Lighting How To

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.

Phillippe Echaroux is a French celebrity and advertising photographer who typically uses the best cameras and studio gear available. So what happened when the folks at ISO 1200 challenged him to shoot portraits with an iPhone, a cheap flashlight, and a Big Mac Box for a light modifier? The awesome portraits he shot speak for themselves.

Whenever we post a tutorial from photographer Jordi Koalitic Shutterbug readers know they’re in for a fun time. We refer to Koalitic as a “trickster” because he’s full of goofy ideas for making unique attention-grabbing images.

There are numerous way to render outdoor scenes during the editing process, depending upon the subject. Sometimes your goal is maximum depth of field throughout the frame, while other times a soft background blur will separate an important foreground object from a cluttered background.

If you’re inexperienced at portraiture and looking for a creative edge, we’ve got you covered with the straightforward tutorial below. Bet yet, you’ll be able to shoot eye-catching photos with a simple home setup and a minimum of gear.