Category Archives: Gear

Shampooey Goodness™

Posted on March 23, 2013 by Michael Willems

You have heard the term “hair light”? It’s the Shampooey Goodness™ look that makes hair look alive and wonderful. That is why we use it in portraits. In yesterday’s flash course, I shot a few images of one of the … Continue reading →

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Umbrella or softbox?

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Michael Willems

Umbrella or softbox? That’s the question. Whether t’is nobler in the mind to… never mind. But the question is valid: when you want to diffuse light, like in a portrait, which one do you use? An umbrella: Is light and small and … Continue reading →

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Focus – A Baker’s Dozen Tips

Posted on March 18, 2013 by Michael Willems

Following up from the last two posts, I shall share few more tips – a baker’s dozen, i.e. thirteen more tips – on obtaining sharp focus exactly where you want it. Of course you know the basics, right? Select the … Continue reading →

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Tools Matter

Posted on March 16, 2013 by Michael Willems

For the past two days, I photographed a lot of this: The national championships were held in Toronto in the Grand Ballroom at the Sheraton Hotel. And the photo may not show it, but grand ballrooms are dark, lit by … Continue reading →

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Wednesday Possibilities

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Michael Willems

Today, some shots to get your imagination going – shots that show how much is possible with little effort, and quickly. Shots I took in and between classes in mere seconds, to demonstrate specific points. Like this quick demonstration shot … Continue reading →

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North American readers: it’s for you!

Posted on March 10, 2013 by Michael Willems

Message for you: Now that the time has changed, go set all your cameras to the correct summer time – right now. All of them, and get it right to the second. Use our iphone as a super accurate time … Continue reading →

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How do I start

Posted on March 8, 2013 by Michael Willems

When I shoot, I usually have my camera in manual exposure mode. Easy, of course, just watch the meter, and there are only three ways to make a picture brighter (lower “f-number”, higher ISO, slower shutter), and vice versa – … Continue reading →

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Of Indoors Flash, And The Mode You Use

Posted on March 5, 2013 by Michael Willems

When you shoot with a flash indoors, what exposure mode should your camera be in? Of course I would say “manual” – my camera is almost always in manual exposure mode. But why do I say that? Why manual – … Continue reading →

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Trixie

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Michael Willems

I shall now repeat a flash trick I have mentioned here before years ago. Time for a refresher. You all know how important it is to avoid, at least when the flash is on your camera, direct flash light reaching … Continue reading →

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Equipment doesn’t matter.

Posted on February 23, 2013 by Michael Willems

Except sometimes it does. When should you buy a new camera? Not often, and not because the new camera has more functions or pixels. One reason: because it has higher useable ISO. I have talked about this before. Here’s another … Continue reading →

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