Shooting Fast: Keeping the ‘Mojo’ Going
Well this was a fun gig. Once per year my friend Troy asks me to photograph his choir kids for a year of marketing for them. We spend...
Read MorePittsburgh Overview: A fun and challenging workshop
Well, this was the second to last workshop for 2009 and it had its own challenges. The weather wanted to be a problem, and we were unsure...
Read MoreImages from the Toronto LE Workshop
Hi, and welcome to Lighting Essentials, a place for photographers. I do believe that is the first time I have used a welcome, and it had...
Read MoreCreating a Dramatic Dance Shot with a Speedlight and the Sun
I thought I would break down another shot I did that involved pre-visualization, overcoming a challenge and using small lights for a big...
Read MoreMexico Workshop, April 2009
Mexico was an absolute blast this year. We had about 14 models who were there for the “Girls of Rocky Point” calendar shoot....
Read MoreSmall Strobes with Dramatic Results: Nashville Workshop Images
I have had some great workshops over the past few weeks. This weekend it is Mexico, then some recharge time. Shooting a lot of workshop...
Read MoreUsing Ambient Light and Strobe for a Natural Looking Still Life
This is a cover shot that we did for the fragrance company. We wanted a larger space and a more natural looking scene for the cover so we...
Read MoreEnough Modifiers to Keep It Interesting… Real Interesting
I use my speedlights frequently when on location, but truth be told I would rather have a more robust selection of tools to modify the...
Read MoreSpend a Day Shooting Portraits
Sorry for the long absence. A stolen laptop put me back a lot farther than expected. Add to that the traveling and being without internet,...
Read MoreShoot Thru Umbrella and Bounce Umbrella – a Comparison
There is so much talk on some forums about the ‘softness’ of shoot-thru umbrellas and how much it works to provide a soft...
Read MoreCreating an Ambient Look with Speedlights on Location: Tech Sheet
Here we are for our second Tech Sheet of the year. How to create a natural light look to a photograph when there is little to no ambient...
Read MoreUsing a Speedlight for Environmental Images that Pop
I have been working on a personal project, shooting some of the old mining towns in Eastern/Central Arizona. Sometimes I shoot natural...
Read MoreReal Simple Headshots on Location
Occasionally you may have a situation where you have to do a lot of images in a very short amount of time. These kinds of gigs can be a...
Read MoreTech Sheet – 12/19/08: Two Bare Speedlights for Drama
Today’s tech sheet looks at using two speedlights for a dramatic headshot. We aren’t doing anything really special, although I...
Read More25 Excellent Images From the LE Pool
Well, as the year grows to a close, I am happy to see so many wonderful images in the Lighting Essentials Flickr Pool. I went through the...
Read More










Glad you dropped by. This is my love and my muse. We talk about photography here, as well as the folks who make images. I am very focused on commercial and fine art photography, and we don't really spend all that much time on weddings and such. I have written 5 books - two I give away here, and two are for sale at Amazon, and the 5th one is being edited and designed right now! Thanks for visiting, leave a comment or join me the social networks...