The debate between natural light and artificial lighting in photography is ongoing, but the mastering both can significantly elevate a photographer’s work and make them far more versatile. Understanding the intricacies of bringing lights on location, despite the hassle, reveals the dedication required to achieve specific artistic visions and the tangible difference it makes in the outcomes.

Coming to you from Manny Ortiz, this practical video showcases the challenges and rewards of using artificial lighting in various outdoor settings. Ortiz shares his experience of navigating the logistical difficulties of transporting and setting up lighting equipment without an assistant. The video underlines the importance of this effort by comparing shots taken with natural light against those enhanced with a flash setup. Through these comparisons, Ortiz demonstrates how artificial lighting can create depth, drama, and distinction in images that natural light alone might not achieve. For photographers looking to distinguish their work or capture a particular mood, Ortiz’s insights highlight why mastering both natural and artificial lighting is invaluable.

The video also offers a glimpse into Ortiz’ creative process, from choosing modifiers to adjusting angles for the perfect light. His detailed explanations and on-location demonstrations provide a comprehensive look at how different lighting setups can dramatically alter a photo’s look and feel. Whether it’s the dramatic shadows cast by a narrow beam of light or the soft, even glow from a diffused source, the versatility and control that artificial lighting affords a photographer makes the effort worth it. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Ortiz.

If you would like to continue learning about how to light a portrait, be sure to check out “Illuminating The Face: Lighting for Headshots and Portraits With Peter Hurley!”

Article audio is made possible by CAST11 Prescott Podcast Network. A Talking Glass Media production.

The Town of Prescott Valley is currently accepting submissions for this year’s Photography Showcase: Wild Nature.

May is National Photography Month and to participate, the Town of Prescott Valley is inviting local photographers to explore and capture their Wild Nature

Edward Abbey once said, “Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit, as vital to our lives as water and good bread.”

We’ll celebrate the spirit of Wild Nature in this year’s Photography Showcase by highlighting the work of talented local photographers, on display at the Prescott Valley Public Library from May 1- June 16. Submissions are accepted through April 19. This is a juried show and submission(s) are not guaranteed a place in the Photography Showcase.

To submit your work for consideration, please go to https://www.prescottvalley-az.gov/1162/Public-Art-Display

Catch up with more Local News Stories on Signals A Z.com.

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James Lovick Ltd., owned by James Lovick, was the biggest ad agency in Canada through the mid-century. His prestigious company employed celebrated North Shore photographer Jack Cash, who was at one point commissioned to photograph “4 diffrent [sic] crab dishes.”

Under an account for B.C. Packers, Cash shone a spotlight on one of the final dishes – a crab salad. Sitting on a bed of lettuce are large chunks of crab meat and shredded crab, with two plump tomatoes.

As an accompaniment, whole stalks of green onion sit in a small plastic wheelbarrow, a kitschy reminder of meals gone by.

Visit the MONOVA website for more information about the history of the North Shore and to plan your visit to MONOVA: Museum of North Vancouver, now open at 115 West Esplanade in The Shipyards.

Currently, MONOVA: Archives of North Vancouver, at 3203 Institute Road in Lynn Valley, is open for drop-ins on Monday and by appointment Tuesday-Friday, 12:30-4 p.m. Contact: archives@monova.ca

Navigate culture on the North Shore by using the North Shore Culture Compass.

One of the best things about walking the halls of The Photography & Video Show is discovering equipment that you might not have seen on any other occasion. This was certainly the case today when I happened upon the Aquatech stand and the Joby Seapal, an underwater housing unit for mobile photography. 

The Joby SeaPal Waterproof Case offers content creators the chance to take their workflow overboard and introduce a whole new world of underwater phone photography. The best cameraphones of today offer fantastic photographic capabilities for stills and video and have become more than viable for content creation, for those who like to take to the water for the sea, snorkel, and surf, the Joby SeaPal is a fantastic new option. 

The Joby SeaPal is the successor to the Aquatech AxisGo, featured in our guide to the best underwater housing for cameras and phones. Most underwater housing systems require model-specific cases, which requires buying a new one when updating your phone. The SeaPal was designed by Aquatech to be universal to all the latest iPhone and Samsung camera phones and simply requires switching the configuration of the inner bumpers which allows you to change the case to fit your requirements, futureproofing for your next phone update!

The underwater case provides ultimate protection with waterproof, shockproof, and dustproof housing, and the case enables access to your phone’s touchscreen features via a flexible panel, even whilst underwater. In addition, the Joby SeaPal ecosystem offers a range of incredible accessories that take the case even further.

The SeaPal Dome offers ‘crystal clear underwater photos’ and is perfect for under/over shots, the Sports Leash is much like a surfing leash and provides great security for your housing unit, and the SeaPal Shuter Grip allows further versatility with a waterproofed ergonomic design for remote triggering your mobile camera shutter, ensuring your phone becomes the ‘ultimate aquatic storyteller’.

After looking at this year’s Underwater Photographer of the Year images I felt inspired to try out the genre for myself, and the Joby SeaPal Waterproof Case will allow me to take those first steps into the water.

If you are at The Photography & Video Show this week be sure to check it out in person at Aquatech stand M500. Tickets are still available for the show either at the door or via the official website.

You may also be interested in our guides for the best waterproof camera, the best action cameras, and the best 360 cameras. 

An amazing creative playground, quite literally, is open at The Photography & Video Show – and it’s an absolute dream for creators, vloggers and selfie hunters.

One of the most popular attractions at the show – which is open now and runs until Tuesday at the NEC in Birmingham, England – the Creator Playground has a series is immersive sets, shooting spots, musical booths and dress-up spots that are perfect for unique content. 

I had a little play in the area myself yesterday – here’s a quick video tour of what you’ll find: 

You’re greeted at the entrance by Alice (of Wonderland fame) and the Queen of Hearts, before tumbling down a rabbit hole and knee deep into the land of white rabbits, Cheshire cats and psychedelic teapots. 

There’s a throne that’s perfect for a royal selfie, and a selection of headwear so you can be a mad hatter while you usurp the queen. 

Elsewhere you’ll find an upside-down room that’s great for some Spider-Man antics, as you can see in the animation at the top (or maybe it’s the bottom?) of the page. 

The sounds of Blondie’s Call Me ring out as you reach the hot pink phone box, packed with electric pink and yellow handsets hanging from the ceiling, next to a table full of old rotary-looking phones.

There are a bunch more shooting sets round the corner, including these three colorful installations, some eyeball-warping wall art set to the sounds of The Prodigy’s Out of Space, a serene flower room… it’s the ideal place to film some pieces to camera, shoot some selfies, or freshen up your TikTok and Instagram feeds. 

Head along to at the NEC in Birmingham and have a play. For more information and tickets, visit the official website. 

You might be interested in the best cameras for Instagram and the best cameras for TikTok to up your social game!