10 Things You Should do to Prepare for Strobist Photography

 

Photographed by Joey Lawrance

Over the last couple of years the term strobist has become increasingly popular in the world of amateur photography. A strobist is a photographer who uses off-camera flash (OCF) to take pictures. Instead of the usual pop-up flash or speedlight attached on top of the camera, strobists use OCF to achieve more pleasing and more dynamic photographs. This is a result of the placement of the light, since it is not limited to one direction, i.e. the top of the lens. With off-camera flashes, you can experiment to achieve better results.


Traditional photographers used to seek out the best light possible in order to make great photographs, strobists create it themselves. At the heart of the stobist movement is being able to understand how light, and more specifically the combination of light from multiple sources contributes towards great photographs.

Photographed by Joey Lawrence

Here are, some tips of strobist photography:

1. You shall not tether your camera to your strobe when you can use a radio slave.

2. You shall not break your back with heavy equipment as long as you can get the job done with lighter equipment.

3. You shall not use big lights when a small strobe can get the job done.

4. Always find a way to fit your equipment in one small case able to fit in the overhead compartment of an airline seat.

5. Always be able to fit all equipment in the trunk of a small car.

6. You shall not light the volume of space, only light the visible planes.

7. You shall never take more time to unpack gear than to shoot assignment.

8. Always carry extra flashes.

9. Learn to play well with ambient light.

10. You shall not enslave your strobe to the limits of on-camera flash.  Good light almost never primarily comes from the top of the camera.
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