Strobist DVD box Review
I finally managed to get through my copy of the 8 disk Strobist DVD box. If only this had been available a few years ago when I started to learn about lighting. Man oh man, that would have saved me lots of time, costly mistakes and frustration.
This set is like an audiovisual bible for anyone who wants to learn to light with speedlights but it’s just as interesting for people who studiolights or even just natural light. Light is light, after all.
I don’t believe in instant solutions in photography and although you get diagrams, settings, etc this DVD isn’t about ready made solutions. It makes you understand, think and act. I guess it comes down to the difference between knowing a few tricks and actual knowledge. Most photography DVD’s show you some tricks without explaining why the tricks are used. David digs deeper but has the talent to serve a vast amount of knowledge into easy to digest chunks.
Let’s take a look at the different parts:
Disk 1 – Lighting Gear for Beginners
If everyone would have this disk, the amount of gear related questions in my mailbox would be easily cut in halve. If you want to get started with speedlights, this disk is your friend. I’ve been experimenting with speedlights in the pre-strobist era and I can tell you that it was hard to get the info I needed. Nowadays the info is available on the strobist site, forum and lots of other places, but it can still be hard to find exactly what you need. This disk makes getting the info, a piece of cake.
Disk 2-5 – Strobist Lighting Seminar
I was at the Paris seminar / standup comedy show, so I knew what to expect. But even for anyone who already attended a seminar, this is interesting. Watching David think on his feet, is refreshing. The other thing is that in Paris I missed half of the info because I was laughing to hard at David’s jokes. Nothing beats a real seminar but this is comes close and is cheaper.
Disk 6-8 – Bonus Material
No question about it, David is an excellent teacher but one would almost forget that he’s a damned good photographer too. Nowadays he often shoots pictures to illustrate a technique, piece of equipment, … He does a great job too but I can tell he loved being creative to do the shoots for the bonus disks. To me, the bonus disks are the most interesting. I learned a lot from seeing David using his experience in solving technical problems but also in communicating with subjects, assistants, …
There’s been some discussion about the production value and price of the DVD set on some forums, but to be honest, that makes me mad. No, it isn’t a slick hollywood production but videographer Bill Millios did a good job with limited resources. The images are clear and the audio crisp, that’s what counts to me. A big production would drive up the price without giving any more actual information. Heck, I think David sells the set way to cheap. David took a big risk by investing so much time and cash in this project, risked his camera in the swimming pool and risked his life doing a standup under gunfire (yes, gunfire).
Conclusion:
This DVD box is a must have for everyone who’s serious about lighting. It belongs right next to my Dean Collins DVD’s and my favorite book Light: Science and Magic. The DVD-set is out of order as I write this but there should be a new batch available soon. I’m sure Moishe and his MPEX-team are ready for the next rush. Order your copy here. And please don’t copy or put the video’s online.
Bert
Nice review. I just received my set of DVDs yesterday. I haven’t had a chance to open them up and play them. Hopefully over the weekend. I agree David is an incredibly gifted teacher and photographer. I am looking forward to sinking my teeth into these DVDs soon.
Seshu
[...] Seminar DVD Box Set is vandaag via UPS aangekomen. Bert Stephani heeft op zijn blog reeds een korte bespreking geplaatst. De dvd zelf kost 139 US$ + 35 US$ administratiekosten. Daarbovenop krijg ik van UPS nog [...]
I also watched all the dvd’s already and learned a lot about light and how to think creative when it comes to locations. I found the best bonus shoot the one of the group shot.
Seeing with what he started and with what he ended up and actually being able to follow David while is thinking about the situation was really useful for me.
I’ll think I’m going to watch it all again in a couple of weeks to get even more out of it, then I already did.
Thanks for the great review, Bert. I just finished the seminar DVDs and found them very informative.
David is a great teacher who offers great insight & experience. I thought the production was just fine, picture was clear & crisp & the audio was perfect. The addition of subtitles for those who need them is a great little extra as well.
I highly agree that this is a MUST HAVE =)
Happy shooting!
Again, thanks Bert! BTW…it would be great to see “What’s in my lighting bag?” for your next Confessions video =)
Cheers,
Alim
Seattle
@Alim: making a lighting bag video is the plan. If only I had the time to do it
[...] Review – Bert Stephani has posted a review of the Strobist’s Lighting DVD on his [...]
Thanks Bert for sharing your review. I haven’t ordered the DVD set yet, but most certainly going to do that.
Thanks Bert for a wondersul site. Your videos are inspiring to me and has helped open my strobist eyes. Baie goeie werk. Kevin Brown, South Africa.
Hi Bert… i’m learning about strobist and i’m confused… do you have one pocket wizard for each flash?
i’m asking because this is very expensive… here in brazil one pocket wizard cost around $300 dollars
i Have another question… i have a Canon 30D and one 580ex… what is the max sync speed? i’m thinking to buy
2 more 580ex IIs to do strobist… what do you think? or should i buy 3 Vivitar 285HV?
@petteri: you won’t regret it
@Kevin: always wanted to visit your country, maybe one day
@gustavo: you need one PW for every flash (and one on camera). They are just as expensive in Belgium. The canon flash system works pretty well too but it’s infrared and it’s not very reliable in bright sunlight or with flashes further away. I’d prefer PW’s and Vivitars over 3 580’s for portraiture. But that depends on your budget, goals, style, …
Max sync speed of your camera is 1/250th, but you can go higher if you stick to the Canon flash system and use high speed sync.
I agree that If everyone would have this disk, the amount of gear related questions in my mailbox would be easily cut in halve. If you want to get started with speedlights, this disk is your friend.
And if i buy 3 580’s with 4 PW’s???
Thx
Bert, did you have any problems playing the DVDs as they are in NTSC format ? I’m wondering if the frame rate difference to PAL could make any problems in playing it on a standaalone DVD player ? How did you play the DVDs, PC or standalone DVD player ?
Thanks in advance for your answers.
-Horst
@Kevin: your last comment didn’t make it through the spam filter for some reason and I erased by accident. The answer is: no I don’t have a standard power setting. It depends on what I want and the situation.
@Gustavo: If you have the budget for it, that’s even better.
@Horst: the DVD plays fine on my macbook, pc and standalone DVD-player. Most European DVD-players do play NTSC.
@Bert are you still using your diffusion panel?
Haven’t used it in a while Kevin but I’m sure I’ll use it again one day.
I also have purchased the video and although it ended up being quite more expensive than I initially thought it would be (45 Euro for customs alone), I am very happy I have it. As mentioned a thousand times before, David is an excellant teacher. The bonus DVD’s are where you really learn what you need. I’ve been hooked on his website now for several months. The photos that I now take of my daughter have taken on a whole new dimension. For me Strobist (Daivd) has opened up a whole new world of photography which I never really thought twice about before. Thanks Bert for also keeping us informed and letting us watch over your shoulder too! You guys really make a difference! Years from now I will recall this turning point which I can already tell in my shots and I have you and David to thank for that! Keep Confessing!!!!
Mark
I am planning to get an SB 800 or 900 soon. And I think this vid would be a very good addition.
Thanks Mark
@Jose: I’m sure the DVD’s are a better investment than a third speedlight.
I went through this series, too, and it was inspiring, but so are you, Bert and I can’t wait to see your dvd. No doubt that David Hobby is a genius. Had I seen this first, I would have spent more money on other flashes instead of Fongware.
Thx Renee, my DVD should be available in a couple of weeks