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 the pictures? There just didn't seem to be any worthwhile content in either. I assume there is something in those pictures that I'm just not getting. To me it just seemed like a random statement that "Hey, we just shot some pictures of Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg. Isn't that cool?", coupled with a couple of boring and random shots from the shoot to prove that yes, indeed, Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg were there.

Signed,
Confused

Yer honor, the defense will approach the bench after the jump. Read more »

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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 umbrella through a large scrim as fill.

An umbrella and a gridded dish as rims round out what seemed like an unusual setup to me. (But then, I prolly woulda shot Gates with a cardboard snoot.)

The full set of pics is here. And definitely take a look at some of Serrao's other work, too.

UPDATE: There is now a full walk-thru on the photos, here.

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Thanks to Nathan for the tip via Twitter.

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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 -- and one very bad one. Hit the jump for the full test drive, and to find out whether one of these money savers might be for you. Read more »

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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 pic and links to more, after the jump. Read more »

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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 the new firmware you can:

• Double the range when using the unit to trigger a remote camera

• Shift your custom channels if something is stepping on your frequency

• Use the PW as an RF noise meter to figure out the best channel to use in a marginal environment

• Daisy chain PW MultiMaxes in relay mode to boost range for strobe triggering


This is all completely theoretical for me, as I shoot with the standard Plus-II's. But today, I am just a little more jealous of you MultiMaxers.

:: More Info ::

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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 me for a loop on the first day -- resulting in a big ol' FAIL.

But if at first you do not succeed -- try, try again. Read more »

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GOOM* Trip: UK

[UPDATE: London and Birmingham are now fully booked.]
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(*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 of this hideous practical joke of nature that my allergic nose will, along with the rest of me, be escaping to the higher latitudes of the UK in late May and early June.

While in the UK, I'll be giving four lighting presentations (in London, Birmingham, Leeds and Edinburgh) hosted by the folks at The Flash Center. If you are in that area and interested to know more about the seminars, hit the jump.

Otherwise, keep moving along -- nothing to see here. Read more »

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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.
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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 glass, hit the jump for a more in-depth look at how they produced some of their light sources. Including perhaps the most appropriate, tastiest gel, ever. Read more »

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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 canyons we were going to light were five stories tall. Read more »

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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 pics with a photographer of Seale's caliber.

For more info (including specific gear used, etc.) check out the post on A Picture's Worth. And you can see more of Robert's work here.

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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 aren't in place yet, but they are coming. So if you'd rather pay $439.95 than $499.95 for an Einstein, you'd better get crackin'.

And if you are gonna sell your White Lightnings to fund Einstein purchases, I'd get on that, too -- before eBay finds out about the price drop. (No word on exactly how much the WL prices will be dropping.)

New Einstein pricing will not affect current Einstein pre-orders, which are estimated to be at approximately 4 gazillion. And Paul said he'd also give a 30-day notice before implementing the new, market-balancing prices.

:: Einstein Product Page ::
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Source: Fred Miranda forums, via Lighting Rumors

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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 thanks, folks. Apparently, your bark is worse than their bite. I am gonna pull the number now, but leave up the post.
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[ORIGINAL POST]

If you have a moment -- and a phone -- please continue reading for a way you can help me pull off a little April Fool's fun.

Okay, maybe it's equal parts fun and revenge. But still … Read more »

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