Self Assignment: No More Pretty Pictures

This shoot came from my “Dark Side”. The basic concept was simple — to show that contrary to what glossy magazines and movies may tell us, beauty does not necessarily bring happiness. And, that for some, external beauty can be a trap because it blinds many an eye to the internal picture...

Cool Tools: Sofortbild Tethering Software

I know. Yet another article about tethering? Yes. But, this one will be short. I’ve already written extensively about the topic both in a newsletter article and in a review of onOne  Software’s DSLR Remote Pro. In the onOne review I wrote: The upside of shooting tethered is: (1) the ability to...

Cool Tools: Matthews Magic Stand

My name is Steve. I’m a tool junkie. I’m in love with a light stand. How did it happen? It called to me. The moment I saw it in a Matthews catalog, it called to me. All I could hear were the paraphrased words from a great Heart song: You don’t have to love me yet, Let’s get high a...

Book Reviews: Stoppee, Odell and Deunkel

To survive in this business climate, to improve our art, to differentiate our work — whatever our goal, we must continue to learn and grow as photographers. Fortunately, there has never been a greater variety of learning tools available. We have the electronic — online courses, webinars,...

Cool Tools: onOne’s DSLR Remote Pro

A “marriage made in heaven”? Absolutely?  Brangelina? No,  I can’t get into that stuff. To me, the new SuperCouple of the Day was formed when my iPhone 3GS bonded with my Nikon D3. Two of my favorite tools joined in the pursuit of happiness and perfection. The matchmaker? onOne...

Review:The Hot Shoe Diaries by Joe McNally

Ostensibly, The Hot Shoe Diaries, is a “how to” book that teaches us to get “big light from small flashes” — a primer on the use of all things “speedlight”. And, it is. But, it is a lot more. This book is a travel guide that takes us down the path of the creation and...