Lighting a Gymnasium for Sports

Nikon speedlight, battery and wireless sync

When HS seniors that are athletes come through the studio for their senior portraits, I like to support the teams they play for.  During this time of the year, I am fairly active with winter sports.  Because a large majority of the HS seniors that came through the studio this year were athletes, I find myself out many nights or weekend mornings at boys' and girls' basketball games, hockey games and wrestling matches.

Even thought modern SLR cameras work extremely well in low-light conditions, I am not thrilled with the quality of light that most high school gymnasiums provide, so I like to supplement the existing light with my one.  This does two things: 1) help stop the action; and B). helps to add definition to the athletes, depending on where the lights are placed.

DIY Bare Bulb Attachment

This attachment is meant to expand the capabilities of your shoe-mounted flash by giving it the appearance of being a bare bulb, which spreads light in 360 degrees, not just in the direction the flash is pointed.

You can buy similar attachments that cost upwards of $100 or more that do the same thing.  I made this one for about two-and-a-half bucks and maybe 15 minutes of time.  You do the math.  Then go spend that saved money on something worthwhile, like a couple of new games for your X-Box.

10 Resolutions to Keep This Year

Forbes magazine's web site has an excellent article on new year's resolutions.  And not the ones that you've already abandoned by the 2nd week of January.  These are resolutions that will likely make you more efficient and successful in 2013...or any year, for that matter.

Ten Resolutions The Most Successful People Make And Then Keep

Hand-Built Video Dolly

Finished Video Dolly

Now that I have a digital SLR that will record high-definition video, I want to take advantage of it and produce video pieces for my clients.  However, as most photographers know, the shape of dSLRs does not always enable steady hand-held use, and if you want to introduce intentional camera movement, most results look like they came from the cutting room floor of The Blair Witch Project.

This has spawned a whole new-fast growth industry in accessories for video dSLRs that allow the photographer/videographer to get better footage with motion effects, which add impact to the resulting video.  One such accessory is the video dolly, which allows the camera to be moved laterally in a smooth motion.  Like any new cottage industry, the prices of said accessories tend to be outrageous.  And as many of my peers will attest, said author of this blog will likely come up with a unique, hand-built, inexpensive solution that will operate at least as well as its over-priced brethren.  My peers have dubbed me “MacGyver” and it is a moniker that has to be earned…and it is not just thrown around like a party favor.  Here is my story...and my honey of a dolly.