Strobist_Turns_One

Me, not getting enough sleep. (Shot to illustrate the one-year anniversary of Strobist.com, the lighting blog.)

Lighting info:

Camera balanced for daylight. SB-26 speedlight sitting on the keyboard (on 1/4 power with a CTB gel) aimed at the screen. Second SB-26, at 1/64 power (no gel) with a coroplast gridspot, at camera left painting the computer. Triggered by Pocket Wizard on the 1/4-power flash and built-in slave on the 1/64-powered flash.

Exposure was 1/250th at f/8 at 100 ASA.

Photo © David Hobby, 2007 All rights reserved.

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Comments

johndohrn says:

quite possibly some of the neatest light i've seen in a long while. A+ man
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

ChroniChaos says:

damn fine work. i only hope i can get there some day.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

rmphotog says:

How can I get that custom finish on my powerbook??? LoL.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

aperture_lag says:

Excellent choice of drink, sir. :)
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

livin4lax09 says:

agreed. Diet though? Come on, if you're going to do the dew, you have to DO the dew. :) great shot.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

DavidWSmith says:

Congrats on the year and we really appreciate all the great work and efforts on your part.
David
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

strobist says:

Trust me, I did the high-test Dew for many years. That stuff, enjoyed long enough, is the express train to Diabetesville. I caught my elevated blood sugar early enuf to turn it around.

It took me a week to convert to the regular unleaded. Now, even if sugar were not an issue, I prefer the diet stuff over the hi-test. And I am thankful for having the opportunity to switch before I was too far gone every time I crack one open.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

goobers314 says:

That's awesome, I'm never wiping my laptop again.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

geowulf says:

Solid High-test Dew is also the quick road to Kidney stones.. OUCH!!
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

strobist says:

Owwwch. This comment thread just got a lot more painful.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

Brock N. Meeks says:

Congrats on hitting the year mark without your head exploding, David! And as others have said, a big "thanks" for sharing your knowledge and putting in the TIME to make that knowledge available.

And if I'd know that coroplast gave off that kind of light on a Powerbook I would have used it LONG ago, that's killer!
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

GeoDesigner says:

Simply amazing light, Mr. Strobist. It's shots like these that makes us realize why we read your website everyday and regard Dave Hobby as our true and sole master.

Keep on Strobin'!
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

geezer741uk says:

All I can say is a big THANKS for sharing your considerable lighting skills and time, and giving us all a place to share ideas and learn from each other too!

Since I found the group about a month ago, my ability to turn out a decent photo has improved dramatically. Where I used to think just before tripping the shutter, I now think before the camera's out of the bag....

Oh and for the record - the last line on today's blog entry was spot on! The first thing I do these days when I see a cool photo is to try and deconstruct the lighting. I got most of it, but using the screen as a reflector didn't occur. Another one for the bag of tricks!
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

colbyjoe says:

That's a great shot!

Thanks for all the time you put into this site. Before I found this site I only shot ambient. Nikon should give you commission for all the sb's you've sold! Thanks to all the contributors for putting up awesome shots and giving feedback.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

QorbeQ says:

Ditto to the thanks atcha David.

As for the shot, gotta love the way that the computer-painter is making that shape-following shadow behind, giving a great background "for free" :-)
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

hereward99 says:

Thanks, David, for inspiring me over the last year. Your time and guidance has been much appreciated.

And thanks, also, for allaying my fears over the fate of the 'Dew. It was impossible to find when I was last in my Home and Native Land, and I was a bit worried the Dentistry Police might have had it banned. At least we can get Oreos in the UK now if we look hard enough...
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

Ant_Pix says:

Thanks David for all your efforts over the last year and Happy Birthday strobist.

Here's to the next year and many more afterwards.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

bored_stupid says:

Hi David, congrats on the first year. Just bought my 2nd sb800 on the strength of the strobist site. you have inspired me. thanks
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

Chris Townsend says:

Great shot; thank you for all the great info you have put out!
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

zepper_7 says:

Thank you thank you Mr Strobist. Congrats on the 1 year, you need a cupcake with a candle! Thanks to you though I now spend hours on end at camera auctions waiting to bid on practically brand new 25 year old SBs...
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

Brett Turner Photography says:

David,
Thanks for the site. It took two days but I read the whole thing. The two sb-26's I ordered have arived. (one of us, one of us , one of us) I have been making money with a camera for years but i havent had this much fun sence Collins on basics.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

PIXXIL - The worlds #1 Robb Duncan says:

A big thanks David, you have had a profound effect on the way that I now work every single job. I have also tried to take on your way of thinking when it comes to passing on knowledge and now run a free small group tutorial session for students and other interested peoples. So thank you, its awesome!!

And I also find it amazing that even one of the shooters for the wee little local suburban rag all the way over here in Melbourne Australia has converted to the Strobist Faith. Almost makes the paper worth reading (or at least lookin at the pictures.)

Thanks mate.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

Sam Webster says:

needs the dave hill technique ;)

hehe

congrats dave, you're almost single handedly responsible for me being a decent photographer :)
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

johnwmacdonald says:

Thanks for the year's worth of fantastic reading!

--
http://strobist.blogspot.com/ (?)
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

jmurphpix says:

I've only been a part of the Strobist community for a month but I can already tell that I'm approaching my photo assignments different because of all the great tips I've found on your site. Thanks for all of your hard work over the past year and I look forward to learning more in the future.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

gwhunting [deleted] says:

Preeeeschate the help. I've learned much from your web site.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

Tom_FL says:

I found strobist in November of this and have checked back more then daily everytime since. It has certainly made be a better photographer.

David thank you and your family for everything.

Tom

Tampa Bay Photographer
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

Daryl Marquardt says:

I have not commented before, but just wanted to thank you for all of the great info. I read your blog daily and it always makes me want to get out and shoot more. (with off camera flash or 2 in tow of course)

Thanks!
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

Debbi in California says:

It would be neat if your would change the word coroplast into a link, so clickers (and newbies) could go right to the description of it on your blog.

Thanks and Happy Birthday!
Debbi
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

DaytonPhotog says:

I want to add my thanks and congrats on the first year.

I just sent a camera off to the shop after it blew the shutter (80-100,000 images, it was a Canon 300D, so actually did quite well,) and am looking forward to the next year so the next 100,000 images will look much better.

One thing you've mentioned is that you do other shoots that aren't appropriate for the blog because they don't involve off camera flash. I understand that completely, as I had few assignments that I've used off camera flash for, having only recently gotten the eBay remotes and not really gotten good at using them yet.

However, an article where you present some shots where you didn't use off camera flash, along with WHY you made the decision (I'm assuming you'd only post shots where there was a choice, as I realize that sometimes it just isn't going to be an option) might help us make better decisions ourselves.

And what's that about your writing? I think you're writing is part of the appeal of the site. You have explained a very technical thing (photography) in a way that people WANT to read.

In fact, I (and many others) keep coming back every day to see if there is more to read.

Thanks for all the hard work to make this one of my top three web sites, that I have to check out at least once a day.

Peter Wine
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

Nathan Buck says:

Thanks for the site Dave. I am a newish member but have already benefited greatly.

Nathan
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

Steve.Korn says:

Great work,David. Congrats on one year and thanks for your inspiration.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

Osaka Dave says:

Hey David,thanks for opening up a huge door into a beeter world for me in photography.When I started out a few years back I always just used availible light or even the pop up flash on my Nikon D70s or whatever camera was using at he time.Eventually i bought an SB-24(prior to learing about it on your site by about a year and a half),I had been shooting alot of BMX stuff and needed a more powerfull flash then what in on my camera and it was cheap and used(about 7000 yen/around 65-70 U.S.),now I had not yet heard of "strobist" or what it intails,I never used my flash on camera coz I'd heard or read that it coupld damage my camera,so not wanting to screw up my 200,000 yen camera i used it off camera,a little over 2 months ago I found out about you from the Light Source podcast,and now i'm using 2 SB-24's to their fullest and loving photography even more,and i've stopped thinking that i need some big studio light with all the money that goes with em.THANK YOU!!

Dave in Osaka
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

jswanase says:

Assignment: Image of cake/cupcake - candle(s) commemorating the first bday of Stobist.

We all owe you (and the group) our gratitude - especially the lurkers among us....
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

jswanase says:

err...Strobist not Stobist in that first sentence... 1st post and I muck it up...
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

gmcbride says:

Great work Dave well done i dont know where you find the time, but thanks for the inspiration and the great lighting tectonics.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

serni says:

Now it would be a good occasion to say Thank You for the info on your website :-)
I discovered it recently and I didn't have much time but I plan to read all :-)
Great work!
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

Bill Millios says:

Chiming in...

I'm glad I found this community, for a number of reasons.
1) great information
2) the focus is on results, not "who's got the bigger "; in fact, here the focus is on "how great a result can you get with the smaller size, err, flash"
3) no snobbery here - let it all hang out
4) there's a constant undercurrent of giving without expecting - led by David, who has given freely of his knowledge, which has taken up a lot of his time. I have my own wife and kids, I know what this is costing him - and I appreciate it.

Great work, David. Thank you, and please give my thanks to Mrs. Strobist. :^)
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

blackshuck says:

Happy birthday and what a great site - one of only 2 I have to visit on a daily basis.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

gtmlabels says:

Thanks, David, I appreciate all the new stuff I've learned and congratulations on the first Anniversary. It's been a cool ride!
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

Rafa Barbera says:

Than you David, thanks for this year!. What a wonderful year. I have learned in this year more about light and photography that before. You have give us all your knowldge and have showed us all the passion that you put in your job. This was awesome, refreshing... inspiring.

Thank you David, thank you. And congratulations for this year and for be as you are!
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

cerveza4lu says:

David, let me chime in with my hearty THANK YOU! I enjoy your site so much that I made it my home page when my browser loads. Hopefully with much more practice I will be able to light like you.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

funsky1 says:

Congrats - love this site and your commentary style.

Hmmm - Mountain Dew - when I was a young pup in TV shooting - it was stale coffee and a cig -- but we always had our breakfast twinkie & Pepsi before we left the newsroom door!
You guys do stuff BETTER and differently in Balto!

(BTW - originally thought you were gonna post that this shot was taken by your daughter with her Barbie press cam and you just did the lighting!)
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

Sahil Malik says:

I stumbled upon your blog about a couple of months, right about when I purchased my first DSLR. I must congratulate you on the first year of Strobist, it has taught me more then I could have ever imagined. Keep up the great work!

PS: Is that you? I dont think you have every posted your own pic on Strobist... but I may be wrong.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

cameron obscura says:

Having followed Strobist for about half its life, it has changed the way I look at light and even composition.

...and for that, "Thank you."
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

Lazy Aussie says:

Congrats. Following your site for some time. Haven't really known how to get into flash stuf before. Will do so now.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

jayhan says:

Congrats on the first year! And this this one awesome site I've come across so far... just cant help to keep clickint on that "strobist" link in my faved folder every single day to see what you have come up with. Keep up the good work, and thanks for providing us this really neat site!
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

adamTphoto says:

you should post a pic of the set up itself.

--
Seen on shatterstudios.com (?)
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

Doug Knisely (dormant) says:

1/4 power SB-26 aimed at the screen - you must have been blinded afterward!
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

chemisti says:

Congratulations! This is one guy who has improved because:
(1) I learned that you can do cool stuff in a minimalist fashion, and
(2) I look at light in a totally different way - even without strobes.

My Avitar was one of my first shoots with a couple of off-camera stobes...

Love the site and the folks who hang out here!

You know you're a STROBIST when...
You look at magazine ads and don't even notice the 20+ year old leggy model because you are trying to figure out how they lit the dishwasher behind her without reflections!

This place ROCKS!
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

Derek Dysart says:

Dang, it's been a year? I caught the train probably in late May, nonetheless, thank you for everything. You've not only changed my shooting, you probably changed my life (in a good way, and I'm not just saying that to say it).

Thank you.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

Jason Phillips says:

Birthday Eh? So how many spankings would that be?
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

carlos.benjamin says:

Dude, you're kidding me. You back dated the blog to February? I've been along for nearly the whole trip and didn't even know it.......

Congrats on a wild ride thus far. I hope this turns into something that works well for you (and not just works you).

--
http://strobist.blogspot.com/ (?)
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

shurupchik says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called people wearing glasses, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

Adopt a pet, save a Life AKA..definetlyoverdone says:

Dave, get to bed!!
lol, get some sleep, its gonna be a crazy year!
Thanks for all the great Info...Strobist=one of the most usefull sites on the web..
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

*SΛM says:

That's a nice shot. Well done.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

trexpixx says:

Happy B-day.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

OZine says:

David, about a year ago I bought my first digital SLR. And soon after that I stumbled upon your site. From that moment on my life as a photographer changed completely. Strobe off camera ... wow!
It took quite a lot of time to get all the right stuff to holland, but now it's all there and it's fantastic to walk the strobist way. (Still have to "upgrade" my skills, but it's great to learn).
Thanks a lot for your wonderful blog, the great info and insight into the world of (strobe) photography.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

The Cameras Voice says:

I thought it was lit by the dim blue glow of the monitor.... shows what I know. :-) someday I am gonna be able to do that....

--
Seen in the interestingness archives. (?)
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

Rob Scumaci says:

Happy birthday. I've enjoyed the site very much. In particular I am loving using my $80 flash, instead of the $400 I was about to drop before I stumbled on your site.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

patricksmithphotos says:

Why do you keep posting a picture of this young random guy? We all know you're really like 85 years old!

Just kidding. As I stated before, you're the man. Thanks again for creating the blog. Your tips and teachings has helped my work out tremendously.

I will continue to read the site once.... five times a day and hopefully continue to learn.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

amanda_morrison_pj says:

this is the portrait of every photographer! (especially us students!) Love it!
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

honkerdown says:

Hurray for the power of Diet Dew - thanks so much for everything you have done as The Strobist.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

eyphotography says:

By far my favorite group on flickr. Much better than your usual dumping ground group for photos.

Thank you,
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

dinerdog says:

You have definately been a "bright spot" on the landscape. : >
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

M_thanhouser_photos says:

did you use the computer screen to bounce the fash??
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

deguzzy says:

The best part about you is that you share the technical aspects of your work (setup, equipment, etc.) and also the shots of the work area/setup. Thank you for sharing. We need more people like you.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

!efatima says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Emirates Mac, and we'd love to have all your photo added to the group.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

erickguerrero.com / Pinoy Sydneysider says:

Thanks for one year of sharing your gifts and ideas!

More power to Strobist.com and to you. I am one of your many readers.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

A.J. French says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called A Strobist and a Laptop, and I'd love to have your photo added to the group - as guest of honour, of course :-)
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

carlos.benjamin says:

Hilarious, A.J.......

--
Seen in my recent comments. (?)
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Cory.Lum says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Painting with Light ala Aaron Jones & WILD Studio lighting tech, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.

Wonderful image ! COOL ! wow !
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

shelbytwhite says:

One of my favorite shots of you to this day.
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

fotomann_forever says:

So, what does it feel like to have everyone and his cat trying to copy your SP? :-)
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

Abraham Macuil Photography says:

I just wanted to say that because of your site, my skillz have advanced tenfold in a very short period of time. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for all the help and info. I attended a workshop not too long ago that basically taught everything I've learned here for F R E E! Thanks for everything and now strobist has inspired me to work on an info-packed blog with lots of cool stuff for beginning wedding photographers....coming soon. Thanks again!
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

Isaac Lane Koval says:

great photo! I love your website.
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

Joe Roback  says:

the EXIF data from the photo says f/5.6, your comment says f/8...
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

wes4ua says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Diet Mountain Dew "ers", and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

Culinary Fool says:

Thanks for joining us, David!

Thanks for helping us document our 1000 member milestone!
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

cameron obscura says:

The shot. The iconic shot.
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

JU5T1N says:

consumerist.com/377006/how-to-research-an-unk nown-online-...

Popular photo ... you made it onto Lifehacker.com (via the Consumerist.com link above).

Thanks for the blog and congrats on 2yrs.
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

Rob Scumaci says:

Indeed. I continue to use the skills I learned on your site whenever I pick up my flash and leave it off my camera (which is all the time!) Thanks.
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

~Someone Else~ says:

great minds think alike=)
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

-spam- says:

Our Dew doesnt have caffeine in it. That makes me sad :(

haha.

Avid reader for yonks mate and there is always great stuff that keeps me coming back.
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

Sandrooo says:

damn , i love mountain dew :D
Posted 16 months ago. ( permalink )

funsky1 says:

You know you are a phenom when 3 strangers in a Wolf Camera Store (part of Ritz Camera in the Midwest)
in Downers Grove, IL are talking about THE STROBIST and what a great site it is!
Posted 16 months ago. ( permalink )

Project 7 http://www.joshuafernandez.com says:

funsky1: Strobist sits right beside the Undertaker in the very short line of Phenoms. =D
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

behind the view finder says:

beautiful light

--
Seen on your photo stream. (?)
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

Charles Allen says:

So are you gonna update that photo with the new Dew cans?
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

Ben Zvan says:

I used this image to promote you in a blog. Feel free to tell me to shove off.
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

novascotiaskier says:

I've been following the blog almost from the beginning but only just now decided to try and do my own interpretation of David's iconic shot.

I discovered that many laptops have a special display coating that DOES NOT DIFFUSE reflected light.

"So what?" you might ask.

Well, if you want soft shadows as in David's shot above, you will have to tape plain white paper to your display (okay, do I really need to say NOT to the display glass, but to the plastic bezel surrounding it??) to make a larger apparent light to soften up the body shadows.
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

ArtCPhotos says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called All Lighting, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 10 months ago. ( permalink )

José Antonio Carretero says:

Thank you David for for sharing your knowledge. I am a professional photographer from Spain who has fallen in love with your blog. Thank you very much. Muchas Gracias.
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

Captain Suresh says:

Congratulations ! Great going. Excellent image ! Well done. Thanks for sharing.
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

marcelo versiani says:

great
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

bokehaddict says:

Your so great David! I will post a tribute picture this evening!
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

Jayson Vega says:

can i do the same?
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

Buzzlair Voufincci says:

love this one.

im proud to feature this one in one of my article..

hope its fine with you.
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Emanuel Hodut photography says:

I like the non-conventional "lighting fixture" you're using, and I assume it's not cheap either!! Great image!
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

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