How to fix the stabilization problems with the Panasonic Lumix G85!

A couple days ago, panasonic released an update for their new Lumix G85 Camera in order to resolve so stabilization issues.  Check out this video for a side by side comparison as well as some tips for updating your camera.

Here is a link to where you can download the update.

http://av.jpn.support.panasonic.com/support/global/cs/dsc/download/fts/index2.html

Have a great day,
-Jeff

Why I Stopped Using Alkaline Batteries In My Speedlights And You Should Too!

Out with the old and in with the new! 

That's what I said about the batteries in my speedlights not so longs ago.  For as long as I could remember I was using just regular old Alkaline batteries to power my speedlights on location.  Not only was I wasting a ton of money (while definitely getting my money's worth from my Costco membership), I was also wasting a ton of time waiting for my flash to recycle everytime I took a photo!

I decided it was time to make a change... 

The day was Amazon Prime Day 2016, Panasonic Eneloop Pro rechargeable batteries were 70% off so I thought "what harm could come from ordering some?" I also ordered a couple external charge packs for my flashes (which were not on sale but still really affordable.) Once the batteries arrived, they made such a difference that I ordered 12 more at regular price because I knew this would be a complete game changer! Check out the video below to see how different types of batteries effect your flash recycle time.  You'll be amazed at the results!

If you have any questions please feel free to ask and I will do my best to respond in a timely manner. 

I hope you enjoyed this little tutorial and if you want to see more be sure to subscribe and also follow us on Instagram @ReadylightMedia and "like" us on Facebook!

Until next time,

Jeff C.

How To Take Your Images To The Next Level In Just 2 (ish) Easy Steps!

Today I am going to show you how to create a stunning image in just 2(ish) steps with minimal gear...



Keep on reading to find out how!

Adapting to your surroundings and creating amazing images!

As a photographer you constantly have to adapt to the different locations you shoot in. Sometimes you get lucky and are able to shoot in beautiful locations and other times you're not so fortunate.  In this post I am going to show you how I created an amazing image with a single speedlight in possibly the ugliest location I have ever shot in... (My Parking Garage!) Here is the final Image.  Keep reading to see my process.

Headshot How To: Mixing flash and ambient light (in low light conditions)

Living in Nashville I get the pleasure of working with a lot of really amazing clients.  One coolest clients I get to work with here in town is the iconic Sound Emporium Studios, which if you haven't heard of them it's definitely worth a google search.  I've been working with the Sound Emporium for a little over 4 years now shooting everything from the rooms themselves to product shots of the gear and even taking headshots for the staff.

In this post I am going to explain my lighting setup for the most recent headshot session I had with the staff.  One of the things that the Sound Emporium prides themselves on is the "vibe" of the studio so I wanted to try to capture that in the photos I took of the staff.  That being said, I didn't want to just shoot a basic white, black or grey background headshot and call it a day.  I needed to add some interest to the image which I did by placing the subjects in front of the recording console in one of the control rooms.  After I placed my subject, I used a simple two light setup and a shutter drag technique to capture the final image.  Keep reading to view the lighting diagram and camera settings...

How To: Simple 2 light portrait with no modifiers (kind of)

Here is a simple two light portrait that is sure to make any client happy.  In the title I stated that I "kind of" didn't use any modifiers, which was probably kind of confusing.... All I mean by that is that you can recreate this look with just two bare bulb flashes.  To take it up a notch, I added a blue gel to my backlight to give the image some more contrast.  keep on reading to view the lighting setup for this image...

Light Painting in Portraiture... (A Test Shot For A Job I Didn't Get)

A few weeks ago I put in a bid for a project and didn't get the job... I did however think the test shots I took for them looked really cool so keep on scrolling if you want to see how created the lighting setup.

Getting Creative With Unconventional Lighting Gear.

Today I am going to give a quick little tip that can create some really cool ambiance in your images.  This technique works for all different styles of photography and in all different lighting scenarios.  I will run down how I created the above image in this post but feel free to try out these techniques with your own style.

Creating A Dynamic Portrait/Headshot With Just 2 Lights!

So I've been extremely busy over the past few months and my blog has kind of taken a backseat to my shooting.  Fear not, I am back and I've got a lot of content that I can't wait to share!  Don't worry, I will start with something pretty simple and quick for my first post back.

The other day I was shooting my friend Collin and I wanted to try out some different lighting techniques that I believed could take a headshot to the next level...

Do you have a consistent workflow?

Over the last couple months I have been crazy busy (hence the lack of posts) but the one thing that allows me to keep my sanity when I'm overwhelmed with work is having a consistent workflow.  

Obviously every session or shoot will be different but when I say "workflow" I am more or less talking about file management.  It is important to manage your files in a way that allows you to go back and find them quickly even years down the road.

Growing up I was always a kid who thrived on systematic chaos.  I always knew exactly where everything was even though it may have looked like a F5 tornado just tore through my bedroom. 

Years later I adapted a similar mindset with my business.  I figured I could just throw files in random folders and I would be able to find them when I needed them.  This worked fine when I was just starting out and I wasn't booking very many jobs but as I got busier I knew that something had to change.  

Sure, sifting through folders for hours on end never killed anybody, but why not use that time to do something productive?

I encourage you to check out the video below to see how I manage my files after a portrait session.  In no way do I expect you to take my workflow and replicate it exactly, but hopefully it can be a jumping off point for you to create your own workflow that works best for you.  

As always, if you have any questions please feel free to leave a comment below.  Also be sure to follow @ReadylightMedia on Instagram and Twitter and enter your email at the top of the page to receive updates, discounts and giveaways.  

Cheers,
Jeff

The Instagram update everyone has been waiting for!

Or at least every photographer has been waiting for...

Instagram is an awesome tool for photographers and non photographers alike. The one thing that I always had a problem with was the fact that I had to use a third party app in order post a picture in landscape or portrait orientation.

The wait is over!

A couple days ago Instagram came out with version 7.5 which now allows you to post in portrait in landscape inside the app itself.  

This is a game changer for any of you want to post videos or photos that aren't square.

Here is a quick video of how to use the new feature.

As always, if you have any questions please feel free to leave a comment below.  Also be sure to follow @ReadylightMedia on Instagram and Twitter and enter your email at the top of the page to receive updates, discounts and giveaways.  

Cheers,
Jeff

Diving into natural light (the confessions of a "non-natural light” photographer)

There is a debate old as time itself between photographers, trying to determine whether flash photography or natural light photography is better. I must admit, for pretty much my entire photographic career (up until about a month ago) I was a die hard strobist.  

Are you bringing too much gear to a photo shoot?

If you're anything like me, you probably are...

If I had a mantra, it would probably be "better safe than sorry". It's pretty sound advice for pretty much any occasion.  However, I find myself using it as an excuse for bringing WAY too much gear to photo shoots that in no way require that much gear.  

What lens should you use when taking a headshot?

Do you ever wonder what lens you should use when taking a headshot or a portrait? This is a common question among photographers new and experienced.  The reason even veteran photographers still ask this question is because every single photo shoot has a different set of variables which may effect your decision on what gear you should use.  I recently shot a video that dives into detail what shooting portraits at different lengths will do to your subject.  I started at 10mm and made my way up to 200mm to show how wide angle lenses distort the face and make your portrait extremely unnatural and unflattering.  I want send out a HUGE thank you to my girlfriend Shelby who was nice enough to model for this demonstration and brave enough to let me post some really awful photos of her…. Don’t worry there are some really good ones too!

Should you shoot “composite” or “on location” portraiture? - The Pros and Cons

When it comes to shooting portraits I am constantly torn between whether or not I should shoot on location or in a studio. Obviously some portraiture calls for a simple clean background and if that’s the case, I can't think of a reason not to shoot in a studio setting. However, If a client wants a more complex portrait is it even worth it to try and convince them to shoot a composite in a studio setting or should you just shoot everything on location?