We all have artists we enjoy following and Mike Allebach is one of mine. He's a writer, artist, educator and with Profoto's "Tiny Talks" series you're introduced to a long list of movers and shakers in photography today. In this video from Profoto's YouTube channel, there's a lot of great content as Mike takes you through some of his techniques for capturing stunning images.

Visiting Mike's website it's so hard to pick favorite images. I chose these four because he talks about three of them in the video above, and one I simply loved the look and feel of the image. In just a six-minute video Mike takes you through a solid list of lighting techniques, and with each image there's a different accessory. From bare bulb, to grids, a snoop, barn doors and gels, this video is just as much a lesson in light-shaping as it is creativity. I especially love the technique he's using to capture the image on the right and all with just one light!

Profoto's Off Camera Flash system has repeatedly been described as the "game changer."  If you haven't checked out Profoto's incredible equipment and accessories click on this thumbnail shot of the "family," and then visit a Profoto dealer.

Get to know Mike a little better with a click on any of his images to see more of his work. And, if you see him on the platform speaking at any convention, run, don't walk to grab a seat.

Looking for more educational support? Check out Profoto USA's YouTube channel. They don't just manufacture the finest lighting in professional photography - they're also helping artists build a stronger skill set.

For years I've talked about the best part of the photographic industry having nothing to do with photography, but the friendships that come out of everyone's love for the craft. Our friendship with Roberto Valenzuela is a perfect example and he, along with Profoto need to be on your radar. If you haven't seen my good buddy in action when he's teaching, check out this under four minute teaser, "Tiny Talks", from Profoto USA.

The image I pulled from Roberto's galleries above is especially fun for me, because Roberto captured/created this image here in Sarasota, and we had dinner with him the night before. He talks about how he lit the shot in this video. We're both "foodies" and I have no idea how many conversations we've had over dinner!

To see more of Roberto's work click on the image above to link to his website. Looking for more educational support? Check out Profoto USA's YouTube channel. They don't just manufacture the finest lighting in professional photography - they're also helping you build a stronger skill set.

Intro by Skip Cohen

Over the many years of my career on the professional photography side of the industry, starting in 1987 at Hasselblad USA, you can imagine how many photographs I've seen. From actual prints in fully loaded portfolio cases, years before the Internet, to thousands of online galleries today.

One area that's a never-ending challenge for so many artists, especially wedding photographers, tends to come with food and detail shots. I recognize how difficult it is when you don't have the gear, the studio or for that matter the time, but check out this post from Profoto's blog and the work of Preston Ray.

I'm a huge fan of this series, "Rising Light," which profiles student photographers from all over the world. In this post, Harley Anderson does a terrific job of sharing the work of a student focused on learning to control the light. And, while you might not have access to a studio environment like Preston does, you do have access to the same gear through any Profoto Dealer or Rental House.

Even more important is raising the bar on the educational tools available through a wide variety of resources, including Profoto sponsored workshops, conventions, and conferences. If you're a wedding photographer, you'll rarely have the time to set up a shot like some of Preston's below. But, understanding how to capture images like this will help you with whatever equipment and time constraints you're dealing with.

Profoto doesn't just make great lighting gear - they're helping to make great imaging artists! Click on either of the tabs below and take Profoto gear out for a test drive. You'll never be disappointed in the equipment or the support from the Profoto team.

Written by Harley Anderson
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Rising Light is an article series highlighting promising photography students from all over the world. This month we introduce Preston Ray at School of Visual Communication at Ohio University.
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The problem with growing up in Havre Montana is that despite an abundance of endless big skies and scenic landscapes, there’s a serious shortage of photography schools. Graphic design programs you can find. Photography departments? Zilch. Odd as it may sound if it wasn’t for the fact Preston Ray fell in love with a girl from Romania he might not have ever discovered the wonders of studio lighting.

Preston has been taking pictures for the better part of 15 years. It wasn’t until he began pursuing an MA degree in Commercial Photography at the School of Visual Communication at Ohio University at Athens, where his now wife is pursuing her PHD, that he discovered the wonders of studio lighting. Being a self-admitted control freak, studio lighting was in his eyes the tools he needed to break through a few creative walls he had been facing. Rather than chasing the light Preston Ray slowly began learning how to control the light.

​Preston was smitten with the school’s extensive library of Profoto lighting equipment.  And very soon he opted to purchase his own Profoto D1 3-head Studio kit, which he keeps on-the-ready in his home studio for times the creative bug kicks in during the wee hours of the evening.

While travel and portrait photography has always been his primary interests, Preston took an acute interest in food and still life photography after experiencing a weekend portrait photography workshop at the BurkleHagen Photography studio in Cleveland.

​It was during this weekend where he was able to finally apply his undergraduate graphic design training with his growing understanding of studio lighting. It was also during this weekend that Ray came to the realization it was possible for him to actually earn a living doing what he loves doing the most.

​Preston Ray’s food studies are visually tight, well composed, and lit accordingly. Ray is particularly fond of the Profoto Softbox RFi 1×4’, which he often uses with grids. He finds strip lights particularly adept for selectively lighting his subjects and controlling fall-off and stray light.

In addition to strip lights, Preston also makes good use of his Profoto Softboxes RFi 1,3×2’ and RFi 2×3’, as well as his Profoto Zoom Reflectors, all of which he regularly uses with grids.
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Ray’s current camera system is composed of a Nikon D750 with 50mm f/1.4, 85mm f/1.4, 105mm f/2.8 Micro, and 70-200mm f/2.8 Nikkor AF lenses.

Along with studying the work of other photographers, particularly photographer Joey L, Ray offers many kudos to Larry Hamel-Lambert, who’s brain he constantly picks for information and inspiration, creative, technical, and otherwise.
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Though he has a knack for portraiture, Ray has been leaning more towards food and automotive still life mostly because he can fuss over the detail with inanimate subjects easier than living and breathing subjects. As for the future, Preston says he’d like nothing better than to be able to travel the world and photograph all of the more visually stimulating dishes he encounters along the way.