EDU10 is all about lighting, technology and the ever-changing landscape of growing creative tools thanks to ProfotoUSA. These shorts podcasts are all about creativity and how some of the industry's most respected artists are fulfilling their mind's eye visions with Profoto's technology.

The Profoto team never slows down. They believe in manufacturing the finest lighting gear in imaging, but stay focused on education, and helping artists create and capture some of the most beautiful images in photography.

I caught up to Bobbi Lane this week for the first episode of EDU10 in the new year. She's an artist, educator, author and a good friend to so many of us in the industry.  

If you try and figure out how old photography is on the Internet, you'll find a lot of different opinions.  For me, I'm going with 1822 by a French Inventor, which puts us at 196 years old. The only reason I'm sharing this is that I keep writing about photographers having the most number of creative tools in the ____ year history of photography.

Well, it's time to add another one, that can help bring your skill set to a whole new level, Profoto's Phone App (Beta) for the B10.  Watch the short video above, then check out the five categories of creative support the App provides.

It all starts with "smart remote control," and through the five benefits Profoto describes on their website, this App gives artists a new level of control.

Profoto never slows down in the quality of their products, support for the professional photographic community or their focus on education!

To find out more about the App, click on any of the screenshots in this post. And, finding out about the B10 is only a click away. Plus, the promotion on Profoto's A1 ends on December 31, 2018. Check out the full line of equipment with a visit to your local Profoto retailer. Just click on the banner below to find the one nearest you.

I grabbed a screenshot from their first stop on the "umbrella tour," deciding on the shape. Next came deciding on the fabric, followed by the size. There are so many of you who don't understand the full range of creativity an umbrella can add to various images.

There's a lot of great content in this section, including videos, inspirational stories, and segments taking you "behind the scenes," as various artists demonstrate how they're using Profoto products, especially umbrellas. 

But don't take my word for how good the information is, click on any of the images in this post and visit the section for yourself. There's even a section to help you accessorize your choice with umbrellas, giving you more diversity and the ability to turn your umbrella into a softbox! 


While you're on the Profoto site, check out the lineup of "family members" in their Off-Camera Flash System. And, there's a great promotional offer going on right now, until December 31, 2018 on Profoto's On-Camera Flash System with the A1! 

​It's Throwback Thursday and while I shared these techniques many years ago, the more photographers I "meet" online, the more relevant understanding lighting technique has become. There are so many of you who could raise the bar on the quality of your portraits with better lighting!

In 1999, Don Blair and I published Don Blair's Guide to Lighting and Posing Body Parts. That's 19 years ago, and the information we shared in this book will never go out of date. The whole idea for a book like this started during one of Don's programs when somebody sitting near me said, "This is great stuff - there should be a book on this!"

Well, the sweetheart of Don's life, his wonderful wife Donna, had passed away a year or so earlier and the project started with a dual purpose - to help photographers improve their portraiture and to give Don something to help take his mind off the pain of a broken heart. I remember being on the road with him several times, and he'd always buy a rose and put it on the pillow next to him as his own tribute to Donna.

We did all the photography for the book in Las Vegas with models from the area because we wanted to introduce the book at WPPI the following year with a program that included the same models. Tony Corbell, Terry Deglau joined us as we storyboarded each page on the wall of the hotel room where we were shooting. Remember, there was no digital imaging then - every shot for the book was first captured on a Polaroid proof. Bambi Cantrell later added the finishing touch with the author's portrait for the back page on the right.

The fun of today's post has two parts. First, so many of you need to understand the basic principles of good lighting, and it doesn't get any easier than to share Don's examples, complete with diagrams. Second, what a kick to take this walk down Memory Lane. Even though I've shared some of the backstories about Body Parts before, "Big Daddy" was one of the most loved photographers in the industry. I think about our adventures together all the time.  It's a great reminder why the memories we help people capture are so important!

If you need help in improving your portrait technique, technology has changed a lot, and Marathon Press can still print the book, but no longer have it in stock. If you've got an interest let me know in the comment section and I'll pass on the information. 

​Happy Throwback Thursday!

Now and then a product shot comes along that's just fun to share. I loved this image of Tina from the post.  Two things hit me - first, Oscar May clearly captured the essence of the artist posing with her gear. Second, is how Profoto with their extensive family of light-shaping tools and the portability of their On-Camera and Off-Camera Flash Systems have changed the way photographers capture images...anywhere and at any time of day!

​There's a terrific promotion going on with the A1 right now through the end of the year. And, check out why the A1 is so remarkable with a click on the banner below.

In the 190+ year history of photography, photographers have never had more creative tools to work with than today. Many of them are all thanks to Profoto! Isn't it time you found out what all the buzz was about?

"My clients hire me because I add an editorial feeling to their wedding images."
Jana Williams

As you watch this video think about how you'd tell your story, and all in just two minutes. Every client is looking for something different from their photographer. Jana talks about her work having an editorial style, which is how she likes to capture and create. But, click on either image I captured in this post to visit Jana's galleries, and you'll see some beautiful work and understand, while her passion is more to the lifestyle side, her skill set and choice of gear allows her to pretty much capture whatever her clients need.

But there's one more aspect of this video I wanted to share, and it's the location where she's shooting. Jana's based in the Los Angeles area and right now, the area is being destroyed by the fires. And, while the backdrop of the rolling hills where this video was filmed might not have been directly affected by the fires, for sure Jana's images over the years have captured many of the areas most beautiful locations, now destroyed. 

So many of us have written and talked about the responsibility each photographer has to never compromise on the quality of an image, but it's not just about the subjects who you photograph. It's also about the surroundings and the timeless beauty of the locations where you photograph.

There's a lot you can learn by watching other photographers working, even in a short video. Profoto never slows down in developing more tools to help photographers raise the bar on the quality of their images and in their focus on education as well.

Find out what all the buzz is about with a visit to your Profoto retailer or rental house. Just click on the banner below for more information. Then, take their Off-Camera Flash System out for your own test drive. You'll never be disappointed with the results.

A couple of months ago Profoto announced the new B10. Once again they created their own little paradigm shift by expanding what photographers can do with light...anywhere!

Going back to my Hasselblad days, I spent a lot of time in Scandinavia, but never enough time in Norway. I'm excited to share the video below.  It not only features the work of Frøydis Geithus but demonstrates the portability of the new B10 and the potential to control the light at any time of the day and in virtually any environment.

Frøydis is hiking through the mountains of Norway without any restrictions on her creativity. There's a lot of good content in this video, and as always, Profoto does a great job in sharing her images and each "recipe" along the way.

One of my favorite segments in the video was the clip where she's got her subjects in the mountains, and it's well into dusk. Nothing slows Frøydis down. I grabbed a screenshot just to show the freedom the B10 gave her to merely be creative. She's working in the dark!

I also appreciate the way Profoto has been sharing the gear used with each image. They're not only the leader in lighting technology but often in online education.

You can learn so much watching other artists work, regardless of their subject matter or where they're working. Click on the image above to visit Frøydis' facebook page. She's photographing all over the world and shares a lot of great images.

Isn't it time you visited a Profoto dealer or rental house? Take the B10 out for your own test drive and you'll immediately understand what all the buzz is about! Just click the banner below to visit the Profoto website for more information.

Intro by Skip Cohen 

While the Internet has made the world a significantly smaller place, one of the most fun aspects is when you catch up to a cyber-buddy in real time - live! There's still no better way to build relationships than face to face. That's one more great reason to attend every convention you can squeeze into your schedule and expand the "social" in social media.

Last week at PhotoPlus Expo in NYC I caught up to Fred Windholz. While we may have met sometime over the years, I really know him from social media, especially Facebook. With everything I post, Fred is always one of the first to check it out. So, when bumping into each other at the show, I knew exactly who he was.

Fred's got a great background in lighting and in an IM conversation I asked him if he wanted to share some of that expertise. I suggested three of the best tips he's ever received, and here he is this morning!

I know for some of you this post might seem a little basic, but so often, especially when you're busy, a quick refresher of a few basics might be just what you need for a quick charge. Your clients trust you to capture the very best images. Learning to see the light and understand how it impacts each photograph may well be the most critical skill in building a strong brand.  

Fred should be on your radar - click on any image to link to his Facebook page, and keep track of what he's up to.
Stay tuned because I'm hoping I can talk Fred into sharing more!

Size & Distance:  I put these together because they usually go hand in hand. Here’s the key, size and distance relative to your subject, will render a softer or harsher light.  That is why on a cloudy day the shadows are softer as the clouds act as a large light source and bringing the light source closer to your subject.  The direct sun is large relative to the earth but it is small relative to your subject.  ​

Power:  So what does power do?  Well, first it can affect your exposure for one (ie. f stop, ISO and/or shutter), which can affect your overall look.  But let’s think of the sun…it is very powerful.  Direct sun (small light source, far away) creates strong shadows. Bring in the clouds as we discussed earlier and because of the powerof the sun it can penetrate through those clouds to give a nice soft light. This becomes more relative when using flash or studio lights.  A small hot shoe flash will render less power than a strong studio light.  So if I want to use a large soft box I would want a light with more power to maximize and fill the soft box to have enough power to reach my subject.  If I were using a flash outdoors to compete with the sun I would want one with more power. On the other side if I just needed a little light a less powerful flash would suffice.

We started the "Why?" series to introduce you to some of the most respected artists and educators in professional photography but with each new episode the dynamics keep expanding. Mark Toal, one of our past guests on "Why?" compared the challenge of picking one of his favorite images to being asked, "Which of your children do you love more?" It's an impossible task.

Pye Jirsa shares two of his favorites in this new episode, and right from the beginning, he comments on the images not being his "most dramatic, epic or impressive", but at the very top of the charts because of the reaction from his clients. And, that's what makes the "Why?" series, so special and fun to share.

Great images aren't just about technique but the reaction from the client. Being a professional photographer is about building relationships, not just capturing memories. With these images from Pye's favorite list, he not only captured a memory, but he also created one.

Based out of Southern California, Pye is part of the award-winning team of Lin and Jirsa. He's no stranger to SCU and over the past two years, thanks to Profoto, we've shared at least ten different posts and videos featuring Pye as one of the industry's finest educators. Even with this short podcast, you'll pick up more tips on lighting.

Looking for outstanding educational content? Check out the SLR Lounge with a click on either of Pye's images in this post. And, take the time to look at the Lin and Jirsa galleries featuring dozens of beautiful photographs. Their galleries are a blueprint demonstrating one of the most important aspects of building a successful business as a professional photographer - they know how to tell each story!

Pye captured the images with Profoto's Off-Camera Flash System. Just click on the banner below to visit Profoto's website, and then get yourself into a Profoto dealer or rental house, and take the finest gear in lighting today for your own test drive!

A few weeks ago Profoto announced a new member of their Off-Camera Flash System family, the new B10. There's a lot of buzz out there about this remarkable new light. Creating all the noise are some of the most diverse artists in the industry, and I love the way Profoto announces a new product to build the backstory.

One aspect of the new launch is a series of short videos featuring photographers from all over the world taking the B10 for a test drive. Over and again, the work being shared is pretty interesting, and you can learn so much watching other photographers work.

In this new video, French photographer, Little Shao takes the B10 to Seoul and spends a day with a group of epic breakdancers. In under three minutes, he shares several of his favorite images together with some good solid narrative of what's in his mind's eye each time he clicks the shutter.

Find out more about the new B10 with a click on the banner below. And, finding a Profoto dealer is just click away. To see more of Little Shao's work click on any of his images.

​Profoto never slows down in their product development to provide photographers with the very best tools to raise the bar on the quality of their images. Today photographers have the most creative tools in the history of photography. And, Profoto is helping you take control of the light to a new level!

EDU10 is all thanks to ProfotoUSA. The Profoto team never stops working to help you raise the bar on the quality of your images. They not only believe in manufacturing the finest lighting gear in imaging, but they stay focused on education, and helping artists create and capture some of the most beautiful images in photography.

JB Sallee joins me on this new episode. He's a photographer, an artist, an educator and a good friend to so many of us in the industry. Working together with his wife DeEtte for the past fourteen years, they've built a reputation for unmatched quality.

Their specialty is primarily on people - families, children, brides and grooms but the list goes on and on. And, spend just a few minutes with him and you'll find his passion for the craft is pretty much unmatched. Repeatedly in WPPI print competition, he's led the way with top honors, year after year. 

Just recently he returned from a Profoto trip to Alaska with some of the most talented artists in professional photography today. It was an introduction to Profoto's new B10, but in addition, an exchange of ideas and creativity.

In this new episode, JB shares some terrific insight into how their work has changed thanks to Profoto's Off-Camera Flash Systems. They now have the ability to truly control the light - no matter what time of the day, or for that matter where they are.

Click on any of Salle images in this post to visit their website and see more of their work. I've only grabbed a handful of my favorites, but you'll see how hard it is to do the minute you "scroll" into the Sallee galleries.

And, check out the new B10 along with Profoto's complete product line with a click on the B10 above. Then, get yourself into a Profoto dealer and check out what all the buzz is about!

Last week and right on time, Profoto introduced the new B10. I shared the trailer video for the launch featuring Two Mann Studios and Joseph Radhik last Wednesday. But, there's a lot more to the story, and I like the way Profoto's put this backstory video together about the B10 and why it's a significant part of the family.
 
Going back to my roots at Polaroid and working with many other companies in the industry over the years, so often new products were introduced by accident, rather than through research and defining an actual need and benefit. I love this background video on the new B10 because it introduces you to the thought process behind the product. It's not an accident but is well-defined with a purpose and benefit to helping photographers control the light.

The video gives you a chance to meet the people involved, and they've made sure they don't miss anything in the development process from the B10 itself to the compatible accessories and even the design of the backpack. I love the comment from Jacob von Matern, the designer of the pack, "Because like the B10 the bag too has to work flawlessly. It's a combination of all the details in perfect harmony."​

It's time to get yourself into a Profoto dealer and check out what all the buzz is about. Just click on the banner below to learn more about the B10. Profoto never slows down in helping photographers raise the bar on the quality of their images and their ability to control the light wherever they go!

Last week I shared a post from Profoto that was just a teaser about something new coming on September 12. Well, true to form and always keeping their promises, meet the new B10! Just a little bigger than a medium-sized zoom lens, here's Profoto's opening description:

Size matters, it does. Because how much gear you have to carry matters. How much space you have to set up and work in matters. Being able to move fast, getting in, getting out and nailing the shot matters.

That's why when Profoto set out to create the Profoto B10, their brand new cordless off-camera flash, the company first considered size. Or rather, a lack of it. “We designed the B10 to be small,” said Göran Marén, Product Manager at Profoto. “Just a little bigger than a medium-sized zoom lens. That means you can fit it in your bag with the rest of your gear and because it’s cordless and lightweight, it’s easy to bring and set up anywhere. That said, this is in every way a Profoto light, so the power and quality of light is essential.”

Two of my favorite images shared with the B10 announcement are from Two Mann Studios and Joseph Radhik. If you've followed the SCU blog, their work isn't new to you. They're award-winning wedding photographers who never compromise on the quality of their images. Click on either image to see visit their website and see more of their work.

In Profoto's new B10 section on their website, there's a statement that combined with Profoto's legendary reputation for quality and performance says it all:

And, this short two-minute video will give you an even better perspective on the size of the B10 and how it really is designed to make life easier!

Click on the banner below and meet the newest member of the family. Then get into a Profoto dealer and find out how the B10 can join your family!

I LOVE teaser campaigns and nobody does it better than Profoto!  We've all heard the expression, "good things come in small packages." Check out the short video tied in with this announcement that came out yesterday and then circle September 12 on your calendar! 

All of us know technology never stands still, and that certainly sums up Profoto's never-ending focus on groundbreaking lighting products. Click on the light above and link to the announcement, then watch the twenty second video!

Another game-changer is about to hit the industry!

One of the things I love about all the content shared on Profoto's blog, and YouTube channel is that the information is timeless. There is no expiration date on technique, passion for the craft or an understanding of lighting.

As the leader in lighting technology, they're dedicated to making sure their support to the photographic community is just as remarkable as their product line. They never slow down sharing great content featuring some of the most respected and talented photographers in the world.

In this short video featuring fashion photographer Pauline Darley, she puts Profoto's B2 Off-Camera Flash System to work. She shares a lot of great insight in this video, and you can learn so much watching another photographer at work. ​
​
This quote from the video says it all, and sums up why so many photographers love working with their Profoto gear...consistent performance.

In a professional's work, consistency is everything!
Pauline Darley

This video was part of a terrific blog post originally. Click on any of Pauline Darley's images to read the complete story.

If you haven't visited a Profoto dealer, isn't it time to find out what all the buzz is about. Just click on the banner below for information about the complete Profoto line, and while you're visiting their website, stop by "Inspiration" for some of the most dynamic content in imaging.

There's so much incredible content in the Profoto archives on YouTube. Hundreds of videos, each with an ability to help you fine-tune your technique and elevate your skill set. I may have missed sharing this video from Pye Jirsa last year, but that doesn't change it's relevance to the images so many of you are working to capture today.

In eight minutes he's not only packed in ten different ways to shoot the same scene but with each one he's given you all the specs on his setup. Again and again, he shares the "recipe" for the image, and while most of you won't be shooting at the top of a mountain range, it doesn't change how much you can learn from watching a great educator at work.

Check out more of Pye's educational support for photographers with a visit to his teaching website. As one of the co-founders of SLRLounge.com, Pye always walks the talk when it comes to education and working to help photographers better support each other. He never compromises on his gear, the quality of his images or his passion for education and the industry.

Profoto never slows down in their product development or their efforts to help photographers raise the bar on their skill set.

Check out the Profoto B2 and find out what all the buzz is about. 

It's the off-camera flash system that literally goes just about anywhere! Click on the B2 banner to the right for more information and to find a dealer near you.

There's so much outstanding content being shared all year long on Profoto's website. Well, now and then I miss something that deserves to be shared. While it might have been released last fall, this blog post and video featuring Vanessa Joy are loaded with great information that, like Vanessa, is always relevant.

Vanessa shares a lot of "how-to" information in this short video. It's a solid reminder that your success as an artist is dependent on your ability to control the light rather than waiting as the light controls you!

                        "The world is my studio because with the A1 I can  
​                             bring that natural light look wherever I go!"

Enjoy the video and click on any of Vanessa's images in this post to read the entire story on Profoto's "Inspiration."​

Check out Vanessa's video and then check out her website and make sure she's on your radar. She's always doing something cutting edge and linking to her website is just a click away. 

Profoto never slows down in their quest to develop great educational videos with a wide variety of artists and topics. I love this short piece featuring Albert Watson and one of his most iconic images.

There's so much solid content in this 1 1/2 minute video.  Remember, this image was captured in 1973 - forty-five years ago! No digital image to "chimp;" shot on film and all in manual mode on whatever gear Albert was using at the time. 

Most of you probably don't remember the image when it first came out, but it's another iconic portrait and there a few things that I love about it. First, it's black and white. Second, is Albert's concept behind the image and why, which he talks about in the video and third, Alfred Hitchcock was photographed by one of today's most significant contemporary artists.

Albert Watson's work is timeless because he's made it a point always to stay relevant. 
 
"Albert’s visual language follows his own distinctive rules and concepts of quality. With their brilliance, urgency, even grandeur, his photographs stand out so clearly against the world of today’s images. His way of lighting subjects, especially the fetish objects and portraits, creates a nearly meditative atmosphere in the photographs. Without a doubt, Albert Watson is an artist who greatly enriches our perception with his unique photographic view."

Check out more of Albert Watson's backstory with a click on his image above. It's part of an outstanding post by Clare Gillsäter. And, while you're there, you'll find Profoto's Inspiration tab a terrific resource about some of the finest artists in photography today.

Time to find out more about Profoto's extensive product line? Find a Profoto dealer near you with a click on the banner below.

Obviously, I started this mini-podcast series because Profoto is an SCU partner and I love their products, reputation, and support to the professional photographic community. But, there's been a side-benefit - each short podcast, typically 5-10 minutes has given you a chance to meet another photographer. 

We all know the names of the six artists featured on EDU10 so far this year, but listening to their comments about how they shoot, light their subjects and even a few of the challenges gives a blog post a new dimension. Best of all it provides you as a reader a little more insight into the importance of great lighting and creativity.

Click on any of the featured images below to listen to some of the most respected artists and educators in professional photography today. You just might be surprised at some of their stories and how Profoto is changing the way they capture some of their most favorite images.

Profoto has changed the way photographers work today, removing virtually all of the normal limitations on lighting. They've given photographers the ability to control the light - anywhere - and at the same time expand their creativity and capture some of the finest photographs in the world.

Find out what all the buzz about with a visit to your Profoto dealer, starting with their website - it's all just a click away.

I've often said the fun of this industry has little to do with photography but the friendships that come out of everyone's love for the craft. Well, it's time to meet one of the nicest guys in photography, John Cornicello. Although John and I had known of each other and shared a number of good friends for many years, it wasn't until my two-day marketing program on CreativeLive in 2012 we actually had a chance to meet. 

Recently I discovered his book on Amazon, Anatomy of a Studio Portrait. Usually a title like that means the basics - exposure, composition and lighting. Well, John never does anything halfway and this book is one of the most thorough I've ever read.

There are thirteen chapters covering all the ingredients to consider when creating a stunning portrait, even the backdrop, aspect ratio and depth of field.

However, the most fun for me when it comes to friends in this industry is digging back to their roots.  From 1985 to 1991, ABC, A&E, and The Travel Channel aired a weekly half-hour TV show for photographers called “World of Photography.”  I went and did a little digging and found the video of John below from thirty years ago.

Technology has changed a lot over the last three decades, but not John's demeanor, passion for the craft or his dedication to quality and education. ​Check out the book with a click on any of the images in this post and you'll also find John as a regular on many past episodes of CreativeLive along with his own channel of 39 videos. Just wander over to YouTube.