Finally the long awaiting DVD from
David Honl is here and has it been worth the wait?
First suprise is this is a dual DVD yes 2 discs not the usual 1 disc cash in like so many other blander photography DVD offerings. So what makes this DVD so different first for those of you who don't know who
David Honl is?
David Honl is regarded world wide for his work done as a photo journalist shooting all around the world and capturing some of the most historic events from on the front line.
Over the years
David Honl has developed his own lighting modifying equipment with which to use with strobes / flash guns his lighting system add ons will work with any flash gun and they are both simple and very quick to use. Best thing about
David Honl's kit is it simply works and the results are as good as any other setup helping to produce images as good as any images you will see in any of the glossy magazines but at a fraction of the cost of the bigger brands and in most cases better YES! better results.
Here is what some of the top industry specialist have had to say :
"It's not often that a range of products comes along that changes the way photographers work. The Honl kit has done just that." - Digital SLR Photography Magazine
"Simple, highly effective and well-made, the Honl Speed System is to Nikon Speedlights, as cream is to strawberries- the perfect compliment" - Simon Stafford, Nikon User Magazine
"These rugged little modifiers give you the control to add light exactly where you want..."
- David Hobby, Photographer & Publisher of Strobist.com
"The grids, snoots, and gels are rugged and durable... a simple but ingenious solution..."
- Bob Krist, National Geographic Traveler photographer
"His designs are so simple, and so easy to use, but they're so effective that I now can't be without them."
- Scott Kelby, President, National Association of Photoshop Professsionals
Back to the DVD you get 2 discs and the contents are as follow :
- Sci-fi Queens: Portrait of Babylon 5 stars Claudia Christian and Patricia Tallman
- High profile subjects: Interview and photo shoot with photographer Deborah Wald
- Hollywood legend: Interview and portrait shoot with actor Bill Mumy
- Cook it, shoot it, eat it: Cooking and photographing a gourmet lunch
- The cat's out of the bag: Kitty portrait
- Smart & quick: Smart car portrait
- Going ape: Portrait shoot with the Planet of the Apes
- Exotica: Location portrait shoot of a belly dancer/ Kazakhstan
- Gear talk with David Honl
Running time for this DVD set is 75 mins.
These DVD's are so informative and simply enthralling to watch. David is both clear and precise with the information given and is helped by his stunning wife Claudia Christian. David takes you through several shoots on these discs from exotic portraits to simple clean food shots nearly all bases are covered.
What makes this DVD really stand out is the breakdown section after each shoot where David recaps with a lighting setup walk through and a simple over head shot showing David drawing out the setup on a white board, simple, effective and very easy to understand and put into practice. One of the biggest bug bares for me is how often photographers over complicate lighting and over do it with equipment when it is hardly ever needed. This DVD simply proves this ethos.
If your looking into a DVD that will help, support, and explain how to get into wireless lighting and the world of strobist this is a must buy DVD. It will also show you how to get top quality images with very simple setups and just how fantastic the Honl modifier system truly is.
I have been using
David Honl's full system since David first starting making his range available to buy online. I would not recommend another system for modifying flash guns as this is simple the best system available. Yes there will be and are many copies of this system but buy the original and support David's system.
So in answer to my first question at the start of this review has this DVD been worth the wait ? Put simply this is an essential purchase for any amateur or professional photographer and one of the very best photography DVD's out there on the market at present. Also another bonus if your into Babylon 5 which I am a following Babylonian my self there are some fantastic insights during the informal chat with Bill Mummy.
For more on
David Honl and his lighting system see web links below.
David Honl's Photography Website
David Honl's Flickr Group
David Honl's Lighting System Site
GrimLight will be bringing you more reviews from
David Honl and his lighting system over the coming months so watch this space plenty more to come.
