©Mark Rebilas

We’re sooo with you, Mark. Time off means doing what you love. And when you’re a photographer…

Check out how Mark Rebilas spends his free time… Remote Camera Triggering goodness everywhere! In the car, by the hummingbird feeder, out ATV’ing… Photo rampage! (and you may remeber seeing previous posts about Mark here and here)

Link

We’re excited to be working with Mark Wallace from SnapFactory. Our collaboration will bring some great educational tutorials from a great educator, who also is a working pro photographer. Details and the finished tutorials are forthcoming. But…until the finished tutorials are ready, here is a sneak-peek of what’s coming:

Quoth the Mark:

I’ve been shooting a bunch of tutorial videos for PocketWizard over the last three weeks. while we were on location I wanted to give a very quick overview of one of the setups. Here’s a quick one minute video that shows how easy it is to use the new Mini and Flex.

You can see exactly what the flashes are doing by looking at the shot that was taken with Ab, our cameraman, in the shot. The background was much brighter than the foreground and the flashes really make the shot.

©Mark Wallace

Visit Mark’s blog to read about this and more.

We got a smile-inducing email today from Altanta photographer Lauren Wright:

Wizard, for helping me keep my job fun

Dear PocketWizard Blog,

I have a confession to make: I love to have fun. I can’t help it. It’s just so… well, you know, fun! For me, sometimes having fun means playing pranks on people. Sometimes it means eating lots of candy and watching a Pixar movie or two. And occasionally, as a photographer, having fun means shooting something outside my usual style. A few months ago, I got in contact with a designer whose line of wedding dresses I adore, and she allowed me to borrow a few of her dresses for a fun bridal fashion shoot. Originally, I had planned to just shoot my usual, relaxed, natural light work… and then I remembered I had PocketWizards!

With the help of my PWs, Alien Bees, colored gels and a small fog machine, I was able to create photos that I love, and have OODLES of fun in the process. I had to let you know that I love you, PocketWizard, for helping me keep my job fun

An energized fan and satisfied client,
Lauren Wright

PS. You can check out the pictures at the end of this blog post: http://laurenwrightphoto.com/blog/?p=436

©Lauren Wright

Well, we did check out your photos, Lauren, and we could tell you’re having fun Great work! Thank you so much for taking time to send us the email. We look forward to seeing more of your work in the future!  

Check out Lauren’s website and blog, too! If you would like to send us a your own story about what you do with your PocketWizard, use the “Contact Us” link on the left.

We’re working on a new RF shield to combat radio noise emissions with certain Canon Speedlites. David Hobby and Rob Galbraith posted their insights and thoughts. Both have excellent commentary, explanation and examples.

PocketWizard is now on Facebook. If you’re a fan, become a fan!

You’ll get the inside scoop on:

• New additions to the website
• Firmware updates
• News
• Photographer features
• Tons of great links

Plus, you can connect with other PocketWizard photogs in the social space to share creative ideas, successes and meetups. Come talk with us! We’d love to get to know you.

Next thing you know PocketWizard users will start throwing tea into Boston Harbor! All kidding aside, an adventurous and talented bunch of people have started their own Flickr PocketWizard pool And of course, even though PW is the best radio system available (IOHO) it’s the talent of these wonderful people that makes the Flickr Group so worth the trip.

John Dziekan, like so many photojournalists today, has switched business focus as markets have changed. We were so intrigued at the photograph of the artist Francis Joseph Gagnepain IV and “Curtis, the robot” that we asked Joe to provide some details. Here they are, in his own words…

I started at the Chicago Tribune at the age of 18, while still in college,  and had great opportunities doing all types of photography.

I always enjoyed working with lighting, in the studio and on location.  I became a PockeWizard user very early and am still using my first 16-channel set along w/ my “Plus” set constantly.  I left the Tribune in June of 2007 after 34 years as a staff photojournalist and now have my own freelance business.

I first met Francis Joseph Gagnepain IV years ago, while photographing him for the Tribune.  I called him a couple of months ago and suggested making a portrait of him, “to capture the true Joe”. The shot was done is Joe’s studio which is a 120 year old limestone building.  Joe wanted to be photographed with “Curtis”, a robot he was completing at the time.  I decided to use my strobe packs and heads for more power and control. I really like having modeling lights so I can see how the light is affecting the scene. I ended up using 2 packs, 5 heads, and one Speedlite for the shoot. Each pack had a PW receiver and I had the PW transmitter on camera. Using extension cords wouldn’t have worked because of the distances and the fact that the roof had some leaks, causing pools of water around the studio. And, PW’s work so great and make my life so much easier, I use them at every opportunity.

I made about 50 frames (mostly to get the sparks “just right”), and checked them on my MacBook Pro.  I was very happy with the take, and so was Joe. 

©John Dziekan

Curtis just kept asking for more batteries (grin).

Actually, there are two kinds. One photographs animals. One photographs babies. Riverview, FL-based Alycia Alvarez is in the latter category. And, to say the least, she is really hitting her stride. As she points out in her blog she photographs “rattles to rings” i.e. babies to seniors to weddings. At the recent WPPI, Alycia used the new MiniTT1 and some Profoto ComPact R units to capture the warmth, smiles and cuteness of babies. See how she does it and ask yourself, “can you make noises like that?”

Head over to PocketWizard.com to see her gearbox, some bird’s-eye views of the lighting and quotes from Alycia.

Kevin Jairaj wins more awards than our cat has fleas, and he tours the country, speaking on a seemingly non-stop schedule. You’d think he was a politician. But, no, he’s better than that. He’s one of the finest wedding photographers doing local (Dallas, TX) and international destination weddings today. At WPPI this year, Kevin was, in his words, “we were kinda’ just running and gunning – shooting with some cool backgrounds and a girl and we got some really cool stuff” [thanks, reader Danno!] His secret? PocketWizard MiniTT1 and FlexTT5. Find out how here and see the beautiful results. See more at PocketWizard.com

We hope David Guy Maynard would react when forced to photograph stunning Jamillette Gaxiola (Miss Cuba 2009) at this year’s WPPI show in Las Vegas. But if you view the video (below) of David putting the new Mini/Flex system through the paces, you understand why. “The blacks are coming out,” he says. “Dark hair. Dark clothes. Under a canopy in a rainstorm in full e-TTL. That is what TTL is supposed to give me!” David is an award-winning, internationally published photographer who also holds seminars in Studio and Location Lighting, Color Management and Workflow. Check it out and see David work magic with PocketWizard TTL! More at PocketWizard.com