Calibrate your camera lens combination at photokina

Are you one of those photographers who want their focus right on the spot? Meaning, when you shoot a portrait you really care that the focus is on the eyeball of the front eye of your subject? And if the focus is on the lashes instead of the eyeball then you consider this one a miss?

Hard light / soft light - the pretty flash kit will provide you with both.

When starting flash photography, should you buy a complete flash kit or should you rather buy one piece at a time, learn how to use it properly and then move on to the next one? My advise is: go full kit - right now!

You are in the middle of a photo shoot when … your batteries go down. Nightmare. But, well, at least on workshops I’ve seen cases like that. The next thing you see is a photographer who is desperately asking if somebody got a (insert camera brand) battery charger or a spare digital camera battery. Not good.

The DIY laptop holder for your photography tripod

Are you shooting photos with your digital camera tethered to your laptop? Then it’s time well spent to quickly assemble your DIY laptop holder in 3 minutes or less. Trust me, it’s literally on a shoestring budget. With your laptop hanging nice and close on your tripod you avoid accidents like people stumbling over the USB cable. And it’s handy to have your screen really close to your camera.

Speedlight hidden in the fridge and triggered wirelessly

Once you take your speedlights out for a walk and shoot photos outside, even if you don’t go further than your own garden, then you will feel the need for wireless flash triggers such as radio remotes. Yes, they open up a whole new world of lighting. But these hot babies also might burn a hole into your wallet. Before you reach really deeeeeeep into your “Pocket“ and invest in “Wizards” of the well known brands you should have a look at the alternatives. You really should.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of 2010. If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. Scientists say that the long term benefits are even bigger, if you stay clear of direct and hard sunlight. Those scientists would make awesome beauty photographers because their advice is SO TRUE – in our profession!

Sing!