What to Expect When You're Expecting... an eBay Beauty Dish

I'm a mod slut.

Which is not to say that I am both promiscuous and a snazzy dresser, because I am neither. But rather, I am a sucker for new and different light modifiers. Lots of 'em. Just like Imelda Marcos and shoes.

And especially when they are cheap… Read more »

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On Assignment: Mixing Light with Finn O'Hara

Ed. note: I'm living on a bus for a bit. Please welcome today's guest poster, Finn O'Hara.
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Good afternoon Strobistors. My name is Finn O'Hara, and I'll be your guest blogging pilot for the day.

I'm thrilled that David asked me to guest blog this week while he's off on his road trip of a lifetime. I greatly admire this site and it's community based approach to photography.

I'm most likely new to a lot of you, so I'll give you a little background on myself, and how I fit into the photography world. I first came to photography at a young age, as my father worked at Kodak after we emigrated to Canada from England. I dabbled in photography growing up, but it wasn't until 8 years ago that I started to take it more seriously.

I'm self taught, so my camera and lighting techniques are all cobbled from a few years of assisting, as well as a lot of trial and error. I specialize in location based portraiture, and some of my clients include Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Esquire, Time, Nike, Coca-Cola, and the Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey Club.

After reading through the archive here, and pondering an appropriate lighting subject to write about, I realize that all the tools to enable you as a versatile photographer (lighting wise), are all here. So what I'd like to impart to you all is my lighting approach, which has established a somewhat recognizable style to my work, and I think it might offer some of you a next step in your own emerging lighting processes. Read more »

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Not Your Average Joe

Quick note from the road, where the Flash Bus crew is working our way east after coming down the west coast.


Q: What's the coolest (among many) thing about touring the US for 13k miles in this 55-foot rolling dutch oven?
A: Getting to watch McNally explore CLS TTL for 29 afternoon sessions.


I grew up as a photog idolizing the guy, but that's gone to a whole new level of respect for both him and his folks. Suffice to say, the man can hit a curve.

As much as I am gonna take crap for admitting this, I would feel pretty darn comfy by now trying some complicated TTL setups. Don't tell him I told you that, though. 'Cause I'm not switching. That'd be heresy.

The crew is gelling really well and the days are getting better and better. Loose and tight, at the same time. We'll be home for a few days of much needed family time, then it is time for the East Coast swing. We'll see you guys there.

And speaking of the crew, here dey is:



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(Photo up top by David Daniels, who posted about the day in Salt Lake City. Thanks, David!)

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OT: Manage Your Funnels

Editor's note: We are stepping outside of the box today.

As photographers, we are more likely to be hired as creatives than to hire a creative. But recently I was involved in choosing a print designer, a video production house and an illustrator.

Seeing the different paths that lead us to each of these people was a little like having an out-of-body experience. It was a cool look into the other side of the equation, and one that left me with a better understanding of marketing my own services as a photographer.

Three funnels you should not discount, inside. Read more »

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On Assignment: Miller Mobley's Birmingham Chaplain

Ed. Note: Today's guest post is the second of two, from NYC-based photographer Miller Mobley.
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Back in December I was commissioned by a local magazine in Birmingham to do a series of portraits on hospital Chaplains. To be honest, I had not been given any art direction on how I should execute the photographs, I basically had the freedom to do what I wanted -- it's a great feeling by the way!

I immediately started to concept some ideas for the shoot. Unfortunately, I was not able to do a location scout of the hospital sanctuaries where these portraits would be taken. I decided that if I liked the location then I would do an environmental portrait and if I thought it was drab and boring I would setup a background. I had been practicing a new lighting setup that I really wanted to try on the Chaplains. So I was hoping for the background setup, and to my luck it just so happened. Read more »

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Cut One Light Off, Three More Grow Back

Macro shooters take note: For not a lot of money and a little DIY work, you might not have to buy a second flash to do some cool, multi-light photos.

Marcell Nikolausz, of Leipzig, Germany has been experimenting with fiber optics and the same Loc-line channels that are the staple of Gorillapods and the like.

The result? The octopus-like contraption you see above... Read more »

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Unavailable Light in San Jose

Since starting in Seattle, we have now worked our way down the entire west coast of the US and are in San Diego enjoying our first day off.

Me: "Sure is a beautiful day today."
Anyone from San Diego: "Yeah, um, it's beautiful here *every* day…"

Had an interesting thing happen in San Jose Monday, where Don McKee took the picture of the bus at top. I was right in the middle of my talk, explaining why big dark rooms are our friend, when we … got a new friend.

The power went out for a good portion of San Jose, including our venue… Read more »

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