I have put together a basic list of the key points to work through when organising a Green Screen Chroma Key shoot. These are the most common questions and possible pit-falls that seem to occur.  If in doubt it’s always best to ask your Green Screen studio for advice on any of these points as they are involved in film shoots everyday, all year round.

Booking the Green Screen Studio – The right time and place

The Green Screen location is such an important factor as clients, talent and crew all need to be able to get the studio easily and on time. A centrally located Green Screen Studio with a good sized holding area, some sofas, TV etc. with excellent catering available should always be a preferred choice. You need somewhere with excellent transport links and also close to key suppliers. You may save money heading to out of town studios but if you run out of tape stock how much would it cost to bike some down? If your camera goes down…. again can a hire company reach you within minutes with a replacement?

Estimating how much time you will need for the shoot is not an impossible task as long as you take into account all the factors that make up a shoot:-

Time required to set up the camera and any additional lights?
Have you allowed time for your subject to rehearse?
Do you have sufficient time for make-up and hair?

Build into your schedule some overrun time especially if you are shooting multiple interviews as some people will be late and some will be early! You can end up with 3 people all turning up at 2pm and having to wait to be interviewed.

Preparation

It’s always best to visit the Green Screen studio to meet the staff and get a feel of how your clients will be looked after. This is very important as for many clients and talent a visit to the Green Screen studio is exciting, interesting and a break from their normal working day. They need to feel relaxed, and be confident that the production being shot will show them in their best light.

There are a few obvious things to remember such as asking your subjects not to wear anything green, heavily patterned, fine striped and shiny /reflective. For corporate shoots think about your colour choices as you do not want anything to clash with your clients brand’s colour or even be seen to represent a rival brands colour!

If possible you should always ask for subjects to bring a choice of shirts (one light, one dark ) and different ties/ accessories. Within reason, you can ask subjects to tie their hair up as fine hair is always harder to key out. Glasses should be swapped for contact lens again if possible but remember that your subject may need to read off cue cards or autocue so they do need to be able to see!

STUDIO TIP – Backgrounds

If you’re shooting some scenes against chroma green, and you need a few shots against a coloured background (white or black for example ), it’s better to pull down the white background and not just shoot green and ‘fix it in post’! A studio with white and black backgrounds is therefore very useful if not essential.

STUDIO TIP  – Perspective and camera movements

Think about how any camera moves (especially zooms / tracking in) will change the perspective and size of your background that you will be adding later.

A slow track into your subject will mean that in the editing stage you will have to accurately recreate the shift in perspective and rescale/size your background to match. Not impossible but keyframing can be time consuming.  For best results your camera should be locked off on a tripod.

STUDIO TIP – Shooting blurred shots

If you’re filming in the Green Screen Studio a shot that will end up being out of focus in the final edit, do not shoot it out of focus. Shoot in focus and then blur it later in the edit suite. Attempting to ‘key out’ a pull focus shot will give you no end of headaches!

In the next article we will look into ‘What video formats are the best for Green Screen Studio Shoots’ plus ‘What is the best way to light a Green Screen studio’.

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About the Author:
Rob Nixon is Media Junction’s Head of Post Production with over 20 years experience in the industry. On leaving Film School, Rob worked at Twickenham Film Studios & Shepperton Studios learning the basics of film editing. On the introduction of non-linear editing he trained at Avid as an Offline & Online editor and has worked on Broadcast Documentary, Commercials, Corporates and Promos. Now working on Final Cut Pro, Rob also looks after the technical aspects of Green Screen Soho, a London Chromakey Studio.
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Tags: news, digital photography, cameras, photo, digital camera, technology, photography, camera

Taking pictures in the dark has to be one of the most challenging things a photographer can do. To produce photographs you need a very important component and that is light and the problem with the dark, is there is very little of it.

This gives photographers a serious conundrum to get their head around. However, they where more than up to the task and the development of the camera over time included more settings that help to compensate the lack of light when it came to taking photos in the night.

These settings in the camera included the development of the built in flash, using a wider aperture or a slower shutter speed. These settings helped to increase the amount of light coming into the camera in low light conditions. However, even though they increase the amount of light they had their limitations. These limitations could be seen in the images produced with these settings that include photographs with uneven illumination and grainy photos.

However, the great photographic pioneers were not to be beaten by such limitations. These were mere challenges that motivated them to tame the demons of night photography. Over time tricks and techniques have been developed to produce more effective ways of capturing the wonderful pictures at night. You can also take great pictures at night by using the following techniques:

Using a Longer Shutter Speed
By using a longer shutter speed or exposure you will be able to capture moving colours at night more effectively. Fine examples of these are firework displays and kids holding sparklers.

Because of the longer exposure you will need to use a tripod to keep the camera steady. The modern tripods are lot a lighter and less cumbersome compared to the ones of the past. The mini tripods are just as good in some situations or even better. Not only are they light and compact you can place them on the ground with the camera pointing at the sky which is a great angle for taking photos of fireworks at night.

Extended Exposure
With this technique you can create stunning images with moving lights and colours during the night. This is a great technique to try out at the fun fair after dark. By using a longer exposure this extends the flow of colours. For example, every fair will have a ferris wheel. Take a photo of it when it is spinning and the colours will move in a circular ribbon like fashion.

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About the Author:
As a full time writer, Peter Nibley researches and writes articles on subjects he is passionate about. You can visit his new website at http://www.creditscorescalereview.com/ which provides information relating to credit rating score scale advice.
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Tags: photography, news, digital photography, cameras, technology, digital camera, photo, camera

The world changes when you put that macro lens on your digital SLR camera. All of a sudden, things appear that you never knew were there before.

This is very cool when it happens.

If you are a major camera brand user, such as Nikon or Pentax, you can use a Sigma Macro lens, however, this article is based on using a Canon EOS digital camera system.

Why? Why not just get the Canon macro lens? Another question, can’t you just use any lens for macro photography?

Excellent questions, and they have some compelling answers.

First, about macro lenses. A specially designed lens is used for getting really close to your subject. It is a macro lens. They are created carefully for this intent. Nevertheless the pieces of glass are placed inside the lens barrel is just right for getting that macro photo.

This allows the macro lens to take much sharper and clearer photos when placed close to a subject. Dedicated macro lenses have only one focal length, such as 105mm. Those lenses that actually include the word “macro” in their title, but they are zoom lenses, are not going to give you the high quality image you desire in your macro photography.

Next, consider using a Sigma macro lens versus a Canon macro lens. Some photo enthusiasts won’t even consider it. If you are one of these, you may as well move on. However, there may be a valid reason to think about it… price.

Usually Sigma Macro lenses for Canon digital SLRs are less money than Canon macro lenses. The good news is that no matter which one you use, Sigma or Canon, you will still get excellent photo quality. Most likely, you can’t tell the difference in image quality between the two. You would have to call in the investigation team from NCIS to figure out which is which.

Third party manufacturers like Sigma have made a commitment. They realize that if they don’t get the quality right in their macro lenses, they will not get any of the market share. They put lots of time and research into getting it right. What they ended up with are great engineering and great lenses.

There are four dedicated macro lenses if you decide on Sigma. The focal lengths are 50mm, 70mm, 105mm, and 150mm. The 105mm macro lens is the lens of choice to start with.

There are two great reasons for this, and it is not because the others are not good. First, you get a true macro image at 1:1 (life size). This is why you buy macro. And the second reason is not one you might think of. The 105mm lens is an excellent portrait lens. Yes, facial portraits. Many portrait shooters use a 100mm lens for the lion’s share of their work, and this one will fill the bill.

Sigma macro ratings are very high. You actually should check ratings before buying any piece of camera equipment. In this case, you will discover that many consider Sigma an equal to Canon in the macro category.

Discovering macro photography may be the defining moment in your photographic hobby or career. The beauty and intricacies of nature make you realize that there is a Creator, and He did not hold back, even in the most minute details.

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About the Author:
Sigma macro for Canon is a good choice. As a photographer, you NEED a macro lens, and Sigma macro lenses are really highly rated.
See www.canoneoslenses.org/sigma-macro-for-canon/.
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Tags: digital camera, digital photography, photo, photography, camera, cameras, technology, news

Picture frames are usually hung to display cute memories or are placed on the cabinet for reliving those special memories. These are one of the common and most popular gift item for any occasion be it birthday, weddings or anniversaries. There are many varieties of picture frames available for every occasion including grandchild photo frames. These picture frames help to preserve the special moments which one has spent with their grandchild.

Many parents feel that children grow very fast. This is one of the main reasons why you will find numerous pictures of the baby when you visit someone who just recently gave birth. For grandparents, who live far away from their grandchild, these grandchild photo frames are a perfect place to preserve the memories of their grandchild. Whenever the grandparent looks at the picture frame, they will remember the special moments which they have spent with their grandchild.

There are many types of grandchild photo frames available in the market. One of the most popular is the child collage picture frames. They are available in all shapes and sizes so they can be placed anywhere in the room. One of the best features of these grandchild photo frames is that you can encase not one but many pictures in it. You can choose all your favorite ones and encase them in it. When you are buying these picture frames as gifts or for yourself, choose them carefully because the beauty of the picture is further enhanced by the frame.

If you are buying the grandchild photo frames as a gift, then you can also choose the personalised ones. These make wonderful gifts as you can add a special message on it giving it your own personal touch. In contrast to these picture frames, the birthday photo frames are given particularly on the occasion of birthdays. Since picture frames are a wonderful way to keep alive the happy memories of one’s past, this will be perfect birthday gift for your loved one. The receiver can preserve any of his/her special memories in it.

When choosing birthday photo frames, choose those which are excellent in quality as well as in appearance. The quality of the frame is an important factor because if the quality is good then it will further enhance the beauty of the picture. These picture frames are available in a wide range of materials and colors. It can be made up of black wood, silver, brushed aluminum, silver plated and many more. These birthday photo frames can be given that special touch by inscribing a special message to the birthday boy or girl.

These birthday photo frames not only preserves one’s special memories but it also complements the décor of the home. These picture frames will definitely catch the onlooker’s eye. If you are planning to purchase these items, they can be bought from any gift shop. Online shopping is also one of the best ways to search these birthday photo frames. This is one of the fastest and quickest ways to purchase items. You can browse through the various items by just sitting at the comfort of your home.

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About the Author:
Albert Hennessey has recently bought birthday photo frames as birthday gifts. He has vast knowledge on grandchild photo frames and recommends you to visit http://www.photo-frames.co.uk/ for more information.
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Tags: photography, camera, news, cameras, digital camera, photo, technology, digital photography

With digital cameras at their most affordable, anybody can be a photographer these days. Problem is, it takes more than a camera to take good pictures.

It takes a certain eye, a way of seeing things, to take pictures that make people go “Wow!”. Fortunately, it can be learned. And the more you practice, the better you’ll get.

If you’re interested in becoming a better digital photographer,  here are 12 common Digital Photography Mistakes to avoid.

Start by taking a look at these most common mistakes people make when taking digital pictures:

1. Not knowing your camera

If you never read your digital camera’s manual and learn its features and how to use them, you won’t be able to make the most of it.

2. Not using a tripod

Tripods allow you to take the sharpest pictures even in low light. Use one as often as possible.

3. Not giving the camera time to focus

Digital cameras need time to properly focus and get the right exposure. It can take a fraction of a second or a couple of seconds. Account for this when taking pictures.

4. Relying too much on zoom

Using the camera’s zoom feature makes the picture grainier. Get as close to the subject as possible.

5. Taking pictures against the light

This makes the subject dark and the background too bright.

6. Relying too much on the flash

Natural light gives the best pictures, so use it as much as possible. Flash tends to make images look harsh.

7. Not taking enough pictures

It’s almost impossible to take the perfect shot at one try, so take many pictures. With digital photography, this doesn’t cost you extra. Try different angles and compositions.

8. Always putting the subject dead center

Learn the rule of thirds in composition, and you’ll have more interesting pictures.

9. Forgetting to check the horizon

When taking pictures with the horizon showing, make sure it’s level.

10. Selecting a low-resolution setting

Your camera will allow you to select different resolutions. Don’t be tempted to choose a low resolution just to save on memory space. Instead, buy additional memory for your camera and always take your pictures in high resolution.

11. Trying to take too much

Don’t try to include too many things in one picture, such as people and scenery. A picture is more effective when it’s focused on a single subject.

12. Not using the camera

You’ll never know when a good photo op will come up, so have your camera with you at all times.

It may seem like a lot to think about, but with practice, these things will become second nature.

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About the Author:
Ron invites those who want to learn even more digital photography techniques, to check out the free report, “Shoot Digital Pics Like the Pros.”  It’s a short but info-filled guide that will have you shooting digital pictures like a pro in no time.
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Tags: news, camera, photography, cameras, photo, digital photography, technology, digital camera

Digital Camera Life – How to get the most years from your camera

by Betty Varland

Digital camera life is a subject of interest out there for many digital camera users. There are some different schools of thought regarding longevity and we’ll examine these areas.

Maintenance

Proper maintenance will extend the life of the camera. Some things to employ as habits would be to always have the camera in it’s bag when it is not in use. Pull the batteries when not in use to avoid the drain on batteries even when it’s idle. Protect the camera from extremes of temperatures and moisture.

Lenses are a critical component of the digital camera. Make sure to clean the lenses regularly however, avoid “over cleaning” because some scratches could form on the lens or it may actually start to remove some of the coating that is on the lens.

Digital Camera Technology

Just like the home computer, the digital camera keeps evolving. They are just creatures of the digital age and because of this digital cameras will be tossed by the wayside long before they have expired their longevity. There will be something newer, better and more useful.

Mechanical and Optical Parts

The mechanical and optical parts of a camera should last a decent amount of time. There should be no reason that, with proper care, that these should not last before they actually wear out.

Memory Cards

Memory cards, which carry the life blood of what you have been using the camera for, needs special consideration as well. Magnets are not memory cards friends. These can erase the memory card. Ensure you handle the camera carefully near magnets. The magnets won’t affect the components of your camera it will drain the life blood from the memory card that you had worked so hard to achieve.

In summary, take good care of your camera and your digital camera life will be extended.

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About the Author:
Betty Varland lives in Eden Prairie, MN.
 
Betty Varland lives with her hubby, teenage daughter, and 140 pound Newfoundland dog.
 
Earn $300 a Week Using Your Digital Camera
 
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Tags: technology, digital photography, cameras, camera, photo, photography, news, digital camera

With a conventional digital camera or camcorder, many users are understandably reluctant to film or shoot in the rain or other wet environments, fearing water damage to the camera. The Sanyo Xacti VPC-WH1 and Sanyo Xacti VPC-CA9 digital camcorders, however, have earned the highest possible IEC 60529 waterproof rating – IPX8 – allowing high definition 1280 x 720 30fps footage to be captured without worrying about the effects of water or snow. The Sanyo camcorder is operable down to a water depth of up to 1.5 meters (5 feet), while the Sanyo Xacti WH1 is submersible down to an astounding 3 meters (10 feet).
Sanyo Xacti VPC-WH1
• Waterproof up to 3 meters (10 feet) for one hour
• Exceptional 30x optical zoom
• 2.5-inch LCD Display
• 2-mega pixel photos and 720p high-definition video
• 2-mega pixel sequential shooting (13fps)
• ‘Face Chaser’ face detecting technology for both photos and videos (12 faces)
• 3-hour 20-minute recording time; long battery life
• HDMI Output
• Sanyo Xacti VPC-WH1 Horizontal : $399.99 MSRP
• Available in Blue and Yellow

In the meantime what do I think of the Sanyo Hd Vpc- WH1?

Sanyo has created a stunning, exceptionally versatile camcorder that can be used virtually everywhere—including at the beach, in the pool and in rain or snow—while providing the high level of video and still image performance that today’s consumer`s demand.With  the new Sanyo water proof camcorder
advanced waterproofing technology, these Sanyo Xacti camcorders can be used without thinking twice in the rain, for marine sports such as surfing or snorkeling, or for winter sports such as skiing or snowboarding.

The main controls are on the rear of the camera and the buttons for the most part are nice and big. One of the first things that I did was to go into the menus to see what I could setup. Here I could set up whether I wanted manual control and exposure, and whether I wanted some auto functions such as aperture or shutter priority. Given that a camera such as this is usually a pain to use full manually it was nice to see that I had options. Manual control is via an on screen adjustment using the control joy pad on the back of the camera.

The camera is very small. Certainly small enough to put into a pocket when not in use. This is a major plus for people who like to travel a lot, considering how unpredictable the conditions can be out underwater.There is no option for a screw in filter. The lens is housed behind a protective cover, which annoyingly has no lens cap so you need to be ultra careful not to scratch it when you dump it into your bag or pocket etc.

For a thoroughly professional and unbiased review visit my site. The sanyo dual xanti 720p hd Vpc-Wh1 camcorder is a real gem and I will definitely recommend it to any one who want to buy it.sanyo Xacti Hd Camcorder

is easy to operate even any new person who is not a camera man can operate it with ease. Thank you for reading my article.

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About the Author:
For full review and free down load of important information you need to know before buying any camcorder please visit my site !!
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Tags: cameras, digital camera, photo, photography, technology, camera, digital photography, news

Paint is a great little pre-installed photo editing software. Although, it does not have the sophistication or the in depth features of Photoshop, it still can do a lot of impressive editing. Paint tends to be underused either because people do not have the knowledge or experience of how to use it or they are not aware that they have it installed on their computer.

If you have the Paint editing software on your computer and you would like to learn how edit a photo or picture, then follow these steps:

Step One
Press the Windows icon key on your keyboard. This can be located on the left side of the space bar. When the Start menu appears select All Programs, then Accessories and then Paint.

Step Two
When the Paint software window opens, go to File and then Open. This will give you the option to locate and find the photo you want to edit. When you have found it select the file and open it. The image will appear in the editing window of Paint.

Step Three
At this point you can begin to edit your selected photo. Paint has a number of ways in which you can edit as follows:

Colour Editing: In the bottom left hand corner you will see a palette where you can choose varies colours. These colors can be applied to your photo in a number of ways. For example, you can apply the colours using a brush or an airbrush. These tools can be found on the upper left side bar and you can easily identify them as they use a symbol of what they actually do. There is also a Color Dropper and Fill With Color Tool to change your photo with.

Add Text: If you want to add text to your photo for example, the date and the location the photo was taken then you can do this with the Paint editing tool. All you have to do is click on the Text Tool and create a text box on the selected area of the photo. In the box you can type in your desired text.

Image Modifier: With this tool you can change the shape, style colors, you can make it longer by stretching the image or flip it upside down or sideways. You can use this editing command by selecting Image from the top task bar.

Step Four
When you have finished editing your photo you can save it to a file. You can either print it out or email it to a friend.

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About the Author:
As a full time writer, Peter Nibley researches and writes articles on subjects he is passionate about. You can visit his new website at http://www.debitconsolidation4u.com / which provides information relating to debit consolidation loans.
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Tags: news, camera, technology, digital photography, digital camera, photo, photography, cameras

Many people get flustered when they pick up a camera. What if the shot doesn’t turn out right? What if the lighting is wrong? The what if’s can go on and on. There is an underlying fear of taking photos that goes way back to when film and developing was expensive. But with the digital cameras we have today, there is no reason to fear photography!

The modern camera is so advanced that getting a good picture is very easy. Most cameras have automatic setting that figure lighting, focus, etc. All you have to do is point and shoot. But, to get great pictures you do need to put some thought into the shot.  Here are a few simple tips to help you get great pictures out of almost any camera.

Read Your Manual! This cannot be stressed enough. Yes, you can take the camera out of the box and snap a good picture. But your camera manual will give you tips and tricks to using the special features of your camera. Most cameras have so many more options than just automatic and it is fun to explore them and see what you can do. You will never know your camera’s capabilities unless you read the manual and use what you learn!
Pay Attention to the Background! How many times have you seen a photo that has a distracting background? Or maybe an object seems to be protruding from the subject’s head. The photo is about more than the subject. Check your surroundings and move your subject away from anything that may detract from the photo.
Use Your Flash – Carefully! The automatic flash is a great invention – if you know how to use it correctly.  For instance, would you use your flash outdoors on a sunny day? You would if you want a great outdoor shot! Many times bright sun will cause your subjects to squint. But if you position them in a shady area – maybe under a tree, then use your flash you will have a great shot. The flash fills in the shade so you have a bright outdoor shot that isn’t too bright and the subjects look natural.  On the flip side, too many people rely on the flash indoors when it isn’t needed. Not all indoor shots will require a flash. Many times flash photography gives you harsh lighting, red eyes, and sharp shadows. If your camera has a ‘fill flash’ option, use that indoors. The fill flash will fire a split second after the shutter giving you a more natural light. For most modern cameras, you may have an indoor setting that will keep the shutter open longer to absorb as much light as possible from the shot. Again, refer to your camera manual for your camera’s options.
Steady Does It – Use a Tripod. This tip goes along with the one above. If you want natural lighting indoors, use a tripod. This will allow the camera to remain perfectly still when the shutter speed is slow. Your photos will have adequate light because of the slow shutter speed, and they will be clear! Many indoor shots are blurry because people just cannot hold the camera still while shooting in limited light. The shutter needs to remain open longer to collect as much light as possible, and the human hand cannot keep the camera perfectly still during that fragment of time. A tripod is also great for wonderful night shots, lighting pictures, and capturing fireworks.
Practice Makes Perfect! One of the best things about digital cameras is you can take thousands of pictures without spending a ton of money. In the old days you had to buy film and pay to develop it. This made it hard for the amateur photographer to perfect their skills. Today, you can play with your cameras settings, lighting, etc., without worry. Explore the world around you and take photos of landscapes, people, anything you wish all the while improving your photography skills and learning your camera.

Anyone can take stunning photos. It just takes practice and a little preparation. As you become familiar with your camera and what it can do, taking great photos will become natural. Who knows, you may find a love for photography you never knew you had.

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About the Author:
Piper loves photography and working with old photos. She spends a lot of her time photo scanning to make quality copies of her grandparents photos. She enjoys nature, reading and spending time with her family. She also teaches people how to go about scanning slides in her spare time.
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Tags: camera, digital photography, cameras, technology, news, photography, digital camera, photo

SHOOTING FOOD

You want to shoot a dish your wife cooked. It is as good as anything from a master chef. You want a photograph that would be perfect for an international magazine. How do you do it?

What you need:

plate of food of course
you digital slr camera
2 speedlights (strobes or flash units) with charged batteries
a color filter for one of the strobes
a softbox or shoot-through umbrella on a stand/boom
strobe command control center (in-camera or hotshoe mounted)
a white backdrop
a white paper sheet  on which to place the dish

Now follow the steps outlined below and get creative.

Step 1:  place the white (or other color) sheet of cloth or paper on the kitchen bench, preferably where the background area is open up to 2 meters. You may tape the paper to the bench. Paper is best so we don’t get wrinkles in the photo.

Step 2: position the white background, perhaps hang the white sheet or muslin, or paper as background a meter or so away. A white board or painted wall will do the job nicely.

Step 3: place a speedlight set to wide, low between the bench and the background, and cover it with a color filter of choice. Aim it to throw a nice wide lot of color on the background.

Step 4: place the dish in position and hang a shoot-through brollie or softbox over the dish and slightly to one side. Use the stand and boom here.

Step 5: fire away and adjust strobe power from your dslr command center or pocket wizard (if you have the extra cash).

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About the Author:
Enthusiastic strobist.
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