Recently in Flashes Category

Orbis ringflash adapter

By Martin Joergensen | March 5, 2009 8:30 PM |

MJ0_3849.jpgI have always been fascinated by ringflash photography, but the only ring flashes I have shot extensively with myself have been the compact macro ones.
Large, studio-style flashes have been out of my reach due to some agonizing price tags.
But that has changed. With the appearance of ringflash adapters from several manufacturers, ringflash photography has become if not directly inexpensive then at least approachable. The ringflash adapter is in essence a light modifier, which will fit on your speedlight and transform its light to a ring shape.

I have fooled around with the Orbis adapter lately. Orbis is a New Zealand product, but widely available. I have been very pleased with its capabilities. But before I go into details about the Orbis, let me just briefly describe the physique and principle of a ringflash to you.

Ringflashes fall in two main categories: small ones for macro work and large ones for portraiture and fashion. I'm covering the first category here, and will return to the macro ringflash later.

Continue reading Orbis ringflash adapter.


I said so! PW's do it smarter!

By Martin Joergensen | February 16, 2009 10:30 PM |

pocketwizard-minitt1-flextt5.jpgBack in September after having attended Photokina, I hinted that PocketWizard had something up their sleeves in my podcast from PhotoKina as well as in this blog.

They wouldn't go official with it, but my conversation with Lorenzo Gasparini did leave me with the impression that there was something interesting cooking. As a reply to my question about PocketWizard and exposure control, Lorenzo Gasparini said: There's no exposure control... not at this point.

Continue reading I said so! PW's do it smarter!.


It takes a lot of people to shoot Bond

By Martin Joergensen | January 20, 2009 8:32 AM |

As much as I respect renowned celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz I cannot help think what almost any decent photographer could do with a prop dock on a tropical island, Sean Connery all dressed up, lighting gear galore and about a dozen assistants.

She certainly produces nice shots, but then again: with the setup she has (and the paycheck she gets), she'd better.


Flash Waves strobe triggers

By Martin Joergensen | January 15, 2009 8:52 PM |

MJ0_9381-01.jpgI had had my eyes on these flash triggers for a while, and had tried to purchase a set since they were first announced. They seemed to be a good compromise between the industry standard in the form of the expensive Pocket Wizards and the cheap so-called eBay-triggers, which are found under a large number of different names.

During Photokina 2008 I got the chance to meet with Korean SM-Development, the company behind the triggers, and managed to bring home a set – one transmitter and two receivers. I have since then used them for almost all my off camera flash shoots, and can now report about my experiences, which are overall very good. Continue reading Flash Waves strobe triggers.


It's hard to beat the Strobist!

By Martin Joergensen | November 24, 2008 11:07 PM |

However much I'd like to be voted or even nominated the Best Photo Blog 2008, I will have to get out of bed extremely early to beat David Hobby and his blog The Strobist – arguably the most influential and popular photo blog and one of the most influential tech blogs at all on the web.

David has managed to turn his profession as a newspaper photographer into a passion, which he has managed to spread out to literally hundreds of thousands of readers. His small spare time project aiming to inform and educate on the use of small flashes – strobes – has become the place where small light fans – including myself – hang out and get inspiration, learn, discuss, post images. And it has formed the base for David's professional life as The Strobist. Continue reading It's hard to beat the Strobist!.


DIY mini-striplight

By Martin Joergensen | November 17, 2008 11:48 PM | | Comments ( 2)

finished.jpgI have always liked the light that comes from striplights - narrow softboxes, which create a well defined strip of light. Opposite square or wide, rectangular softboxes, the striplight gives a more defined light, which is not quite as soft as the light from the softbox.

Striplights are often used to accent body shapes or to create distinct rimlights on bodies or faces. the narrow band of light will create character in one direction and soft light in the other. When used on shiny objects the reflections - the specular highlights - will also be narrow strips rather than squares or dots - or reflections of an umbrella or another familiar shape. Continue reading DIY mini-striplight.


Strobist Meetup Video

By Martin Joergensen | November 5, 2008 10:00 AM |

Unfortunately the system I use for my "On Location" slide shows don't allow me to incorporate video (yet), but I still shoot some footage now and then when I'm on location.

These 7-and-a-half minutes were shot at the Strobist Meetup here in Copenhagen, which I covered a couple of podcasts ago. The video shows the ambiance at these meetings as well as some setups and more results from the day.

And yes, I know there are white lenses in there, but trust me, those C-shooters can actually be quite nice.

You can see a larger version of the video at Vimeo.


iTTL Pocket Wizards?

By Martin Joergensen | September 29, 2008 9:45 PM |

PocketWizards.jpgDuring Photokina I had the pleasure of talking to Pocket Wizard's Sales and Marketing Manager Lorenzo Gasperini, who told me something very interesting.
I mentioned that the current Pocket Wizard line had no exposure control, and even though Lorenzo pointed out that the MultiMax has some control - the ability to turn flashes on and off - he admitted that exposure control per se was not available.

But...

Continue reading iTTL Pocket Wizards?.


The wireless challenge

By Martin Joergensen | September 15, 2008 4:11 PM | | Comments ( 2)

group.jpgAs much as I love Nikon's CLS (Creative Lighting System) flash sync when it works, I truly hate it when it doesn't do what I want it to. This past weekend I was fishing with a group of International fly anglers with whom I fish every year in September. A recurring event is Saturday's group photo, which takes place outdoors by the water and typically involves about 30 people including myself.

Since we have had great weather all years - sun and blue sky - I have wanted to use a fill flash for this picture all years. As you might very well know, sunshine and outdoors portraits is a bad combination, and a couple of flashes can do wonders when it comes to softening the harsh sunlight. Continue reading The wireless challenge.


Nikon, give me!

By Martin Joergensen | September 7, 2008 1:08 PM | | Comments ( 4)

sb-900.jpgA bit frivolous, maybe, but I think I'm entitled to put forward a wish list to Nikon, outlining some of the stuff I'd like to see from them in the coming time. As an enthusiastic Nikonian and a somewhat nerdy gear head, I feel it in my right to represent other photo buffs in wanting even more new stuff.

Nikon has shown extremely good shape in the recent time, raising the bar several times and demonstrating a new and refreshing willingness to go different ways. The D3 and D700's superior "low rez" full frame sensor. The D90's video mode. The rumored MX format in a rangefinder camera.

Based on that I'd like Nikon to give me... eh, us (in no particular order):
Continue reading Nikon, give me!.


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