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Natural light is abundant and easily available for most situations, and many fine portraits have been taken using nothing but sunlight. There are numerous tutorials that advise you to employ your pop-up flash for added fill, but I went a step further in this shot, and I wanted to share with you how I did it.This shot was taken with a Nikon setup. I used the Nikon SC 29 off camera flash cord to move my SB800 Speedlight below and to the right of the camera. I under exposed the image by about -0.3 to avoid blown highlights since I was standing so close. I had the manufacturer's standard snap on diffuser attached to tone down the severity of the light. All these elements together allowed me to achieve a good exposure with detail and even lighting.TIP: Shoot in the shade if you want an image like this. Shade can provide a more even and diffused light as a base for the exposure. Beware of unwanted shadows/highlights from leaves and such.
.Shoot wide - Zoom out, back up, take in the scene.Move in - Walk in close, get up on the subject, don't be afraid to crop close, consider investing in a set of close up filters or buy a macro lens.Get low - Lay down and look at your subject from a different perspective. Low perspectives sometimes add drama and grandness to everyday subjects.Get high - find a ladder or a chair and elevate your vantage point. This may allow you to better fill the frame or to eliminate unwanted background clutter.Twist and turn - Who says you have to hold the camera straight? Who says that images are either portrait or landscape? Break a few rules. Get creative!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
After meticulously loading this luggage cart with my gear, I decided it deserved a picture. On this cart are two full Nikon setups, 4 studio lights, 8 stands/tripods, a 8x14 backdrop, a laptop, 4 umbrellas, a change of clothes, bottled water, a lightbox, various extension cords, surge protectors, utility clips, and 2 5 foot panel reflectors. I'm sure there is more I cant remember right now, but I thought it was worth sharing. God bless the people who invented luggage carriers!
This little spider was perhaps a half an inch long, and quite small to capture with a lens that does not have macro capabilities. In a pinch like this, I had a set of Close Up filters. This shot was taken with a standard 18mm-80mm lens with a +4 Close Up filter screwed on. The results are not as clear as shooting through the lens glass alone, but the outcome is still acceptable.I shot in extreme low light, and I needed to use a flash. Again, I was limited to what the camera had, but popping up the flash on-camera would blow out the subject since I was shooting literally inches from the insect. It is a sad commentary on our environment when I can be out in nature and find a wal-mart bag lying around, but I did find one. I snagged a piece of the white (relatively) plastic and hand held it over the built-in flash to diffuse the light and create a warmer glow to the image. Make use of your surroundings and be resourceful.