The Where To Start Chart is a tools designed to help beginning photographers navigate the settings on their camera. The chart is an interactive PDF file with links to hours of free photography tutorials. If you get to a spot and are unsure what something means, just click the box to watch a video about that topic.
Category Archives: Digital Photography 1 on 1
Light Modifiers
This week Mark talks about the difference between an umbrella and a softbox. Learn how your light modifier is affected by size, shape and control.
Gear used in this video
- Profoto D1 500 Watt Second Air Monolight Flash with Built-in Reflector & Power Cable, Coated Flash Tube
- Profoto D1 1000 Watt Second Air Monolight Flash with Built-in Reflector & Power Cable, Coated Flash Tube
- Nikon D3S Body Only
- Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G AF-S VR II Zoom-Nikkor ED-IF Lens
- Westcott 7 Feet Parabolic Umbrella, White/Black
- Profoto Softbox 2×2′ Recessed Front #254525 / 505-701
- Profoto 34″ Small White Umbrella. #100611 / 505-601
- Profoto Zoom Reflector 2 – Accepts Profoto Grids, No Gridholder Needed #100785 / 505-517
Understanding Watt Seconds
Learn all about Watt Seconds in this episode of Digital Photography 1 on 1. Mark answers the question, “How many watt seconds do I need?” Mark will show you that Ws don’t equate to light output. He’ll put several studio strobes to the test to find out which one is the most efficient.
Gear used in this video
- Profoto D1 500 Watt Second Air Monolight Flash with Built-in Reflector & Power Cable, Coated Flash Tube
- Flashpoint II 1220A Monolight, 600 Watt Second Strobe
- Profoto D1 1000 Watt Second Air Monolight Flash with Built-in Reflector & Power Cable, Coated Flash Tube
- Flashpoint 2420 Monolight, 1200 Watt Second Fan Cooled Strobe, 120 volt
- Profoto Pro-8a 1200 Air Power Pack, 1200 Watt Second Flash Generator
- Sekonic L-758DR DigitalMaster, Programmable Digital Flash & Ambient Exposure Meter
- Profoto Zoom Reflector 2 – Accepts Profoto Grids, No Gridholder Needed
- Profoto Silver Umbrella 42″
- Nikon D3S Body Only
- Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S Nikkor Lens – Nikon U.S.A. Warranty
- PocketWizard Plus III Transceiver #801-130
- Flashpoint 60″ x 60″ PZ Octabox. 5 Foot Octabox
Shooting with Grids
In this episode Mark Wallace demonstrates the use of grids in the studio. Mark shows you how grids help to restrict the light falling on the subject.
Gear used in this video
- Profoto Acute2R 1200 Pro Value Pack
- Matthews Baby Junior Triple Riser Stand with Wheels, http://www.adorama.com/MTH386020.html
- Profoto Softbox 4×6′
- Profoto 40° SoftGrid Kit for the 4′ x 6′ Softbox
- Profoto 20° Honeycomb Grid. #100606 / 505-528
- Profoto 10 Degree Honeycomb Grid for the #505-502 7″ Grid Reflector. #100634 / 505-572
- Profoto 5 Degree Honeycomb Grid for the #505-502 7″ Grid Reflector. #100635 / 505-571
- Profoto Zoom Reflector 2 – Accepts Profoto Grids, No Gridholder Needed #100785 / 505-517
- PocketWizard Plus III Transceiver #801-130
- Nikon SB-910 TTL AF Shoe Mount Speedlight
- Manfrotto 055XPROB Black Tripod Legs
- Manfrotto Midi Ball Head 498 with RC2 Rapid Connect Plate
- Nikon D3S Body Only
- Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G AF-S VR II Zoom-Nikkor ED-IF Lens
- Westcott Photo Basics 40″ 5-in-1 Collapsible Reflector Kit with Case, Reflector Holder Arm & Stand
Layer Masks
In this episode Mark Wallace shows you how to use layers in Photoshop.
Gear used in this video
Parking Lot Studio
In this episode Mark Wallace shows you how to build a high key lighting setup in a parking lot. Mark uses foam core panels and light stands to create shade and control the light. A white background is illuminated by the sun to create a Richard Avedon style photograph. This can be done with or without an on-camera flash.
Gear used in this video
- Matthews 5 lb. Cordura Sandbag with Sand, Black
- Savage Nucor, Plain Uncoated Foam Mount Board, 40×60″, Pack of 12 Boards
- Matthews Full Apple Box – 12x8x20″
- Permacell Gaffer Tape 25 Yards x 2″- Black
- Westcott Pro 8′ Free Sliding Lightstand with 5/8 Mounting Stud, 4 Sections with 3 Risers, Black Anodized
- Savage Seamless Background Paper, 107″ wide x 50 yards, Super White, #1
- Bogen Black Free Standing Background Support System, with Crossbar & Stands
- Canon EOS-5D Mark II Digital SLR Camera Body
- Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM AutoFocus Telephoto Zoom Lens with Case & Hood
- Canon Speedlite 580EX II
Getting it Right in Camera
In this episode Mark takes us through his creative process to see if it’s possible to get it right in camera. Join Mark in the studio for a hands-on demonstration that shows how he uses photography fundamentals to achieve his final images. Does he get what he wants? Is it possible to get it right in camera? Watch and find out.
Gear used in this video
- X-Rite Digital ColorChecker Passport, Exposure & White Balance System
- Sekonic Exposure Profile Target II
- PhotoVision 14″ Pocket One-Shot Digital Calibration Target
- Nikon D3S Body Only
- Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G AF-S VR II Zoom-Nikkor ED-IF Lens
- PocketWizard Plus III Transceiver #801-130
- Manfrotto 055XPROB Black Tripod Legs
- Manfrotto Midi Ball Head 498 with RC2 Rapid Connect Plate
Constant Light Versus Flash
In this episode Mark walks through the differences between using constant light and light from a flash. Join Mark in the studio for a hands-on demonstration that shows how constant light produces different results than light coming from a flash.
Gear used in this video
- Nikon D3S Body Only
- Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G AF-S VR II Zoom-Nikkor ED-IF Lens
- PocketWizard Plus III Transceiver #801-130
- Manfrotto 055XPROB Black Tripod Legs
- Manfrotto Midi Ball Head 498 with RC2 Rapid Connect Plate
- Matthews Baby Junior Triple Riser Stand with Wheels,
- Profoto Acute2R 1200 Pro Value Pack
- Photoflex Litedome Platinum, Large 36″ x 48″ Softbox
- Arri 650/3 Compact Fresnel Kit with 3 650 Watt Plus Fresnel Tungsten Lights, Bulbs, Accessories, & Wheeled Case – 1,950 Watts, 120 Volts.
- Quantum Turbo SC Slim Compact Battery Power Pack
- Quantum Cable CK-E2 for Turbo Battery
Find the Light
In this episode Mark demonstrates some techniques for shooting portraits (and a few other things) in natural light. Mark uses nothing but his camera, no reflectors or fill flash, to get terrific results. Mark also talks about open shade and how you can use it to get different lighting results.
Gear used in this video
- Fujifilm X-PRO1 Digital Camera Body, 16.3 Megapixel, APS-C X-Trans CMOS Sensor, 3.0″ LCD Monitor, Hi-Speed USB 2.0
- Fujifilm XF 60mm (90mm) F/2.4 Lens
- Sekonic L-358 Flash Master, Weatherproof Digital Incident & Reflected Flash and Ambient Light Meter
- Lowepro Pro Runner 200 AW Photo Backpack holds DSLR and 3 to 4 Lenses, Black
How Color Influences B&W Photography
In this week’s episode, Mark shows you how color can affect your black and white photography. Watch as Mark demonstrates specific techniques that can be applied in Lightroom or similar editing software to get the best results when working with black and white photography.
Gear used in this video
- Nikon D3S Body Only
- Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S Nikkor Lens – Nikon U.S.A. Warranty
- Apple MacBook Pro 15.4 inch LED Notebook
- Tether tableTether Tools Tether Table Premier, 18″ x 16″ – Black
- Adobe Photoshop Lightroom V4 Software
- Savage Seamless Background Paper, 107″ wide x 50 yards, Slate Gray, #26
- Nikon SB-910 TTL AF Shoe Mount Speedlight
- Westcott 32″ White Satin Umbrella with Removable Black Cover
- PocketWizard Plus III Transceiver #801-130
- X-Rite Digital ColorChecker Passport, Exposure & White Balance System