StudioFX Photo Studio Lighting Light kit & Stand / Snow White Umbrella 33″ — K1

• 2 x 5500K 85W Photo Studio Bulbs
• 2 x Snow White Umbrella 33″
• 3 muslin back drop – 10ft x 10ft (black, green, white)
• 1 x Background / Backdrop Stand
• 2 x Premium Studio Light Stand

Product Description
Includes everything you need to set up your own photo studio. Ideal for beginner, amature, or professional photographers. Portable and easy to set up. This is a continuous lighting kit which can be used for both portrat style photography and video.



2 x Studio Light Bulb

* 5500K 85W Day-light Energy Saving Light Bulb




2 x Umbrella Studio Light Holder

* Easy to set up

* Code & Plug included




2 x Premium Studio Light Stand<... More >>

StudioFX Photo Studio Lighting Light kit & Stand / Snow White Umbrella 33″ — K1

Adorama QpCard 101, 3 Cards with Black / Gray / White Colors used for the White Balance System of Digital Cameras.

• Gray balancing of the light.
• 18% gray field for balance and exposure adjustment.
• White-point settings.
• Black-point settings.
• Millimeter scale for size reference.

Product Description
QP Card 101… The easiest, most cost-effective aid for balancing digital images. Even with correctly set and calibrated computers, software and monitors, you must balance a digital image against the monitor. A guaranteed neutral grey surface in the image simplifies balancing. It is complicated to carry around a cumbersome grey card and position it at a suitable place in the subject. In addition, the grey card becomes thumbed, dirty and faded from the light, so that… More >>

Adorama QpCard 101, 3 Cards with Black / Gray / White Colors used for the White Balance System of Digital Cameras.

ePhoto Photography Vidoe Lighting Kit ChromaKey Green Blak White 10×20 Screen Video Lighting Kit by ePhotoInc HKZ05

• ePhoto Premium Video Photo 2 light umbrella kit
• Ideal for dramatic lighting effects
• Ideal for portraits, Studio, Video and Photography
• Voltage: 110V only, 105W CFL=400 incandescent
• Brand New with Carrying bag

Product Description
This is a professional digital fluorescent Video Photography compact studio kit that gives you over 800 watts output This kit comes two silver umbrellas for your lights. You could use them in the studio photography or videography as well as on location projects. This lighting kit is the most affordable kit on the market today.

2 x 5500K 105W Photo Studio Bulbs 5500K
2 x Umbrella Studio Light Holders
2 x Premium Studio Light Stand
1 x Black-Sil… More >>

ePhoto Photography Vidoe Lighting Kit ChromaKey Green Blak White 10×20 Screen Video Lighting Kit by ePhotoInc HKZ05

ePhoto ChromaKey Green Blue Black White Muslin Background by ePhoto INC 6x9BWGBU

• 1 6×9 feet solid black backdrop
• 1 6×9 feet solid white backdrop
• 1 6×9 feet solid green backdrop
• 1 6×9 feet solid blue backdrop

Product Description
Features:

6 x 9 feet
Made from high quality muslin material
100% cotton
completely seamless( ONE piece )
Stitched edge for durability
Pre 4″ stitched loop
Easy to fold
Machine washable
… More >>

ePhoto ChromaKey Green Blue Black White Muslin Background by ePhoto INC 6x9BWGBU

Photography Course Online – Top Tips For Taking Stunning Black And White Portraits!

We have all taken portraits of our favourite family member or friend. Usually, these are recorded in colour. However, a black and white portrait can be almost timeless, certainly classy and can create flattering effects on an otherwise unflattering subject. This photography course online article considers the magical world of monochrome portraits, providing, in no particular order, some guidance to help you when taking your images.

* Shoot in colour. This may seem strange when taking black and white images, but if you convert the images to black and white in Photoshop (or equivalent) in post-production, you also have a collection of colour shots you can use later

* Try getting in close – real close. An image where you can clearly see each line on the subject’s face displays their character

* Capture their natural expressions. We have all seen the cheesy grin when someone poses – but seeing the subject in their natural state reveals much more and makes for a lasting, memorable shot

* Create a moody atmosphere by providing some side lighting. This effectively throws one half of the face into shadow, and can make even the friendliest person appear rather menacing

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* Add a depth of field element. For example, ask the subject to partially cover their face with their hand, then move the hand closer to the camera. This adds a 3 dimensional feel, and makes an intriguing twist on a normal portrait

* Make your subject look as ‘unposed’ as possible. Chat to them regularly throughout the shoot and make them feel at ease. Crack a few jokes and get them laughing. If they are enjoying the session, this will leap out from the printed images. A reliable photography course online will cover not just technical aspects, but also include techniques to relax your subject during a portrait session

* A quirky look or other unnatural pose will tell the viewer something different about the subject’s personality and character

* Carefully study your subject’s profile, and take some shots side-on. These can produce striking images, which the viewer would not be expecting. Prominent shapes of cheekbones, noses, lips can all be revealed

* Contrast dark clothing against a light background to create impact

* Frame the subject tightly. This provides an intimate portrait, and successfully eliminates any distractions

* Try to take all types of shots. A photograph revealing a humorous side to an otherwise serious person will make for a captivating image

* In post-production, experiment with selective and creative cropping of the image.

A successful black and white portrait can be more powerful than the equivalent colour image. It takes us to the bare bones of the subject, and gives an almost documentary feel to the picture. Black and white lends itself well to portraying characters, revealing raw emotion that does not always show up with the distraction of colour. If you are currently following a photography course online, submitting a selection of black and white portraits will become a strong addition to your portfolio.

StudioFX Photo Studio Lighting Light kit & Stand / 10′ x 10′ Muslin Green, White, Black / 1 Black Silver Umbrella / 1 Snow White Umbrella — K2

• 2 x 5500K 85W Photo Studio Bulbs
• 1 x Black-Silver Umbrella Reflector 33″ / 1 x Snow White Umbrella 33″
• 3 muslin back drop – 10ft x 10ft (black, green, white)
• 1 x Background / Backdrop Stand
• 2 x Premium Studio Light Stand

Product Description
Includes everything you need to set up your own photo studio. Ideal for beginner, amature, or professional photographers. Portable and easy to set up. This is a continuous lighting kit which can be used for both portrat style photography and video.



2 x Studio Light Bulb

* 5500K 85W Day-light Energy Saving Light Bulb




2 x Umbrella Studio Light Holder

* Easy to set up

* Code & Plug included




2 x Premium Studio Light Stand<... More >>

StudioFX Photo Studio Lighting Light kit & Stand / 10′ x 10′ Muslin Green, White, Black / 1 Black Silver Umbrella / 1 Snow White Umbrella — K2

Black and White Photography: Three Tips for Beginners

Black and white photography is a rewarding and challenging field of artistic photography. Even people who don’t care about photography can find themselves drawn to a great black and white image. As a photographer, black and white can allow you to discover a whole new character in a familiar subject.

For many digital photographers, black and white photogaphy is nothing more than colour photography converted by software. It is a matter for your own judgement whether this is effective for your photographs. Often the image you assume will convert beautifully to black and white will prove a disappointment; sometimes a photo you never imagined will surprise you.

However, most serious photographers will tell you that the best black and white photos are taken when the photographer deliberately sets out with black and white images in mind. This creates an entirely different mindset in terms of how you choose and approach your subject. You may, for example, start to see potential in subjects you would never normally consider for colour photography.

If you have never had a serious go at black and white photography, here are a few simple tips to help you get started.

Black And White Photography Tip #1. Choosing A Subject. Some subjects lend themselves to colour but are not nearly so effective in black and white. For example, sunset photographs rely on the colour of a great sky for their impact, and rarely produce a good black and white image. Colourful birds, flowers, fashion…there are many times when the only logical approach is to shoot your subject in colour. On the other hand, some subjects are ideally suited to black and white photography.

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Because this is an ‘old-fashioned’ medium, it often works well with old-fashioned subjects. Rustic items like old farm equipment, a tumble-down shack, an old wooden fence can all be great subjects for black and white photos.

When photographing people, age can also be a factor. A close-up portrait of an aged face showing all the lines and creases of their years on earth can have much greater impact in black and white.

This can only be a short article, so these examples are just the tip of the iceberg. You will find many great subject once you start thinking in black and white.

Black And White Photography Tip #2. ‘Seeing’ Your Subject In Black And White. When you first approach your subject, you need to imagine how it will look without colour. Try to look at it in terms of lines and shapes, shadows and contrasts. You will begin to see your subjects in a whole new light. You may even find yourself zooming in on a particular feature, or photographing the subject from an angle you might never have considered in the past. One thing is for sure; once you get into the ‘black and white headspace’ your camera will express the character of the subject in an entirely different way.

Black And White Photography Tip #3. Use The Light To Enhance Impact. Because a black and white photo relies so much on shadows to define shapes and details, your approach to lighting can make or break an image. As a nature photographer, I often photograph black and white photos quite differently from colour photos.

You have probably heard the rule that the best landscape photography is done early or late in the day when the sun is low and the light is soft and even. Well, in black and white photography I often look for just the opposite. To create better definition in a subect I will often take my photos through the middle part of the day, to create heavier shadows to emphasise the lines and shapes in the composition. I am also more inclined to take photos looking directly toward the sun, to produce silhouettes that make the most of trees, windmills and other strong shapes against the sky.

Earlier I mentioned a portrait of a very old person. If it is the lines on a face that give the image its character, you need to make sure the lighting is from an angle that produces shadows in the creases. Thus you may be looking for lighting in a black and white photograph that would be considered unflattering and unsuitable for a colour photograph.

So there you have three very simple tips for black and white photography. Notice that they are all about the creative approach, not about settings and camera techniques. In fact most of the time, black and white requires no different technical expertise than colour photography. To take better black and white photographs, you don’t necessarily need to change the way you use your camera. Instead, you are looking to change the way you see the subject, and how you can use light, shade and composition to capture the character that black and white photography has to offer.

If you love photography and want to stretch your horizons, I am sure you will enjoy experimenting with black and white. It may open your eyes to aspects of your world that have never turned you on before. Good luck and happy snapping!

Tips For Shooting Black & White In The Digital World

For a long time black and white photography was treated as the poor second cousin of color photography. But once upon a time black and white was photography. There wasn’t any other option, except hand tinting of daguerreotypes by artists.

I still look at black and white portraits taken in the 40′s, 50′s and earlier, marveling at their simple beauty. To me they’re more captivating than their color equivalent. Not everyone agrees.

When I was taking a basic filmmaking seminar, one of the speakers was Craig Brewer. His first big movie was called The Poor and Hungry and even though Craig shot it with modern digital cameras, he released the film in black and white. I liked it, so did the L.A. Film Festival. But during screenings for distribution, Craig mentioned how two-thirds of the distributors would immediately get up and walk out, just because his film was black and white.

To me that’s very sad because black and white takes away all the distractions to focus on shape and form. That’s how you learn to see a black and white photo in a scene, by focusing on the forms and innate composition based solely on the shapes.

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The second level in finding a black and white photo in a color scene is to focus on patterns. Patterns and shapes. Learn to see an image as a flat, two-dimensional array of patterns. It’s harder to do than you think. Most people see, but very few analyze what they see. By training yourself to go through this mental process, you’ll not only find great black and white pictures, but you’ll become a better photographer overall.

The third layer of a great black and white photo is contrast. By making subtle changes in contrast, you can shift the subject of the photograph in a black and white image. Darken an object in the foreground to silhouette it against a lighter background, or reverse the process to make a background object seem like it’s appearing through a lighter foreground.

Another component of a good black and white photo is texture. Because you don’t have the color information to work with anymore, you’ll need pay more attention to elements with visual impact. Many times texture provides the drama in a black and white photos, the gritty reality. Taking away the color information forces viewers to see the scene differently.

To accentuate the patterns and texture, hard directional lighting is frequently employed. That will highlight edges and create large areas of sharp contrast. Exactly the kind of components that make black and white the go to option.

Another option in post processing is called color isolation. That’s where you leave one element colored and gray scale the rest of the photo. The sole spot of color forces the subject, no matter how small a part of the original photo. If you remember the movie The Matrix, there’s a scene when the artificial world is nearly devoid of color, except for a single woman in a red dress. Even the best trained mind has trouble not focusing on a flash of color in an otherwise colorless background. It’s an instinctual response. Millions of years of visual instincts, where a flash of color is either danger or an opportunity, are not so easily undone.

So as you look around, start trying to see the shapes and textures around you. Not everyone likes black and white photos, but for those who do even the simplest scene can have layers of intricate detail only available to a few.

More Black & White Photography Articles

Photography Course Online – Why Black And White Equals Perfect Portraits!

A black and white portrait allows for no hiding places. Without the distraction of colour, the absolute physical characteristics of the subject are revealed. A monochrome image will expose intimate details of bone structure, texture and expression at a much greater level than the equivalent image in colour. A good photography course online will show you how to really take advantage of this genre, and how you could take creative portraits using an affordable home studio set up.

An immediate insight into the subject’s world and personality can be gained by successfully capturing a quirky look or expression. Black and white photographs can create an air of vulnerability. If we are able to understand what makes them tick, simply through the image captured, then this is ultimately one sign of a winning portrait. Although this all sounds a bit serious, black and white does not need to be used only to record austerity. Subtle changes of lighting, for example, can transform the mood to romantic, sultry or even comical. Black and white can be an extremely versatile medium.

One of the joys of black and white portrait photography is that traditional beauty is not a requirement. Look for something unusual to capture in the subject. This could be using someone who is known for having a serious nature, getting them to let their hair down and allowing the viewer to see another side of their personality. If you do not already know them, it can be difficult to get them to let their inhibitions out. A reliable photography course online will teach you not only the technical aspects of photography, but also techniques to relax you and your subject in order to make the most of any portrait session.

You may have a list of poses in mind that you want to run through, but also keep an eye on your subject and look out for any characteristics that may be specific to them. Once they feel relaxed, you should spot moments worth capturing, so try to take some informal shots which may be of use, as well as the more formal poses. Decide which shot suits the subject best, such as close ups of the face, shots from the side, or full body. To capture a sense of character, a close up shot is best.

Location shots are ideal for a sense of context. It’s best to find somewhere that won’t impact the focus that is ultimately on the subject. You may choose somewhere that has a link to the subject, directly or visually. If they had a particular childhood haunt where they used to hang out, this may not only make for some great photos, but because they are familiar with it, and hopefully have some happy memories, this should show up in the final image. The surroundings may simply suit the subject, and in this case the link is visual.

These are just a handful of ideas to consider when tackling black and white portraits. Reference to a suitable photography course online would, of course, open up countless further techniques which would make your explorations into this exciting genre ever more pleasurable and rewarding.

ePhoto Large 55cm Studio Photography Beauty Dish Reflector Beauty Dish for Alien Bee Alienbees White Lighting By ePhoto A121SRWL

• 1 x 55cm 21.7″ Beauty Dish
• 1 x elastic diffuser

Product Description
This is the perfect accessory for the portrait photographer. The beauty dish has an internal light shield that allows bounce-only lighting. This provides high output making it a perfect soft light source for portraits. It will also provide moderate round catch lights in the eyes where a softbox will yield larger rectangular catch lights. It also comes with a front cover diffuser for softer looks. This Beauty dish is made of 100% aluminum with superior design.This be… More >>

ePhoto Large 55cm Studio Photography Beauty Dish Reflector Beauty Dish for Alien Bee Alienbees White Lighting By ePhoto A121SRWL

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