Control the Light with Strobist Photography
David Hobby, an American photographer who once worked for The Baltimore Sun, experimented with artificial lighting and its effects on photography. Other photographers picked up his technique and style; thus, the Strobist movement was born.
The strobist movement is more commonly referred to as the concept behind strobist photography. This style does not use the usual pop-up flash or those attached to the camera. Instead, strobes use different types of off-camera flashes (OCFs) that allow them to experiment with the direction or placement of the light.
What is strobist photography?
Basically, strobist photography uses portable lights to create the desired effects. Although it is a relatively new genre or style, it has attracted many photographers because of the outcome it produces, specifically the greatly improved light quality of pictures. Thus, the images look more natural and lively. Strobist photography also helps remove disturbing highlights and shadows.
Most strobist photographers use flashguns, studio strobes, and practically any artificial light they can access. Photographers who do a lot of studio shoots use this style to come up with creative shots. With the help of OCFs, they can produce better indoor pictures. They can experiment with the effect they want because the strobes allow them to have more control over lighting and, thus, how their final product will come out.
Fashion and portrait shoots also benefit significantly from strobist photography. A flashgun or strobe light can capture the right dramatic aura of a scene without going overboard. In other words, there are no flat effects due to harsh lighting. The strobes give off a soft, almost natural effect that photographers can easily use to their advantage.
With Strobist photography, illuminating a small bouquet of roses can give a more dramatic effect. Thus, the roses will be more detailed, and the bouquet will have its character. The flowers’ accurate colors will also be more pronounced.
Strobist photography helps meticulous photographers when it comes to selective lighting for subjects. The strobes can be controlled to light up only one area or side of the subject (or subjects) and create a more effective and attention-grabbing image. Also, strobes can produce just the right kind of shadow for any photo. A photographer can control the shadow’s direction and level of harshness or softness – and even how strongly a scene or subject should be lit.
Finally, strobe lights or off-camera flashes make it easy for photographers to even out the tones and colors of their images.
Tools that you need
If you want to try strobist photography, here are some things you should have:
- A good camera that allows you to be flexible and creative. One with an x-sync speed of 1/500 is recommended.
- A manually controlled camera flash will allow you to better control your settings, prevent overexposed images, and create more creative photos.
- Using an off-camera flash will be convenient if you have the right accessories. Therefore, you should invest in good-quality light stands, reflectors, and even a softbox or umbrella to modify light.
For some, strobist photography can mean more things to carry to shoots or more weight to work with. But everything pays off in the end because strobist photography gives you the freedom to create the photos you want in the way you prefer. Photography, after all, is more about the final product and how it affects the viewers. With strobist photography, you will have better control of the output.
