Well, my day just got rearranged. Moments ago, the UPS guy just dropped off a hot-off-the-presses Einstein monobloc from Paul C. Buff at my doorstep.First impression: This ain't your father's AlienBee. Lots more after the jump.__________Okay, this is gonna be in rapid-fire mode, as I am putting aside my considerable to-do list to get something out pretty quickly.Short version: If you are a WL or AlienBee shooter, you want one. Or, you know, maybe three or four.Good Things Come in Small PackagesI

Two notes: YouTube made me upgrade my Adobe Flash today before it let me see the videos. They might make you upgrade, too. And, as always, if you are reading this in an email or RSS feed which does not support embedded video, click here to get to the original post.__________Strobes are taking the day off today, in favor of some of the most creative continuous light photography I have seen in a while -- UK photographer Atton Conrad shot a campaign for Hennessy lit with nothing but light painting.

New: Strobist Index

Way cool: Not only did PhotoShelter sponsor a Robert Seale lighting workshop at South by Southwest this year, but they also have uploaded a one-hour-plus presentation to the web, free to all.A Picture's Worth, the blog over at PhotoShelter, is really killing it lately. They are pushing the boundaries on photographer education -- which of course comes right back to them in the form of smarter customers.I love seeing both photogs and businesses doing stuff like this. And you are not gonna get much

Four years ago today, the very first messages went out on a couple of photography message boards to spread the word about a new lighting blog called Strobist. It's been a crazy ride, and I sometimes shake my head at all that has happened since. Keep reading for a sneak peek at a couple of things in store for the upcoming year.__________First of All, Thanks.To say this has been a life-changing experience would be to put it mildly. I have met readers from all around the world, and watched so many

Welp, your Monday just got a little better. Seriously, what would you rather do, catch up on your weekend emails or watch Gregory Heisler walk you through his iconic Time cover of Bruce Springsteen? Exactly. Your work can wait.Heisler is one of my all-time favorite lighting photographers. I would watch him make toast. But wait, there's more: A three-part video series of him talking about his broader approach to portraiture, inside. __________(Note: If you are reading this post via RSS or email a

With the new cancer-curing Einstein monoblocs now confirmed to be shipping next week, Paul Buff has addressed a growing question: Why in the world would anyone want to buy regular old White Lightnings now?They wouldn't, is the obvious answer. So Buff is dropping prices on White Lightning flashes -- and raising prices on the Einstein. The price increases aren't in place yet, but they are coming. So if you'd rather pay $439.95 than $499.95 for an Einstein, you'd better get crackin'.And if you are

If you have a moment -- and a phone -- please continue reading for a way you can help me pull off a little April Fool's fun. Okay, maybe it's equal parts fun and revenge. But still …__________One of the unfortunate things about running a highly trafficked blog is dealing with comment spammers. You do not see them, as I spend time all day moderating their many, many comments out, and your comments in.They are the reason you have to have an account to comment on this blog. They are also the

One of the great and terrible things about being a newspaper photographer is the idea that you never know what your day is going to bring. Sometimes it brings access to cool and interesting people. Sometimes a call from an editor can send you straight into f/64 mode, as far as the pucker factor is concerned. Sometimes it is both.That's exactly what happened to Austin American-Statesman photographer Jay Janner last year while out on an assignment. He got a call that another shoot had been added t

Regular readers of this site are long familiar with Belgian photographer Bert Stephani. His easy-going manner and slightly warped sense of humor always make for fun learning in his behind-the-scenes shoot videos.For the last several months, Bert (along with partner Peter Van Impe) have been working pretty much nonstop to produce a new lighting tutorial, "Motivational Light."Hit the jump for a trailer, links and impressions after 3.5 hours of non-stop Bert.__________When I say working nonstop, I

Adolfo tweeted to me that he found that his Panasonic LX3 syncs at up to 1/2000th of a second, and it reminded me to remind you that you should always check for this sort of thing. Frequently, the capability is undocumented.This is a similar deal to the way high sync works on the Canon compact cameras, and the same rules apply for sync speed vs. actual flash pulse duration. I got to play around with this camera's newer big brother, a 4/3 Lumix GF1, in Dubai, and was very impressed with both the

Mohmaed Somji and the folks at Gulf Photo Plus have made good on their threat and posted their video of the live shootout between Zack Arias, JoeyL and yours truly.Two things learned. First: "Never get involved in a land war in Asia." (But only slightly less well- known is this: "Never go against a Sicilian when death is on the line!")And second, "Never wear a black shirt into a dark auditorium when you are being interviewed with just one hard light."The video, and links, inside. __________This

Kidding! You could not even afford the mortgage for one of these Briese parabolic light focusing reflectors!But they are fun to look at, and you can get most a small amount of the way there for under $100 with a Paul Buff PLM! If they ever get back in stock!Gratuitous use of one more exclamation mark!-30!-

Last year I photographed Michael Stebbins for Rep Stage, which is how I got to know him for the Glass Menagerie photos.The Smith Theater, where I shot him, is big and dark. In fact, I had shot someone else there about twenty years earlier for a magazine assignment -- and the Smith Theater had kicked my butt. I brought every light I had (many, many watt-seconds worth) but I still did not have what I really needed -- the understanding required to work in a big, dark setting. I even had with me the

Here's a new use for your ring flash. Salt Lake City-based photographer Scott Jarvie made a unique set of portraits using a Ray Flash ring flash adapter and an 8mm fisheye lens.Gimmicky? Perhaps. Fun and creative? Yup. Cue the flood of imitators on Flickr in 3, 2, 1…(Thanks much to Ben for the tip via the comments section.)-30-