In this age of digital photography do we still need to make the arguments for portability in lieu of power when it comes to lighting systems?

My Strobist Kit 004

Unfortunately, I think the answer is yes.

Don’t get me wrong here. I love big strobes with very large soft-boxes and all of the creative power and precision that comes with that type of equipment. That’s how I got my start. In a portrait studio with big strobes, big power, and big light.

Now, I almost exclusively use small strobes.

More with less. That’s what we can accomplish now. More with less.

The less we’re bothered by big heavy equipment the more we can accomplish when we arrive at our destination fresh and ready to work.

Yes, it takes a while to let go of those big strobes. It took me a while to realize that I could actually use my small off-camera flashes and get similar results. Sometimes I even got better results. Not because the light itself is better, but rather because I was able to be more flexible and harness my creativity.

It was like loosening the leash and allowing this old dog to run around the yard a little more (that’s something we say out here in West Texas). I’m not really that old–really.

Besides, nowadays there are so many soft-boxes, shoot-thru umbrellas, snoots, stands, etc for small strobes. Most of this is thanks to David Hobby. He may not have started small strobe shooting, but he was one of the first to really begin to take it to the level we have now and by blogging about it he was able to build one of the biggest movements in photography. I mean, you have heard of Strobist right? Thought so.

So if you’re an old pro looking to give your back a break, then break out those little wonders of light. You’ll be thankful you did. I know I was.

Photograph My Strobist Kit 004 by RKD Photography