Why I Use Manual Flash Most of the Time (Even Though TTL is Pretty Smart)

Reading Time: 4 minutesTeaching Light with Purpose—During a hands-on lighting demo at the School of Photography with YWAM in Kona, Hawaii, I showed students how using gels on off-camera flash can better shift the background’s mood and color to support the story. Photo by Dennis Fahringer. Over the years, I’ve used everything from Nikon’s speedlights to studio strobes […]

The Art of Flash Outdoors: 4 Real-Life Examples from an Engagement Session

Reading Time: 3 minutesOutdoor photography offers beautiful natural backdrops—but also lighting challenges. Harsh sun, heavy shadows, and uneven skin tones are all common. That’s why I often bring a light, even in daylight. We met at 9 a.m. for this engagement session to avoid the heat and the predicted afternoon rain. We chose a 200-acre city park that […]

Unlocking the Full Potential of Open Shade: Elevate Your Portraits with Precision and Technique

Reading Time: 3 minutesWhether wielding a smartphone or harnessing the power of a mirrorless camera, mastering open shade is essential for creating captivating portraits that resonate with depth and emotion. In this guide, we’ll delve deeper into the art of utilizing open shade while incorporating the precision of custom white balance, enhanced by the ExpoDisc, for unparalleled color […]

Wax On, Wax Off

Reading Time: 9 minutesOften, I feel like I am watching people pass me by as they reach their destinations while I seem stuck in life. Today I know differently. I often only saw people way into their journey and missed seeing their start. Last week while teaching three students in their 20s studio lighting, I had an “Ah […]