Gear

High-Power Monolights

For versatility in and out of the studio, these high-output strobes are ideal

By William Sawalich
When it comes time to invest in in serious strobe lighting, many photographers opt for the versatility of monolights. Whereas pack-based systems typically provide greater output (measured in watt seconds, or ws, equivalent to joules), monolights are modular, self-contained and less expensive—making them the ideal entrée into the studio strobe lighting... Read more

Pop-Up Studio

Build a kit of essential gear for shooting on location

By Wes Pitts
What does it take to get pro results practically anywhere? This on-location shooting guide covers all the bases for shooting outdoors, at events or in your subject’s home or office. Much of this gear also is useful for creating an instant studio at home. Harbor Digital Design’s Ultimate Light Box Kit transforms your flash to create a soft,... Read more

New Gear: March/April 2014

COMPACT CONTINUOUS LIGHT If you’re taking advantage of HD video capabilities on Nikon 1 and COOLPIX cameras, the compact, even, continuous-light performance of the LD-1000 LED Movie Light accessory may peak your interest. With a built-in diffusion panel, the light provides consistent soft lighting, designed for supplementary video lighting while also being suitable for still Read more…

By The Editors
COMPACT CONTINUOUS LIGHT If you’re taking advantage of HD video capabilities on Nikon 1 and COOLPIX cameras, the compact, even, continuous-light performance of the LD-1000 LED Movie Light accessory may peak your interest. With a built-in diffusion panel, the light provides consistent soft lighting, designed for supplementary video lighting... Read more
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New Gear: January/February 2014

SUPERZOOM CAMERA The 20.2-megapixel Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 with 24-200mm ƒ/2.8 Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T* high-zoom lens provides incredible versatility in an all-in-one design, perfect for lightweight travel. Combining the large Exmor R CMOS sensor from the RX100 II and the new BIONZ X processor found in the high-end Alpha a7 and a7R, the RX10 Read more…

By The Editors
SUPERZOOM CAMERA The 20.2-megapixel Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 with 24-200mm ƒ/2.8 Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T* high-zoom lens provides incredible versatility in an all-in-one design, perfect for lightweight travel. Combining the large Exmor R CMOS sensor from the RX100 II and the new BIONZ X processor found in the high-end Alpha a7 and a7R, the... Read more

Power To Go

When I first started my career as a photographer, many of my assignments required weeks in the field.

Text & Photography By Tom Bol
When I first started my career as a photographer, many of my assignments required weeks in the field. And when I say "field," think remote tropical beaches or high Arctic wilderness in Alaska. Since I was using film cameras, all I needed was a big bag of AA batteries, and I was good for a month without power. Now my long assignments are a... Read more

Fine-Art Printers

In a world dominated by digital image files and social-media sharing, the physical photographic print is rarer—and more impressive—than ever. If you’re going to print your work (which you should), pro-caliber inkjet printers are worth the investment. They deliver the best combination of high image quality, efficiency and low per-print price. Two manufacturers especially cater Read more…

By William Sawalich
In a world dominated by digital image files and social-media sharing, the physical photographic print is rarer—and more impressive—than ever. If you’re going to print your work (which you should), pro-caliber inkjet printers are worth the investment. They deliver the best combination of high image quality, efficiency and low per-print price.... Read more

External Storage

Maintaining multiple copies of your photos is the only sure way to safeguard your image collection. Longtime readers know I lost several hundred photos back when digital imaging was new and I didn’t know any better. (Yes, even brand-new, top-of-the-line computers can suffer a hard drive failure.) Even with the high-grade drives and solid-state models Read more…

By Wes Pitts
Maintaining multiple copies of your photos is the only sure way to safeguard your image collection. Longtime readers know I lost several hundred photos back when digital imaging was new and I didn’t know any better. (Yes, even brand-new, top-of-the-line computers can suffer a hard drive failure.) Even with the high-grade drives and solid-state... Read more

Accessories

Billingham L2 Bag BAGS, CASES & STRAPS Crafted from Stormblocker dual laminate waterproof canvas with a solid brass clog bolt and harness locking system, the Billingham L2 Bag holds a small SLR with an attached lens, two additional lenses, flash and accessories. The quick-fold top allows for access to your gear while still attached to Read more…

By Ashley Myers-Turner
Billingham L2 Bag BAGS, CASES & STRAPS Crafted from Stormblocker dual laminate waterproof canvas with a solid brass clog bolt and harness locking system, the Billingham L2 Bag holds a small SLR with an attached lens, two additional lenses, flash and accessories. The quick-fold top allows for access to your gear while still attached to your shoulder.... Read more

Tools For Video

With amazingly shallow depth of field, price points that make filmmaking affordable and camera bodies far smaller than camcorders, video-capable DSLRs have changed the world of video forever. Video capabilities were added to still cameras almost as an afterthought, so while the video quality in still cameras continues to get better and better, there are Read more…

By David Willis
With amazingly shallow depth of field, price points that make filmmaking affordable and camera bodies far smaller than camcorders, video-capable DSLRs have changed the world of video forever. Video capabilities were added to still cameras almost as an afterthought, so while the video quality in still cameras continues to get better and better, there... Read more

Camera Supports

For tack-sharp images, using the right camera support is the ultimate answer. Whether you need an ultracompact and portable tripod for location shoots, a hi-hat for unique spaces or a studio stand ready to hold and tether your computer, there’s a support solution to match your requirements. Here are some examples from top brands. 3 Read more…

By Ashley Myers-Turner
For tack-sharp images, using the right camera support is the ultimate answer. Whether you need an ultracompact and portable tripod for location shoots, a hi-hat for unique spaces or a studio stand ready to hold and tether your computer, there’s a support solution to match your requirements. Here are some examples from top brands. 3 Legged Thing’s... Read more

On-Camera Lighting

Accessories and light modifiers for controlling speedlight flashes and adding photographic effects

By David Willis
Camera flashes are highly directional light sources. This means that the burst of light is coming from a single light source, the bulb, resulting in an uneven style of lighting with a brightly lit subject in the foreground and a lot of heavy shadows surrounding the subject. This effect is especially unappealing when working with portraiture, which,... Read more

Off-Camera Lighting

Monolight and strobe options for powerful studio lighting capabilities

By David Willis
Monolight and strobe options for powerful studio lighting capabilitiesFor freezing action, creating exciting motion effects or achieving fast shutter speeds and extended depth of field, monolights and strobes are lighting systems that are portable enough for field work and bright enough for work in the studio. Monolights are generally thought of as... Read more
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