You Got Questions, We Got Answers.
Who writes this stuff?
I'm David Hobby, a 20-year career newspaper shooter. I studied photojournalism at the University of Florida. I have shot for the Leesburg (FL) Commercial, the Orlando (FL) Sentinel, UPI, and lots of other publications as a freelancer/stringer/intern. I have been a staff photographer at Patuxent Publishing (Columbia, MD) from '88-'99 and at The Baltimore (MD) Sun from '99-present.
I am currently on a one-year leave of absence to explore blogging and still be able to get some sleep occasionally.
When/why did you start this blog?
Originally, Strobist was launched in April of 2006 as an excuse to get out of lecturing to my friend Gail Burton's photo class. I figured I would try to save some time by just writing it down once. In that sense, Strobist has been a spectacular failure.
How much time do you spend blogging?
About eight hours a day. There's a lot more behind-the-scenes work that you would think. Certainly more than I expected. I have met The Devil, and his name is "e-mail."
Dude, why Blogger.com? Why not your own URL?
I think Blogger rocks. It's free, Google indexes it better than any other platform (they own it) and it is very robust. Plus, being Google, I know it will be around in five years. Bandwidth is not a problem on this free platform either. I contacted them and asked if we were getting too big for the free service and they had a nice chuckle over it and sent me a shirt.
Seriously, they are great folks and I highly recommend them and their free platform. Without it, there would not be a Strobist.
What Blogger template do you use?
I use Minima Black, an old-style blog (not the drag and drop, widgety version) and it has been heavily modified a little at a time. I am not a coder. I completely suck at it. I just learn enough to do the little thing I am trying to get it to do by looking at other site's source pages.
If you are thinking of choosing a Blogger template to customize, I think Minima Black and Minima White offer solid, simple platforms from which to start.
How do I subscribe to your blog?
I make my entire post available over RSS feeds. You can subscribe by clicking here.
How much traffic does Strobist get?
As of November, 2007, about 1.5 million page views a month, from over 170,000 photographers around the world.
My company makes lighting-related stuff. Can I advertise here?
Sure can. See here for more information on rates and reader demographics.
Hey, I just saw this cool thing you should know about for your blog. What's the best way to tell you about it?
Leave me a comment on any comment-enabled (most are) post. I will see it. I get over 100 (non-spam) emails a day, so I have long since given up on trying to respond to every email. I wish I had time to, but it just got way too crazy. But I very much appreciate tips to anything lighting related, and I can promise you that I will see it.
What kind of stuff are you most interested in?
Anything that shows lighting technique used to get cool shots, if that particular technique has not been heavily covered here. Of particular interest are shot/setup articles, and especially videos. The preferred host is YouTube, although anything we can embed is acceptable.
What about YouTube videos with shady music soundtracks?
Our preference is for videos in which the music is not being used without permission. Due to the nature of YouTube, many people just throw an .mp3 onto a video soundtrack and think that is okay.
It is possible to license popular music for YouTube videos, but it is cumbersome and expensive to do so. People do get permission from artists, or work exchanges, etc., in some cases. (Chase Jarvis' videos are a good example of this.) So just because music is there does not mean it is being used without permission. Some smaller artists actually appreciate the exposure and encourage people to use their tracks.
That said, if the video is on the web it has already been widely published for anyone to see. And the uploader has already clicked a link saying he/she is not uploading content that is being used without permission. So we do link to them. In that sense, linking to them actually increases the chances that someone will notice a song that may be getting used without permission.
If you have a bone to pick with a video publisher, leave a comment on the YouTube page, where you can be sure they will see it. Feedback from the readers of this site is already making a difference. But please be respectful in doing so. Flies and honey, you know.
Hey, can you link to my blog?
I am working on revamping my woefully out-of-date links page now. Rather than linking to every requested blog (that kind of blogroll would quickly get to be pretty unwieldy) I would rather see specific post URL's that would be of specific interest to lighting photographers.
I cannot promise I will link to them, but I look at everything and try to link to the things that would be of interest to the most people.
Hey, I have, like, 300 porn sites. Where is the best place to spam links to them? In your comments?
(This, good people, is why your comments have to be moderated.)
Can I link to my own blog generically, in a comment?
The short answer is yes. But there is a fine line between comment spam and information flow. A link to your site raises the bar for the information that should accompany it in your comment. The more on-topic and discussion-oriented your comment is, the more likely your link-bearing comment will pass moderation.
For instance, this kind of comment:
"You has a nice blog. I has nice blogs to (Link, link, link, more links, link)..."
...ain't gonna make it.
Can I use your material in my site?
You may quote small amounts of material (one or two paragraphs) or abstract material, as long as you provide a link to the original post. You can get a "permalink" by clicking on the time stamp at the bottom of any post.
What about translations to other languages?
There is a blog that is following Lighting 102 in Spanish and Flickr groups which discuss Lighting 101 in Italian and German. I am an admin on all of these sites, which is a requirement as I do not permit content to be translated into sites that I do not control. It is a safeguard against infringement.
It is the only way to make sure all of the work I put into this site doesn't diffuse into the ether. Thanks for understanding. You can find more info on various policies in Strobist's TOS page.
Can I steal your entire posts for my automated scraper blogs that are pretty much designed to be Adsense link farms?
No, you may not. And if you do, the black helicopters will come for you.
I am shooting a wedding on Saturday. What kind of flash should I buy?
No kidding. That is a verbatim question I have received. For gear and technique questions (hopefully better reasoned than that one) try the Strobist Flickr Discussion Threads. There are over 17,000 photographers ready to help you and learn from you.
Seriously, I do not think there is a more civil and helpful photo group on the 'net. Of all of the neat things Strobist has spawned, I am most proud of our group's friendly, knowledge-sharing ethic.
17,000 people? Are they any good?
You tell me.
_________________________
Have a question to add to the FAQ? Hit me in the comments. If it is helpful to a broad number of readers, I will add it. Thanks!
(Last update: 11/30/2007)
I'm David Hobby, a 20-year career newspaper shooter. I studied photojournalism at the University of Florida. I have shot for the Leesburg (FL) Commercial, the Orlando (FL) Sentinel, UPI, and lots of other publications as a freelancer/stringer/intern. I have been a staff photographer at Patuxent Publishing (Columbia, MD) from '88-'99 and at The Baltimore (MD) Sun from '99-present.
I am currently on a one-year leave of absence to explore blogging and still be able to get some sleep occasionally.
When/why did you start this blog?
Originally, Strobist was launched in April of 2006 as an excuse to get out of lecturing to my friend Gail Burton's photo class. I figured I would try to save some time by just writing it down once. In that sense, Strobist has been a spectacular failure.
How much time do you spend blogging?
About eight hours a day. There's a lot more behind-the-scenes work that you would think. Certainly more than I expected. I have met The Devil, and his name is "e-mail."
Dude, why Blogger.com? Why not your own URL?
I think Blogger rocks. It's free, Google indexes it better than any other platform (they own it) and it is very robust. Plus, being Google, I know it will be around in five years. Bandwidth is not a problem on this free platform either. I contacted them and asked if we were getting too big for the free service and they had a nice chuckle over it and sent me a shirt.
Seriously, they are great folks and I highly recommend them and their free platform. Without it, there would not be a Strobist.
What Blogger template do you use?
I use Minima Black, an old-style blog (not the drag and drop, widgety version) and it has been heavily modified a little at a time. I am not a coder. I completely suck at it. I just learn enough to do the little thing I am trying to get it to do by looking at other site's source pages.
If you are thinking of choosing a Blogger template to customize, I think Minima Black and Minima White offer solid, simple platforms from which to start.
How do I subscribe to your blog?
I make my entire post available over RSS feeds. You can subscribe by clicking here.
How much traffic does Strobist get?
As of November, 2007, about 1.5 million page views a month, from over 170,000 photographers around the world.
My company makes lighting-related stuff. Can I advertise here?
Sure can. See here for more information on rates and reader demographics.
Hey, I just saw this cool thing you should know about for your blog. What's the best way to tell you about it?
Leave me a comment on any comment-enabled (most are) post. I will see it. I get over 100 (non-spam) emails a day, so I have long since given up on trying to respond to every email. I wish I had time to, but it just got way too crazy. But I very much appreciate tips to anything lighting related, and I can promise you that I will see it.
What kind of stuff are you most interested in?
Anything that shows lighting technique used to get cool shots, if that particular technique has not been heavily covered here. Of particular interest are shot/setup articles, and especially videos. The preferred host is YouTube, although anything we can embed is acceptable.
What about YouTube videos with shady music soundtracks?
Our preference is for videos in which the music is not being used without permission. Due to the nature of YouTube, many people just throw an .mp3 onto a video soundtrack and think that is okay.
It is possible to license popular music for YouTube videos, but it is cumbersome and expensive to do so. People do get permission from artists, or work exchanges, etc., in some cases. (Chase Jarvis' videos are a good example of this.) So just because music is there does not mean it is being used without permission. Some smaller artists actually appreciate the exposure and encourage people to use their tracks.
That said, if the video is on the web it has already been widely published for anyone to see. And the uploader has already clicked a link saying he/she is not uploading content that is being used without permission. So we do link to them. In that sense, linking to them actually increases the chances that someone will notice a song that may be getting used without permission.
If you have a bone to pick with a video publisher, leave a comment on the YouTube page, where you can be sure they will see it. Feedback from the readers of this site is already making a difference. But please be respectful in doing so. Flies and honey, you know.
Hey, can you link to my blog?
I am working on revamping my woefully out-of-date links page now. Rather than linking to every requested blog (that kind of blogroll would quickly get to be pretty unwieldy) I would rather see specific post URL's that would be of specific interest to lighting photographers.
I cannot promise I will link to them, but I look at everything and try to link to the things that would be of interest to the most people.
Hey, I have, like, 300 porn sites. Where is the best place to spam links to them? In your comments?
(This, good people, is why your comments have to be moderated.)
Can I link to my own blog generically, in a comment?
The short answer is yes. But there is a fine line between comment spam and information flow. A link to your site raises the bar for the information that should accompany it in your comment. The more on-topic and discussion-oriented your comment is, the more likely your link-bearing comment will pass moderation.
For instance, this kind of comment:
"You has a nice blog. I has nice blogs to (Link, link, link, more links, link)..."
...ain't gonna make it.
Can I use your material in my site?
You may quote small amounts of material (one or two paragraphs) or abstract material, as long as you provide a link to the original post. You can get a "permalink" by clicking on the time stamp at the bottom of any post.
What about translations to other languages?
There is a blog that is following Lighting 102 in Spanish and Flickr groups which discuss Lighting 101 in Italian and German. I am an admin on all of these sites, which is a requirement as I do not permit content to be translated into sites that I do not control. It is a safeguard against infringement.
It is the only way to make sure all of the work I put into this site doesn't diffuse into the ether. Thanks for understanding. You can find more info on various policies in Strobist's TOS page.
Can I steal your entire posts for my automated scraper blogs that are pretty much designed to be Adsense link farms?
No, you may not. And if you do, the black helicopters will come for you.
I am shooting a wedding on Saturday. What kind of flash should I buy?
No kidding. That is a verbatim question I have received. For gear and technique questions (hopefully better reasoned than that one) try the Strobist Flickr Discussion Threads. There are over 17,000 photographers ready to help you and learn from you.
Seriously, I do not think there is a more civil and helpful photo group on the 'net. Of all of the neat things Strobist has spawned, I am most proud of our group's friendly, knowledge-sharing ethic.
17,000 people? Are they any good?
You tell me.
_________________________
Have a question to add to the FAQ? Hit me in the comments. If it is helpful to a broad number of readers, I will add it. Thanks!
(Last update: 11/30/2007)
Subscribe to Strobist: via RSS | via Email
Browse: Reader Photos | blogs who link to us.
Feed your brain: Great Lighting Books
by David, at 1:15 AM.
14 Comments:
I have heard this urban myth that there have been in person live strobist classes.
where can I find information on any in person strobist classes you might be running?
I would like to attend the Orlando workshop in Feb. Where can I sign up and how much is it.
Thanks, Tim
I was wondering if you might include http://makelightreal.com in your LightSite Search
Good luck with that e-mail :-D
Hey David, would you be interested in doing a seminar in Toronto?
If you are I'd like to talk to you about organizing, costs, etc...
Please drop me a note and let me know.
Thanks,
Rick...
Hello David,
Here is a good topic for a lighting 102 lesson. I have been through Lighting 101, On Assignment, currently working on Boot Camp.
Lesson on High key product shot.
White background, white product. I have a lot of problems with keeping the background white and not blowing out the separation between the background and product, or not letting the product got too gray.
Keep up the good work. I keep my nose in Strobist all of the time.
Thanks
Joe Pitz
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joepitz/
So, when are you going to publish this great info in a book for all us old school learners who can't seem to absorb information without a highlighter?
I'd buy it.
kate
http://www.flickr.com/photos/katemackley
This is a suggestion for a post or maybe even a series. A lot of posts recently have been about the latest flash gear or cool techniques, much of which go over my head as an amateur. How about a series such as "Monkey see, monkey do." Here's how it works - go out shooting some day with an amateur strobist. Give them an assignment, then observe and while they set up and call the shots, and shoot. Then, run through it again, except this time with how you would light the scenario or how you could improve the lighting. Post it with pictures, diagrams, etc and I think that would make a pretty great little series that would help out a lot of the non-pro strobists.
Just a thought.
Hello David：
I am your admirer in Taiwan ROC. I learn a lot from your website, and had been quite inspired. The field of using little strobe is quite unknown, unfamilar in Taiwan. So I recently want to established a blog to introduce the way you use the strobe.
I've read the rules and "Strobist Terms of Service", and know that you don't allow the whole articles be translated to other languages without your control. But you allow us to quote small amounts of material (one or two paragraphs) or abstract material, as long as we provide a link to the original post.
So may I write abstract of the 101 and other precious articles respectively in Chinese? and I would absolutely follow the rule you make, including "provide a link to the original post" and "avoid to translate one by one". I will just mentioned about the key points to let people who do not understand English well to know the "inspiring way to control the speedlight " they never heard about.
Actually, all I want is to gather more people with the same hobby, and inspiring to each other, just like the way you do on your website. And I believe there will be more and more people knowing the website through my introduction. Hope language will be no obstacle to let more people learn your inspiring technics.
Joseph Huang
(ps.my new website isn't under construction yet)
Joseph-
Yeah, that's cool.
-DH
Thank you, David.
I have one more question, may I use one or two of your photos in my abstract for your articles. Of course, I would provide a link to tell where it link from？
Joseph Huang
Joseph-
No, I am sorry, but that is against the site's TOS.
There are many reasons for this, but the most important is that many of the site's photos have been done for The Baltimore Sun, my newspaper, and while the paper permits me to re-use the images through special arrangement, that right does not extend to your site.
Thanks,
David
http://strobi.st/
I purchased this domain for you. I will maintain this domain for you, or at your option, sell it to you for exactly what I purchased it for.
I would also be glad to walk you through setting up Blogger to use this domain instead of strobist.blogger.com - please contact me through the URL attached to my name on this comment.
Good site, hope this 35 euro donation helps you out (-:
I've just joined your site and would like to know where to start!
I'm an amateur and haven't used a flash in years but I now see all kinds of possibilities.
Where in your blog site would you suggest I begin - from the basics to the more advanced stuff?
Thanks - I appreciate your help.
You have given great information about creating the low-budget product photo studio box. But, until I sell a little product, I am limited to using a CoolPix 4300 which is giving me problems with manual exposure, shutter speed, focus capabilities. I can't find yet any groups or blogs like yours on that subject. Can you help?
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