I currently own 4 DSLRs and 2 Point-and-shoot cameras.
That’s more cameras than I have hands.
Even if I wanted to remotely trigger 3 and use one, I couldn’t.
I’d run out of lenses to use on all 4 bodies.
On a recent evening, I got this crazy idea that I would ‘borrow’ all my students’ cameras.
In the process I’d also teach them something about exposure. Continue reading Painting with light1
Do-it-yourself projects for photographers abound on the internet.
Many are not worth the time, expense and effort.
Occasionally I come across one that is intriguing, easy and cheap that I can’t resist trying it myself.
A search for the keywords ‘beauty dish‘ will turn up a slew of tutorials and even videos on how to make one.
They range in complexity, design and build.
The toughest ones made of metal resemble ones sold commercially.
The low budget one, the one I am attempting, is made of:
Other items needed:
Expect to do a lot of testing before you come up with a winning design that works to your liking.
Continue reading Simple beauty dish Part 1
Whether your subject is children, the hot person you just met on the street, someone you hired as a model, or the CEO at a large institution, a portrait is always a collaborative effort between you, the photographer, and your subject.
Note, I’m making an BIG assumption here.
I’m assuming you, the artist, know your brushes, paint and canvas: your entire arsenal of gear, camera, lens, lighting gear.
So your challenge is to get your subject to relax and trust you.
Most subjects who don’t know you worry about how they’ll be immortalized in a still picture.
It’s totally understandable.
I’m pretty sure I’m not the only photographer with this problem.
I’ve tried rubber bands.
I’ve tried Gaffer tape.
Gaffer tape works good but it’s too pricey to be used that way.
If you use any kind of portable electronics that is power thirsty, then you’re probably buying batteries in bulk at a discount store like Costco, Home Depot or Wal-Mart.
Those packets usually contain 48 AA batteries at a good price.
I’ve tried to pry the packet carefully around the sides and see if I can reseal or tape the opening close when I’m done taking out what I need.
I’ve made a hole that’s just big enough to extract the battery and taping over the hole.
No one way works better.
Since I found these wonderful AA plastic battery containers, I break open the packet and pop them 4-at-a-time into one of these.
My Speedlights use 4 AAs so these containers are perfect.
Now my AA batteries never roll around or come loose anymore.
The best part?
They cost a whopping 20 cents $2 each so I picked up a 5 pack(2 in a pack) of them from Meritline.
By the way, I’m  an affiliate of that retailer.
Why not? If you guys buy this item by clicking through here, I’ll be able to retire. 😉
So, if you guys use something else for battery management, do share them with me under comments.
Peter Phun Photography |
Micro SD, Secure Digital Card, Card Reader, USB Pen Drive, MP3 player, CF Compact Flash card