Prophotonut

9:47pm, Mar 9th: Crash Taylor on Lowel id-light – The Lovegrove kit specifications

“Love my Lowel id Light and Bescor battery!”

10:22am, Mar 9th: Phil hargreaves on Lovegrove News – Focus preview PDF

“Hi damien I visited your stand on Sunday, and although I didn't get the chance to speak to you in person (you were very busy!) your staff couldn't have been more friendly or courteous towards me. Your new stand was very impressive, and exuded the kind of quality that is at the heart of your business, and that is present in all that you do. I hope Focus goes well for you this year, but I'm sure it will! All the best phil”

10:11am, Mar 8th: Tim Hind on Lurking in the shadows at weddings ~ pictures and technique

“I'm using the Nikon D700 with the on board flash triggering two speedlights. Works really well for me, especially being able to control the speedlights from the camera rather than going over to the flashes to change them.”

9:16am, Mar 7th: David Creelman on How to shoot winter weddings – A guide.

“Really excellent tips - I have bookmarked this for reference as I am sure I will need to come back again for another look.”

3:42pm, Mar 6th: Martin on Lovegrove News – Focus preview PDF

“Damien good luck at Focus, the stand looks fabulous, will pop by and say hello and discuss some training with you Martin”

2:42pm, Mar 6th: Iona Matheson-Long on Lovegrove News – Focus preview PDF

“Damien nervous? Never, You will be fine! Everyone who knows you, loves you and all the new people you meet will too. Best of luck and sell, sell, sell! My confidence in the studio has come on leaps and bounds since my studio course with you, many thanks again. See you at Focus on Sunday :-]”

7:32pm, Mar 5th: Martin Giddings on Canon 580EX11 & Canon 430EX11 what’s it to be?

“H Damien Thanks for taking the time out to reply to that. I thought it was a secret military communication network first of all. Yes I am just looking for a reliable trigger for flash, I did find the Will Chung article and was pleased at the result he gave them and I was looking for a "second" vote of confidence in them (although to be fair he also points out their limitations compared to the PWs). Am popping in the WEX shop tomorrow so will have a better look. Thanks again and all the best. Martin”

7:29pm, Mar 5th: damien on Lovegrove News – Focus preview PDF

“Cheers Bob, I'm as nervous as can be. So much hangs on our effectiveness at Focus. It is like any other trade show, whether a wedding show or lifestyle show. Effort in the planning stage reaps the rewards. I might even write up the whole experience and vision in a blog post because so much valuable info has been used. See you at Focus. Damien.”

7:25pm, Mar 5th: damien on Lowel id-light – The Lovegrove kit specifications

“Cheers, Chris.”

7:23pm, Mar 5th: damien on The Lovegrove Studio Gel Collection ~ Colour chart and picture samples

“Hi Gerry, Use a tighter reflector on the flash or place it nearer to the wall. If you place the flash nearer to the wall it increases the distance and angle ratio from centre to edge of illumination giving you the desired effect. Cheers, Damien.”

7:21pm, Mar 5th: damien on Speedlight Mastery Video production by Damien Lovegrove ~ info & comments

“Oh Chris, I'm sorry that I can't remember. I usually start with 105mm then widen out if necessary. I expect they are on 105mm ;) Cheers, Damien.”

7:20pm, Mar 5th: damien on Canon 580EX11 & Canon 430EX11 what’s it to be?

“Hi Martin, I have no idea what a 'secureline twinlink t2d' is. My first guess would be a fishing reel. So I had to look it up on Google and WEX came up top. It looks great but seems limited to triggering flash. Not a problem if this is your aim. The PW plus 2 units will do remote cameras too but don't have the hot shoe. The real test is in the field. When I get a chance I'll get hold of a set and give them a good testing. This is what Will Chung thought of them: http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Pocket-Wizard-Plus-II-versus-the-Seculine-Twin-Link-T2D-12634#Verdict I hope this helps, Damien.”

7:12pm, Mar 5th: damien on Impromptu test shoot ~ pictures and techniques

“Hi Paul, thanks for the comments. We will be pushing the boat out on the 23rd. Come with an open mind and a big CF card :))”

6:42pm, Mar 5th: damien on Lowel id-light – The Lovegrove kit specifications

“Hi Fergus, Just the sort of question we should all be asking. I'm currently reviewing an exciting new panel light from a company called Brightcast. Having disregarded one of their units as unsuitable for stills photography (perfect for colour washes on stage etc) I've been drawn to another with a fantastic feature set: the LR432-345 is a 15 degree spot light with variable colour temperature. This is also available in 60 degree flood. There are two sets of LEDs in the one lamp. one with a correlated colour temperature of 3200k and the other with a correlated colour temperature of 5600k. The great thing is the colour temperature is completely variable between the two sets of LEDs by means of a cross fader. There is also a dimmer and the unit runs off 12v or mains. I have the spot version on trial and I can say that the beam in 3200k setting is similar to a Lowel 100w lamp in full spot. The light level and beam pattern are nearly identical. At the 5600k setting the light panel is as powerful as my 300w Arri with a Lee 401 full CTB gel. Very impressive indeed especially as it will run for several hours when powered by our 10Ah battery pack. So what are the pros and cons: Pros: 1. Low voltage, low wattage take anywhere 2. Cool running 3. No spare bulbs needed 4. Variable colour temperature Cons: 1. Expensive at £1400+ per light 2. Delicate, needs its own custom case 3. Not perfect spectral response I have yet to put the light through its paces but I will have it on our stand at Focus for you all to see. Just come and ask for a demonstration. You won't find this light anywhere else, it's a Lovegrove exclusive (for now). Cheers, Damien.”

3:22pm, Mar 5th: Fergus Morley on Lowel id-light – The Lovegrove kit specifications

“How do these compare to the range of multi LED lights that seem to be proliferating?”

12:21pm, Mar 5th: Will Pateman Photography on Lowel id-light – The Lovegrove kit specifications

“Hi Damien, I have been using this bad boy for the last 2 years ever since seeing Jerry Ghionis in action..i have the push in connecter a spare bulb and a spare battery i leave in the car...i do like the idea of your telescopic handle great for added height...great marketing just in time for Focus”

11:10am, Mar 5th: Coventry Bob on Lovegrove News – Focus preview PDF

“Good Luck at Focus - sounds like you and the team have put a great deal of work into the new stand design. I'm sure all your fans will appreciate the extra space to view your great products and services. See you there and hope you have a great time.”

8:56am, Mar 5th: damien on Lowel id-light – The Lovegrove kit specifications

“Hi Phil, As you know the light fall off is inverse square law governed. So if you double the distance between the light and the subject you get just one quarter of the light. Having said that it is nearly always at 1/60th second, ISO 800 and @ f/4 that is used with this light. It is most common to have to expose for the ambient then add the light from thew Lowel to taste. There are 4 ways to control the light quantity from the Lowel: 1. The built in dimmer 2. The flood and spot control 3. The barn doors 4. Move the light nearer or further from the subject. I hope this helps. Damien.”

1:10am, Mar 5th: Phil on Lowel id-light – The Lovegrove kit specifications

“Damien Approx what exposure are you getting using this light, with reference to ISO, shutter and aperture Thanks Phil”

12:02am, Mar 5th: Chris Hanley on Lowel id-light – The Lovegrove kit specifications

“I have championed the lowel id light for sevral years now. I've found it invaluable for candlelit wedding ceremonies, first dances, urban portrait shoots, twilight street fashion shoots and of course my cherish the dress shoots. Its also brilliant for adding a backlight or kick light to portraits. Because of its portability you can hide it in your shots to produce fab images. One of our best selling shots was a couple in passionate embrace in front of a grand piano in a victorian hall. We hid the lowel under the piano so it lit the couple. The piano was in front of a huge stained glass window. Warm light from the lowel, cooler daylight thro the window. Winning shot set up in a couple of minutes. Shot taken within 30 secs. iso 800 60th @ f4. Look at our chrish the dress website and the novembr december weddings on our 2009 blog to see just how great the lowel can be. Well worth having it as part of your kit. Claire will be on Damiens stand at focus, ask her about the lowel, as it is Claire that operates it on all our shoots. Hope this isn't to rambling and is useful feedback.”

10:20pm, Mar 4th: damien on Lowel id-light – The Lovegrove kit specifications

“Hi Ian, Thanks for your valuable feedback. Yes, I will have our Lowel kit at Focus. Do come and say hello. Regards, Damien.”

8:56pm, Mar 4th: Ian Vickery on Lowel id-light – The Lovegrove kit specifications

“The Lowell id light has been with me for nearly five years and it us still going strong! Even working alone this light has been easy to use and your battery idea will help to keep it very portable. Great kit spec - it should be a winner. Will you be showing this off at Focus?”

6:27pm, Mar 4th: Gerry French on The Lovegrove Studio Gel Collection ~ Colour chart and picture samples

“These colors look fantastic. My question is if I want more of a circle behind the subject with darker coners, more like a vignette, do I reduce power on the backlight, reposition the backlight or a little of both.”

10:52am, Mar 4th: Chris Costello on Speedlight Mastery Video production by Damien Lovegrove ~ info & comments

“Just been giving the DVD a 2nd and 3rd watch.. picking up new techniques and ideas each time! But I have another question, on the graffiti shots, you don't mention what sort of zoom you have the flashes set too? Thanks, Chris.”

12:31am, Mar 3rd: Martin on Canon 580EX11 & Canon 430EX11 what’s it to be?

“I have spent tonight checking out Damiens gem on shooting at ISO 800 60th sec at F4 in winter with good results. Have WEX asked you to test the Seculine Twinlink T2D would be good to hear your views on those. Thank agin for all your useful info on here. Regards, Martin”

6:56pm, Mar 2nd: Paul Beggy on Impromptu test shoot ~ pictures and techniques

“Great shots Damien, particularly like the first 2. Looking forward to hopefully replicating something like this on the Speedlite course on the 23rd ;)”

9:27pm, Feb 27th: Brian on Colourful studio portraits ~ Techniques and Pictures

“Hi Damien, thanks for your reply. I've ordered the Charcoal paper”

11:18am, Feb 27th: damien on Colourful studio portraits ~ Techniques and Pictures

“Hi Brian, As I say, the shade of grey is dependent upon the size and type of space you are shooting in. A white walled room will need a darker grey to reap the maximum benefit. With the background light switched off the background should look black and with the background light on full power without a gel it should be pure white. I hope this helps. We use Calumet Smoke and Calumet Storm depending upon shooting location. You can cut a paper roll down to size with a wood saw ;) Damien.”

11:13am, Feb 27th: damien on Pocket Wizard TTL ~ firmware updates

“Hi David, I was using just the ST-E2 and 3 Speedlights. The variation between shots was wild at times. I tried using a 580EX2 as a non firing master and I couldn't get it not to fire even when it was correctly set. My system threw a wobbly for some reason. I was not using PWs because my Evolvers didn't have PWs for this shoot. The PWs are rock solid with the firmware 5.008 and if anything it is the Canon side of the circuitry that can be a bit flakey at times. And yes I use the PW system at weddings. Damien.”

11:08am, Feb 27th: damien on Studio lighting workshop ~ Day 2 pictures and techniques

“Hi Karl, Great product names attract organic searches and can go viral. But in this case the searcher is not necessarily going to get the type of results they expected. Damien”

11:05am, Feb 27th: damien on The Lovegrove Studio Gel Collection ~ Colour chart and picture samples

“Hi Pete, When buying a triflector get the one that The Flash Centre sells. I've had mine for 15 years and it's still working well.”

10:31am, Feb 27th: Pete Barnes on The Lovegrove Studio Gel Collection ~ Colour chart and picture samples

“Hi Damien, Just got your gels yesterday, love them, it's a great collection, Looks like I'll have to be getting a triflector now! the home made ones are just too fiddly. Love the shots you did with them and the blog in general. Thanks again Pete”

5:53am, Feb 27th: Hendra on Impromptu test shoot ~ pictures and techniques

“wonderful !!....love it Damien...cheers from Indonesia..”

4:00pm, Feb 26th: Will Pateman Photography on Impromptu test shoot ~ pictures and techniques

“great shots Damien even the mistakes..love the softness of the first shot”

2:56pm, Feb 26th: Brian on Colourful studio portraits ~ Techniques and Pictures

“Hello, I've just ordered a set of gels :) As for the grey background, I mostly shoot on location therefore I don't think I ought to turn up at someones house with a tin of Dulux Ice Storm paint!! I read a previous answer to a question on here which said the nearest paper roll would be Charcoal. I was just wondering if the colorama smoke grey would be ok as they do that colour in a 3/4 roll, which would be about the right size for portability, compared to a full length which would be too big and a 1.35m length which might be too small.”

11:02am, Feb 26th: Rob Sanderson on Impromptu test shoot ~ pictures and techniques

“Loving those first 2 Damien, thanks for sharing the background and technique. You've given me the drive to take a model out for a shoot soon before the season starts in earnest and I'm too busy”

7:40am, Feb 26th: David Fenwick on Pocket Wizard TTL ~ firmware updates

“Hi Damien, Glad to hear that I'm not the only one with a sluggish shutter but slightly concerned to hear about your TTL issues. I assume you were using the ST-E2 in conjunction with PWs? Would you be confident enough with the PW system to use it at a wedding? All the best, David”

7:18am, Feb 26th: Karl Bratby on Studio lighting workshop ~ Day 2 pictures and techniques

“Hi damien, good to see the Love cube is back, it sounds like Ann Summers might sell it too.... ha ha”

7:13am, Feb 26th: Karl Bratby on Impromptu test shoot ~ pictures and techniques

“cool stuff with those speedlights again Damien , nice first shoot with Lauren , expression is the key though, give her one of your look books for homework.”

2:31am, Feb 26th: Barry on Studio Lighting Pictures and Techniques

“For a such a small place your work is even more amazing to me,, You have great control of your lights. cheers Barry”