AboutDavid Barry Expertise I have a lot of experience in most traditional forms of photography, so I`m quite knowledgeable about things like camera types and formats, techniques, exposure, film types, colour, filters, lighting, standard colour and black and white developing and printing.
I do not make recommendations about brands or models, and I am not a camera technician so I may not be able to tell you what is wrong with your equipment if it`s not working .
I also know a little about digital photography and imaging with scanners and digital cameras, so ask me and I will answer if I can.
Experience Experience in the area
I have been seriously involved in photography for over 25 years, including about 4 years as a professional, as well as 2 years providing administrative service to government photographers, requiring interpreting photographers' requirements and trade technicalities for those unfamiliar with such.
I have successfully trained several beginners in photography, helping them to become competent in basic techniques.
Organizations belong to:
None at present, but have been in about 4 camera clubs, having won or had placings in 2 club competitions.
Publications:
A lot of my photos have been in educational / training manuals, books and some photography magazines, as well as 2-3 dozen images been on the Web so far.
Education/Credentials:
Completed 4-year diploma in professional photography technique at Sydney's Technical College
Awards and Honors:
3 placings and / or merits in camera club competitions.
Expert: David Barry Date: 1/25/2006 Subject: Lighting for taking shots of clothing
Question What type of lighting do I need to take well lit pictures of clothing on dress forms, to sell on eBAy. Is a strobe flash enough or do I have to use an umbrella of some sort. Will a strobe plug into a digital automatic camera?
Answer Just a straight strobe flash aimed directly at the clothing will produce a fairly harsh, unflattering kind of lighting, but an umbrella would be preferable, yielding a more gentle, natural and atmospheric lighting.
Most good fashion shots you see in magazines are done with 2 or 3 strategically placed strobes, 1 being the principal light and the others providing nice supplementary lighting,
"Will a strobe plug into a digital automatic" ?
That depends entirely on the camera model - some cameras may have the appropriate socket to take the strobe's connection plug; some cameras don't and might only allow you to use just the little built-in pop-up type flash - if it has one.
What you could do is acquire what's called a 'slave' cell, which you plug the strobe into, and the slave picks up the light from the camera's built-in flash and triggers the strobe.
If you use this kind of set up, you may have to experiment with camera's exposure settings - if it allows you to use it in non-automatic (that is, manual) mode.
Depending on how serious you are about your pictures, you might like to check out a web site at http://www.photoflexlightingschool.com
for some ideas on lighting for fashion / clothing shots.
