off today, in favor of some of the most creative continuous light photography I have seen in a while -- UK photographer Atton Conrad shot a campaign for Hennessy lit with nothing but light painting.The video above is just a taste. If you want the full...

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On Assignment: Earth Treks, Pt. 1

One of the first questions that pop into my mind when planning how to shoot something on location is that of which lights to bring. Do I bring speedlights? How many? Bigger flashes? Just one big flash as a key and some accent speedlights?For a recent shoot for Earth Treks, the answer was simple: Bring everything. Seemed to make sense, given that the...

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Lighting at SXSW WIth Robert Seale

Way cool: Not only did PhotoShelter sponsor a Robert Seale lighting workshop at South by Southwest this year, but they also have uploaded a one-hour-plus presentation to the web, free to all.A Picture's Worth, the blog over at PhotoShelter, is really killing it lately. They are pushing the boundaries on photographer education -- which of course comes right back to them in the form of smarter customers.I love seeing both photogs and businesses doing stuff like this. And you are not gonna get much better than a solid hour of video, QA and resulting...

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But We Don't Look a Day Over Three

Four years ago today, the very first messages went out on a couple of photography message boards to spread the word about a new lighting blog called Strobist. It's been a crazy ride, and I sometimes shake my head at all that has happened since. Keep reading for a sneak peek at a couple of things in store for the upcoming year. Read more...

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Gregory Heisler Whiteboards Bruce Springsteen

Welp, your Monday just got a little better. Seriously, what would you rather do, catch up on your weekend emails or watch Gregory Heisler walk you through his iconic Time cover of Bruce Springsteen? Exactly. Your work can wait.Heisler is one of my all-time favorite lighting photographers. I would watch him make toast. But wait, there's more: A three-part video series of him talking about his broader approach to portraiture, inside. Read more...

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Paul Buff to Raise, Lower Prices

With the new cancer-curing Einstein monoblocs now confirmed to be shipping next week, Paul Buff has addressed a growing question: Why in the world would anyone want to buy regular old White Lightnings now?They wouldn't, is the obvious answer. So Buff is dropping prices on White Lightning flashes -- and raising prices on the Einstein. The price increases...

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It's April 1st …

UPDATE: Okay, I think they got the idea. They pretty quickly retreated to voicemail, and then were beseiged by messages of yet more barking -- and even some panting.Long story short -- they have promised to never, ever spam this site again. I'll believe it when I see it, of course. And yes, I have other things in mind if they start up again. Fun things.Many...

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