Ian Ruhter: Old Technique, New Style

ian ruhter wet plate colodion 15 e1328883559691 Ian Ruhter: Old Technique, New Style

©Ian Ruhter

Before there was digital, there was film. And before there was film, there was the collodion wet plate process.

The wet plate process was introduced in the 1850s. It is a complex hands-on craft, involving silver nitrate and other hazardous chemicals. In addition, wet plates require tremendous amounts of lights. Exposure times range from several seconds to a couple minutes. However, if everything is done right, the result is a beautiful and strikingly brilliant photograph with a silvery feel.

Hence, there are still a number of enthusiasts out there, making and developing their very own wet plates. Ian Ruhter is one of them. But there is one thing that makes Ian unique.



Essential Reading for Wedding and Portrait Photographers

FlipbookBlog Essential Reading for Wedding and Portrait Photographers

The Profoto Advantage

The weekend is just around the corner, and it is the perfect time to sit back, relax and read. If you feel like learning a thing or two while you’re at it, may we suggest that you check out the brand new digital flipbook that we just published?

The flipbook was written with wedding and portrait photographers in mind, but there is something there for everyone who feel like taking their photography to the next level.

The flipbook is free of charge and includes everything from videos and product comparisons to tips and tricks from renowned photographers such as Bambi Cantrell, Marcus Bell, Bobbi Lane and Roméo Balancourt.

Have a nice weekend, and enjoy your reading!



Tom Munro on Fashion BTS

Screen shot 2012 02 06 at 11.53.07 AM 318x400 Tom Munro on Fashion BTSPhotographer Tom Munro’s Harper’s Bazaar UK photo shoot with Rosie Huntington-Whiteley was featured on Fashion BTS. As described by the author, the shoot was referred to as “Pool Goddess + Valley of the Dolls.”

Tagged as using Profoto gear, these images are gorgeous, and an example of major league fashion photography. See more of Munro’s work at his site.



REVIEW: Profoto D4 Air by Photo Arts Monthly

Screen shot 2012 02 13 at 12.45.43 PM 275x400 REVIEW: Profoto D4 Air by Photo Arts MonthlyProfoto Arts Monthly has published an in-depth review of the Profoto D4 Air written by Matt Beardsley. The introduction to the piece includes the following paragraph:

“The Profoto D4 Air, then, is an awesome combination of both Profoto’s latest in-pack full asymmetry and sophisticated on-camera control. It is a versatile tool for fine-tuned light, offering quick-control and the flexibility of a wide range of power. It is both easy to use and thoroughly capable and, as we proved through nearly two months of hard testing, a robust pack, ready for the day-to-day beating of professional studio and location photography.”

In the review, Beardsley goes into considerable detail, from the D4 Air’s rubber feet to it’s controls. A series of test shoots were done to accurately review the unit, and the author carefully documents how it performed. He also does an admirable job describing how the D4 Air fits into the Profoto line and its market position.

Beardsley concludes his review with the following:

“Profoto’s innovative D4 Air is a sophisticated strobe pack with the power, flexibility, and performance to delivery well-lit photography in the studio or on location. It has amazing asymmetry and dial-down range as well as a few useful digital tricks. The pack is only hindered by a high price point and a little extra bulk. Highly recommended!”

Read Photo Arts Monthly’s complete review of the Profoto D4 Air here.



Matthew Seed: Horse Photographer

horse 3 1 580x356 Matthew Seed: Horse Photographer

©Matthew Seed

Matthew Seed’s website is simply called Horse Photographer. Not only does that describe what Matthew does, it also says something about his humble approach and the respect he shows for the animals he photographs.

It was for this very reason that Matthew avoided using flash for many years.

“I started out not using flash at all,” says Matthew. “I thought the horses wouldn’t like it. But I soon got bored of doing that, and my personal view on photography is that it’s all about controlling light. I know the landscape guys would say different, but for me the thrill is having that control and painting with it.”