Lighting How To

Everyone loves photo hacks, especially when it comes to lighting techniques that some photographers find confusing. If that sounds like you, keep reading because you’ll see how to easily create eye-popping portraits in less time that it takes to read this piece.

Shutterbug reader Larry Young has managed to freeze a moment in time and transform a drop of water into an alien universe all from the comfort of his garage. So, how did he do it?

There are two important facts about flash photography that everyone should understand: The first is that a simple external flash mounted atop a camera (or used remotely for even better results), can make a huge difference in photographs when shooting indoors or out. Number two is that the use of an accessory flash is much easier than most photographers think.

I doubt anyone could foresee the rapid changes digital technology has brought to photography. As a veteran of the business (40+ years), we have come a long way from the match-needle metering and manual flash units of the past. Heck, I can remember when thyristor circuits were a big deal because they could help us automate flash exposures.

Successfully capturing dancers with grace, style, and a certain sensibility for how they move takes a discerning and artistic eye. Equally, it takes an appreciation and understanding of how dancers do what they do to be able to capture just the right moment. And all that defines the photography and lighting techniques of Lois Greenfield.

Ray Demski captured this dramatic image sequence of Olympic Beach Volleyball gold medalist Jonas Reckermann in the Canary Islands for Red Bull. “I wanted to show the entire movement of Jonas Reckermann’s jump serve in a single image,” Demski told Shutterbug.

Jen Rozenbaum is a wife, mom and an award-winning boudoir photographer, who shot the stunning cover for the March issue of Shutterbug. In the video below, she demonstrates the posing, communication and shooting techniques that are essential to her success