Off camera flash on a tight budget

If you want to get creative with your flash photography you need to take the flash off camera. Now then, many people seem to think that to take the flash off camera you need top end flash photography equipment, which obviously costs a few pennies. 

Well..... this isn't quite true as it is possible to take some off camera flash photos without buying the latest and greatest flash photography gear. In fact, it is possible to take off camera flash photos on a shoe string budget, as explored in the clip below:-

Flash photography video playlist that may be of interest

Video review of the Manfrotto holster camera bag

Unfortunately, there is no "one size fits all" camera bag and you will need a different camera bag for different situations, different cameras/lenses, different shoots etc. Over the years I have bought many bags, some of which have fallen by the wayside but most of which I still own and use today. 

I recently purchased a Manfrotto medium sized holster camera bag - it seemed the perfect camera bag for my street travel photography set up, and now I have taken delivery of the bag, and used it I thought I would post a quick video review on how good (or not as the case may be) the Manfrotto holster camera bag is, and how useful (if at all) it is, and here it is:-

Photography ramblings video playlist that may be of interest

Off camera flash is something you have to try

If you are in a flash photography rut and want to try something different with your flash why not give off camera flash a go? Off camera flash photography is excellent and can result in some unique and stunning photos. 

If you still need convincing to try off camera flash photography you may want to check out the following (short) video clip, courtesy of Youtube.

Flash photography video playlist that may be of interest

Video review of the Yongnuo YN-24EX macro twin light

The Yongnuo YN-24EX macro twin flash is Yongnuo's version of the awesome Canon MT-24EX macro flash. As soon as I got the opportunity to have a play with the MT-24EX I wanted one, but with a price tag f over a grand there was no way my budget could take that, and even if it could I could never justify such an expensive flash.

When Yongnuo released their YN-24EX macro light with a price tag of just under a hundred and fifty quid I decided it was worth a punt and ordered one. Well, I have had my YN-24EX macro flash for several months now so I thought it was time to do a quick review to let potential users/buyers know what this macro light is like and if, indeed, it is worth buying. 

Without further ado here's my quick review:-

From the video it is clear to see that the Yongnuo YN-24EX is an excellent twin macro light and for the money, you won't get better.

If you prefer a ring flash, rather than the twin macro light set up I  have also reviewed the Yongnuo YN-14EX ring flash, which is another macro flash you may want to take a look at, and below is the video review that may be of interest to you:-

Once again Yongnuo have come up trumps with this macro light and if you want the best value for money the Yongnuo YN-14EX is something you definitely need to take a look at. 

Photography ramblings video playlist that may be of interest

Video review of the Yongnuo YN-14EX macro ring flash

In a bid to find an affordable, but good quality macro ring flash I stumbled across the Yongnuo YN-14EX. This ring flash is based on the popular (and far more expensive) Canon MR-14EX ring flash and the cheaper (but still expensive) Sigma EM-14 ring flash. The Yongnuo YN-14EX does exactly the same thing, works in exactly the same way and has the same features but it is a fraction of the cost, which means you get a lot of bang for the buck.

The YN-14EX seemed too good to miss so I ordered one, and boy am I glad I did. The YN-14EX ring flash is an excellent bit of macro photography equipment and I highly recommend it. Now I have owned, and used, my Yongnuo YN-14EX ring flash for several months I thought it was time to make a quick video review for potential users/buyers, and here it is:-

It is clear to see from the video that the Yongnuo YN-14EX is an excellent ring flash and if you want the biggest bang for your buck this is the macro ring flash to get. 

Another type of macro flash that may be of interest to you is the Yongnuo YN-24EX macro twin light, a different type of macro light that is based on the popular (and way, way more expensive) Canon MR-24EX. I also own the Yongnuo YN-24EX and have created a short video review that may be of interest to you, as follows:-

Once again, Yongnuo have come up trumps with this macro twin light and if a twin light suits your photography style better the Yongnuo YN-24EX is definitely something you should take a look at. 


Photography ramblings video playlist that may be of interest

Will the Lowepro 200 AW camera bag protect my photography gear?

If there's one thing a camera bag should be it's waterproof. I have invested a lot of money (more than I care to think about) on my camera and photography equipment therefore when I take it out I want to make sure there is no chance of it getting water damaged or wet in any way.

The type of camera bag I use is very important, after all it is what protects my photography gear from the elements and whatever Mother Nature decides to throw at it, therefore I always make sure any bag I use is 100% water proof.

Ideally, I would like to make sure that every camera bag I actually buy is 100% water proof, but I can't find any camera shops that will let me check out how waterproof a potential camera bag is without buying in the first place. Whenever I get a camera bag the first thing I do is what I like to call "the water proof test" to see if the bag is waterproof or not. 

I recently purchased a Lowepro AW200 camera bag and, just as I do with all camera bags I buy, I did the waterproof test, and below are the results:-

To see just how waterproof (or not as the case may be) the Lowepro 200 AW, and whether it is good enough to stop your photography kit from getting wet and water damaged check out the video.

The Lowepro 200AW is an excellent camera bag, especially if you don't like wearing backpacks. It is tough, durable, well padded, water proof and will keep your expensive photography equipment safe and sound. 

Photography ramblings video playlist that may be of interest

Using the Yongnuo YN300II LED light panels - Video footage

So now I have had my Yongnuo YN300 LED lighting for a solution for several days I thought it was about time I made a short clip on how these LED lights work, what they are like to work with and also my opinion of them, and here it is:-

If you missed by Yongnuo YN300II LED light un-boxing footage you can check it out below:-

The above videos clearly show that when it comes to continuous LED light panels Yongnuo have hit the nail on the head and managed to create a bright and powerful light that is not only fool proof to use but also awesome value for money. If you are in the market for an LED light panel the Yongnuo YN300II LED light is definitely one you should take a look at. 

Photography ramblings video playlist that may be of interest

A battery grip is an essential bit of photography kit

One of the most under rated digital photography accessories ever is the battery grip. Yep, this little (or not so little as the case may be for some models) accessory will transform the way your camera handles and, consequently, lead to you taking better photos as a result.

It is strange how many people fail to say the battery grip is an essential accessory, and I do wonder whether this is because these people want to keep it a secret or whether it is they haven’t yet experienced what a battery grip can do.

If there’s one situation a battery grip is essential it’s when using heavy and/or lenses and taking hand held shots. Heavy and/or long lenses can upset a camera’s balance, and make it awkward and ‘unnatural’ to shoot. Attach a battery grip however, and the balance is restored.

If you need more evidence of just what a vital bit of photography equipment a battery grip is check out the following clip, courtesy of Youtube. 

Photography ramblings video playlist that may be of interest

Un-boxing the Yongnuo YN300 LED lights

After many years of faithful service the old studio lighting system (six daylight balanced bulbs) has finally given up ghost and decided not to stop working. With the winter coming, i.e. the short days and long dark nights I really needed to replace the studio lighting system quickly, and after a bit of research I decided to update from normal photography bulbs and buy some LED light panels instead.

After a lot of reading around the internet, watching various Youtube reviews and the like I pulled the trigger on a pair of Yongnuo YN300 II LED Lights and now they have been delivered I thought I would create an unboxing video, as below, just to demonstrate exactly what I got for my money. Enjoy, and please feel free to comment on your experiences with the Yongnuo YN300 LED lights, or indeed any other LED lights you use for your studio photography. 

This video clearly shows that Yongnuo have nailed the brief with this LED lighting panel and if you need a small and lightweight, but powerful continuous LED light the Yongnuo YN300II is definitely one you should take a look at.

Photography ramblings video playlist that may be of interest