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Portrait innovations
Summary: Portrait innovations like the use of "constant lights" from Photo Basics provide photographers of all skill levels quality and affordable studio-like lighting and the instruction to make it work.
Portrait innovations in the digital age come in all
shapes and sizes. Advances in technology are enabling beginners in SLR
digital photography to advance their skills rapidly.
However, the use of electronic studio-style flash
photogrpahy for beginners and even experienced photographers can be
perplexing. In addition to the intimidation, the cost of multiple
studio flash units is often a budget buster.  | | The innovative floor positiong mat provides a life-sized guide to postioning lights, subject and camera. |
To the rescue comes a wonderful innovation from an Ohio company called Photo Basics.
Seeing the light
Using “hot light” technology, that’s lightbulbs, not
electronic flash, the innovators offer affordable lighting equipment
and the step by step “how to” instruction.
Photo Basics calls the technology “constant lights” which is to say they are lights that project on to the subject continuously.
For advanced beginners and even seasoned
photographers that “constant light” allows you to see where the light
is falling on the subject. It helps to eliminate unwanted shadows
and uneven light ratios resulting in bad photos.
With Photo Basics lighting kits, what you see is what you get, literally.
Quality at an affordable price
A two light kit for $479.90 contains two light
housings, two photofloods, two silver/white umbrellas, 2 stands, a
slate-colored background, floor-positiong mat, instructional DVD and
carrying case.
The position mat provides a layout for placing
subject, camera and lights. The mat provides a great starting point and
is a great confidence builder that will assure good results the first
time use.
A three light kit for $599.90 contains essentially
the same items as the aforementioned kit. This kit features three
housings, photofloods, umbrellas and stands.
The light housings are well constructed, with clearly
marked instructions and switches and they are easy to use. The stands are
sturdy and easy to operate as well.
The instructional DVD provides great details on operating on positioning with tips
that prove worthwhile to beginners and even this seasoned pro at Portraitsecrets.
An added “product photography” accessory
Available in a two light kit with 2 light
housings, 2 photo floods, 2 light stands a 20-inch digitent,
instructional DVD and a carring case for $349.00.
The digitent is a diffusion tent capable of housing
items to be photographed in a shadowless style. For example, a
secondary market seller in e-commerce may want to photograph an antique for reslae.
The item, placed in the digitent and illuminated by lights outside the
tent, can be photographed without harsh shadows while removing much of
the guesswork invloved in exposure and light placement.
Additional individual components are available along with reflector kits and backgrounds.  | | A full range of lighting gear and accesories are available from photobasics.net. |
Light kits are available through retail outlets and online at photobasics.net.
Again, our trusted friends at Provident Camera in Cincinnati tipped us on this new product.
“We can’t keep them on the shelf, said Ben Lefton, a
Provident co-owner. We are selling them to moms who are takng them home
and setting up studio lighting in their garages and basements.”
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Good photographs begin with good light. In the digital photography world, the quality of light corresponds to the quality of the photograph. The dramatic light of the early morning and late afternoon can raise the quality of your images. In poorly lit situations use supplemental lighting from the camera's flash in the fill-flash mode.
• more tips & tricks
Adobe's Photoshop is very expensive at nearly $700, Is it worth it?
Dear PS,
Adobe's Photoshop is very expensive at nearly $700, Is it worth it?
On the cheap in Oregon
Dear On the cheap,
Yes! If you plan to take creative steps in dealing with your images, photoshop and the lastest Creative Suite 2 are simply the best and most efficients image handling programs available. Is it "worth it" to you, that depends on what you hope to achieve with your images. I would suggest the Elements version of photoshop as an entry level position. Better yet, check a local computer store or even the Apple Store an invest a little time in attending a couple of their tutorial classes for a "test drive" of the program. Then you'll be better informed before you spend your money.
Thanks for your question,
Michael at PS
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 Michael E. Keating is an award winning portrait photographer...
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