Getting Directional Light Using Your Popup Flash

   Ever wondered if you can get good quality directional light from your DSLR's popup flash just like the big boys with external speedlites do? This is what we'll try to find today. Hit the jump for the details.DISCLAIMER: If you feel this post is hastily made, then you're probably correct, I had only one hour to prepare the images and write the post because of time constraints, so excuse me, I will be revisiting this topic later on with...

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Nikon 50 1.8G officially announced

Check out the product page:http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product/Camera-Lenses/2199/AF-S-NIKKOR-50mm-f%252F1.8G.html Key differences in specs from 50 1.8D:- This is an AF-S lens meaning it has a silent wave motor (SWM).  Can autofocus on entry-level Nikons that don't have a focusing motor.  Should focus quickly and quietly.- M/A switch.  Allows manual override of autofocus.- Has one aspherical element, which should reduce aberration.- As a G lens, it doesn't have an aperture ring.  On some film bodies, aperture...

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Lightroom 3.4 and ACR 6.4 released

New camera raw files supported, new lens profiles added (a bunch of them for Pentax lenses; also added Nikon 18-105 VR and Nikon 55-200 VR), plus some bug fixes. For a list of the changes check out:http://blogs.adobe.com/lightroomjournal/2011/04/lightroom-3-4-and-camera-raw-6-4-now-available.html To download the update go to:http://www.adobe.com/downloads/updat...

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Checklist for Moving Lightroom

I'm pleased to report that I migrated my Lightroom successfully. If you have a new computer or need to reformat your current computer, be aware of some migration pitfalls for the unwary.BACKSTORY I wish I had to migrate my Lightroom because I had a new computer.  Instead it's because my PC was plagued with a stubborn virus.  I couldn't get them all even with 3 antivirus programs installed, and I was getting so many antivirus alerts (several per second) that my computer became unusable.  Finally I hit the proverbial Big Red Button...

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Glowing Air: Volumetric Lighting

One of my favorite lighting effects is volumetric lighting.  Normally, we see light only when it hits a solid surface or some liquids.  We usually don't see it in the atmosphere itself.  But when there's smoke, dust, fog, steam, water droplets, or other small particles in the air, light becomes visible.  This is the underlying principle for crepuscular rays (sunbeams).  It's also an effect often used by one of my absolute...

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Portrait On a Crop Sensor: 35mm vs 50mm

NON SUBJECT RELATED INTRO:Before I begin I'd like to apologize about my lack of contribution lately, but after I thought my schedule was stable once again after my return trip from Malaysia, it got unsettled again and we have a very long vacation here (almost 10 days), and I will be traveling to the red sea and taking tons of pictures there. I already have a long queue of new equipment that I want to talk about and I promise you I will do, so today's...

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Quick and Easy Portrait

Here's a simple family portrait I took at our living room that took no more than 5 seconds to do.  All I did was to take a shot in front of a wall.  The clean background can simulate a seamless background at a studio.The trick to making it work is the lighting.  If you use a pop-up flash or direct flash, the subjects' shadows will be clearly visible on the wall, which won't look very good.  Instead, you have to use a soft light...

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World's Largest On-Camera Softbox: the Fotodiox 8x12

I've been looking for a hands-free on-axis fill solution.  I've tried the Coco Ring Flash, which worked pretty well and got me the results I wanted.  However, I find it quite bulky and inconvenient to carry.  I wondered whether a small softbox fitted to an on-camera flash would work as well.  I found the Fotodiox 8x12 Softbox from Amazon and gave it a try.  How well did it work?  Hit the jump to find out!The Fotodiox...

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Alternative Full Frame Lenses for Nikon

Updated: 4/14/12The successor to the D700 is anticipated to be released this year.  I'm one of those who are looking forward to that as an opportunity to move up to full frame, either by getting a good price on the current D700, or getting the successor.  Of course, one of the deterrents to upgrading to full frame is the cost of the lenses compared to similar DX lenses.  Fortunately, even without considering third party alternatives, there are relatively less expensive full frame Nikon lenses that still perform fairly well. ...

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It's Like Getting Gear for Free

Do you want free gear?  A lens or a flash perhaps?  Here are my favorite ways of getting gear painlessly.1.  Change we can believe in.I put all my spare change in a jar.  After a while it adds up.  Ask your bank if they will convert coins into cash.  If not, try Coinstar.  Coinstar normally charges a 9% fee but if you choose to receive your money as a gift certificate with certain partners, there's no fee.  Fortunately, one of those partners is Amazon, which usually has pretty good prices.  Recently...

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Mitchell Kanashkevich's Seeing the Light

When I first learned about lighting and flash, my head was full of knowledge about how to control the light and use techniques such as using the flash off-camera to control its direction, balancing flash and ambient, all that good stuff.  What was missing was how to use all that technical knowledge in a way that gave me good results.  If you're in that spot, this book is for you.  Hit the jump to see why I love this book AND to get...

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Layers

OK, this post has a little something for beginners and intermediate shooters alike. :)  Tip: consider using a cheap mini-tripod with a ballhead like the one pictured above to position your off-camera flash.  You won't get much difference in terms of height but what you do get is a little more flexibility in positioning the flash head, especially being able to tilt the flash downward more than 7 degrees.That's it folks - enjoy your weekend... ...

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Dealing with GWCs

I learned a new word the other day: GWC (guy-with-camera).  It's a word used derisively by some pro photographers, pretty much synonymous with Uncle Bob.  (Ladies, you're not off the hook -- there are also MWCs moms-with-cameras.)  I suppose I would be deemed a GWC, and thought about suggesting a solution for pros. Pro PerspectiveI'm not a pro but from what I understand, some pros who shoot events don't like guests who are so enthusiastic in taking pictures that they crowd out the pro and get in the way of good shots, making...

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Coco Ring Flash - First Impressions

A few weeks ago, after much deliberation, I finally decided to get a ring flash adapter.  My purpose was to use it as on-axis fill, much like how David Hobby often uses a ring flash adapter.  Here are my impressions from having used it briefly.OPTIONS David uses the Ray Flash and the Orbis, both of which are around $200 each (see his comparison here).  I unfortunately don't have the budget for that.  Instead I got what seems to...

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