flashes

Profoto A2

The Profoto A2 is a Soda Can-Sized Off-Camera Strobe

Profoto has announced the A2 monolight off-camera flash that is about the size of a 12-ounce can of soda. The small and portable strobe is billed as ideal for supporting location shoots like weddings, awards ceremonies, or other events.

An Intro to Flash Types in Photography, from 70W to 4800W

There are literally hundreds of different flashes on the market. With brands competing for attention and offering some very unique features, it is often hard to decide which flash to pick. What is more, buying a flash is sometimes like buying a whole lighting system. If someone buys Profoto they are likely to stick with it for a long time because it’s part of a lighting system, not just one flash.

Godox V1 vs Profoto A1: A Battle of the Round-Head Flashes

The Godox V1 round-head flash is coming to market despite the loud protests and legal threats of Profoto, which claims its A1 design was stolen (something Godox denies). If you're wondering how the $259 V1 compares to the $995 A1, photographer Robert Hall has a sneak peek for you.

On Leaving My Flashes at Home for a Portrait Shoot

It started as a regular booking inquiry from a client. They wanted to book me for an engagement shoot a month before their wedding. The destination was decided (the Port of Jaffa), and the time was set (an hour before sunset).

Lighting Fundamentals: High Speed Sync Versus Flash Duration

If you're just getting started in learning how to light your shot with flashes, you may be confused about the terms "high speed sync" and "flash duration." Here's a helpful 6-minute primer in which photographer Daniel Norton explains what these two concepts are, how they differ, and which situations they come in handy for.

Google Patent Shows Multiple LED Flash Units on Back of Smartphone

The "flash units" found on the backs of smartphones may be getting more powerful, but the general idea has largely remained the same: use a powerful LED light that can illuminate a scene when you need a little extra light. The power output doesn't really stack up to the flashes found on compact cameras, but Google has one solution for making the flash a bit brighter.

In a recently published patent, the company outlines the idea of placing multiple LED flashes on smartphones, perhaps in a ring around the camera unit.

Canon Speedlite Flashes Are Named After Their Guide Numbers

This is probably a "duh" fact for many of you, but one that some of you have perhaps never heard or realized before: Did you know that the flashes in the Canon Speedlite lineup are named after their maximum guide numbers? To figure out the power of your Speedlite, just take the model name and hack off the zero at the end to get the GN (e.g. 430EX has GN 43, 580EX has GN 58).