Flash photography basics – where is the light coming from?
Using bounced flash to improve the quality of light in your portraits.
Swiss Strobist
“Strobist” is a term coined by American photographer David Hobby, who was one of the first bloggers to hit the mainstream and help his readers learn more about the use of artificial lighting techniques on a budget. I first became interested in the subject in 2008, after a lifetime of being fairly incompetent at using on-camera flash and hence avoiding its use whenever possible.
Since beginning to learn more about the techniques involved, I quickly gained new friends with similar interests in the Swiss photographic community. Interest gained pace remarkably quickly in Switzerland, in line with the rest of the photographic world. Since 2008, I’ve been organizing semi-regular practical days and workshops, both on location and in the studio, at which I not only experiment myself with technique, but also help other, less experienced photographers to improve their own photographs.
(Note: David kindly gave me permission to use the term “Swiss Strobist” for the Swiss community which practices this technique. Our group has nothing to do with David or his business.)
Bist du deutschsprachiger «Strobist», ist diese Wiki-Seite sehr interessant und hilfreich.
Flash photography basics – where is the light coming from?
Environmental portrait workshop with PICZ.ch
It's been a while now since I've led a photo workshop. But Pascal from the Photo International Club Zurich asked nicely earlier in the year and so we found a weekend which would work out for us both.
Keep It Simple workshop
The idea behind the workshop I ran in Zurich a few weeks ago was to get away from lugging around loads of lighting gear and heavy camera equipment. I hadn’t done an extensive portrait session with my Fujifilm X100 and I arranged this workshop…
PocketWizard Mini TT1 and Fujifilm X100
In preparation for this weekend’s portrait meetup, I did a little research on using my PocketWizard Mini TT1 and Flex TT5 to take photos with my Fujifilm X100 and Nikon SB-900. I didn’t expect the setup to allow TTL flash, and I was correct: this isn’t possible. It is, however, possible to use…
Portrait meetup in Zurich this Sunday
A quick reminder to those whose minds may have been on the glorious summer we’ve been having, that we are meeting in Zurich this Sunday for a day of portraiture. The theme is “Keep It Simple“: taking portraits on location with a minimum of equipment. Details A Facebook event entry is here. Please…
“Keep it simple” meetup date selected
Thanks to all of those who have completed the Doodle poll mentioned in a previous post, the date for our next meetup has been chosen as Sunday, 25th August at the Blatterwiese park in Zurich. Members of Facebook can sign up for the event and discuss it on my Facebook page; alternatively, please feel free to leave a comment…
Selective lighting magic
What makes a picture is often the main subject. But a little attention to detail can also work wonders and turn a nice picture into a really nice picture. Walking in the park with friends last autumn, towards the end of a couple of hours shooting portraits, the lighter patches between the trees caught my eye. There were a few…
Ezybox Speed-Light
First experiences with my new ultra-compact and ultra-light Ezybox Speed-Light softbox.
Portrait and lighting workshop in Lausanne
Yesterday's free portrait and lighting workshop at the Rolex Learning Centre in Lausanne was an unmitigated success, with just the right amount of photographers taking part to allow everyone to make new friends, work well together, and come up with some great shots.
Return to the EPFL – portrait and lighting workshop in August
The second of two photographic portraiture and lighting days this summer will take place at the Rolex Learning Centre on the grounds of the EPFL in Lausanne on Sunday 19th August.
Portraiture day at the MFO-Park
Our workshop day this past Sunday was a great success, after the rain passed away from the MFO Park in Oerlikon some ten minutes before we started! Blazing sunshine soon warmed the area and gave us plenty of light to work with, so the day was spent mainly working with a mixture of natural sunlight and flash illumination to fill…
Free lighting and portraiture day in Oerlikon
Thanks to all of those who toook part in a Doodle survey, the dates have now been set for the first of the on-location lighting and portraiture days here in Switzerland.
Free lighting and portraiture day
After a break of almost two years, and a handful of small lighting courses both on location and in the studio, I've decided to organize another free day of photography and learning in the style of the Swiss Strobist days.
Studio training course in Bern
I ran a course earlier in the year on the subject of portraiture and lighting, which was very well received by the attendees and which I really enjoyed organizing. I’ve been planning to run a similar photo course for a while now, and have decided that the next event will take place on the weekend of the 3rd or 4th…
Walimex octagon softbox for compact flash
Details of a new 60cm Walimex softbox I've bought for use with my compact flash guns.
First lighting workshops completed
I've carried out the first of my photographic lighting workshops for 2011 and there are still places available for the next one in Zurich in June.
Into the world of TTL
With the money I've put aside for new camera gear, a new, reliable, fully automated flash gun was high on my "wants" list, not least because I receive a slowly increasing number of requests to take portrait photographs and cover events.
Four-wheeled tripod
Jo and I take our new VW Golf for a test run in the Swiss alps, visiting the Diemtigtal valley for the first time.
Out of the blue
Jo posed for me in the stairwell to an underground car park during last Sunday's Swiss Strobist practical day, whilst I fiddled with the camera white balance to create an unusual effect.
Swiss Strobist Studio Day
Photos from my day in the studio with the Swiss Strobist group.