Gregory Heisler, on Stripping with Derek Jeter

We pre-empt our regularly scheduled programming today, as we do pretty much any time Greg Heisler whiteboards one of his shoots.

(Ditto you too, Dan Winters, or Peter Yang. Seriously, whip up a good BTS and the joint is all yours for the day.)

For a little sense of chronological scale, this video lasts about as long as Heisler takes to shoot Jeter. For an SI Sportsman of the Year cover, no less.

Quick takeaway: Hiding a face light on-axis of a bigger strip light (sorry for that misleading headline, ladies) for "a little more oomph" on the face. "Oomph" being one of those light qualities Heisler learned about when studying with the Great Masters.

And on the Profoto strip lights -- if you have to ask, you can't afford them. They are not strip boxes. They are strip lights. Completely different animal. They are apparently made in Sweden by elves using pixie dust or something even more expensive.

I am working on a DIY version for speedlights, made out of polished, inside-out Diet Mtn. Dew cans.
__________


(More Heisler vids on the Profoto site.)

-30-

Today determines Tomorrow!

There was a man browsing in a store. He was shocked to see God selling...

Man: Lord, what are you selling?

God: Whatever your heart desires.

Man: I want peace of mind, happiness and freedom from all fears for me and the whole world.

God (smiling): I don't sell fruits here son, only seeds!

Galatians 6:7 says "Whatever a man sows, that he will reap."

The seeds we sow today determine the kind of fruit we will reap tomorrow!

Using ND Filters to Kill Depth of Field

UPDATE: Just answered many Q's in the comments. -DH
__________


It's simple math. If you are shooting outside in the sun and limited to 1/250th of a second sync (or worse) you are are going to be shooting through a tiny hole as your aperture. Even if you crank your ISO down as low as it will go, you'd better like that background. Because you are going to see it in pretty sharp focus.

Or maybe not. In addition to high-speed sync, there are a few ways to bleed some aperture from your exposure settings in full sun.

Three blurry choices, inside. Read more »

Good TIMEs!

The entire staff here at Strobist International Headquarters are quite pleased (and more than a little surprised) to have been included in TIME Magazine's 25 Best Blogs of 2010.

If you are just stumbling in from that article, welcome! This is no ordinary photo blog -- you can see what we are all about, here.

-30-

Hacking the Grid

UPDATE: Scott from Weekly Photo Tips made a video, lest anyone was unsure of the way to mount the hacked grid (after the jump.)
__________


Regular readers of this site will know I am a big fan of the Honl 1/8-inch grid. It is built like a tank, and designed to fit onto nearly any speedlight made.

The first day it arrived at my house (one of the first production samples in the country, as I would later find out) Dave Honl asked to me to test it out and see if it was tough enough.

So I ran over it with my car… Read more »

The Young Man Dies

These past few days, I have been struggling with growing and putting childish things behind me. What to do, Where to start, What to change and How do I do it?

All these questions were answered when I bumped on the Joshua Harris'es post about the song of David Wilcox entitled "Young Man Dies". And I was hit head-on or shall I say heart-on!

He could picture you a perfect sunrise

in the middle of your darkest night.

And he could take a sip from someday,

like he had a secret well.

He could listen to the voices calling

from a distant time will tell.

It's you in that picture where you're looking far away

like you hear a whisper of the things

you'll know someday.

But back then your heart was hungry

for something hard to find; you were

just holding out for someday,

but you've left that pain behind

'cause he walked you through those mountains,

for as long as he could bear.

He never reached the fountain,

but he could take you there.

The young man's dying

'cause in the years it takes to make one man wise,

the young man dies.

By David Wilcox from the album Underneath

There goes the answer! For me to successfully leave behind the childish person in me, the young man must die.

Listen to the song here: DAVID WILCOX

Source: JoshHarris

Rise (and Fall) of The Machines: Understanding t.5/t.1 Times

We are gonna get our Lighting Geek on today, and take a moment to understand two measurements which are very important to know if you are shopping for flashes: t.5 and t.1.

When measuring the length of a flash pulse, the duo of t.5 and t.1 times are the industry standard metrics. Understanding those numbers -- and the difference between them -- can help you make better purchasing decisions on your lighting gear. Read more »

Shoot the Bloggers: Sian Meades

While I was planning for last month's UK trip, I crowdsourced ideas for subjects for my Shoot the Bloggers* (Hey, it's a Start) project. Reader Nick Jones suggested Sian Meades, pictured above.

Who was I to object?

So that necessitated a little side trip to Greenwich, for a quickie Prime Meridian shoot… Read more »

Mile-High Lighting Club: Denver Seminar Registration Opens for Sat., August 7th

I am assuming that's what the Mile-High Club means anyway -- I have heard the term bandied about with great affection.

Anyway, if you are near Denver and think you might be interested in a day of Light conversation, the details are here.

Oh, and speaking of workshops, McNally is reprising the Dobbs Ferry One-Day series this summer. Thinking I should book a seat and heckle him from the audience this time.

(*cough* USE MANUAL! *cough*)

-30-

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader Teaser

Check out these links:

imdb Page.

Wikipedia Page

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

I Like Facebook

Facebook is really just an epitome of a fast-changing World. In this case, the World Wide Web. I mean never was a dull moment since the time I started my Facebook life.

I can still remember the very time I laid my eyes on Facebook, I was totally culture shocked. Wall? Shout-outs? News Feed? Those were all jargons. We call it "nosebleed". LoL!

After a while I got used to some of the features and is still starting to check the others when the season of games, Farmtown, Restaurant City, Typing Maniac came. I can still remember when somebody just left a "lost cow" in my wall and my friend was like asking me if I can adopt it. What??? What am I going to do with that cow? And other friends started to just send me invites asking me to plow their farms, check their restaurants, even fight me in Mafia Wars. It all again started to be overwhelming. Fortunately there was the magical "ignore button".

And the rest is history (that includes the so-called change in the privacy settings that honestly I didn't notice. LoL!).

Anyway the real reason I'm posting this is the new change FB added to their interface. We can now "like" even the comments of our shout-outs! I'm sure you've noticed it now.

Source

Well aside from that I'd like to invite you to FOLLOW Your Daily Word to get updates from this blog right in your Facebook wall or if you want to get to know me personally add me as a FRIEND.

If there will be more changes coming, I will never be one of those who will quit. I am one of those who will explore and enjoy instead!

Pocket Wizard Compatible Remotes Are Invading from The East

UPDATED: Steve from Phottix (CEO) checks in with some answers to our questions, inside...
__________

With the announcement of the "Atlas," Hong Kong -based Phottix has just gone from an unremarkable, third-party accessory manufacturer to a company who is raising serious eyebrows.

This upcoming PW-compatible remote is getting lots of attention -- and with good reason.

Details inside. Read more »

Pursue Love

Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it—because it does. 

Heb. 14:1a (The Message)

Even If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. 

So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love. 

SO Pursue Love!

Softlighter, Too

While we are on the subject of the Photek Softlighter, I thought it fitting to run a BTS video of Annie Leibovitz shooting Keith Richards in a hotel room for Louis Vuitton with that same light mod.

She uses the Softlighter a lot -- along with a voice-activated light stand that damn-well better know what she is thinking before she says is out loud. (I'd put money on that last part.)

Notes on the video, and the final photo, after the jump. Read more »

Happy Independence Day Philippines!

I am Proud to be Filipino!

Magkaisa by Virna Lisa

Happy Independence Day Philippines!

Happy Father's Day Pa

My father died when I was 2nd year high school. He didn't die of sickness or plane crash. He died somewhat a miserable death which is something I can't be very honest in here but one thing I can say, it was truly Painful.

I was not so close to my papa. It was my Ate (older sister) who was always beside him and shared his laughters. In fact it was her who was most affected next to my mom when he passed away.

It's not easy for us the children. It was worst for my mom. But thank God we were able to pull it through and all of the children are now all professionals (a PhD on Education, a Teacher, a Nurse and an Electrical Engineer).By God's grace and by Mom's determination, we were able to do it.

Though,

Up until now even though it has been somewhat 12 years now, I still miss him and think of him. How I wish he was there when I finished High School and College helping my mom in giving me my awards and medals. How I wish he is here with us, I'd surely tour him around Asia with mom. How I wish he had the chance to see his grandchildren: CD, Sarah and Yafit. I bet he'd love them and spoil them just like what I'm doing. How I wish he's here with me teaching me the do's and don'ts of getting married. How I wish I have told him about God's love and the salvation He has prepared for him. How I wish he's still here. How I wish I still have my Papa.

He may not be the perfect father out there but he's the BEST for me! If I'm given the chance to choose a father, I'd still choose him. 

Papa,wherever you are if you can read this I just want to say I love you so much. I remember a time when I really needed a white polo but it was already late and I really need it the next day. You woke up so early and knocked on the only store we have in that rural hometown to buy me one. I remember you waiting outside of our house angry because I didn't go home for lunch. I remember you buying me a cap and a basketball to teach and encourage me to play. I remember a time that you invited your friend to guide and teach me how to draw even though I wasn't the best artist but you surely lifted my self esteem. When Mama left for a conference or something and you were left to prepare for our breakfast to go to school, I remember you cooking while cleaning while waking me up. I remember you got so upset that you threw water at me just to wake me up. (I think that was sweet. Lol!) Pa, kamaayo nimo nga amahan. Wala koy lain pang pangayoon sa usa ka amahan: naa na nimo tanan. Apil na ang diabetes ana. hehehe. Pa, gimingaw gyud ko nimo ug ang akong pangandoy nga magkita ta after aning kinabuhia. Yes Pa, I love you so much and how I wish I can make you feel that today. Happy Father's Day!

Panatang Makabayan | Happy Independence Day 2010

There is now a new version of the Panatang Makabayan but I prefer to post the old version as I think (even though it's longer), it's full of love and patriotism.


Panatang Makabayan ng Pilipinas: old (original) version


Iniibig ko ang Pilipinas.
Ito ang aking lupang sinilangan.
Ito ang tahanan ng aking lahi.
Ako’y kanyang kinukupkop at tinutulungan,
Upang maging malakas, maligaya at kapakipakinabang.


Bilang ganti ay diringgin ko ang payo ng aking mga magulang.
Susundin ko ang mga tuntunin ng aking paaralan.
Tutuparin ko ang tungkulin ng isang mamamayang makabayan at masunurin sa batas.


Paglilingkuran ko ang aking bayan nang walang pag-iimbot at nang buong katapatan.
Sisikapin kong maging isang tunay na Pilipino,
sa isip, sa salita at sa gawa.


I just came from the Asia Conference and one of the great things I've learned was the teaching of A.R. Bernard about us created in the likeness of God and that we truly are the Image of God. And because of that we become Better Christians, Better People, Better Citizens. In my case, Better Filipinos.


It's almost our Independence Day and I want to take this chance to refresh all of us with our Philippine Patriotic Oath (Panatang Makabayan). Even though there had been several changes with it (e.g. newer version and it being no longer required after the singing of the National Anthem), I think though that we as Citizens of Heavn (being children of God) we ought to be blessings to our Country as well while we're still here on Earth.


Let's all take this time to remember to pray for our nation. With the new president, let us pray that our nation will soon see More Job Opportunities, Improvement in the Economy, Lesser Corruption, Fair Judicial System, Healthy Government, and Happy People. Let us pray that God will remember, heal and bless our nation!


Let the change start from us.

On Assignment: The Soprano

No, not Tony -- a real soprano.

And not to be underestimated, as soprano Erin Holmes could probably stand in your front yard and let loose a note that'd break all of your front windows. I had heard her in concert the night before, and hers is a voice not to be trifled with.

So to play it safe, we shot in the garage… Read more »

Lighting in Layers: Portland, Oregon, July 25th [Sold Out]

If you will be joining us in Portland, Oregon, for the seminar on Sunday July 25th, you can still access the info here.

-30-

A Little Monday Morning Light Carnage

Being an old newspaper guy, I like to have my publishing schedule set a coupla weeks in advance. But when something cool, timely and/or viral comes along, you gotta rejigger on the fly.

For example, today was to feature an On Assignment of a soprano. But she can wait until tomorrow, because this is some epic light painting with an order of speedlights on the side, courtesy Freddie Wong.

We, of course, start with the BTS vid above. For the final product, hit the jump. Read more »

Upgrade Your Rims

Rim lights and key lights might start out the same, but they end up behaving very differently.

That's because the key light hits your subject and bounces back in a scattered, diffuse way. Not so with a rim light, which typically caroms off of your subject at a very efficient angle. Which means a little bit of light, used as a rim, goes a very, very long way.

Have you every dropped your rim intensity down -- waaaay down -- to see what happens?

You might like the results. Read more »

LumoPro LP160: Quad Sync v.2.0

Moishe Appelbaum and the folks at MPEX were never ones to leave well enough alone. Building on the sold-out LP120, the original quad-sync flash, LumoPro today announced the arrival of the more powerful LumoPro LP160 -- a second version borne of user feedback from the original model.

It's a lotta flash, for notta lotta cash. Details after the jump. Read more »