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Rob Baggs

London, GB
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Articles from Rob Baggs

Copying Roger Deakins' Lighting Style in Your Videos

Lighting your videos — or even cinematic-style portraits — can be a complex affair, with so many different lighting setups available to you. One potential solution is to take cues from brilliant cinematographers.

Exposing for the Ambient Light and Then Adding a Flash

Using flashes with ambient light can be tricky, whether you're fighting with the midday sun or you're trying to balance ambient light. In this behind-the-scenes video, you get a breakdown of how one photographer exposes for the ambient light and then layers in a strobe.

Is the Sony a7C II Right for You?

It seems as if we have new cameras released every month, and that can make it harder to pick the right camera. Sony's newest announced camera has turned some heads, though it has a few divisive entries into the spec sheet. The question is, is it right for you?

Why You Should Do Things Even if They Can't Be Tracked

With the availability of complex analytics, deep statistics, and clear reward-for-effort ratios, it's all too easy to become hung up on doing only those things that we can carefully track the results of. In this article, I will explain why you should carve out a place for those things that can't be tracked.

Simply Undefeated: We Review the Datacolor Spyder X2 Elite

If you haven't calibrated your monitor recently — or perhaps ever — you may not realize the impact it can have. It is a rather dry topic and you might want to allocate those dollars toward a new lens, which I understand, but a color-calibrating tool is an essential piece of kit and Datacolor are the best in the game.

This Cheap Lens Makes Everything Look Like a Dream

A lens that costs only a few hundred dollars and gives a unique, dream-like image? That's certainly going to catch the attention of many photographers and videographers, but how good is it?

Is This the Best Filter System on the Market?

When it comes to different filter systems, they may seem simple, but they can have wildly differing user experiences, with some a breeze to use and others an awkward, fumbling debacle. Is this magnetic system the best on the market?

Macro Gone Mobile: We Review SANDMARC Macro 100mm for iPhone

If you've wanted to try macro photography but didn't want to outlay on all the special equipment necessary, you're in luck. If you're an iPhone user, SANDMARC has a 100mm Macro lens you can screw onto your phone, and I put it through its paces.

How to Take Outdoor Group Shots Like a Pro

Group shots might seem just like wider-angle portraits, but my word are they annoying. In this video, watch a tutorial of a professional group shot of a children's football team that yields superb results despite bright natural light!

Why Wedding Photography Is Harder Than It Seems

Many new photographers will find themselves in or around wedding photography at some point — it is the inevitable call of those who take even a reasonable image. But, don't be fooled, it's harder than it seems.

The Age Old Question: Which Camera Brand Is Best?

It isn't a new question and the answer is ever-changing, but periodically, it's worth looking at each brand from an objective point of view to see the state of play. Which brand is currently the best for each type of photographer?

The Viltrox 27mm f/1.2: A Brilliant New Lens With Autofocus

Viltrox has been making some superb lenses of late — affordable, compact, and fast — and they join a growing market of off-brand manufacturers who produce superb glass. This latest offering is another great addition!

How to Capture Birds in Flight

Capturing birds mid-flight can be incredibly tricky and requires a lot of know-how. One of the biggest hurdles was the camera itself, but fortunately, we now have more tools at our disposal than ever before.

Photographers Reveal Their Biggest Regrets

Regrets are horrible to have, but they're also information-rich and necessary in many cases. We all have some, but in the context of photography, do you have any? Photographers reveal their biggest regrets to Nigel Danson.

4 Ideas to Get Starting With Street Photography

Street photography is one of the most compelling genres in the craft, but it can be tricky to get started with. In this video, you'll get some ideas and inspiration to get off the mark.

Sirui Saturn 35mm: Anamorphic Lens on a Budget

Anamorphic lenses are becoming more attainable and that's exciting for many of us film nerds who have yearned for one for some time. In this video, Todd Dominey takes one of these new budget anamorphic lenses and puts it through its paces.

Spherical Versus Anamorphic Lenses: Which Is Better?

You may be familiar with the term anamorphic lens, but what is the difference between them and spherical lenses? Which is better for videography? Here is a comprehensive comparison of a wide array of both!

Can Professional Photographers Take a Break From Social Media?

What an absurd question — I know. But, the times have changed and where social media was once an interesting marketing avenue, it's now a staple of the craft for photographers. If you're making a living from said craft, can you take a break from Instagram, for instance?

How to Light a Painterly Style Portrait

If you want to create a timeless portrait with artificial lighting, you need to know which lights to use, which modifiers, and how to set them all up. Luckily for you, this video gives you a walkthrough of everything you need to recreate a stunning portrait.

The Secret to Getting Paid Work as a Photographer or Videographer

I have the best part of a decade of professional photography under my belt, with some very hard years and some good years during that time. I have learned a lot about the craft, the industry, and most of all, about running a small business. The majority of the lessons that had the most significant impact on my career were not around techniques, post-production, or even equipment; they were about running a business.

How to Get the Film Look With Digital Footage

If you're creating digital videos and you want them to have more of the look you would associate with film, then this video might be perfect for you. Film Riot breaks down the differences and how to mimic film with digital files.

80% of the Basics of Videography in Under 10 Minutes

If you're looking at getting into videography, it can be intimidating, even if you have a background in photography. In this video, Pat Kay walks you through the bulk of the basics in a succinct and clear way.

Is the Sony Xperia 1 V the Ultimate Phone for Creators?

Sony's Xperia range of phones has been knocking on the door of entry-level cameras for some time. Their latest offering might just be the best yet, but is it enough for creators to use as their primary all-purpose camera?

How to Take Beautiful Senior Portraits

If you are looking to take some portraits of your senior, or are looking to pick up some work in that area, this video gives you some great tips and a behind-the-scenes look at a senior shoot.

The Robots Are Coming, but There's One Thing They Can't Touch

We've always known that robots are coming for all of our jobs, but in the past year, we've started to see them clank out of the shadows. There are few areas that are safe from their shiny mitts, but there is one thing that is impossible for AI to replicate and usurp.

First Time Astrophotography for Complete Beginners

Astrophotography is one of those genres that few photographers have actually tried. It can be difficult, it can be intimidating, but it's highly rewarding, and you don't need a lot to get started. This video shows Lizzie Peirce's first-ever attempt with the help of friend and fellow photographer, Sam Lydya Smith.

How to Take Photos Like Alexey Titarenko

Alexey Titanrenko is a photographer that creates unique results on a consistent basis. It sounds simple, but he is truly a master of his craft and creates stunning, otherworldly images. Here is how you can take photographs in a similar style.

What Makes a Portrait Resonate With You?

There are likely north of a billion portrait images in existence, and so, capturing an audience for your shot is absurdly difficult without having a preexisting following. Nevertheless, it's certainly possible, and I wondered what exactly makes a portrait resonate with me and if it is the same for others.

Shooting to Intentionally Alter Using Adobe Photoshop Beta

If you're not sick of seeing the term "AI", you may have been off-grid for a while. Nevertheless, this inevitable but interesting application of Adobe Photoshop Beta's AI is worth a look. "Fix it in post" could have a far broader scope now.

Can I Learn Photography on My Own?

I have heard many different questions from those interested in photography, from staples such as "What is the best camera" to more obscure inquiries, such as "Is photography dying?" For some reason, the question in this article's title caught me more off guard than most.

5 Common Exposure Mistakes You Should Avoid

Light is damn-near everything to photographers, and the exposure of an image is how it is captured. It isn't complicated to get right, but that doesn't mean there aren't many pitfalls to avoid. Here are five.