My favourite camera accessory.

They are tough, inexpensive and they work! These flash triggers, the 'Yongnuo YN-622C E-TTL Flash Trigger' they have made my life of shooting photos much easier. Here are all the reasons you should buy them:

1. They have wireless ETTL, which is to say they automatically adjust their power to create a well lit image. That eliminates the need to go full manual and spend half the time spent shooting adjusting camera settings.

 2. They have a laser beam coming out the front. It shoots a target of red light to help the camera focus. And you know what. It works! When shooting fast paced events in the dark, be it music, dance, or any performance, it focuses within half a second. Prior to having these my camera simply didn't focus. 

3. They have high speed sync. Where previously with my cheap triggers I could go no higher than 1/250th of a second, which is unfortunate when shooting in sunlight and using off camera flash. I can now use flash all the way up to 1/8000 of a second. Put into use, I am able to keep my aperture set to a F 1.4 on my 50mm while adding a little artificial light. Win!

4. They work!! Not once have they malfunctioned, misfired or not worked and I've had them for nearly a year. 

5. A pocket wizard equivalent, with wireless ETTL, high speed sync and zone control costs over $200. EACH!! and these are $50 a piece. 

6. They are interchangeable. I can have the same trigger on my camera, or on a flash. They are all the same.

7. If I decide to shoot manual, I can adjust the brightness of the flash on my camera through the flash menu. I don't need to access the flash physically to change settings. So that allows me to place it in odd places and not have to touch it till I'm finished shooting. 

I have 4. I spent under $200 for all of them.  

You can buy a set of two for $85 on Amazon. 

Matt & Rossana Keay Wedding

I met Matt and Rossana for the first time in the Devonian Gardens a few months ago. I didn’t have a lot of experience shooting a wedding solo, as I was used to shooting them as a second shooter hutterite-style. Which is to say, we don't photograph any of the ceremony or reception, only group/family and photos with the couple. But they looked at my work and gave me a chance.

The day started in Hotel Arts, with steaming dresses, applying makeup, styling hair and for the men it started with a hot shave at London Barbers. I was grateful for the schedule sent by the wedding coordinator, Cheryl. A two page, minute-by-minute breakdown of the wedding. Which we surprisingly stuck to. It was vital in ensuring I captured the beautiful moments from both parties which were separated by a floor in the hotel.

After the ceremony, which was short and beautiful we all drove to Shaw Millenium [skate] Park in a limo. Matt is a skateboarder. We transformed the graffitied walls, the dirty concrete and skate bowls into our studio with some help from a powerful Alienbee Strobe.  It was at that time that I realized why I was so skinny. I run a lot when shooting.

After two hours of shooting, we drove back to the Hotel for the reception. A pink flamingo room greeted us, a theme set by the folks at Fusion Bollywood.

During the reception the Maid of honor, April, performed a stunning rap song about the couple. I was surprised by that one, and utterly loved it. And then there was the money dance. The guests pinned money onto the bride and groom and then danced with them to the music of the bride’s dad.

I felt ecstatic at the end of the day. I knew the photos were good. I have high expectations for myself, and that day passed every one. I want every wedding I shoot to be better than the last.

Thank you Florian Lim for your help on this fantastic, sunny day. And thanks to Rosanna and Matt’s friends and family for making it such a fun day.

Thank you Matt and Rossana for allowing me to be the witness on your wedding day. It was an honor.

Converse Shoes.. Yankees Hats.. and Skateboards

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