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This is why location scouting is so important for destination and event photographers

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I’m lucky with my photography. It’s almost all on location, but I mostly get to choose the location myself. They’re places I’m familiar with, that I’ve scouted regularly for several years. So I know what to expect when I show up, where the light’s going to fall at different times of day or year. For a lot of photographers shooting on location, though, you’re often in locations you’re only just seeing for the first time.

Photographer and YouTuber, Rob Hall, recently shot a wedding at a venue in another state he’d never been to before. But the first thing he did when he arrived at the location was to go and location scout the area. In the 8-minute video, Rob talks about how to do that and why it’s so important.

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Godox vs Godox – How the FV150 LED flash compares to regular speedlights and strobes

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LED flash has had a bit of a bumpy start the last couple of years. A number of products have come out, but they’ve not been very good. At IBC in September, Godox showed off their new FV150 LED light which features a built-in LED flash function. Rob Hall has had his hands on one and while this isn’t really a review, it’s an interesting discussion on the topic of LED flash and how they compare to more traditional strobes or speedlights.

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Godox is showing off a new X2T trigger with easy group control and built-in Bluetooth at WPPI

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Many thought that the Godox X1T line of triggers would simply die off once the Godox XPro had been released. But it was not to be. Too many people want that passthrough hotshoe and they’ll never give it up in favour of the XPro, no matter how much more efficient the workflow is.

Godox appears to have listened to this feedback, and is launching the Godox X2T. It’s a new trigger based on the original Godox X1T style design, but with buttons to select specific groups and built-in Bluetooth for smartphone power control. Rob Hall had the chance to have a bit of a play with one at WPPI and grabbed a few photos.

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How to create a classic three-light beauty portrait lighting setup

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The three light setup has been a staple of portrait photographers for decades. There isn’t just one three light setup, though, there are several, with some slight variations, which can change the mood dramatically. In this photo, photographer Rob Hall used his three lights with various modifiers to create this portrait, and he’s shared with DIYP how he set them up in order to get it.

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How to eliminate reflections on glass when shooting with flash

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Usually, when we hear about reflection issues with photography, especially with flash, it’s on glasses. The type people wear on their faces. We’ve posted about that on here before. This time, we’re dealing with regular flat glass. Like that found in windows and doors. The same principles apply, although you do have a few more options.

In this video, photographer Rob Hall takes a look at the subject of reflections on glass surfaces when working with flash. He offers up a number of tips and solutions to help reduce or eliminate the problem entirely. Which will work best for you will depend on your situation. But armed with these techinques, you’ll have a much better chance of getting the shot you want.

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The complete 2018 guide to Godox X series lighting

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It seems like every other week lately, Godox has been announcing a new something or other. It’s hard to keep track. What’s the best for this or that? If I buy one of these do I need to get one of those, too? And what’s compatible with what? (hint: everything’s compatible with everything).

Well, calm down, no need to get overwhelmed. Photographer Rob Hall is here to break everything down as he goes through the complete Godox X system lineup in this 9-minute video. He explains all of the kit, what the differences are, and why one piece of gear might benefit you over another.

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One photographer’s biggest issue with the Sony system

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If you are using one of the Sony A7X system as a stills camera, you are probably familiar with the EVF. It’s that little monitor at the back of the camera that shows you what the exposure looks like depending on exposure settings.

Of course, you can also set the monitor to show you a constant “proper” exposure regardless of the camera setting. You can decide on this behavior using the “Live View Display: Setting Effect On/Off” menu. When you are at Setting Effect On, the EVF will match hour exposure settings, kinda giving you a preview of your soon-to-be-exposed photo. When you are at Setting Effect Off, the camera will give you a constant exposure. Now Rob Hall has an issue with the third option…

When you add a strobe, or a Sony compatible trigger though, the camera will move into a new mode and show you what it thinks a “proper” exposed subject will be, if you used the flash correctly. Sadly, you have no control over this override and once a strobe is introduced, you are stuck with this method of EVF display.

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See every Godox X system studio strobe in this side-by-side comparison

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People make a big deal about the AD600 (now AD600 Pro) and AD200 strobes when it comes to Godox. They offer a lot of power in a nice easily portable package. But they offer so many more strobes than just these two. While those mentioned above, along with the AD360II are fantastic for shooters looking to get light on location, there are quite a few photographers who never take their lights out of the studio.

And that’s where this handy video from Rob Hall comes in. It covers and compares the entire range of mains-powered Godox studio strobes compatible with the X1T, XT32 and XPro triggers. It’s a pretty extensive list of lights covering a range of requirements, and those on 220-240v power even see some flash duration perks that 110-120v countries do not.

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