Little light shaper,
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Joe McNally reveals how a pop-up softbox
for a Speedlight can change everything
can’t tell you how many
conversations I’ve had
with photographers who
want or need to work
super simple, fast, carry
very little and still have
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work. Being at the The
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recently in Birmingham,
UK, I had the pleasure of
conducting a couple of photo
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a couple of scenarios that are of the
aforementioned ‘super simple’ type.
I’ve really come to revere my little
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serving to say, as I had a hand in
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best damn little light shaper I have ever
used. Witness Amber Tutton [Before], in
the deep woods – okay, it’s a nature trail
near the Birmingham NEC and next to
the Hilton Convention Centre Hotel.
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happens Ś$Ǎś. All it consists of is one
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Next day it was raining, of course it
was, so we went to a tunnel connecting
the properties out there at the
convention complex. Then I had a
thought: as much as I’ve raved about the
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were in a tunnel and, well, it seemed
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had styling control, I probably would’ve
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ripped jeans and slung an electric guitar
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baby blue jacket. But, as always, Amber
makes the light work.Familiar faces
That’s one of the many reasons I enjoy
working with Amber (@ambertutton).
I’ve probably photographed her over the
course of maybe a dozen demos and
sessions. I’ve actually written about this
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rightly – always seek the new face; the
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a continuous basis. All good instincts, for
sure, but I’ve photographed certain
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They are familiar to me, but I can always
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something novel in how they mightinhabit a location, however impromptu.
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wonder and excitement in a partnership;
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time and again of working together.
Amber has, in a real way, become part
of our studio family: she knows our crew
chief Cali; has been helped and styled
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translates into good frames. The same,
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The adventures continue!I
There’s a level of trust,
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frames. The same, but
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Here we see how much character and
depth such a small softbox could bring
to Amber’s facial features.AFTERJoe McNally is
an internationally
acclaimed, award-
winning photographer
whose prolific career
includes assignments
in nearly 70 countries.
http://www.joemcnally.comJoe
McNally
Photo Blog
Photography:^©^Joe^ McNally.^ Profile^ shot:^©^MikeCorrado