Softboxes are popular modifiers that are well suited to many genres of photography. Here I explain the advantages, disadvantages and effects of softboxes as well as offer some alternatives.
Studio Photography – Finding the right studio
For many photographers there comes a point when you think about opening your own studio. It’s a daunting step forward, and one that requires careful consideration. If you’re thinking about opening your own studio, whether it be buying or renting, there are a few important things to think about…
Submit your Fashion and Beauty Image for our live critique
In this live show Karl will be looking at fashion and beauty images submitted by members, sharing his thoughts and advice on how to take stand-out images. This live show will provide an opportunity for members to receive feedback on their image, understand what makes an effective picture and watch as Karl demonstrates effective retouching techniques. He’ll demonstrate how, with …
The Best Photography Books
Over the years I’ve built up quite a collection of photography books and as many of you have asked what my favorites are, I thought I’d put together a list of my favorite inspirational and educational photography books.
How to set up a small photography studio
Shooting in a small studio can be challenging, but it isn’t impossible. There are a number of things you can do to make working in limited space easier and more effective, which is what I recently showed when I set up a small studio for a friend’s business.
Lighting modifiers: The beauty dish
The beauty dish is often a popular lighting modifier among fashion and beauty photographers because of its versatility and unique light. In my next live show I’ll show you exactly what you can achieve with it and demonstrate how you can modify it even further.
Photographing Products with LEDs & display screens
From iPhones to kettles, self-illuminating dials, LCD screens or LED lights are key components of many products nowadays and while many photographers find it difficult, it’s actually quite simple. For our next live show I’ll be showing you how to photograph a voice recorder that has both self-illuminating illuminating buttons and a LCD screen.
Medium-format vs full-frame: Testing the Hasselblad H6D-100c and Nikon D850
I was recently asked by Hasselblad to make a series of videos, several of which were a comparison between the medium-format Hasselblad H6D-100c and the best 35mm full-frame camera on the market at the time — the Nikon D850. I was given free-reign by Hasselblad to shoot what I wanted how I wanted, as long as it showed real-world examples …
Portrait Photographer Tom Oldham – It’s a great gig
Tom Oldham started out photographing dance music 26 years ago after he bid farewell to a job in men’s retail. He set out with a simple hope — for “something a great deal less boring than standing in a shop”.
5 Portrait Photography Tips from Tom Oldham
Tom Oldham is an award winning photographer with 26-years of experience and soon he’ll be sitting down with Karl in studio for another exciting live show, where he’ll be discussing the highs, the lows and what it takes to crack it in the industry.
June 2018 ‘Fast’ Photography Competition Winners
This months competition was an interesting one, with the theme of ‘Fast’. We had a wide variety of entries from fast paced sports shots to in-studio freeze photography. Our members had the chance to win the first prize of a Siros Lighting kit as well as second prize – a LEE Filters Little Stopper – and third prize – a …
David Lund – Designer to photographer
From diamonds to fishing rods, fashion to steel, professional liquids photographer David Lund’s nine-year career has been a rollercoaster journey. A Hasselblad demonstration at Falmouth Art College almost 10 years ago proved to be the turning point for David…
Live Liquids shoot with David Lund & Karl Taylor
Advertising and liquid photographer David Lund joins up with Karl Taylor for this special live show where they will demonstrate some exciting techniques.
Professional liquid photographer David Lund
David Lund will be joining Karl live in studio to discuss his work with liquids, his journey into photography, what it takes to make it in the industry and answering your questions live. This will be a unique opportunity to learn first-hand from a student turned professional — make sure not to miss it!
Simple tips to take better photos
As a professional photographer and educator people often ask me how they can improve their photographs so I’ve put together some simple photography tips you can use to improve your photos.
Beginner Photography Quick Start Guide
Starting out in photography can seem daunting but this quick start guide contains all you need to know to get the ball rolling. Having this knowledge will ensure that you not only master the basics but have the skills to progress and confidently take creative control of your photography.
Mega Photo Critique
Our members picture critique live shows are always highly popular but unfortunately Karl isn’t always able to get around to looking at every image sent through. That’s why we’ve decided to present an extended critique where he’ll be looking at and discussing every single image submitted by our members, whether it takes three hours or 10. This live show will …
Parabolic Lighting Live Show
What makes this light so special and why do parabolic lights create such a stunning effect? Join Karl LIVE on May 10 at 18.00 BST / 13.00 EDT as he delves into the world of parabolic lighting and shows you just how versatile they can be. In this live shoot Karl will reveal all, as well as demonstrate the uses and benefits of paras and their results compared to other more standard modifiers.
The Magic of Parabolic Lighting
As a professional photographer, one of the most common questions I get asked is “If you could have just one lighting modifier, what would you choose?” And my answer is always the same — “The Para 133”.
March 2018 ‘Travel & Culture’ Photography Competition Winners
With our next competition fast approaching, we thought we’d share with you once more the winners of our March 2018 Competition. The theme of ‘Travel & Culture’ was interpreted in many different ways and it was great to see the diversity in the entries that we had. Our winners entered some really thought provoking images that we felt fitted the …
Paris Photography Workshop with Karl Taylor
Join Karl Taylor and Broncolor France for this exciting workshop in the heart of Paris at Studio Pin Up http://www.pin-up.com/en/ on the 14th of June 2018.
In this one day workshop Karl will be presenting his techniques on photography across a broad range of topics including theory and practical demonstrations.
Award winning product photographer Barry Makariou
Barry is a top product and advertising photographer who has worked with renowned clients such as Pepsi, Peroni, Dove, Tom Ford and Samsung. He’ll be joining Karl in the studio to talk about his globally recognised work as a successful photographer and director. From liquids to sports and fitness, phones to watches, Barry has extensive knowledge in product photography. He …
Top photographers in studio with Karl Taylor
View PostSean Conboy Architectural Photographer
Sean Conboy is an internationally renowned architectural photographer who is known for photographing some of the most impressive buildings and hotels in the world from giant multiplex cinemas to multi-storey structures. Sean will be joining Karl on the sofa to talk about this specialised area of photography that requires a certain discipline and precision to bring life to structures and …
Live Whisky Photography Workshop
If you’re a professional or semi-professional photographer then it’s important to have the skills to make products visually outstanding! Bottle and beverage images can be particularly tricky. I reveal this knowledge and specific time-saving techniques in this online workshop.
Live Show With Tim Flach Photographer
Interview recorded in 2014 We are extremely excited to welcome world-renowned photographer Tim Flach to the show. Tim’s work is instantly recognisable. In the last decade he has focused on animal portraits ranging widely across species but united by a distinctive style that is derived from his concerns with anthropomorphism and anthropocentrism. Flach’s often abstract photographic style has been described as …
Live photography show with Tom Oldham
Tom Oldham is a London-based portrait photographer, shooting portraits of musicians, sports stars and all sorts of talented folk in locations across the nation and worldwide. He admits ‘It’s a great gig’. In June 2017, Tom exhibited his project shot in Lesotho – ‘The Herder Boys of Lesotho’, at the White Space Gallery in London. The exhibition was a big …
December 2017 ‘Moments’ Photography Competition Results
Out of the hundreds of entries that we received it was challenging to narrow down the winners. In the video above Karl gives critique on some of our finalists images and announces the top three entries. Below you can see the winning images alongside our lucky members and their prizes! It was great to have so many amazing entries, be …
Members Picture Critique
In this Live talk show will crop, critique and even retouch some members images to show how to improve them. This informative show will give our members and opportunity to submit their work and learn from a top professional on where improvements can be made. The critique will not only focus on the positives but also how to improve any …
Guest Fashion Photographer Daria Belikova
In this live talk show Karl will be joined by fashion photographer and rising star Daria Belikova. With a dark, edgy and distinctive style Daria’s work has become sought after internationally.With a growing reputation for exquisitely styled and executed work her unique and mature finesse has garnered significant attention. In this interview we will be talking about her approach, her technique and her rapid rise in the challenging world of fashion photography as well as answering your questions live.
Live Beauty Retouching Photography Show
In this Live show we concentrate on post production techniques for beauty retouching. Karl will run through his key post processing workflow and demonstrate colour, contrast, RAW file processing, Burn & Dodge, selective local contrast and sharpening techniques. Besides the specific techniques we will also look at the ‘where and why’ of retouching in relation to ‘where to lead the …
Live Beauty Lighting Techniques Photography Show
Working with a model, Karl will undertake a live beauty shoot with tips on preparation and lighting to reveal a superb final image. With tips also from our professional make up artist and an insight on lighting solutions that complement post production this will be a packed live show. Beauty lighting will often utilise a harder lighting formula than traditional …
Photographic Printing with Guest Expert John Fitzgerald
As well as being a successful portrait photographer John is best known as a master printer. With numerous industry awards for his printing skills John runs a busy Pro Lab, servicing the requirements of professional photographic printing and processing. With a 35-year career, John will join Karl for this Live Show, providing a wealth of tips for getting the best …
Bianca Swan, Fashion Stylist
Join Karl and special guest, fashion stylist Bianca Swan. Bianca is a professional fashion stylist who has worked with many of the big names in photography from Rankin to Max Oppenheim and even Karl Taylor : ) As well as photographers she’s styled for top brands such as Burberry, M&S and Lacoste. In this unique episode we will delve into …
Karl Taylor’s Recreation of ‘Dali Atomicus’ on the BBC
‘Dali Atomicus’. This iconic image has been a favourite of mine for as long as I remember and it is probably the root of my own interest and specialisation in photographing fast moving liquids and smashing objects. I have been a photographer professionally for 25 years, having started a career in photojournalism in the early to mid 90’s but then …
Live Sunglasses Product Shoot
Sunglasses product shootIn this stunning product shoot Karl will walk you through the whole process live. Resulting in a high end advertising image. Learn the process of using effective gradient lighting and tips for precise control. Click here to learn more about Karl Taylor, his professional photography career and his education.
Live photography talk show with Urs Recher
Join Karl and special guest photographer Urs Recher. Urs is a consultant and photographer to broncolor lighting company but he also has another life in photography with his own personal work. With an encyclopaedic knowledge on many aspects of photography we will look at Urs’s techniques and images. Karl and Urs also debate the latest industry news and topics as …
Wine bottle product lighting
Karl Taylor is known and commissioned by some of the world’s leading businesses for his exquisite product photography and lighting. In this fascinating tutorial Karl will demonstrate several techniques for effective and elegant wine photography. He will demonstrate his lighting techniques, preparation, background choices and answer your questions live with our interactive Q&A/ Click here to learn more about Karl …
Nature Photography with Chris Bale.
Chris Bale is a self-taught nature photographer and although his passion for wildlife can be easily traced back to his childhood he did not begin to share this publicly until he was in his mid thirties…..Now 43 and with a stunning portfolio there’s no turning back! Chris’s photography now features in a variety of nature journals, wildlife magazines and bird …
Portrait & Beauty Lighting Online Workshop
There’s was a huge amount of important hi-end photography techniques and studio knowledge to gain from Karl’s LIVE Portrait & Beauty Lighting workshop. Through interactive demonstration and results, Karl will help you transform your studio beauty and portraiture photography! You’ll see the step by step process needed to light and shoot professional portrait and beauty images. PLUS… Karl explains his …