Off Camera Flash by JVS header

Category Archives: JVS Reviews

Click on the title of the blog post to view the entire entry.


JVS Reviews

JVS Workshops: “If You’re Even Considering Buying A Ticket To The Workshop, Do It.” -Ashley Perez

JVS Ashely Perez Photographer“Speedlites are now a heck of a lot cooler than I thought they were before I attended the workshop. And maybe that’s because they used to scare me. The unknown seems to elicit that sort of reaction, especially when it comes to photography. Granted, I already had somewhat of a working knowledge of how to use flash for wedding receptions before the workshop, but I truly believe that what I learned from JVS and Anne will transform the way I use light. And instead of believing that having to use flash is a curse, it has now become a potential pathway for creativity. Because if you’ve ever seen what JVS can do with a single speedlite, you know it’s absolutely extraordinary.” - Ashley Perez - OC Speedlites Workshop Shooter (above)

All we can say is WOW and THANK YOU ASHLEY for the super kind words! To read Ashley’s entire Workshop review, click here and please leave her some love:)
JVS Workshops

JVS Workshops: “I Loved This Workshop!” - Anna Kuperberg

JVS Anna Kuperberg“I loved this workshop! We learned all about studio type setups done quickly and easily. JVS and Anne covered everything you need to know for an environmental portrait shoot. We learned how to quickly set up speedlites on light stands and use various modifiers from beauty dishes to grids to parabolic reflectors.

The great thing about the workshop was that JVS and Anne had 8 different lighting setups for the students to use so everyone had plenty of time to try every setup. They answered all of our questions and they were super helpful with all of the technical details.

JVS might be the most technical and most organized photographer I know!” - Anna Kuperberg
JVS Workshops

JVS Reviews- Canon 580EX II + RadioPopper PX’s = 1/8000 @ f4!

JVS RadioPopper
I’ve been shooting with RadioPopper PX’s transmitters and receivers for the past six months and can honestly say, THEY ROCK! Having the ability to utilize Canon’s wonderful E-TTL II technology, wireless, without line of site limitations makes using the RP’s a sheer joy!

The above image of Austin photographer Stacey E. Simpson was captured during our Speedlites Workshop with a Canon EOS 7D, one Canon 580EX II and triggered with a RadioPopper PX system (transmitter and receiver). The RP’s allow me to easily control and over-power the sun with my Speedlites. The final exposure was 1/8000th @ f/4 @200 ASA in harsh, late afternoon light.

Kudos to RadioPopper for creating an amazing product that truly works! JVS

JVS Reviews - First Look! Polar Pearl Metallic™ Inkjet Paper by Red River Paper

I want to preface this review with a couple of fun facts about me and why I print everything up to 13×38 in studio.
JVS Polar Pearl MettalicNumber 1, I’m a type A personality and want great prints, not average, not “ok” and I want to get them right the first time. I generally print a 5×7 first to check color accuracy prior to loading a larger sheet in my Epson 3800 (shown below).

Number 2, I work in the Adobe RGB (1998) color space and want to get every ounce of color of of my digital files. My entire workflow from capture to print flows in the Adobe RGB (1998) space and sRGB only appears for web proofing.
JVS Polar Pearl MettalicI’ve been inkjet printing since 1994 and for over a decade, I’ve been printing with Red River Papers. River Linen, Arctic Polar™ Luster, Cordovan Gloss™ and LuxArt Sating Rag™ are just a few papers that run through my printer on a weekly basis.
JVS Polar Pearl MetallicOver the years, I’ve printed on over a hundred papers and I must say, Polar Pearl Metallic™ is in a league of its own. For starters, when you open the box, you’ll instantly notice the unique pearl finish. Next, you’ll want to pick up a sheet, give it a slight tilt and watch how the paper surface reflects the light.

After printing five 5×7 tests, I quickly realized that my phobia of high-gloss papers had disappeared. Polar Pearl Metallic™ revealed every bit of detail in my images and the gloss finish instantly enhanced the pearl aspect of the paper.

I intentionally chose five images that were drastically different in both color palette and ink coverage. This way, I could see how the inks reacted to the pearl metallic surface. It’s rare to find a paper that works great with just about any image and Polar Pearl Metallic™ has proven to be that special paper.

Inkjet printing tech tips:

1 - Designate a “clean” work space when working with your paper.
2 - Invest in a static wisk and a pair of anti-static gloves.
3 - Have a can of compressed air nearby or invest in an air compressor.
4 - Make sure that your monitor is calibrated…this should be number 1 on the list.
5 - Download and install the color profiles specific to your paper.
6 - Have fun and remember, photographs deserve to be printed!