When Simple Works!

I’m usually not one to go ga-ga over a product (well, sometimes I do), especially when it’s as “simple” as this one. But, after this past weekend, I do believe that if you’re shooting weddings or location portraits, there’s nothing out there that can improve the lighting in your pictures more than this deceptively simple, $50 product.

Read more about the Lightspheres at Gary Fong’s web site.

From my experience – For a wedding, simple is definitely best! The image at the left was made using the clear Lightsphere on a Canon 580EX II flash, which was one the hot shoe of the camera. I simply followed Gary’s instructions, and the lighting is lovely and well balanced against the mixed sun and shade background.

To get the best results, get the most powerful dedicated flash made by your camera manufacture: The 580EX II for Canons or the SB-800 for the Nikon users. Then, get the Gary Fong Lightsphere. Watch the DVD that comes with it and follow the instructions. We shot our first wedding using the Lightspheres this past weekend (except the formals, which I shot traditionally).

I wish I’d used the Lightspheres on the formals, too! Instead, I used my tried-and-true lighting setup: A studio strobe with a large softbox to the left of the camera, and a bare-bulb studio strobe pointed straight up to the right of the camera. The center of both lights was about 2 feet above the groom’s head. Obviously, the softbox was aimed down towards the group.

It took me about 10 minutes to get the strobes set up, and a basic exposure setting metered. From that point, I had less than 30 minutes to get the formals done — a job that usually requires between 30 and 45 minutes! If we’d had more time, we’d have done a couple more poses to get this group arranged a little better, and I’d've monkeyed with the lighting a little more …

Since we were experimenting (yes, on a client, even!), we just got the most basic Lightspheres to try out (our local camera shop, Penn Camera, has a great return policy if you don’t like something you’ve bought there). However, I’d recommend getting the “Pro” kit, and you’ll be ready for anything. It comes with both a clear and a “cloud” Lightsphere, two white domes, an amber dome, “chrome dome” and an instructional DVD.

Note 1: I don’t work for Gary Fong, nor do I even know him personally. I’m just sayin’ … the thing works! I also don’t work for Penn Camera, but if I had to work a retail job, I can’t think of a place I’d rather do it! 

Note 2: Images look great on my calibrated monitor, which is set to mimic output from our printer. Your mileage may vary.