Barry Idmess Darkroom Equipment

Slave Studio Flash

Getting Started in Stock Photography: Choosing Your Equipment

Let’s say you have made the commitment to join the world of stock photography, you have an excuse, and a valid one, to go out and buy some photography gear.  What I will share with you here is not necessarily the perfect answer as what to get, but what does work for me.  I can give you some guidelines, and tips, but in every case you will need to take into consideration your own situation, what and how you will be shooting, what your budget constraints are and a host of other personal considerations.

Let’s start with cameras.  I have a fair number of would-be professionals ask me what cameras they should buy…and most of the time they end up putting price ahead of quality.  That is a mistake.  If you want to shoot professionally, and to compete with all of the others who are doing so, buy a professional caliber camera that meets the image quality requirements of the big agencies.  To fail to do so will be putting you at a significant disadvantage.

You can’t go wrong with the high-end cameras from Canon and Nikon.  The models and specs keep changing and improving, but if you go with one of their professional level models you well have spent your money wisely.  I, at the time of this writing, am shooting with a Canon 1ds MKII, a Canon 1ds MKIII, and a Canon 5d MKII. If I were starting out today I would buy the Canon 5d MKII. 

To determine which camera is best for you, you should go to a camera store and hold the top models, see how they feel and get an idea of what would be most comfortable for you.  If you shoot sports you will probably want a different model than if you shoot still life.  If you shoot in low light levels you might want a different model than if you shoot primarily in bright light. That is why you must do your research. BTW, the newest Canons and Nikons have truly remarkable low light performance that represent a sea change in photography.

Your lenses are your next choice.  I could probably do all my stock photography with the Canon 24-105 IS L series lens.  That being said, I also find useful, pretty much in this sequence, the Canon 100-400 IS zoom L Series, the 16-35 Zoom, 70-200 f2.8 and a f2 135mm.  Buying Canon or Nikon lenses over third party lenses, in my experience, give you a bit more sharpness and a lot more ruggedness.  If you are on a budget, start with a lens in that 24-105 range, and use that until you find that you are consistently in need of something more.

It is my firm belief that if you are competing in the serious world of stock photography you will need some form of lighting equipment.  Even when there is plenty of light, say at 4:00pm on a sunny day at the beach, you can create images with more impact, and that will sell better, if you add additional lighting. 

It may be as simple as a reflector, or might involve strobes.  Recently I found myself back pedaling through the edge of the surf at the beach, shooting away at a model running towards me, while an assistant back pedaled alongside me holding a power pack in one hand and a strobe head in the other.  The added highlight from the flash provides that little extra something that sets that photograph apart from the countless other competing images.  My experience has consistently been that used intelligently, supplemental lighting invariably produces a better image than I can obtain without.  Even when shooting Padueng Tribal Women in remote regions of Myanmar (the ones with the “rings” around their necks) having an on camera flash to add a little pop in the dark confines of their huts made a huge difference.

Every stock shooter needs at least one reflector, and a collapsible 32” reflector with white on one side and gold on the other is a versatile workhorse that is large enough to handle a torso-sized subject and small enough to fit in your backpack.  Get one of those.  Personally, that one size has been invaluable for me and I always have one available when I am shooting.

As far as flash units go, over the years I have used Elinchrome, Balcar, Speedotron and Profoto.  They have all worked well for me.  At this point I am using Profoto 7bs.  Each pack can handle two heads with a total of 1200-watt seconds and have removable batteries, which can handle of 200 full power flashes. 

I am totally happy with these units.  I have taken them with me to Buenos Aires, Bangkok, Mexico and India.  Again, though, do your own research.  Check the forums, read the reviews, even better, rent some units and try them out. You will need to take into consideration the flexibility of the units, the weight and size, the power output, whether they are battery operated or not, and all the various features the different units offer. 

If you do end up using studio (and location) power packs I highly recommend radio triggers or “slaves”.  I use Pocket Wizards, but there are a number of brands and my lack of experience with other brands should not prevent you from checking the other ones out.  Once you go wireless, you can’t go back.

While I mostly rely on my “studio” power packs for my produced shoots, in certain situations on camera flashes play an important role for me. On my last trip to India to shoot stock photos I wanted to travel light, and relied on the Canon 580 EX unit supplemented with a Quantum Turbo SC battery. 

At one point we even had two photographers sharing the Quantum at the same time (it has two power outlets).  It was a great decision for the kind of photography and style of trip I had planned.

On occasion I have used hot lights too.  I own a pair of Lowel Tota Lights for the rare instances when I need continuous light. They are very portable and with a 1000-watt bulb put out a good amount of light (and a lot of heat too).  Don’t plug them in to a 220-volt source though; then they become flash units capable of only one flash, as I found out in a moment of inattention while shooting in Argentina.

The coming thing, however, might just be continuous fluorescent Lighting.  Google that term and you will find plenty of information on it.  The light is beautiful, but in the past when I have tried them I have found the low output a little limiting.  Now, however, with the new increased ISO speeds possible with the latest Canon and Nikon cameras, and possible advances with the lighting units themselves, they may be a great option for you.  Try them.  My advice is to try everything and find out what best meshes with your style of shooting and the look you are after.

I firmly believe in having the right tool for the job.  If you don’t or can’t own, rent.  But trying to skimp when you have the success of a shoot in the balance is false economy. 

Get the basics then start shooting and learning.  With the instant feedback of digital cameras you can make adjustments after each exposure until you get it right.  So what are you waiting for? Go shoot!

About the Author

Stock Photos of cute puppies, cats, cows, elephants happy people, ethnic people etc.: People & Lifestyle Stock Photos Animal stock photos, Fine Art Prints, and printed gift merchandise.

Selling Stock Photos – How to get startedSelling Stock Photos Animal stock photos, Fine Art Prints, and printed gift merchandise.

Lumiere L.A. AC RF Slave Strobe Flash Trigger Kit $71.12 Strobe flash trigger kit features no-hassle, remote wireless designDevice's sync-cable connects to camera when necessaryStrobe flash has maximum transmission distance of 33 feetAC power source: 110V-230V 50/60HzDoes not require batteryAllows freedom to locate your studio light at willMeasures 8 inches long x 7 inches wide x 1.5 inches deepIncludes: TransmitterReceiverPower adapterSync cable

Pixel Opas Flash Trigger Transceiver/Radio Slave for Nikon $74.7 Brand: PIXELColor: BlackA professional radio flash trigger and remote shutter release for the cameraSupports 3 different groups and 4 channelsStudio flashes as well as compact flashes are triggered in manual modeFSK 2.4GHz and is compatible with high voltage flashgun and studio flashesThe transceiver switches automatically between transmitter and receiver modeUp to 500m operation rangeSync speed: 1/320sCompatible with Nikon Metz, Sunpak, Sigma, Nissin flashgun/studio lightPowered by 2*AA batteries (not included)Weight: 78gDimension: 152*48*31mmPackage includes:1 * Opas transceiver1 * Protective bag1 * Hot shoe protector1 * Carrying strap (20cm)1 * Connecting cable (DL-3.5 / 40cm)1 * Connecting cable (DL-1/4 / 40cm)1 * Connecting cable (BL-E3 / 40cm)1 * Connecting cable (BL-N3 / 40cm)1 * English user manual

Taking a Studio Photograph with Magnesium Flash $39.99 Taking a Studio Photograph with Magnesium Flash - Giclee Print

Slave $10 Slave

Hotshoe Flash and Optical Slave Stand $1.19 Accessories Type: Flash AccessoriesSuitable for Brand: UniversalSuitable for Type: Universal

Doug Box's Flash Photography $27.95 Offering an in-depth look at the camera controls that come into play when using an off-camera flash—including radio slave, optical triggers, wired flash communication, and more—this photography resource gives step-by-step instructions for producing expertly lit portraits and wedding photographs in every imaginable lighting scenario. Using succinct, simple language in tandem with lighting diagrams and case studies, this guide offers discussions on creating expert lighting patterns for individuals and groups, on location, outdoors, in a client’s home, or in the studio. Professionals and advanced amateurs will grow in terms of technique and artistry with the help of this user-friendly manual.

Dutchman and the Slave $3.95 Centered squarely on the Negro-white conflict, both "Dutchman "and "The Slave "are literally shocking plays--in ideas, in language, in honest anger. They illuminate as with a flash of lightning a deadly serious problem--and they bring an eloquent and exceptionally powerful voice to the American theatre. "Dutchman "opened in New York City on March 24, 1964, to perhaps the most excited acclaim ever accorded an off-Broadway production and shortly thereafter received the "Village Voice's "Obie Award. "The Slave, "which was produced off-Broadway the following fall, continues to be the subject of heated critical controversy.

YONGNUO YN460-II Speedlite Flash with Soft Pouch(5600K/4*AA) $55 - Guide number: 38 (at 35mm focal length£¬ISO 100 in meters) ??????????????? 53 (at 35mm focal length£¬ISO 200 in meters) - Flash Mode: M, S1, S2 - Up/down ward angle: 0-90 degree - Left/right angle: 0-270 degree - Power Source: 4 X AA size batteries (Alkaline or Ni-MH are usable) - Battery Life: 100 - 1500 times (with alkaline batteries) - Recycle Time: Approx. 0.1-5 Sec., with fresh AA size alkaline batteries - Slave Mode S1: Normal Optic Slave - Slave Mode S2: Pre-flash Cancel Slave - Color Temperature: 5600K - Flash Duration: 1/800S - 1/20000S - Flash adjustment: 7 difference flash power level ( 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64, 1/7 ) - Power Saving: Stand by mode, 30mins to power off mode. ????????????? 60mins to power off when using the optic mode. - Suitable for: ? 1 Work with Hot Shoe Cameras ? 2 Wireless Remote Trigger Studio ? 3 Wireless Hot Shoe Flash Remote Slave Trigger Sensor ? 4) Work with flash units using universal hot shoe like CANON, Nikon - Package Includes£º ?1 x Flash light ?1 x Black Protector bag ?1 x English manual

Lumiere L.A. DC 2ch Slave Strobe Flash Trigger Kit $52.49 Shed some light on the subject with the Lumiere L.A. 2-channel slave strobe flash trigger kitLens and flash combination is a must for the serious photographerCamera accessory has bright flash for great lightingWireless radio ultrasonic camera flash trigger Connection 'hot shoe' and /or cable sync on the transmitter Receiver connected and powered by AC power cord Maximum Distance of transmission: 33 feet Manual release & test button on transmitter Dimension: 8 inches long x 6 inches wide x 1 inch deep Package content: 1 transmitter, 1 receiver, 1 power adaptor, 1 sync. cable

Lumiere L.A. AC 1-channel Slave Strobe Flash Trigger Kit $52.49 Shed some light on the subject with the Lumiere L.A. 1-channel slave strobe flash trigger kitLens and flash combination is a must for the serious photographerCamera accessory has bright flash for great lightingWireless radio ultrasonic camera flash trigger Connection 'hot shoe' and /or cable sync on the transmitter Receiver connected and powered by AC power cord Maximum Distance of transmission: 33 feet Manual release & test button on transmitter Dimension: 8 inches long x 7 inches wide x 1 inch deep Package content: 1 transmitter, 1 receiver, 1 power adaptor, 1 sync. cable

Confessions of a Quilter's Slave $6.5 Confessions of a Quilter's Slave is a humorous look at behind the scenes work and follies of a small business in the Quilting Industry from the point of view of a disgruntled, conscripted quilter's spouse (aka the author, Norb Lauer). As the author watches the useable portion of his home shrink in size from the piles of fabric, studio and who knows what all, he finds himself unwittingly and unwillingly drawn into the day to day operation of a full blown quilt pattern design business. Spouse to Slave in one unsuspecting step. In addition to being just plain fun reading for anyone who's involved in quilting, crafts or marital relationships, there is plenty of inside information about the quilting industry, pattern design and trade shows.

Camera Flash Shoe Light Stand Bracket $8.19 HighlightsThis Flash Shoe Umbrella Holder Swivel Light Stand size can be adjusted(17-23mm).to apply different standards of flashing lightsHot shoe flash mount on top make it easy that you could mount a Hot Shoe Flash/Slave Sensor/Recover.Hot shoe size can be adjusted(17-23mm).to apply different standards of flashing lights(not including the Sony Minolta mouth)Removable hot shoe flash mount with 1/4 screw-thread make it possible to work with standard tripod1/4 3/8 screws adapter at the bottom make it easy to get it work on light stand and standard tripodThe holder have a 5/8 spigot stud socket at the bottom can be connected to studio light standLamp holders joints using lug tooth design, with a fastening handle to prevent the instant when the lamp tilted down, conducive to protecting the lampsLamp holders support different lighthouse joints, with lock screwsYou may also adjust the umbrella and flash in different angleMain material: cast iron,aluminum,ABSSpecificationsWeight Approx: 98gSize Approx: 9.8 x 5 x 2 cmPackage Contents1 Camera Flash Shoe Light Stand Bracket D

The Slave $34.99 Gyula Tornai The Slave - Giclee Print

Confessions of a Quilters Slave $25.09 Confessions of a Quilters Slave is a humorous look at behind the scenes work and follies of a small business in the Quilting Industry from the point of view of a disgruntled, conscripted quilters spouse (aka the author, Norb Lauer). As the author watches the useable portion of his home shrink in size from the piles of fabric, studio and who knows what all, he finds himself unwittingly and unwillingly drawn into the day to day operation of a full blown quilt pattern design business. Spouse to Slave in one unsuspecting step. In addition to being just plain fun reading for anyone whos involved in quilting, crafts or marital relationships, there is plenty of inside information about the quilting industry, pattern design and trade shows. Author: Lauer, Norb Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 124 Publication Date: 2009/03/01 Language: English Dimensions: 8.00 x 5.00 x 0.29 inches

4 Channel FM Wireless Studio Flash Trigger PT-04 with Umbrella Holder $19.59 - The remote trigger for studio flash and outdoor flash is used as the controller of synchronous trigger studio flash of cameras- The highest synchronous speed can reach 1/250 sec- Power source: transmitter: 1 X 23A battery ????????????? receiver: 2 x AAA battery

SEAGULL SYK-6 Hot Shoe Flash Light Remote Slave Trigger for Sony $7.87 - The SYK-6 flash remote controller is harnessing optical theory making the master flasher to control remotely the auxiliary one to flash synchronously without the need of connecting wires. - It features small in volume, good-looking in exterior, high inflexibility and stable in performance, it can also artificially create different kinds of effect and take special photos- Specialized for Sony Flash- Technical Performance?? 1) Distance of remote control: L=master flasher index/2(The above formula will be established when the face receiving the light of the flash remote controller is aiming mutually at the illuminating face of the signal flasher and when the two are on a same level).??? 2) Structure??? A flasher standard socket is seated at the top part with a fixed nut on the bottom surface.

Nice AC-04 4 channel Wireless Studio Flash Trigger+Receiver $18.11 - The remote trigger for studio flashes and outdoor flash is used as the controller of synchronous trigger studio flash of cameras- It consisits of a signal sender and a receiver trigger and works by means of the frequency modulation wireless remote control- Outdoor operating distance: 30M- Indoor operating distance: 10m

SEAGULL SYK-4 Hot Shoe Flash Light Remote Slave Trigger with PC Socket $7.96 - This Hot Shoe Flash Remote Slave Trigger has a sensor to sense light from the master flash so as to trigger the slave flash wireless.- The SYK-4 flash remote controller is harnessing optical theory making the master flasher to control remotely the auxiliary- One to flash synchronously without the need of connecting wires. It features small in volume, good-looking in exterior- High inflexibility and stable in performance, it can also artificially create different kinds of effect and take special photos.- Technical Performance?1) Distance of remote control: L=master flasher index/2(The above formula will be established when the face receiving the light of the flash remote controller is aiming mutually at the illuminating face of the signal flasher and when the two are on a same level).2) Structure: A flasher standard socket is seated at the top part with a fixed nut on the bottom surface.?It also has a hot shoe to pc sync socket adapter which converts any camera's hot shoe to a pc connecter so that the camera is able to trigger external flashes and strobes by using a pc sync cord.

Digital & SLR Camera Slave Flash with Hot Shoe Bracket(Black) $15.78 - Work with all digital & SLR camera.- Work with two AA batteries.- Hot shoe bracket included.- Auto pre-flash sensor for red-eye.- Compact and slim design for easy transport.- Used as an additional light from a different direction.

SYK-5 Flash Remote Controller Hot Shoe Flash Remote Slave Trigger(Black) $12.99 - The SYK-5 wireless flash remote controller is suitable for all Flash. - The flash remote controller is harnessing optical theory making the master flasher to control remotely the auxiliary one to flash synchronously without the need of connecting wires. - It features portable in exterior and stable in performance. PC female socket upon its side. It enables the connection of sync cord. - It also has a threaded socket on the base for connection to a tripod. SYK-5 new functions of red-eye reduction.- The pre-flashing turning knob can be steeples adjustable. You can adjust the turning knob to find the best triggering of photocell (Delay time limitation: 70ms~1.5s).

Flash $24.99 Flash

Flash Shoe Umbrella Holder Light Stand 1/4 3/8 Type H $12 Flash Shoe Stand Umbrella Holder with 1/4in & 3/8in Screw/Nut, 5/8in Stud H typeHot shoe flash mount on top make it easy that you could mount a Hot ShoeFlash/Slave Sensor/Receiver. Hot Shoe Size can be adjusted(17-23mm), to apply different standards of flashing lights (not including the Sony Minolta mouth)1/4"-3/8" screws adapter at the bottom make it easy to get it work on light stand and standard tripod.Removable hot shoe flash mount with 1/4" screw-thread make it possible to work with standard tripod.The holder have a 5/8" Spigot stud socket at the bottom can be connected to studio Light Stand.Lampholders joints using Luo tooth design, with a fastening handle to prevent the instant when the lamp tilted down, conducive to protecting the lamps.Lampholders support different lighthouse joints.You may also adjust the umbrella and flash in different angle.Main material: Aluminum, ABS(Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)Height: 105mmWeight: 145gMaximum load: 3kgPackage includes:Flash Shoe Umbrella Holder Bracket (H type) x15/8" Spigot stud to 1/4"&3/8" screw Adapter x1Note: this adapter don't fit Sony and Minolta flashSize: 185*110*55 mm

Jeff Smith's Studio Flash Photography $27.95 With a practical approach to the art and business of professional photography, this handbook shows how to use lighting more effectively, efficiently, and economically. Beginning with a discussion of lighting sources and moving into an outline of light modifiers, this guide demonstrates how a few light sources can be infinitely modified to create precision lighting effects that are customized for each subject. Every aspect of designing a flattering lighting setup is covered in detail, with techniques from head-and-shoulders business portraits to full-length glamour images. Including before-and-after shots and ample setup shots to show lighting from both the photographer’s and subject’s point of view, this invaluable resource is a must-have for photographers looking to improve their studio lighting skills.

Nice AC-04 Universal Wired Studio Flash Trigger Receiver $11.06 - The wired trigger receiver for studio flashes is used as the controller of synchronous trigger studio flash of cameras- The signal transmitter adopts the advanced circuit and components- It has low power consumption, superior anti-interference capability- High sensitivity, and easy to use