Portrait Session

My friend asked me to take her portrait and I was glad to oblige.  We took a series of shots in different styles and this is probably one of my favorite shots from the day.  Although most of the shots had a white background (the safer choice due to her dark hair), we did take a few shots with a black background and I actually liked them even better.For my key light, I chose a light source that was not super-soft in order to show off her...

Read More

Sigma 50-150 OS or Non-OS?

It's taking a bit longer than expected for Sigma's 50-150 OS (optically stabilized) lens to come out.  Meanwhile you may be wondering whether to get the 50-150 OS, the 50-150 without OS, or a 70-200 OS (or similar lens).As a 50-150 non-OS user, here are my thoughts: As Jim commented, the choice should not be based on the release date but on how you use the lens.  Yeah, it's annoying Sigma keeps pushing back the release date for this lens.  On the other hand, if the OS lens is what you really need, and you get the non-OS version...

Read More

Sigma 50-150 OS update: now on Sigma's website

The Sigma 50-150 OS now has a page on Sigma's website: http://www.sigmaphoto.com/shop/50-150mm-f28-ex-dc-os-hsm-sigma   The dimensions (3.4in.× 7.8 in.) are similar to that of a 70-200 OS (i.e. much larger than the non-OS 50-150).  No pricing posted yet.    ...

Read More

One Speedring to Rule Them All: One Set of Modifiers for Speedlights and Strobes

[OK, if you're a longtime reader of this blog you know I've used that headline before.  It was just too tempting... :) ]Are you new to studio strobes or are thinking of getting strobes in the future?  One of the issues with moving up to studio strobes is the modifiers.  You may already have modifiers for speedlights.  Do you really need to buy a whole new set of modifiers for a studio strobe?  Not if you plan ahead. ...

Read More

Happy Birthday BFP!

I just noticed that BetterFamilyPhotos.com passed its 2nd anniversary.  Here's the story of BetterFamilyPhotos so far:Mic: I created this blog to improve my photography and share what I learned.  Our first blog post was on June 29, 2009.  When we first started, the blog was getting around 50 visits and 85 page views in a whole month.  Stats didn't improve and I got busy so after a few months, I stopped posting.  Then...

Read More

Inspired by UFC

I'm a fan of UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) and decided to do a UFC-style portrait for fun. I became a UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) fan many years ago when I watched a relatively thin and ordinary-looking guy named Royce Gracie take on muscular martial artists and streetfighters who weighed far more than he did in no-holds-barred matches and somehow win.  What most people did not know then was that Royce was a master of Brazilian...

Read More

Toys In Distress: A Fun Weekend Project

 I want to share with you a simple and fun project that I shot with my brother, I call this series "Toys In Distress", hit the jump for more information.My brother (the one with the scary look here) has an artistic and a free creative mind, he always has lots of photo ideas that he wants to create, he loves photoshop and he's quite good with it. I am usually inspired by his ideas that I try taking photos outside of my comfort zone. Today's picture...

Read More

Dance Like a Speedlight, Sting Like an Alien Bee: an Introduction to Quantum Flashes

You like the TTL convenience of your speedlight and you like the power of your monolight.  Wouldn't it be great if you could have the best features of both in a TTL-capable strobe with the power of a monolight?   Fortunately, there is just such a strobe.  Hit the jump to learn about the Quantum Qflash. Quantum flashes combine some of the best features of both speedlights and studio strobes.  However, they are not well understood...

Read More

Yongnuo YN-565 TTL Flash Now Available

In March of this year, YongNuo announced a new speedlight, the YN-565, that would be compatible with wireless TTL of both Canon and Nikon at the same time.  At least one seller on eBay is now making the YN-565 available for $180 shipped.  The model is a Canon version with a Canon foot.  However, if YongNuo's claims are true, then the flash can be used as a wireless TTL slave with either a Canon or Nikon commander.  However, at this time, no Nikon version of the YN-565 (with Nikon foot) is available yet.Related news: YongNuo...

Read More

Yongnuo Radio TTL flash YN460-TX and RX now available for Nikon!

Several months ago, Yongnuo released their own radio TTL flash, the YN-460-TX and RX.  Previewed here.  The Canon version became available a while back.  Now at least one eBay seller claims to sell a Nikon version for $235.  Yongnuo has also confirmed via email that a Nikon version now exists.  The seller told me that the Nikon version is compatible with all Nikon DSLRs.I'm checking with the seller to see if the item includes both transmitter (TX) and receiver (RX) or just the transmitter.  The seller...

Read More

8 Techniques to Get Good Deals on eBay

eBay is a great way to get a substantial discount on photo and other equipment.  But to get the best deals, it helps to know a few techniques.  Using these techniques, I've been able to get deals like this (hit the jump):Quantum X2 with QPAQ module.  A brand new QPAQ by itself costs at least $685.  A used X2 is usually over $300 on eBay.  I got both for $350 shipped.White Lightning X3200 monolight.  $549 brand new....

Read More

Quick Review: Canon 85mm f/1.8

To quote myself from my Canon Lenses Chat - Part 3 post:Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM: an excellent lens with USM auto-focus and very nice bokeh and loved by lots of people, however in my opinion and usage scenarios the 85mm focal length is a bit odd on a crop sensor (136mm equivalent), while suitable on full frame cameras, I'm not sure if I can take this lens on its own for walk. The 50mm and the 60mm (85 and 100mm equivalent) I already have are quite...

Read More