Lume Cube Review

The makers of Lume Cube have a new  smaller and less powerful but a highly efficient light designed for phone photography called the Life Lite.  This is a smart, Bluetooth controlled, pocket-sized Lifestyle Light for iPhone, Android, DSLR or a GoPro. The Life Light will be available in March.This gadget review however, is of the original Lume Cube and the cheaper version that does not have any bluetooth connectivity. Both are identical in performance and while you can controll one with a smart phone the lite version is all manual.  I have been using the Lume Cube for many months and have been most satisfied with its performance and portability.  I have used these lights for macro, video and portraiture and love the results they have helped produce.Specs:

• Type LED
• Output Variable: 0 to 1500 Lumens
• Strobe: Variable 1/8000 to 1 second
• Mount Type: 1/4"-20 female
• Power Source: Integrated battery
• Battery Duration: 100% Brightness: 20 minutes; 90% Brightness: 60 minutes; 50% Brightness: 120 minutes
• Power Connector: USB (for charging)
• Waterproof Depth: 100' / 30.5 m
• Dimensions: 1.5 x 1.5 x 1.5"

CLICK HERE TO ORDERThe Lume Cube comes in a small cube shaped cardboard box that contains the Lume Cube and a USB charging cable.You do need to unscrew a small cover to access the charging port.  This access cover is a requirement as the Lume Cube is rated to be waterproof to depth of 100 feet.Shaped as a cube, the unit has two rubberized push button switches on the top and a 1/4 20 mount that can be used to mount the light on a light stand, tripod or any flexible light mounting device.The two push buttons control the video light and the alternate flash function of the device. Each time you depress the on/off video switch the light cycles through 10 levels of intensity.You can also control the Lume Cube using the mobile app. Lume Cube has simplified its lighting controls with a proprietary wireless, Bluetooth-enabled app, available on both Apple iOS and Android. The app is capable of controlling up to 5 Lume Cubes simultaneously. The app allows you to adjust the brightness, flash duration and red eye latency on each Lume Cube independently; and with its onboard optical sensor, Lume Cube can be configured as a slave flash unit to be fired by any other external flash.You have to register your Lume Cube to sync it to your app once registered you can control all your Lume Cube’s power and settings separately.Lume Cube Setup and test for portraitsTo test the Lume Cubes I fitted two Lume Cubes on two separate light stands. The “Main” Lume Cube was place so as to create Rembrandt lighting on the dummy head.  The second was place to create a gentle fill.  As you can see from the image below, the Lume Cube, due mainly to its size creates a fairly hard light.  The settings were ISO 200, f/1.7 at 1/125 sec. using a Panasonic Lumix GX85 body and a Lumix 42.5mm f/1.7 lens wide open.  The light emitted is cool and for this test I used an X-Rite Color Checker Passport to balance the temperature.The second test was conducted with the same placement of the lights but instead of the Lume Cubes facing the dummy head directly the light was bounced off two Rogue Flash Benders.  No Diffusion material was used.As you can see the light was much softer and way more pleasing in the image below.  The settings were ISO 640, F/1.7 at 1/80 sec.  Clearly there is about 3 stops of light loss when using the Flash Benders.  However, the soft light is excellent for portraiture. Lume Cube for Macro/Close-up PhotographyThe Lume Cube produces a really hard light as it is a very small light, but also a very powerful one.  The Lume Cubes were about 1.5 inches from the subject.  Exposure triad: F/4, 1/800 sec., ISO 640.  The lens was a 30mm macro with an extension tube.  Camera: Panasonic Lumix GX85.The following is the setup:The image shown below is a 45 image stack using the GX85's focus bracketing feature.The portability of these little powerhouses has me convinced, and I tend to carry two in my bag at all times.CLICK HERE TO ORDER

One Day Workshop Schedule

ALL ONE DAY WORKSHOPS ARE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED

Workshop details are available from the Registration Page.

Macro and Close-up Photography

Flash Photography, High Speed flash, creative lighting

Portrait and Lighting Techniques

Digital Photography A-Z.  This is a one day three part course that will teach you camera basics, post processing and printing.

The Digital Darkroom - a course that covers image capture, asset management, processing and enhancement, output to print and web media. A one day program for digital image making workflow

Timelapse Photography, post processing and video assembly

If you have any questions or would like more information please call 617-759-0010 or email sv@shivverma.com

Please use this REGISTRATION link to register for these workshops.

Light of Cape Cod - Photo Workshop

A 4 day 3 night photo workshop that includes lodging and site feesMid Spring in Cape Cod is a multi faceted photo opportunity with truly spectacular scenics and some wildlife.  The tourists have not crowded the roads and traffic is not a nightmare.  This very special workshop is for all levels of photographers from beginner to advanced.  The Cape provides some of the most incredible landscapes and seascapes and the light during spring is exceptional.  We will explore and photograph the Cape's classic sea shore, sand dunes, light houses and some wildlife (including migratory birds).  We will determine schedules and locations based on weather forecasts, tides and sunrise/sunset times.  We may even explore the opportunity to do some night photography.(CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS)

Martha's Vineyard - Memorial Day Weekend Workshop

In case you’ve missed it, Adventures in Photography (AIP) has organized a 5 day/4 night workshop on Martha’s Vineyard over the Memorial Day Weekend  where I will be instructing.This is rare opportunity for photographers and their non-photographer partners to share some quality time together.Photographers get to photograph the beauty and charm of this unique island community while their non-photographer partners explore the charming New England character of Martha’s Vineyard.Adventures in Photography (AIP) has reserved all of the Ashley Inn's 10 rooms from May 22nd until May 26th. We can accommodate 20 people based on double occupancy. The Ashley Inn is an upscale B&B and breakfast is included.We still have a few rooms available but expect that they will sell out.For a full description of this Adventure go CLICK HERE

Iceland - February 28 to March 7

With the exceptional Aurora Borealis activity in Iceland, I am doing a 1 week photo tour and workshop that will be exceptional.From the western peninsulas of Snæfellsnes and Reykjanes to the exceptional south coast including the exquisite black sand beaches and icebergs in Jökulsárlón and surrounding areas this trip is designed for all levels of photographers.  This trip is limited to a maximum 7 participants.All Iceland photo tours and workshops in 2014 and 2013 were fully subscribed within days so please register as soon as possible.CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS 

Star-trails in the Southern Hemisphere

Finding Polaris or the North Star is easy in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, finding Sigma Octantis is very difficult. The star lies in the constellation of Octans and has a magnitude of 5.5 making it barely visible even on a clear night.  One can use the Southern Cross to make an attempt at locating its position but it will never be really accurate.  I did my best and set up my cameras to do a time-lapse.  This was the night Germany played Brazil in the World Cup.My tripod and camera must have aroused the curiosity of the night security guard at Eagle Island Camp.  He kindly moved my rig to a more secure position on the tiles of the swimming pool.  This was after 395 images had been captured with about 105 to go.  Sequence disrupted but in my opinion the stack is interesting.  Sigma Octantis is in the top left corner of the frame - INVISIBLE.Stars in Africa are incredibly bright as indicated by the EXIF data.  These images were captured using the Panasonic Lumix GH4 and the 12 to 35 mm Lumix Vario lens.  Exposure triad: f/2.8, 13 sec, ISO 200 - no noise reduction required.In hindsight, I should have added an ND filter and increased the exposure to 25 seconds or closed down the aperture to f/4.  This would have extended the individual trails.Your comments would be appreciated.

2014 - 1st Quarter One-Day Workshops

Here is the schedule for the first Quarter of  2014.  Please use this REGISTRATION link for details about each workshop and to register.REMEMBER ALL ONE-DAY WORKSHOPS INCLUDE A PIZZA LUNCHJanuary 11 - Product Photography and Lighting TechniquesJanuary 12 – Food Photography and Lighting TechniquesJanuary 18 – Lighting for PortraitureJanuary 19 – Timelapse Photography, post processing and video assemblyJanuary 25 - Macro CloseupJanuary 26 – The Digital Darkroom – a course that covers capture to process and enhancement to output to print and web media. A one day program for digital image making workflowFebruary 1 – Flower Photography, Textures, Blending and moreFebruary 2 – Lightroom 5February 8 – HDR – done right using Photoshop, Photomatics, NiK HDR Efex 2, EnfuseFebruary 9 - Macro CloseupFebruary 22 – Timelapse Photography, post processing and video assemblyFebruary 23 - Photography Basics 1 day Class March 1 – Flash PhotographyMarch 2 – Lightroom 5If you have any questions or would like more information please call 617-759-0010 or email sv @ shivverma.com (please remove the spaces) 

One Day Workshop Schedule for December 2013

Here is the schedule for the remainder of  2013.  Please use this REGISTRATION link to register and pay for these workshops.  Please also fill out and mail or bring with you the Workshop Registration and Waiver Form  This is an electronic form, you may print it and then fill it out or fill it out directly and then print the required copies.Click on the links for detailed PDF documents.December 7, 2013 - Photography Basics a one day class   December 8, 2013 -  Time-Lapse WorkshopDecember 21, 2013 - Lighting WorkshopDecember 22, 2013 - Macro and Closeup PhotographyIf you have any questions or would like more information please call 617-759-0010 or email sv@shivverma.com

Focus Stacking using a Promote Control

Just finished writing a "Tip" on using a Promote Control to do focus stacking in the field.While I was in the Smoky Mountains I was asked how to do this - so the folks who asked please read on.Here is the link https://shivverma.com//tip-focus-stacking-with-a-promote-control/or click here

While waiting for the Aurora

Saturday March 16, 2013 - Predictions for a great Aurora Borealis were excellent.  The solar activity promised the Aurora to display all the way South in Massachusetts.  Being a big fans of this phenomenon my wife and I made reservations at  an inn in Caribou, Maine.  7 1/2 hours later we were scouting out for good locations.  The skies were clear as can be and the excitement escalating.  We had dinner and drove out to the planned location.  To cut a long story short, 14 degree temperatures were not going to stop us from photographing the Aurora.  5 hours later it is 3:00 and there is no sign of the event.  We packed up and went back to the hotel.  BIG MISTAKE - 4:30 the lights turned on and by 5:00 AM some of the most spectacular images were being captured but the lucky photographers while we slept soundly.While waiting I decided to take some short time lapses.  Did one with the camera pointed at Polaris. This was a short 20 minute capture resulting in few seconds of video.  The individual images were then stacked to create a star-trail.Here is the video:stars1The stack looks great - the glow in the lower half is light pollution from some homes and towers in the distance.  Click on the image for a larger view. 

Phottix Macro Focusing Rail

I have just finished a review of the Phottix Macro Focusing Rail.  The review is a PDF document that you can read on line or download.Phottix Macro Rail Review 

December 2012 - One Day Workshops

The One-Day workshops for December 2012 are now available.  Please reserve your spot early as these do fill up fast.Click Here to be directed to the One Day Workshop Page and the reservation form.  Call 617.759.0010 if you have any questions.

Some images that hit it off

This past week I posted two images of left over flowers from last weekend's workshop.  What wonderful comments and feedback.  I truly appreciate what the viewers have to say - thank you all.  Both images treated with NiK. Here are the two: 

Weekend Workshops

Two awesome days, two awesome workshops with some truly great photographers.  Yesterday's Lighting Demystified workshop was great - even the heat and humidity was not a hindrance.  The Macro and Closeup workshop had many Ah Ha moments in particular with stacking.Here are a few images form the macro and closeup workshop participants: 

There is beauty in a dead flower

This is a single flower from hydrangea bunch from our backyard.  Last year's bloom that was nice and crisp.  The lines and forms were so inviting.  This was shot indoors with cross-lighting so as to bring out detail and texture.  Conversions to monochrome in NIK Silver Efex Pro.

Comments from attendees of my last Macro and Close-up workshop on the 25th

I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of the participants for attending and helping make the workshop so enjoyable.  I too learn from you during my sessions - photography is all about sharing and learning from each other.  Thank you all for your wonderful feedback - I truly value and appreciate it.Here is what the participants had to say.I found the tips on how to do macro less expensively (Home Depot solutions) very valuable.I thought the presentation followed by the hands-on session was perfect. It allowed for questions to be answered and bugs to be worked out before you were alone trying it for the first time.I picked up lots of good tips in the morning session. All in all, an excellent day.Would like more hands-on - possibly a second day of all hands-on and outdoors.After hearing you speak last summer, I was looking forward to the workshop. Exceeded my expectations. Thanks, Shiv. Dan LoganShiv presented the overall basics of macro photography, but also gave specific training in Helicon Focus software. I appreciated advancing my macro skills with a technique I had not known. It was a very enjoyable day.I knew a lot of theory of Macro photography prior to the workshop, however I lacked the experience of actually taking images. Shiv's workshop gave me a lot of that experience. I had tried Helicon Focus about five years ago when it first came out. This workshop brought me up to date about Helicon Remote which automates much of the process of actually taking the multiple photos. This minimizes much of the manual frustrating work. Kent MessamoreShiv is truly a fantastic workshop leader. He shares all of his information with you freely rather than holding back "tricks of the trade". He is knowledgable and has come up with some ingenious ways of making your photography dollars stretch by making your own equipment rather than buying expensive gadgets. I look forward to taking another workshop with him in the very near future.Shiv is very technically knowledgable and has the organization to teach what he knows.Shiv delivers smoothly-paced training with lots of useful tips and plenty of visual examples, and he makes his expertise available during the hands-on session. A day well-spent.Shiv is truly a professional. His expertise is clearly evident. I would not hesitate to take another class with himIf you want to know more about macro and learn focus stacking this is a great workshop. The first part of the day is a comprehensive overview of different macro subject matter, as well as your "shopping list" and tips on saving money on the things you will need. The afternoon hands on part of the workshop has plenty of set-ups and items you can move around so you can shoot what interests you. Shiv is very patient and helpful, and will instruct on anything you ask to make sure you have a great experience.

Planning on another Macro & Close-up Workshop March 25

Based on the responses to the last two workshops I will be conducting another Macro & Close-up workshop on March 25.  Please email me at s.verma@me.com if you are interested - the spots fill up very fast.Details will be posted later today.In the mean time here are a few comments from the March 11 workshop participants:I’ve never gotten so much quality information from a single workshop. This class is perfectly geared to advanced amateur photographers. The material presented is neither too light nor overwhelming, and is well balanced between macro concepts, an introduction to the tools and software needed, and hands-on guided practice. You’ll leave with practical experience and knowledge of how to get started in this challenging and rewarding area of photography. - Abby 3/14/2012Shiv! I had already learned a lot from him over the years by paying attention to his commentaries on NECCC circuits, attending his Amherst presentations, and I enjoy his photography. I don't think I would have driven 100 miles for anyone else's workshop. 3/14/2012I came to the workshop wanting to learn more about focus stacking. Shiv did a great job and I felt that I learned a lot that I can apply to my photography. 3/12/2012Shiv covered all the essentials for macro techniques. I learned so much about the right equipment, best practices and software. I can't wait to try out everything I learned at home. 3/11/2012This was a very good workshop, and well worth the price I paid. The pacing was perfect, and in keeping the group small, it felt more like a bunch of friends talking, and not a regular class. All participants were encouraged to ask questions, and insert observations. 3/11/2012  

Comments from this weekend's Macro and Close-up workshop participants

I would like to express my sincerest thanks to all the participants who attended the workshop this weekend.  Most of all thanks for your wonderful comments - I am glad you all came away with something of value from the session.Comments from the participants:Shiv is a very knowledgeable photography instructor. He presents his material so that everyone can understand the concepts. He was very thorough and open to answering students' questions. He gave out a lot of useful, practical information that was well worth the price of the course.This workshop was fantastic. I would recommend it to anyone that wants to learn about Macro or Micro Photography.Nothing beats this small group format for a workshop. It really provides a one on one feeling in addition to getting to practice what you learned with your peers. All this plus having someone there with Shiv's expertise to answer and questions, which he encourages you to ask, makes for a great learning experience. I would do this again in a heartbeat. -MattThis workshop was very informative from the presentation right through to the hands on. Shiv's skill as a workshop leader comes with his ability to articulate difficult concepts in a way for the lay person to understand. I highly recommend!!The information flowed well-the presentation was easy to follow. hands on with instructor assistance was outstanding. I would attend another seminar/workshop by Shiv any time. Bob B.Your work lead me to believe that I could learn something from you. Just didn't realize how much. You packed a lot into this workshop....well worth the price.Really enjoyed this and would do it again in a heartbeat.After attending many workshops, this is one of the best. Concepts around macro shooting are difficult to understand and your examples were clear and helped me immensely! I truly appreciate your ability to articulate a concept clearly and concisely. Thanks for a great day...inviting house, lunch and lots of things to work on!I particularly like how other participants more experienced help out those with less. I felt people were not intimated at all and were free to acknowledge their weaknesses and learn...you helped a great deal with that by announcing that no question was weak...everyone learns something.Depending on one's own level of experience...more experienced photographer will get more and those with less, get less but everyone comes away with something...a sign of success in my book. No presenter can meet everyone's needs but can make an impact even in a small way.The presentation included a lot more detail and information than I expected.

Macro and Close-up Workshop on March 11 is now full.

The March Macro and Close-up  workshop is now full.  I may consider another one in the spring.  If you are interested please let me know via email s.verma@me.com.

Macro & Close-up Photography Repeat Session - March 11, 2012

Black Eye Susan Stacked Focus Result

I will be repeating the 1 day Macro and Close-up photography workshop on Sunday March 11, 2012.  We will start at 9:30 AM and conclude at 5:00 PM.  A pizza lunch is included.In this macro photography workshop you will learn how to take beautiful macro photos like a pro. You’ll be able to take eye catching macro and close-up photos with great detail and sharpness.Click on this Macro & Closeup March 11 link for full details and a description of the program.