Reading Time: 3 minutesThe key to any good photo is the old KISS rule: Keep It Simple, Stupid. For this portrait of my dad, I chose to shoot outside and use some of the sunny weather we were having down at the beach. We shot this outside on the balcony of our cottage. The location was chosen because […]
Reading Time: 2 minutesI was teaching the School of Photography 1 students at the University of Nations campus in Kona, Hawaii, how to improve photos by adding a flash to the available light. I walked outside and immediately found this guy we had seen the day before. We met him during our devotion time, where he did a […]
Reading Time: 2 minutesWhile on vacation with the family, I ended up taking some portraits on the beach. I had my Nikon SB-900 and SB-800 with me. I wanted to use the beach as the background for the photos. There is no need for a white seamless when you have this kind of natural setting. I used flashes […]
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 […]
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 […]
Reading Time: 3 minutesIn photography, the allure of the latest camera gear is hard to resist. With each new release promising higher resolutions, faster autofocus, and better low-light performance, it’s easy to feel that upgrading is the only way to stay ahead. However, the truth is not everyone will benefit from upgrading their camera. Here’s why: Higher ISO […]
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 […]
Reading Time: 6 minutesOver the years of teaching studio portrait lighting, I have slowly been creating a small tips list that I share with my students. I have never just stopped and said hey, here are ten tips for you, but this is the first time I have put these down in writing. I hope some of these […]
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 […]
Reading Time: 4 minutesSix years ago when teaching lighting to the School of Photography 1 in Kona Gary S. Chapman’s daughter Sara helped as part of the staff for class. Sometimes she was a model for the students. This is one of the assignments I used to give where the students were mixing flash with available light. In […]
Reading Time: 5 minutesAn environmental portrait does not have to be formal. I captured Philip Newberry, who had lost both legs and arms to spinal meningitis. Little Philip jumped on the merry-go-round, had fun, and smiled at his parents. I just composed and had a great “environmental portrait” of Philip. This photo could also be an “environmental portrait” […]
Reading Time: 3 minutes Nikon D4, Sigma 70-200mm ƒ/2.8, ISO 500, ƒ/5, 1/640—Off-camera fill-flash using the Nikon SB-900 & SB800. The flash is on the Pocketwizard TT5 and triggered by the Mini TT1 on the Camera with the AC3 to control the flash’s output. My client recently hired me to capture her granddaughter. She wanted the best expressions […]
