by Reed Hoffmann | Nov 30, 2012 | Advanced, Camera Gear, Composition, Flash, Intermediate, Light, People
With Christmas and Chanukah around the corner, odds are you’ll be spending time with family the next month. Good luck! Everyone takes pictures then, but how many people take the time to make really nice photos? With a little planning, you can add some high quality...
by Reed Hoffmann | Sep 1, 2012 | Beginner, Composition, Flash, Intermediate, Light, Travel
Recently I was wondering why photographers are drawn to broken-down stuff. Abandoned houses, peeling paint, rusted cars, dead trees. Is there something wrong with us? I don’t think so. At least not most of us. I think the real reason is the same rationale that drives...
by Reed Hoffmann | Apr 17, 2012 | Advanced, Exposure, Flash, Light, People
Most of what I do these days is teach photography. Which means I often find myself in front of a bunch of people, doing a demo where I hope everything goes right. Occasionally, though, things go wrong, and that’s when life gets interesting. A few weeks ago I was doing...
by Reed Hoffmann | Jan 15, 2012 | Beginner, Exposure, Flash, Intermediate, People
I was on the road teaching a workshop last week, and part of it involved giving a little how-to on the basics of off-camera flash. The group was amazed at how easy it is. That’s true now, but it wasn’t always that way. Back in the old days (pre-2004), getting...
by Reed Hoffmann | Sep 20, 2011 | Advanced, Camera Gear, Flash, People
One of my favorite accessories when doing flash photography is a VALS – Voice Activated Light Stand. In other words, a person you can direct to put a light where you need it. Recently my wife Sharon played this role for me, and is just one of the many reasons I...
by Reed Hoffmann | Jun 16, 2011 | Advanced, Camera Gear, Flash, Light, People
When you’re lucky, everything goes right during a shoot. Subject, location, exposure and equipment all work together for you. But without good light, none of the rest matters. I recently had an assignment to photograph Aldon Smith. A native of Kansas City, Aldon went...
