Pixel TW-282 Wireless Remote Control

The Pixel TW-282 is the “Wireless” version of the Pixel TC-252 Remote Control.  It sports off all the same features as the TC-252 but again the Pixel TW-282 is the “Wireless” version of the TC-252.

I done some fair tests with this remote control and I am pleased to say that it performs very well.  The main focus of my tests was to put as many “obstacles”  between the transmitter of the TW-282 and the receiver as much as possible i.e.  brick walls etc… now I’m very pleased to say that the Pixel TW-282 did very easily pass these tests of mine as my camera did continue to fire shot after shot after shot.

The Pixel TW-282 is the must have remote control to have in your photography kit if you’re a sports photographer, or a wild life photographer.  As it is going to help you get close to the action and get the shots that you will just other wise not get with out it.  For more on the Pixel TW-282 watch my video below.

Pixel Opas Transceiver

The Radio Trigger Market is just flooded nowadays and plenty of people are confused as to what trigger it is that they should be spending their hard earned cash on?

For example I know that there is a MASSIVE amount of photographers out there that are simply if not over the moon with their Yong Nuo RF 602 Raido Triggers.  Then on the other side of the coin we have those other photographers who simply just won't shoot with out their triggers being the big brand names like Pocket Wizards.

When UK Highland Photography first sent me out the Pixel Bishops, then I have to admit I was pretty "unsure" about Pixel Products.... that was unto I put the Pixel Bishops and the Pocket Wizards head to head with each other and was very shocked at my findings.  Basically the Pixel Bishops done exactly as they did say they would do on the box.  However, the big brand name Pocket Wizards failed to do exactly what it is that they claimed their product could do.

Now moving on, yes the Pixel Opas Transceiver does look like a Pocket Wizard.  But people for real the Pixel Opas just feels so much better build than a Pocket Wizard.  The Pixel Opas is solid, if I dropped my Pocket Wizards then I'd expect them to shatter / break.  But I've got this feeling that if I dropped my Pixel Opas then it would just gain a cosmetic scratch and nothing much more.

In my honest opinion then the Pixel Opas is what the Pocket Wizard 11 should of been.  I mean I have got "options", for example I can activate my speedlites via a hot shoe on the Opas or I can use a PC sync cord if I really wanted to.  There is something about the Opas that I just like.... it's sexy, sleek, well built, comes with an excellent case to keep it protected, has all the cables that one would need.  Again in my honest opinion the Opas is exactly the kind of trigger that kicks the Pocket Wizards back side.  I spent £360 on my 2 Pocket Wizard Plus 11's and it eats me up inside to know that with triggers like the Opas on the market then I could of got 4 triggers for the same amount of money and would of had more options with regards to working with them. e.g. Hot Shoe, PC Sync Cord etc......

Since I've been writing / making videos for review of Pixel products then I have to say that I am becoming more and more of a fan of Pixel products.  For example if I had a Wedding to shoot tomorrow then the reality is I would 100% be taken my Pixel products with me in order to get the job done.  Watch the Video below guys and see for your-selfs just how much of a cracker the Pixel Opas really is.

Regards

Strober

Pixel TC-252 Remote Control

Wow.....  I've been playing around with this new Pixel TC-252 Remote Control of mine which I got from www.ukhighland.co.uk and wow this new bit of kit has taught me to be even more creative with regards to the way that I do use my DSLR'.s

What I have learnt from working with the Pixel TC-252 Remote Control is how to do "Time Lapse" photography.  For example if you watch my video review below of the TC-252 Remote Control then you will see that I did make a "Time Lapse" of two birthday candles as they do go through their stages of burning.

The Pixel TC-252 Remote Control boasts these following modes.... Single, Continuous, Bulb & Delay.  It feels comfortable in your hands and is very easy to operate. For more info on the Pixel TC-252 then watch the video below.

Regards

Strober

Pixel: Oppilas Wireless Remote Control

After seeing the four options / modes that the Oppilas does offer, then there was one mode which I really wished this wireless remote control did have.

This being a “Bracketing” mode, I mean if the Oppilas had a “Bracketing” mode then this would be a complete heaven for those of us who are into the HDR side of things.  Again, I’m pretty sure that you would agree that having the ability to remotely “bracket your images” wirelessly without touching your camera would be a very useful tool whilst working in the field of HDR.

However, the Oppilas dose not offer such a feature like the “Bracketing” mode but instead offers other great features such as .

1)  Single Shot
2)  Continuous Shot
3)  Bulb Mode
4)  Delay

Not only that but you can chose to work up to 16 different channels and work up to a shooting distance of 100 meters.  The Oppilas is very light and it may well feel cheap in your hands (just like those insanely expensive Pocket Wizard Plus 11‘s) .  But when you are out working with the Oppilas in the field then you quickly realise that it is any thing but cheap.  In fact it may even make you ask yourself as to why you are not paying even more money for it?  As it is that reliable and the consistency of it is next to none.

For more then watch the Video.  And don't forget to check out www.ukhighland.co.uk

Regards

Strober

Pixel RC-201 Remote Control

Those very kind people over at "UK Highland Photography" have sent me out one of their Pixel RC-201 Remote Controls so I can have a play with it and tell you all what I think of it?

Now what I think is, is that every photographer on this planet should have one of these quality yet inexpensive bits of kit at the bottom of their photography bag.  Why?  Well it's just the fact that you have that "other option" / "tool" that you can access at the bottom of your bag.  No matter what it is that you are doing, for example  shooting fireworks, night photography, painting by light etc....  again the way I see it, then it's all about having access to that "tool" that is just sitting there in your photography bag.  

Now here is a little video of me working in the field with the RC-201 Remote Control my-self. 

Trusting that all this helps with regards to the Pixel RC-201.

Regards

Strober

Sony A1E HDV Camcorder

If your a regular visitor to this blog, then you will have noticed that for quite a while now I have not had as much activity on this site as I really should have.

The reason being is that I have bought my-self a new toy i.e. The Sony A1E HDV Camcorder.  Yes my Nikon D40 had been 'shelved' for a while whilst I did learn how to operate this new bit of kit of mine.  Like any bit of kit the Sony A1E does have it's negatives and it's positives.  For example the Sony A1E Camcorder is NO GOOD at all in working in low light conditions.  However in contrast to that, the "Spot Focus" and "Spot Exposure"modes on the Sony A1E is perhaps the best focus / exposure system that I have ever seen on any camera.  

I have not had the opportunity to really put this new bit of kit of mine to it's limits.  However, as soon as that opportunity does arise then I will share my findings with you all here on this blog.  But for the mean time I hope you enjoy the pics of my newest bit of kit.

Regards

Strober

National Flag Project

I've started a new project of late and it's called the 'National Flag Project'.  This project is to see many Models, model with their own National Flag.

I've only just really started it and as such, I have seen the Models become very creative with regards to their work.  So for now here is a little taster of my new long term project the 'National Flag Project'.

Plus it should be noted that I used a new lighting method on Miss England, which is why her colour balance looks more cooler that the rest.

Strober



Orange Order Annual Parade (Manchester)

Yesterday I got to the chance to photograph my brethren as they did parade through Manchester City Centre. 

So guys if you do get to watch this video of my pics of you.... then you should all know by now that "The Photographer" who you were all talking about was in fact me and I am also an "Orangeman" too.

Now just to let you all know that you done a great job....  And I'm well proud of yous.


Thanks


Gaz aka Strober
http://www.strober.co.uk/

Head 'n' Shoulders: Shooting in the studio....

OK 99.9% of my work is shot on location, but this time round I've decided to do some shoots inside in my studio.  Now I have to admit that I have enjoyed working in my studio, this is because of a number of things such as I can shoot my Nikon D40 straight to my Lap Top and the Models can then see how they are performing in an instant.  Not only that but it is also warm and dry and no bad weather whatsoever can call off the shoot :) 

The theme that I chose to shoot in my studio was simply just a Head n Shoulders shoot.  But again I really did enjoy working in my studio as for once I did not have to travel my-self to a location with all them speedlites strapped around my entire body, in addition to them 2 other two bags that I do carry i.e. one for my Camera Equipment and the other for my light stands.  I hope you all do enjoy my studio shots of the Models and for my-self I'm just going to enjoy the thought of shooting many more Models to come in the comfort of my own studio.

See you all later

Strober

11:30 Break

Ok come on... Hands Up... who remembers them "11:30 Break" adverts for Diet Coke? 

You know the ones, the ones where all the girls are whispering to each other in the office, saying to each other it's  11:30, it's 11:30, Diet Coke Break, Diet Coke Break.  Then all of a sudden all them girls do make their way over to the windows of the office in order to watch that hunk of a man take his t-shirt off in the street and to then enjoy that nice refreshing can of Diet Coke.  If not then you need to watch the video embedded in this blog at the bottom just underneath my Male Model Ashley.

Right now moving on, honestly people if Coke was ever to reinvent these adverts again then Ashley would be the perfect Male Model for this job.  I mean just look at that pic at the bottom of this blog, yes these ones where Ashley has got his t-shirt off......  Yes, I know exactly what it is that your thinking.... it's 11:30.... it's 11:30.... Diet Coke Break.... Diet Coke Break.  ;)

On this shoot with Ashley I got to test out a brand new bit of kit called the "Boom" and wow people the "Boom" just 100% rocks.  Not only that but these car park shots were a success too...  in the past these car park shoots have proved to be problematic for me, but not this time :)

Any way if you can't remember that 11:30 Diet Coke Break advert then please do watch the video embedded at the end  of this blog.

Regards

Strober

 

The Names Preston…….. Gareth Preston…………

If you are like me then the chances are that you have already been stopped in the past by the police and have been asked by that Police Officer what it is that you are taking photographs of ? Yes, I know……… "You’re a Photographer & NOT a Terrorist".

However, this still don’t’ change the fact that, that nice Police Officer still wants to know what it is that you are taking Photographs of ? Are you involved in some sort of espionage against the state? Are you gathering intelligence about Police Officers or are you taking photographs of "sensitive buildings" in order for them to be used for terrorist activities? No!!!!!!!! I hear you cry……… Your simply doing a little bit of Street Photography and your shooting candid shots of the public as they do walk you buy, so it’s not your fault when you learn that, that member of the public that you have been photographing all along turns out to be a SOC Officer (Serious Organised Crime Officer) who has an international Drugs Baron under surveillance and then there is little old you taking candid shots of him in the process. Right, may I just take some details of you says the Police Officer: Your Name, Age, D.O.B. Address, etc… etc…

Well as you can see from my photograph above people, I now no longer now have to tell that Police Officer my information and instead I now just simply have to hand him over my own home made Photographers Press Card. This little plastic card has all the details on it that any Police Officer would require from my-self i.e. my name, my age, my D.O.B. my address, etc… etc…

The reason why I have made my-self my own Photographers Press Card is due to the fact that this year has seen me attend quite a few crime scenes as a Photographer. First of all there was that young man that jumped off the bridge here in Stockport, then there was the Stepping Hill Murders, followed by the Manchester Riots…. Needless to say I have been pulled by Police Officers and I have been asked to explain my presence at these crime scenes in addition to supplying all the details of my-self which is now found on my new Photographers Press Card………. Any way just thought that I’d share it with you all.  To finish, I do have to say that I do think that my new press card does look kinda cool ;)

Regards

Strober

Kaavie KA-200 Spring Cushioned Light Stands From UK Highland Photography

Another one of the most important investments you will face as a photographer when it comes to working with off camera flash is not only what Radio Triggers, Speedlites etc... you should buy, but you will one day find your-self asking what “light stands” should you buy?  Well lucky for you there is loads of light stands out there on the market for you to chose from, the price range can be anything from £10 right up to £150.

You should base your investment on “light stands” not only around the budget you have to spend on them, but also in line with what kind of work it is that you want your “light stands” to  do.  For example if you are planning on being a Wedding Photographer, then I very much doubt it, that you are going to buy those £10 eBay light stands.  This is because that if you do then you may get a very nasty surprise the next time that you turn up at that next Wedding to find that 1)  A screw has worked it’s way lose from that cheap light stand & you can’t use the light stand now because you don’t have that missing screw to fix it or 2)  Part of the light stand has now snapped during transit, due to the fact that it is in fact made of cheap hollow metal or 3)  The wind blows and you watch in horror as your very expensive speedlite does bounce of that hard ground due to the fact that your cheap light stand can not stand up to strong winds. (NB:  Your light stand is to light to stand up against the force of the wind).

But any way what I’m going to do now is to tell you a little bit about UK Highlands Photography's “General Purpose” light stands they are the Kaavie KA-200 Spring Cushioned Light Stands.    Since working with them I have found that they are

• Very Fast To Set Up (NB:  Unlike my Interfit MK11 Light Stands)
• Solid and have a nice weight to them (NB:  Making them ideal to stand up to light winds)
• Include a Safety Mechanism (NB:  It’s a “Spring” inside the stand and is faster to pack up / put away than “Air Sprung” stands.)
• Extend to a height of  1 Meter 89 CM (NB:  Unlike my Interfit MK11 Light Stands which extend to a height of  2 Meters 27 CM.)
• Worth the modest price of (£34.95 for the Twin Deal) (NB:  Obviously I did purchase mine from UK Highland Photography my-self.)
• Won my trust with regards to working with them.

So boom, bang, crash, wallop, ping, thud, of course the Kaavie KA-200 Spring Cushioned Light Stands are going to get those “cosmetic scratches” on them when your carrying them in your bag to and from location or from moving them around the studio etc...  But the one thing that these light stands are NOT going to do on you is to slowly fall apart when the going does get tough, the Kaavie KA-200 Spring Cushioned Light Stands are a quality built light stand, with an added Safety Feature built into them.  However, I do feel that this spring safety feature will only be a benefit to us who work with the off camera flash approach i.e. “speedlites”.  This is because, from my own tests then the spring feature will / can protect your speedlite from crashing into the lower stand from it’s extended height if it is accidentally / suddenly released by an unknown person. 

However, I feel that when it comes to actual Studio Strobes like my Interfit MK11’s then I feel that the spring feature in the Kaavie KA-200 Spring Cushioned Light Stands is not going to protect the MK11’s  Strobes, instead from my own tests then the spring feature tends to “Max Out” and allows both the top part of the light stand and the lower part of the light stand to “Clash / Smash” against each other, only then does the spring feature start to push the top part of the light stand back up and away from the lower part of the light stand.

My over all conclusion of the Kaavie KA-200 Spring Cushioned Light Stands available from UK Highland Photography is that they are a very good darn light stand indeed and the quality of them is fantastic for such a modest price which will see these light stands last you for years upon years to come.   Yes the spring safety feature is a welcomed extra as it does put your mind at rest when you see that inexperienced person being nice and wanting to help you pack away your light stands when you are on assignment.  But if it is a high quality safety feature that you are after when it comes to choosing light stands then I would highly recommend that you pay the extra monies and buy the best light stands money can buy.  For again even though the Kaavie KA-200 Spring Cushioned Light Stands are a good darn light stand to have, but again I just feel that the spring safety mechanism in them are not going to protect your beloved Profoto D1 Strobes as much as you would like them to.

Best Regards

Strober.

PS:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kaavie-KA-200-Spring-Cushioned-Photography/dp/B005C950Q8

Manchester Riots

Keeping it short.... I did not get the chance to get into Manchester to see the actual riots, instead I only managed to get into Manchester after the actual riots ( Trust me I was gutted about this ).  Any way here is the shots that I did manage to get..... 

Cheers

Strober