Canon EF 70-210mm f/4 – Review
The lens bug is still with me, and the latest acquisition is another golden oldie, the Canon 70-210mm f/4 telephoto. This was one of the first EF fast telephotos, originally introduced in 1987. My copy is from 1987, purchased in like-new condition from KEH.com.
It was my first time buying from KEH and I’m pleased to [...]
How to practice lighting without models
I’m sure I’m not the only photog out there who gets the urge to setup the strobes and play with light now and then. Maybe you saw a photo in a magazine or online that you want to try and imitate, or you read about a new technique, or you’re just bored and want to [...]
Family Xmas Portraits, Take 2 – Reality
A couple of these gig-overview posts back, I switched to using the terms “theory” and “reality” for the pre and post gig discussions. In the past I’d used terms like “pregame,” “review,” and “preview,” but I never felt that any of those were really the right description – they are all open to too many [...]
Family Christmas Photos – Reality
I’m left few Hershey Kisses and a pot of hot chocolate, but the Family Christmas Photos I talked about in this previous post are done – or at least the shooting is done, and now I’m left with about 15 shots to edit and submit to the printers by Friday, to try and ensure that [...]
Family Christmas Portraits, Take 2
‘Tis the season and demand is high, so I’ll be back at it again following my engagement with a local school. This time the stakes are closer to home, which makes the stress level both better and worse. The gig? Shooting family portraits for my girlfriend’s very large extended family. Oh [...]
Canon 50mm f/1.8 Mk 1 – Review
This weekend I broke my usual line of purchases by buying the Canon 50mm f/1.8 Mk 1 lens. What’s so different about this lens? A couple of things, actually.
For starters, the Canon 50mm is a prime lens. The battle has long raged over prime vs. zoom lenses, photogs going all out to prove that one [...]
Make any setting a portrait setting
Portraiture requires a number of specialized tools – and that number increases depending on who you ask, and how serious a portrait photog you are. At the most basic level, a lens well suited to portraiture work and some form of lighting are needed; at the other end of the spectrum are photos with [...]
Senior Studio Portraits – Review
Part two of my senior portrait shoot is now complete, which wraps up that project. It has been an interesting experience, trying some new techniques and returning to old ones, and I’m certain that the client will be thrilled with her images.
The main portion of the shoot was studio-based and went pretty much as [...]
Senior Studio Portrait – Preview
On Saturday, I’m shooting part two of a senior portrait session. Part one took place outdoors and was where I started talking about the merits of lighting with a single strobe. Part two will take place in the studio (which itself is going to be setup in a computer room at a friend’s [...]