This page pulls together all the news items on the site.
5 comments March 4th, 2010 11:15pm damien
Our team at Focus this year are Blaise Williams, Claire Hanley, Steve Devey, Marko Nurminen and myself. In previous years we have been swamped and unable to connect with as many of you as we had wanted. So this year we comissioned a far bigger stand and as you know it’s not the stand that matters it’s the team so here they are: (more…)
10 comments March 4th, 2010 08:13pm damien
I may have seemed a bit quiet over the past few weeks. but believe me I have been flat out developing new product lines and preparing for our biggest Focus show ever. One of these product lines is the definitive collection of continuous lighting equipment.
The Lowel id-light out on location
Why work with continuous light? Well, all pro DSLRs seem to have HD video shooting capabilities these days and they are being used in many ways. From the basic shooting of promo clips for blogs right up to the production of hybrid wedding multimedia products. When it comes to shooting video alongside stills continuous light is a must. (more…)
16 comments February 24th, 2010 07:39pm damien
I was giving my Evolve delegates their two day closing session on Monday and Tuesday. When it was decided that a mini shoot with Speedlights would whet the creative appetite. So Blaise, my amazing PA rustled up Lauren our model and on Tuesday afternoon we produced these shots at the Matara in the Cotswolds.
Snow was falling, it was nearly dark outside but the light from one Speedlight was all I used for this interesting portrait.
We used the potted plants as dingle and the Honl gobo strapped to the Speedlight as a close coupled reflector. All of us were shooting completely different images from this session. Both the Nikons and Canons were producing extremely varied results. TTL often struggles to produce consistent results when Speedlights are used as backlights. (more…)
13 comments February 4th, 2010 12:12am damien
The LoveCube™ is here at last. No, it is not dodgy but it will brighten up your photographs and look great at home after the shoot too. Details
The LoveCube™ is a studio prop that will look just as cool in the woods, on the beach, up the Eiffel Tower or in your home. It comes complete with a light fitting (removable) so that it can be used as an illuminated coffee table.
Twitter continues to amaze me. I’ve connected with 800 or so photographers now and it seems the tipping point has been reached. (more…)
12 comments December 12th, 2009 02:10am damien
With details of new workshops ~ Focus on imaging ~ SWPP talks ~ Blog updates ~ And a call for ideas. (more…)
6 comments December 5th, 2009 02:00am damien
In this update: Nikon lenses on Canon bodies, Infra Red news, Lens test reports and more. (more…)
17 comments November 29th, 2009 02:47am damien
I recently decided to replace my Canon wide angle zoom lens with a fixed prime lens. I shoot mainly portraits and it’s worth bearing this in mind as you read this out of the box review. My decision to go prime for my super wide shots was an easy one to make.
The Zeiss Distagon 21mm f/2.8 ZE attached to my Canon 5Dmk2
15 comments November 23rd, 2009 06:23pm damien
Below is a clip from the 2.5 hour production. Here is a link to the information page I have created for this new video production. You can view another clip from the movie there too. Please take a look and pop back with any questions you may have. (more…)
23 comments November 21st, 2009 11:15pm damien
UPDATE: Full version 500 of the firmware is now available for all PW TTL units. Download via your Pocket Wizard utility application.
There is an updated firmware available for the Pocket Wizard Mini TT1 and Flex TT5 available for download here. It is Beta firmware but don’t let that put you off because the previous official version was a work in progress. The good news is that additional functionality has been added to the Mini and Flex as well as 7D compatibility. A few bugs have being fixed too especially those that affect 5Dmk2 user.
10 comments November 8th, 2009 02:43pm damien
I’ve had many questions from Nikon users waiting for the new Pocket Wizard TT1 and TT5 units and here is my response to the most common one. Should I buy an SU-800 or wait for the new Pocket Wizard TTL units to come out? (more…)
20 comments September 26th, 2009 11:28pm damien
Drobo sounds good, looks good and might just save your skin. It’s a hard disc array that backs itself up so that if [correction, when] a hard disc fails it can be replaced with a new one without losing any data or experiencing down time. It’s like RAID but better. We’ve had ours now for over a year and (more…)
3 comments September 9th, 2009 01:03pm damien
Getting creative with off camera flash is very rewarding when you are in control. I'll be showing just how to work with colour at this new creative workshop.
Here at last is the first of our creative days for users of Pocket Wizard TTL triggers for Speedlights. Learn how to harness the increased power of high speed flash sync and how to work without line of sight syncing in one of the most striking locations in the world. (more…)
32 comments August 10th, 2009 11:11pm damien
I know this is the dullest of pictures but it shows the 35 metres range of the FlexTT5 with my 580EX11 Speedlite. More exciting pictures will be shot tomorrow when I have my first full photoshoot with the Pocket Wizard kit. I'll be shooting fast moving objects in sunlight at 1/2000th second at f/5.6 
Hi all, We have received our first batch of the Pocket Wizard Mini TT1s and Flex TT5s for Canon. I have been testing a set (1x mini TT1 and 2x flexTT5) for about 4 hours now. I am pleased to say that they have passed all my tests so far and the units are now available here from our site. Here are my initial test findings with an exciting twist in the tail: (more…)
5 comments August 4th, 2009 09:04pm damien
Wow! Just back from a week in the big apple and it was something else. A taster…
Boy did it rain! But that never stopped us creating pictures. I used a coloured gel on the flash units to add some life to this shot. Alex's feet were rather damp to say the least but we still had such a great time in the 28C degree warmth.
I had Alex climbing up the wall for this shot. Concrete blocks painted black and a splash of flash from 2 Speedlights as shown was all I used for this striking set up on the street. We were stopping the traffic and having great fun.
I’m not sure I could have coped with another day, it was so full on. While I was there (more…)
10 comments July 16th, 2009 02:28pm damien
What a great challenge. Warehouse Express asked me to check out the differences between the Nikon rivals and report back. Well I already own a Nikon D700 with the 24-70mm f/2.8 lens so Nikon lent me the D300 and the 17-55mm lens combo to do the evaluating. There were less surprises than I thought but here are some of my findings. (more…)
9 comments July 15th, 2009 07:19pm damien
Following a month of beta testing in the UK Pocket Wizard are set to go into production with CE units of their new TTL system for Canon. It’s an exciting time for us and a scary one too. We all want this project to succeed and a lot of PW reputation for outstanding reliability for radio triggering of flash units hangs on the success of these new TTL products. Here at ProphotoNut we wish Pocket Wizard good luck and a good UK launch. No date is set yet but it is likely to be weeks rather than months 
watch this space.
7 comments June 30th, 2009 11:54pm damien
In a sun locked UK shooting goes on but it is definately harder to work as controlling all that extra light becomes a challenge armed with just a couple of Speedlights. We find ourselves at the limits – f/22, 1/200th second (Canon) and ISO 200 (Nikon). Life on the limit often produces fabulous results. If it was easy everyone would do it;-)
Delegates lining up a shot on the limits. 4 shooters and 4 different shots. We all take it in turns to shoot from different angles and all is very civilised. This was a rare on camera flash moment.
Here is my take on the shot. The boots do it for me
3 comments June 11th, 2009 03:33pm damien
Marko will also be giving talks at our 'Spectacular' event in Hook and on our Italian adventure in Tuscany this October.
After a couple of seminars by Marko and I earlier this year in Munich and Frankfurt, Marko was invited to hold a Lightroom – Photoshop seminar in Rodgau. 25 photographers got together to exchange ideas for the weekend and to experience Marko’s expertise at first hand. (more…)
4 comments June 9th, 2009 02:31pm damien
My strategy to review a camera or lens puts my subjective observations at an equally important level as objective facts and figures. So when a Phase One camera and a couple of backs arrived I had a bit of product familiarity work to do. See how this camera got on in my fairly steady hands. (more…)
29 comments May 25th, 2009 10:14am damien
A lot of noise on the US forums about the mechanical strength and the RF range of these units has led me to publish a few of the links and info here (more…)
8 comments May 21st, 2009 04:19pm damien
Marko and I between takes on the set at the Lovegrove studio.
Quite a few of you were emailing about the video tutorials for Photoshop and Lightroom and asking when are they going to be available. (more…)
18 comments May 18th, 2009 09:13am damien
Update: Over 100 of these brackets have been sold already and the feedback from users is fantastic.
It has been 6 months in the planning and testing but finally I can confirm the long awaited ‘Lovegrove Flash Bracket’ used to mount any Speedlight firmly in any position on a lighting stand is now available here
Take control of your Speedlight and mount it on a stand in any orientation with this nifty stand to flash bracket. Ideal for weding and portrait photographers alike. Click on the picture for more details.
5 comments May 10th, 2009 11:21pm damien
Photographer Martin Hill is already hitting the high notes as he launches into the top flight of social photography. The last ten months have been a full on learning experience for Martin and his team and I am pleased to say they have come through Evolve with flying colours.
This fabulous shot taken in Somerset was lit with a Broncolor Mobil flash and secured Martin his first gold award from his first ever professional competition entry.
6 comments May 8th, 2009 09:22am damien
The Strictly Lovegrove project continues to gather pace. I’ve been scouting my local vicinity for venues and locations that can sustain the project throughout all the seasons. At the moment I reliant on unheated spaces and with minimal clothes on my clients it is restricting me to shooting on good weather days between May and September. Here are a few pictures from a shoot earlier this week.
A field of Rape and a blast of flash set the mood of the first picture of the day. I used two flash heads connected to my Broncolor Mobil power pack to provide visual impact.
8 comments April 22nd, 2009 07:06pm damien
Last weeks camera skills workshop generated some great portraits captured using natural light. Marko made a masterpiece of this frame from my 5D mk2.
Another frame from the same set. The delegates left with all the inside knowledge on perspective, f-stops, exposure factors, lens characteristics and much, much more.
Hi all, I’m back following a recent down time because of a … (more…)
Add comment March 31st, 2009 09:34am damien
A collegue and friend of mine has a plethora of event work all over the UK and is looking for photographers with the Mitsubishi Click system, or experience of using one, to take on commissions. If you are in a position to photograph proms and charity balls please get in touch by email and I will ensure your details are passed on.
5 comments March 23rd, 2009 04:26pm damien
Here is another batch of the pictures we shot at last weeks Street Fashion workshop in Manchester.
A Broncolor ring flash plugged into my Mobil pack made this simple picture sing. I love the sheen of leather when it's lit with ring flash. This is a head back 'Kate Moss' look.
6 comments March 23rd, 2009 11:33am damien
During the Cherish The Dress seminar last week I shot a series of intimate shots and showed the delegates other lighting styles including silhouettes. I thought I’d share some more of these pictures with you here. Chris has kindly sent through a few more of his shots from the day too.
I shot these frames into a window with a smidgen of increased exposure to blow the background to white. Some intimate shots like these fill the Cherish album and add value to the finished product.
20 comments March 20th, 2009 11:38am damien
I knew this was going to be good, but the day exceeded all our expectations. The Hilton hotel in Manchester looked after us extremely well and the dresses supplied by Michelle were spot on for this event.
A splash of flash from a Speedlight was all that was needed to bring this picture to life. Charlotte's dress looks like a liquid metal under this lighting.
Here is a small selection of the days images shot by Chris and Myself. (more…)
8 comments March 15th, 2009 12:25am damien
Now available online here.
Have your name or logo embossed into the grain of these fine leather portfolios to make the best possible first impression. Whatever you shoot these portfolios are an ideal way to showcase your work and they are now available online.
For five years now our portfolios have gained recognition around the globe as a well presented body of work that screams ‘wow’ to our clients. Now it’s your chance to get hold of these lavish, splendid beauties. (more…)
14 comments March 1st, 2009 12:55am damien
Our stand at the Focus show played host to thousands of visitors over the four days. The big pull was the pair of portfolios in the foreground. These folios are now available online from our shop.
Once a year at ‘Focus’ we get the chance to meet many thousands of photographers face to face. We listen to their successes and try to understand their needs. The Focus on Imaging show in Birmingham was smaller this year with some major exhibitors absent. (more…)
5 comments January 24th, 2009 02:52pm damien
I am in the privileged position of being commissioned to write a product review of the Nikon D90 for Warehouse Express. As part of my testing of this new camera, I shot a studio session under arduous conditions to put the camera through it’s paces. My full review will be available on the Warehouse Express site soon but for now here are some pictures for you to enjoy. Click on the pictures to link to the full resolution jpegs if you wish.
A Calumet 'Storm Grey' background roll and three hard lights did all the work here. Nikon D90, ISO 200, f/14, 1/125th, 62mm lens setting.
5 comments January 14th, 2009 10:41pm damien
The SWPP convention in London is about to get underway.
I will be sharing my inspiration and secrets on creating and using light in portraits on Friday 16th between 6pm and 8pm in the Bordeaux suite of the Hamersmith Novotel. You will need masterclass tickets for this event.
The Lovegrove Consulting trade stand is just by the entrance of the Champagne Suite. The trade show is open daily from Friday to Sunday. Please do come and say hello. Marko, Julie and I will be on hand to answer your questions in person.
Damien.
12 comments December 5th, 2008 12:19am damien
The trailers for our new DVDs are online at last. Thank you for being patient, those of you who have asked for a sneak preview are now rewarded.
The trailer for ‘The Big Day the Lovegrove Way’ is here
The trailer for ‘Lighting Winter Weddings’ is here
Please feel free to comment and ask questions about the DVDs here.
24 comments October 8th, 2008 11:14pm damien
Here is a small selection of the pictures I shot in Bristol on Tuesday’s Urban Portrait workshop. My workshops are limited to just 4 delegates so we all have the opportunity to shoot each frame.
After the heavy rain throughout the day the skies broke to reveal a welcome patch of blue. Lit with a zoomed in Speedlight mounted on a stand. Canon 5D, ISO 250, f/22 at 1/160th sec, 45mm focal length, manual exposure.
9 comments October 6th, 2008 11:49pm damien
Here is a small selection of the pictures I shot in Bristol on today’s Urban Portrait workshop. My workshops are limited to just 4 delegates so we all have the opportunity to shoot each frame.
I used a bit of dingle in the foreground of this autumnal naturally lit close up of Jasmine our model. Canon 5D, ISO 400, f/4 at 1/500th sec, 140mm focal length, aperture priority.
2 comments October 5th, 2008 02:23pm martin
Martin writes: Amongst all the Photokina hype this one passed me by until now: Elinchrom has just announced an interesting new 400WS version of their Ranger flash kit. Details here (pdf, opens in new window). (more…)
12 comments September 23rd, 2008 10:42pm damien
Here are today’s pictures taken in Birmingham on a masterclass for the BIPP. I’d like to thank Karl for hosting the event and his hospitality. The ten of us went on a journey of discovery and here is a small selection of the pictures I made.
A late showing of sunlight was welcome and used for this striking profile. ISO 250, 1/3200 second at f/4 using a 200mm lens.
41 comments September 20th, 2008 05:00am damien
This shot was taken at ISO 1600 in the corridor at Canon. Click on the picture for the full resolution file. The EXIF data is intact in the full size images.
Here they are. These are a selection of the 50 or so frames I shot on a ‘beta’ version of the Canon 5D Mk2 camera at Canon’s headquarters in the UK. (more…)
16 comments September 17th, 2008 11:05pm damien
5AM today my pictures will automatically post on this blog.
Wow! It was an honor and a privilege to represent the wedding photography industry for Canon. The new camera is at least 2 stops better than the original 5d and 21mp too. How did they do that? I have been demonstrating the camera at Canon Headquarters in Reigate today at the official product launch. I shot loads of frames at 1600 – 6400 ISO and they are fantastic. The pictures are embargoed until Saturday 5am:-( so visit again then to see my shots. Canon put on a fabulous show and gave me a beautiful bride to shoot. In the meantime here are a couple of infra red shots of Canon HQ and my model Lisa taken on my 10D ir between sessions.
Canon headquarters in the UK taken using only infrared light.
Just for fun - Taken in the grounds of Canon HQ on 5Dmk2 release day.
There is a lot more information about the 5D mk2 in the comments section of this post.
4 comments August 29th, 2008 12:04am damien
My thanks go again to Liam Ramsell of Irish Eyes for hosting the second shooting urban portraits seminar in Cork. The weather was more than kind with the cloud breaking up to leave a blemish free azure blue sky. It was hot hot hot and my delegates were seriously skilled photographers. Here are a few of my pictures from today straight from Lightroom.
Simple elements come together well in this portrait. A Canon Speedlite provided the foreground illumination and the sky was held back a stop for good measure. ISO 100, f16, 1/200th second.
6 comments August 27th, 2008 09:46pm damien
My thanks go to Liam Ramsell of Irish Eyes for hosting today’s shooting urban portraits seminar in Cork. The weather was kind and my delegates were hungry for knowledge. Here are a few of my pictures straight from Lightroom.
An artist's impression of a new city development in Cork was an ideal background for this portrait. I lit the shot with 2 Canon Speedlites and used -1 stop of exposure compensation for the background. The background, lighting and exposure give the shot a surreal quality.
6 comments August 26th, 2008 11:52pm damien
My thanks go to Liam Ramsell of Irish Eyes for hosting today’s shooting weddings seminar in Cork. Here are a few of my pictures straight from Lightroom.
This spectacular signature shot makes the most of an overcast day and caused quite a stir among delegates. Shots like this are very repeatable when you have the know how.
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