On 21 September, photographers gathered in Widnes, Cheshire for a full day of inspiration and learning at our Fundamentals of Photographic Lighting workshop with Damian McGillicuddy—double-barred Grand Master of The Societies and the first to hold a Fellowship in Photographic Training.

Damian’s opening reminder set the tone for the day:

“If you want to be a better photographer, you need to understand and be able to manipulate light without compromise.”

Breaking Down the Big Concepts

Damian has an incredible ability to take even the most intimidating lighting topics and make them simple, practical, and most importantly, enjoyable. Throughout the workshop, delegates discovered:

• Light’s four fundamental qualities and how understanding them changes everything.
• How lighting ratios control mood and impact.
• Why lighting patterns matter, and when to use each for the best results.
• The purpose of different modifiers—and why choosing the right one matters.
• How to get comfortable with metering and using TTL.
• The role of key, fill, background, hair, and separation lights in creating depth.
• Why the dreaded inverse square law can actually become your new best friend.

A Fun, Friendly Atmosphere

Far from being a dry technical lecture, the day was full of laughter, thoughtful questions, and those “lightbulb moments” (pun intended!) that remind us why ongoing education is so valuable. Attendees commented on how approachable Damian made each topic and how inspired they felt to put what they’d learned into practice.

A Huge Thank You

We’re incredibly grateful to Damian McGillicuddy for sharing his passion and expertise, and to all the photographers who joined us in Widnes, you made the day a brilliant success.

Don’t Miss the Next One!

If you’re ready to build your confidence with light and elevate your photography, keep an eye on our Events & Workshops page for upcoming opportunities. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, brushing up on lighting fundamentals can save you time, improve your results in-camera, and boost your revenue.

The post Lighting the Way: Fundamentals of Photographic Lighting with Damian McGillicuddy appeared first on The Society of Photographers | International Photography Organisation.

Making Studio Lighting Approachable

James kicked off the evening by stripping away the jargon and technical barriers that can make studio lighting feel overwhelming. Through step-by-step demonstrations, he showed how a few well-placed strobes and modifiers can completely transform a portrait. Attendees had the chance to watch the process unfold live, gaining practical tips they could put to use immediately in their own studios.

A Professional Model Makes All the Difference

A huge shout-out goes to Mars, our professional model for the evening. Their energy, versatility, and patience brought each demonstration to life, showing exactly how lighting decisions translate into dynamic, expressive portraits.

Teamwork Behind the Scenes

Workshops like this don’t just happen on their own. Massive thanks to James and Fliss for running the evening so smoothly and creating such an engaging learning environment. From setting up the gear to guiding photographers through each lighting scenario, their expertise and enthusiasm made the night a success.

Community and Connection

One of the best parts of events like this is the sense of community. Over cups of tea and coffee, attendees networked, swapped ideas, and shared their own tips and experiences. It was a reminder of how valuable it is to connect face-to-face with fellow photographers.

Watch the BTS Video

Here’s a behind-the-scenes glimpse from the evening—click play to see the atmosphere, the setups, and a few of the incredible shots created on the night.

Join Us for the Next Event

Evenings like The Simple Guide to Studio Portraits are just one part of what The Society of Photographers offers to help you grow as a photographer. From masterclasses and mentoring programmes to exclusive member benefits like monthly competitions and webinars, there’s always something new to learn.

Don’t miss out on future workshops and events—visit https://thesocieties.net/photographic-seminars/ to see what’s coming up next.

The post Behind the Scenes: The Simple Guide to Studio Portraits with Musselwhite Photography appeared first on The Society of Photographers | International Photography Organisation.

Elinchrom, a global leader in professional lighting solutions for over 60 years, proudly unveils the LED 100 C, its first-ever continuous light. Designed to meet the evolving needs of photographers, videographers, and content creators, the LED 100 C offers professional-grade performance in a compact, portable package.

A Bold New Chapter for Elinchrom

“The launch of the LED 100 C is an exciting new adventure for Elinchrom,” says Simon Whittle, CEO of Elinchrom. “For decades, we have been at the forefront of flash innovation, and now, we are embracing continuous lighting to support the evolving needs of today’s creatives. This is just the beginning of a new chapter, and we can’t wait to see how photographers and content creators integrate the LED 100 C into their workflows.”

Powerful, Versatile, and Built for Creators

The Elinchrom LED 100 C is a 100W continuous light with bi-color and RGB capabilities, delivering exceptional color accuracy (CRI 95+) in a lightweight, battery-powered design. It is engineered for seamless integration into both photography and videography workflows, ensuring a flexible and powerful lighting solution for all creative professionals.

To complement the LED 100 C, Elinchrom is also introducing a new ecosystem of accessories, including the OCF Bowens Adapter, OCF Hyper Reflector, and additional tools such as Spot Lite, ensuring maximum compatibility with existing Elinchrom ONE and Elinchrom THREE systems.

Key Features of the Elinchrom LED 100 C:

• Wide Color Temperature Range – Adjustable from 2700K to 6500K in 100K steps, offering precise control over warm, neutral, and cool lighting.
• Creative RGB Control – Features 50W of fully adjustable RGB with 1° increments on the HSV color wheel, providing complete freedom over color selection.
• Dynamic Special Effects – 15 built-in FX modes, including Lightning, Fireworks, and Candle, to bring cinematic creativity to any project.
• Versatile Light Shaper Compatibility – Works seamlessly with Elinchrom OCF, Elinchrom full mount, and most Profoto-mount light shapers, ensuring maximum flexibility.
• Built-in Long-Lasting Battery – 72Wh battery provides up to 40 minutes of full-power use, with 100W USB-C Power Delivery for continuous operation while charging.
• Lightweight and Portable – Weighing just 0.91 kg (2.01 lbs.), it is designed for on-the-go creators without compromising performance.
• Effortless Control – Features an intuitive touchscreen and Bluetooth connectivity (via the Elinchrom App, launching in early spring 2025) for seamless remote operation.
• Flicker-Free Operation – Optimized for high-frame-rate video recording, ensuring smooth and stable lighting for professional productions.

A Game-Changer for Photographers and Content Creators

The LED 100 C is an ideal continuous light solution for both Elinchrom and Profoto users, seamlessly integrating into existing workflows. Whether used on its own or in combination with flash, it expands creative possibilities, making it an essential tool for professionals and aspiring creators alike.

“With the launch of the LED 100 C, Elinchrom is stepping into a new era of lighting, one where continuous and flash lighting work together to provide the most versatile tools possible,” says Simon Whittle.

What Professionals Are Saying

“I never thought we could blend power and creativity in such a compact unit! It’s a blessing for those, like me, who mix photography and video.” – Anthony Passant, French portrait photographer and longtime Elinchrom user

“We chose to collaborate with Anthony because he represents the modern photographer’s reality—balancing both still and video content creation. The LED 100 C seamlessly integrates into his existing setup, and I am confident that many photographers will see it as a valuable addition to their toolkit.” – Simon Whittle, CEO of Elinchrom

Pricing and Availability

Elinchrom LED 100 C – LED Light Kit

• MSRP: $499 USD / €447 EUR (excl. taxes)
• Includes: LED 100 C, OCF Diffusion Dome, EL-Profoto Adapter, 100W USB-C Cable (2m), Hard Case
• Product Code: EL20201.1

Elinchrom LED 100 C – LED Light Dual Kit

• MSRP: $849 USD / €745 EUR (excl. taxes)
• Includes: 2x LED 100 C, 2x OCF Diffusion Dome, 2x EL-Profoto Adapter, 2x 100W USB-C Cable (2m), Hard Case
• Product Code: EL20202.2

The Elinchrom LED 100 C is available for purchase through authorised dealers and distributors worldwide.

For more details, visit www.elinchrom.co.uk

The post Elinchrom Introduces the LED 100 C: A New Era of Continuous Lighting appeared first on The Society of Photographers | International Photography Organisation.

The new year is off to an electrifying start for Elinchrom UK, and the brand couldn’t be more excited about what’s ahead! Kicking off at The Society of Photographers Convention in January, Elinchrom showcased the incredible power and versatility of its lighting systems on the Elinchrom Live Stage, featuring an inspiring talk by Therese Asplund on ‘Creative Lighting and Unconventional Styling – Fashion Portraits My Way’.

It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with photographers and demonstrate firsthand how Elinchrom’s cutting-edge technology can elevate their work.

Adding to the celebration, Elinchrom UK was honoured to receive Best Professional Lighting 2024 at the Society of Photographer’ Trade Awards. This prestigious recognition reaffirms the brand’s commitment to providing photographers with the very best in professional lighting solutions. A huge thank you to everyone who has supported Elinchrom it wouldn’t have been possible without you!

Looking ahead, 2025 is set to be an exciting year. As the official lighting supplier at the Fujifilm House of Photography, Elinchrom has an incredible lineup of events and workshops planned, helping photographers refine their skills and explore the full potential of lighting. Plus, with more tradeshows, exhibitions, and live demonstrations on the horizon, Elinchrom remains at the forefront of professional lighting solutions.

Elinchrom’s brand-new website is now live, offering customers the ability to buy directly, access exclusive news, and explore in-depth product information, all in one place. Be sure to visit the website for seamless shopping and the latest updates. Follow Elinchrom UK for news, announcements, and opportunities to experience the brand in action.
www.elinchrom.co.uk

The post Elinchrom UK Kicks Off 2025 with Innovation, Awards & Exciting Plans Ahead! appeared first on The Society of Photographers | International Photography Organisation.

Elinchrom has recently teamed up with Creativity Hub, bringing their industry-leading lighting gear to a series of dynamic, hands-on photography events. This exciting partnership has allowed photographers to experiment with Elinchrom’s high-quality lighting systems during Creativity Hub’s themed shoots and workshops, giving them the tools to explore new creative possibilities.

In recent months, Elinchrom supported three standout events hosted by Creativity Hub. First up was the Flora shoot, where photographers immersed themselves in a nature-inspired theme, capturing stunning, botanical images using Elinchrom’s lighting gear. The event was a success, with participants creating beautiful, vibrant work, thanks in part to Elinchrom’s expertise.

Elinchrom followed that by powering the Portfolio Play Day on September 20th, an event designed for photographers looking to expand their portfolios. Just a day later, the Femme Fatale Workshop (held on September 21st-22nd) brought photographers together for an empowering shoot, again supported by Elinchrom’s lighting setups.

Looking ahead, the partnership continues with Creativity Hub’s next big event, Deco the Halls, scheduled for November 30th. This upcoming shoot promises a vintage-inspired, visually captivating experience, with Elinchrom providing the lighting systems to help photographers achieve striking results. With each collaboration, photographers have the chance to get hands-on experience with Elinchrom products, pushing the boundaries of their work and growing their technical skills.

By partnering with Creativity Hub, Elinchrom is not only showcasing its equipment but also fostering a creative community where photographers can experiment, innovate, and learn. Whether it’s through using the Elinchrom ONE, THREE, FIVE or their broader range of lighting solutions, photographers are being empowered to bring their artistic visions to life.

This ongoing partnership is an exciting opportunity for Elinchrom to connect directly with photographers and support their creative journeys. The collaboration continues to grow, with more events on the horizon, offering even more opportunities for photographers to take their work to the next level.

The post Elinchrom Partners with Creativity Hub to Fuel Creative Photography appeared first on The Society of Photographers | International Photography Organisation.

Are you ready to take the first step towards mastering studio lighting? Join us for the Introduction to Studio Lighting Workshop with Gary Hill, a comprehensive, hands-on course designed for photographers who are new to working with studio setups. Led by industry expert Gary Hill, this workshop will guide you through essential lighting techniques, helping you build the confidence needed to elevate your photography.

What to Expect

In this beginner-friendly course, you’ll get a deep dive into the foundations of studio lighting. From understanding light direction to working with key modifiers like softboxes and reflectors, this workshop covers it all. You’ll also learn how to balance natural and artificial light sources, ensuring you can craft flattering, professional-quality portraits. Whether you’re shooting family sessions or corporate headshots, you’ll leave with the skills to create stunning results.

Exclusive Offer for Attendees

As a special bonus, all participants will receive 20% off any Click Backdrops purchased during the workshop—an ideal opportunity to upgrade your setup while mastering your lighting techniques.

Event Details

• Date: Tuesday, 19th November 2024
• Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Venue: Click Backdrops, Units E & F Penfold Works, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD24 4YY
• Price: £99 per ticket (includes a light lunch and refreshments)
• Limited Spots: To ensure personalised attention, this workshop is capped at just 12 attendees.

Secure Your Spot Today

Spaces are filling up fast—don’t miss this chance to learn from one of the best in the business and gain valuable skills that will transform your photography.

Book Your Ticket Now

Proudly supported by Click Backdrops and The Society of Photographers.

The post Master Studio Lighting with Gary Hill: Workshop Announcement appeared first on The Society of Photographers | International Photography Organisation.

Elinchrom has enhanced its commitment to UK dealers and it’s customers by opening a dedicated service centre in East London, following the establishment of direct-to-trade distribution at the beginning of the year.

Strategic Location

Located just one train stop from the ExCel London exhibition venue, the site of The Photography & Video Show in 2025, the new service centre is positioned in the vibrant Royal London Docks area.

State-of-the-Art Facilities

The service centre offers advanced facilities for maintenance and repairs, ensuring that photographers receive top-notch service. Equipped with the latest tools and technology, our skilled technicians can handle all Elinchrom flash products and will ensure that your equipment is in expert hands and will be returned to you in optimal condition.

Enhanced Convenience

Dealers and photographers in the area are invited to drop off their equipment directly at the new centre, saving on shipping and providing quicker turnaround times. While booking their unit in for service, customers can enjoy a coffee, making the experience even more pleasant.

The full address for the new service centre is Elinchrom UK Service Centre, Expressway, 1 Dock Road, London E16 1AH. Opening hours are 9 am to 5 pm. For any inquiries, customers can contact us at 0333 3582444 /support@elinchrom.co.uk.

Elinchrom’s new service centre is designed to benefit both dealers and photographers, reaffirming their position in the market and ensuring top-notch service and support. The opening of this centre represents Elinchrom’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality support and fostering closer relationships with the photography community.

The post Elinchrom’s New Service Hub: Elevating Support for UK Dealers and Photographers appeared first on The Society of Photographers | International Photography Organisation.

Join Panikos Hajistilly in this webinar as he takes you through the essentials of outdoor flash and how to maximise your outdoor photography with simple techniques.

In this webinar we will cover
1) Some essential technicalities for understanding what type of flash to use and when.
2) What is HSS (High Speed Sync) and when to use it.
3) What settings to have your camera and flash on for low light and in sunlight.
4) What flash guns/heads do you really need?
5) What modifiers are best
6) Overpowering sunlight with flash – can it be done?
7) Are 2 hands enough? Hazards of working with flash outdoors

Monday 25th September 2023 – 3.00PM

Live on: The Societies of Photographers (Members Only) Group

Want to watch but not a member?
Experience The Society of Photographers Professional Membership for just £12.50/month. Enjoy exclusive benefits like competitions, discounts, mentoring, webinars, and more.
Join today >>> https://thesocieties.net/join/

Catch Up on Our Webinars Anytime

Missed the live session? No problem! Rewatch our comprehensive library of photography webinars anytime and elevate your craft. With hundreds of hours of expert-led content, you’ll find invaluable tips and techniques to transform your photography skills. Dive back in and keep learning!

https://thesocieties.net/webinars/

The post Webinar: Outdoor Flash Made Simple with Panikos Hajistilly appeared first on The Society of Photographers | International Photography Organisation.

British LED lighting manufacturer, Rotolight, has announced a firmware update available for all users of its award-winning AEOS 2 and NEO 3 RGBWW LED lights, offering a range of advancements to the popular lighting products.

This firmware upgrade adds a number of powerful enhancements to the functionality of the ground-breaking new lights whilst also implementing some popular user-requested features, as well as general performance improvements.

These updates continue to add to the extensive feature set that has seen the Rotolight AEOS 2 and NEO 3 scoop numerous awards since the product commenced shipping in February 22’ and demonstrates Rotolight’s commitment to delivering continual improvements and innovations to its loyal user base.

New Features

The latest firmware update includes selectable fan control modes, including Silent Fan Mode designed for video users, and is fully user-controllable.

A new ‘Lux mode’ setting offers the ultimate control for both video & photo users to extract maximum performance from the light, or to achieve a constant exposure across colour temperatures depending on user preference. Maximum Lux Mode will appeal to photographers, who want to utilise the maximum power of the lights at all times, whereas Constant Lux Mode is designed for videographers and cinematographers who may wish to maintain a constant exposure (lux) regardless of the colour temperature selected.

Rotolight NEO 3 and AEOS 2 feature an industry-first touchscreen interface that provides enhanced control and saves time on set. By popular demand, a new Touchscreen Lock Mode has been added to enable the lights to be placed in any location (i.e. a fireplace), whilst preventing accidental adjustment to chosen settings. To activate, simply press and hold both knobs at the same time to lock/unlock the screen.

This update features extensive enhancements of CineSFX® modes, including improved navigation of SFX controls making user customisation of SFX even more intuitive, as well as enhanced colour realism, and refinements to triggering of SFX via the wireless Elinchrom Skyport transmitter.

In an industry-first feature, the Rotolight NEO 3/ AEOS 2 now includes Dynamic Multi-Language Support which offers real-time adjustment throughout all menus and displays, in native Italian, French, German, Spanish and Dutch.

These new firmware additions have been developed alongside a suite of general performance improvements and minor bug fixes, including improved battery performance in maximum flash power, and improved third-party battery support in ‘max’ flash mode.

Rod Aaron Gammons, CEO, Rotolight, said: “The latest firmware updates for the Rotolight AEOS 2 and NEO 3 really demonstrate our commitment to deliver ongoing support for our users. The latest products in our range have already been incredibly well-received by creatives across the globe and we intend to continue to push forward with developments, reacting to requests from our customers while future-proofing their creative solutions.”

Firmware Roadmap

A major update (Firmware 2.0) is expected in late July providing support for Rotolight’s new native iOS & Android app which is in the final stages of beta testing and will launch simultaneously. The Rotolight app will provide wireless real-time control of brightness, colour temperature, HSI, gels, SFX, flash settings and more for the AEOS 2/NEO 3.

Additionally, this update includes a brand-new green/magenta correction control, along with numerous additional enhancements.

The post Rotolight Announces V1.2 Firmware Update for AEOS 2 & NEO 3 LED Lights appeared first on The Society of Photographers | International Photography Organisation.

Highlights:

• Bi-colour monolight with wide CCT range of 2700K to 6500K
• Outputs 11,130 lux @1M (light only, 5600K) and 38,720 lux @1M (with reflector, 5600K)
• High colour fidelity with average CRI of 96 and average TLCI of 97

NANLITE continue to expand their range of studio-based LEDs with the release of the FS-300B bi-colour monolight, offering more flexibility while choosing the right CCT (Correlated Colour Temperature) for motion, stills and live productions. As with all Nanlite fixtures the light features outstanding illuminance levels, excellent bi-colour performance, and seamless software/hardware integration. It comfortably manages to find its place in the market against the competition, with such specialisation and a competitive price.

The FS-300B’s performance is stunning with its professional COB integration. It provides a powerful illuminance of 11,130 lux @ 1M (5600K), which has a significant advantage compared with similar products in the market. when attached with the included reflector, the illuminance increases to 38,720 lux @ 1M (5600K).

FS-300B offers consistent output while changing the CCT range all the way from 2700K to 6500K when in the constant output mode, while in the maximum output mode priority is given to the brightness to ensure sufficient brightness. This professional feature will save time for repeated lighting adjustments during shoots and ensure smooth transitions in camera.

Colour quality is in line with other Nanlite fixtures with an average CRI of 96 and average TLCI of 97, ensuring the FS-300B will allow creators to capture things in life like colours with high fidelity and natural likeness.

FS-300B has 12 built in practical effects that can be adjusted by brightness, colour temperature and speed. This allows the FS-300B to be used in a huge range of scenarios to simulate advanced lighting effects with simple operations, bringing a satisfactory lighting effect experience to users.

Aesthetics have been highlighted in the design of FS-300B, an all-in-one structure, two knobs and one button user interface as well as an OLED display providing convenient and intuitive operation. It also incorporates shortcuts for presets to simplify controlling processes by quickly recalling settings.

The built-in Bluetooth and 2.4G module support wireless controller (optional) and Nanlink APP control, which enable you to adjust various settings including DIM, CCT and special effects at will. With the help of NANLINK app, FS-300B can be combined with other FS-300B’s for multiple unit control for professional applications.

Adopting the popular design of the widely available Bowens Mount and umbrella holder, FS-300B is compatible with both native and third-party modifiers, providing a wealth of light control options for photography, live streaming, and content creation.

The powerful cooling fan ensures FS-300B can stand up to the rigorous and prolonged field use and guarantee its service life. The fan can be turned off directly to eliminate noise interference on occasions with strict requirements for sound.

*The maximum output power is 25% when the fan is turned off.

The built-in USB-A port supports firmware updates, and optimises users’ experience continuously, with future software updates and new functionalities.

Additional Highlights:

• Two output modes available–both constant and maximum modes
• 12 build-in effects customisable with brightness, colour temperature and speed
• 1.3-inch OLED display, two knobs and one button user interface
• Bluetooth/2.4G/wireless controller (optional) / Nanlink APP compatibility
• Bowens Mount and umbrella holder for more modifier’s options
• Powerful cooling with the option to turn off the fan for absolute silence
• Firmware updatable via the USB-A port on the fixture body

What’s in the Box:

• FS-300B
• Power cable 4.5M
• Reflector
• Protective Cap
• User Manual

 FS-300B Specification:

• Rated Power: 350W
• Input voltage/ current:  AC100-240V-50/60Hz
• CCT: 2700K-6500K
• CRI: Average 96
• TLCI: Average 97
• Dimming: 0-100%
• Weight: 3.63Kg / 8 lb
• Product size: 346 x 233 x 123mm / 13.62 x 9.17 x 4.84”

U.K Pricing

*FS-300B Available in the UK from August 2022

FS-300B           Nanlite FS-300B Bi-colour monolight                                                       

£432.00  SRP inc VAT

www.nanlite.co.uk

The post Introducing The Nanlite FS-300B – A Budget Friendly Bi-Colour Studio Monolight with Powerful Output. appeared first on The Society of Photographers | International Photography Organisation.