3Pod Tripod Review | Adorama 3Pod P4CFH tripod

Gear, Still photography, Tech stuff

Adorama recently announced its new line of in-house tripods, which they are calling the 3Pod by Flashpoint tripod series, and today I had a chance to try out the 3Pod P4CFH 8X Carbon Fiber 4 Section FlatFold Tripod with the 3Pod H2 BallHead. I have to say I’m really impressed with what they’ve come up with. See below for my 3Pod tripod review and find out if this is the right piece of gear for you.

The 3Pod P4CFH retails for about $225 right now on Adorama.com and the 3Pod H2 BallHead retails for about $70 on Adorama.com.

The 3Pod by Flashpoint tripod series offers products for pros or beginners, video or photo shooters, and studio or traveling folks. I like this specific piece of kit, the 3Pod P4CFH tripod, for a few reasons: it folds flat, it is very light, and it can become a monopod as well.

It was hard for me at first to understand what they meant by “folds flat,” but imagine this: the three legs of the tripod, when folded down and collapsed, lay side by side in a line instead of in a triangular cluster like most tripods. This makes packing for travel much easier with the 3Pod P4CFH tripod.

 

The 3Pod P4CFH tripod goes down to 13″ and extends to an impressive 65.5″.

 

It comes in a slick little case. How about that?

 

This is what comes inside. How often does your ballhead come in a velvet case?? Velvet.

 

A close up of the 3Pod H2 BallHead. Its movements are smooth and feels solidly built.

 

The 3Pod P4CFH tripod is extremely flat and small when fully collapsed. Here it is next to a banana for scale. It’s a big banana too, FYI.

 

The center leg of the 3Pod P4CFH tripod detaches to become a monopod. Very handy for traveling in case you want to save space.

 

The 3Pod P4CFH comes with a two-section extending center column, which is removable. This is one part of the design that didn’t blow me away. I generally like tripods with center columns that collapse in the tripod, below the mounting plate, but that would not be possible given the “flat folding” design of the 3Pod P4CFH tripod.

 

The quick release adjustments on the tripod legs are easy to use and they feel reliable.

 

The carbon fiber construction makes the tripod light, but sturdy. You can also see here how the 3Pod P4CFH tripod folds flat.

 

Thanks for reading this 3Pod P4CFH tripod review and I hope it was helpful.

 

 

Recent work for Bloomberg: Seattle Amazon.com Protest

My work, photojournalism, Published work, Seattle, Still photography

Demonstrators wear costumes during a protest at Amazon.com Inc. headquarters in Seattle, Washington, U.S., on Monday, Dec. 16, 2013. Amazon.com Inc. workers in Germany sent a delegation to the company’s Seattle headquarters to reinforce strikes demanding higher pay and a better work environment, the Verdi union said. Photographer: David Ryder/Bloomberg

 

Demonstrators and members of the media listen to a speaker during a protest at Amazon.com Inc. headquarters in Seattle, Washington, U.S., on Monday, Dec. 16, 2013. Amazon.com Inc. workers in Germany sent a delegation to the company’s Seattle headquarters to reinforce strikes demanding higher pay and a better work environment, the Verdi union said. Photographer: David Ryder/Bloomberg

 

Nancy Becker, who works at an Amazon fulfillment center in Bad Hersfeld, Germany and is a Verdi Union member, speaks to the crowd during a protest at Amazon.com Inc. headquarters in Seattle, Washington, U.S., on Monday, Dec. 16, 2013. Amazon.com Inc. workers in Germany sent a delegation to the company’s Seattle headquarters to reinforce strikes demanding higher pay and a better work environment, the Verdi union said. Photographer: David Ryder/Bloomberg

 

Markus Hoffmann-Achenbach, an organizer for the Verdi Union at an Amazon warehouse in Werde, Germany, speaks during a protest at Amazon.com Inc. headquarters in Seattle, Washington, U.S., on Monday, Dec. 16, 2013. Amazon.com Inc. workers in Germany sent a delegation to the company’s Seattle headquarters to reinforce strikes demanding higher pay and a better work environment, the Verdi union said. Photographer: David Ryder/Bloomberg

 

Demonstrators chant during a protest at Amazon.com Inc. headquarters in Seattle, Washington, U.S., on Monday, Dec. 16, 2013. Amazon.com Inc. workers in Germany sent a delegation to the company’s Seattle headquarters to reinforce strikes demanding higher pay and a better work environment, the Verdi union said. Photographer: David Ryder/Bloomberg

 

A demonstrator wears a costume during a protest at Amazon.com Inc. headquarters in Seattle, Washington, U.S., on Monday, Dec. 16, 2013. Amazon.com Inc. workers in Germany sent a delegation to the company’s Seattle headquarters to reinforce strikes demanding higher pay and a better work environment, the Verdi union said. Photographer: David Ryder/Bloomberg

 

Demonstrators hold signs during a protest at Amazon.com Inc. headquarters in Seattle, Washington, U.S., on Monday, Dec. 16, 2013. Amazon.com Inc. workers in Germany sent a delegation to the company’s Seattle headquarters to reinforce strikes demanding higher pay and a better work environment, the Verdi union said. Photographer: David Ryder/Bloomberg

 

Demonstrators and members of the news media listen to a speaker during a protest at Amazon.com Inc. headquarters in Seattle, Washington, U.S., on Monday, Dec. 16, 2013. Amazon.com Inc. workers in Germany sent a delegation to the company’s Seattle headquarters to reinforce strikes demanding higher pay and a better work environment, the Verdi union said. Photographer: David Ryder/Bloomberg

 

Demonstrators listen to a speaker during a protest at Amazon.com Inc. headquarters in Seattle, Washington, U.S., on Monday, Dec. 16, 2013. Amazon.com Inc. workers in Germany sent a delegation to the company’s Seattle headquarters to reinforce strikes demanding higher pay and a better work environment, the Verdi union said. Photographer: David Ryder/Bloomberg

 

Dave Freiboth, Executive Secretary of the Martin Luther King County Labor Council, addresses protestors and the media during a protest at Amazon.com Inc. headquarters in Seattle, Washington, U.S., on Monday, Dec. 16, 2013. Amazon.com Inc. workers in Germany sent a delegation to the company’s Seattle headquarters to reinforce strikes demanding higher pay and a better work environment, the Verdi union said. Photographer: David Ryder/Bloomberg

 

Demonstrators listen to a speaker during a protest at Amazon.com Inc. headquarters in Seattle, Washington, U.S., on Monday, Dec. 16, 2013. Amazon.com Inc. workers in Germany sent a delegation to the company’s Seattle headquarters to reinforce strikes demanding higher pay and a better work environment, the Verdi union said. Photographer: David Ryder/Bloomberg

 

Demonstrators are pictured during a protest at Amazon.com Inc. headquarters in Seattle, Washington, U.S., on Monday, Dec. 16, 2013. Amazon.com Inc. workers in Germany sent a delegation to the company’s Seattle headquarters to reinforce strikes demanding higher pay and a better work environment, the Verdi union said. Photographer: David Ryder/Bloomberg

 

Demonstrators chant slogans during a protest at Amazon.com Inc. headquarters in Seattle, Washington, U.S., on Monday, Dec. 16, 2013. Amazon.com Inc. workers in Germany sent a delegation to the company’s Seattle headquarters to reinforce strikes demanding higher pay and a better work environment, the Verdi union said. Photographer: David Ryder/Bloomberg

 

Demonstrators hold a large banner that says “Strike at Amazon” during a protest at Amazon.com Inc. headquarters in Seattle, Washington, U.S., on Monday, Dec. 16, 2013. Amazon.com Inc. workers in Germany sent a delegation to the company’s Seattle headquarters to reinforce strikes demanding higher pay and a better work environment, the Verdi union said. Photographer: David Ryder/Bloomberg

 

David Olivera (C), of the Office and Professional Employees International Union Local 8, sings with other demonstrators during a protest at Amazon.com Inc. headquarters in Seattle, Washington, U.S., on Monday, Dec. 16, 2013. Amazon.com Inc. workers in Germany sent a delegation to the company’s Seattle headquarters to reinforce strikes demanding higher pay and a better work environment, the Verdi union said. Photographer: David Ryder/Bloomberg

Recent work for The Wall Street Journal: The Lobotomy Files

Multimedia, My work, photojournalism, Published work, Still photography, Video

A month or two ago, The Wall Street Journal had me illustrate portions a very powerful story by reporter Michael M. Phillips called The Lobotomy Files, which was finally published over this past week in three different chapters. The story received great play both in print and online, with beautiful layout, design, and interactive online features. Michael did an incredible job with the reporting, too. It was an honor to be a part of this project and to help tell this important story. Please take a look at the full project online, and see my contributions below. I did the filming for two short videos in addition to doing portraiture and other relevant still photography. This was my first time on the front page of WSJ, which was great.

Video:

Photos:

Frances Malzahn sits for a portrait in her home in Granger, Washington on October 15, 2013. Malzahn’s uncle, Emil Kauzlarich, was a Coast Guard veteran and was lobotomized in 1951. CREDIT: David Ryder for The Wall Street Journal

 

Frances Malzahn is pictured in her home in Granger, Washington on October 15, 2013. Malzahn’s uncle, Emil Kauzlarich, was a Coast Guard veteran and was lobotomized in 1951. CREDIT: David Ryder for The Wall Street Journal

 

Pictured in her Granger, Washington home on October 15, 2013, Frances Malzahn holds a flag used in the 1984 funeral of her uncle, Emil Kauzlarich. Kauzlarich was a Coast Guard veteran and was lobotomized in 1951. CREDIT: David Ryder for The Wall Street Journal

 

Frances Malzahn holds an undated photograph of a young Emil Kauzlarich, a Coast Guard veteran who was her uncle. Kauzlarich, who passed away in 1984, was lobotomized in 1951. CREDIT: David Ryder for The Wall Street Journal

 

Photographs of Emil Kauzlarich (left, in both images) in his Coast Guard uniform are seen at the home of Frances Malzahn, who is his niece. Kauzlarich, a Coast Guard veteran who passed away in 1984, was lobotomized in 1951. CREDIT: David Ryder for The Wall Street Journal

 

Edna Schauer sits for a portrait in her home in Port Orchard, Washington on October 14, 2013. Schauer’s brother, Eugene Kainulainen, was a U.S. Army Air Forces veteran and was lobotomized in 1953. CREDIT: David Ryder for The Wall Street Journal

 

Edna Schauer sits for a portrait in her home in Port Orchard, Washington on October 14, 2013. Schauer’s brother, Eugene Kainulainen, was a U.S. Army Air Forces veteran and was lobotomized in 1953. CREDIT: David Ryder for The Wall Street Journal

 

Pictured in her Port Orchard, Washington home on October 14, 2013, Edna Schauer holds two mugs made by her brother, Eugene Kainulainen, after his lobotomy. He dreamt of attending art school, and these mugs are some of the only reminders Schauer still has of her brother. Kainulainen, now deceased, was a U.S. Army Air Forces veteran and was lobotomized in 1953. CREDIT: David Ryder for The Wall Street Journal

 

Edna Schauer reads a magazine about flowers and birds in her kitchen in Port Orchard, Washington on October 14, 2013. Schauer’s brother, Eugene Kainulainen, was a U.S. Army Air Forces veteran and was lobotomized in 1953. CREDIT: David Ryder for The Wall Street Journal

 

The front page of The Wall Street Journal weekend edition, Dec. 14/15:

 

Edna Schauer’s interview video as it looked on the WSJ.com home page:

 

Glow 71″ Grand Softbox Review

Gear, Lighting, Still photography, Tech stuff, Thoughts

Is the Glow 71″ Grand Softbox on your Christmas list? Should it be? Did you get a smaller softbox for Hanukkah and want to upgrade? Read this Grand Softbox review and learn if it’s the right product for you.

(Disclaimer: Adorama recently sent me the 71″ Grand Softbox for review.)

The Grand Softbox currently retails for about $350.

 

My right soccer boot illuminated by the Glow 71″ Grand Softbox. The light produced is beautiful and comes with very subtle, soft shadows.

 

First off, this thing is huge. I can normally test products without issue in my living room, but this was a tight squeeze! The size is great though because the light is very soft, without losing efficiency from your strobe.

 

My second impression: it’s a little tough to assemble for the first time. Granted, I didn’t look for instructions (as usual), and I ended up breaking one of the 16 metal rods because I began putting together the softbox incorrectly. Oops!

 

You’ll notice that the speedring in the center has 16 holes, which means there will be a lot of tension from all angles when every rod is inserted. This does create a strong, sturdy final product.

 

I tried to insert the rods beginning at the top and moving clockwise until they were all in. Do not do this, as it creates too much tension on one side. With a little foresight, and following the obviously labeled numbers on the speedring, you can insert the rods across from each other, instead of clockwise around the speedring, if that makes sense. The first four looked like a plus sign when they were all in, with the tension evenly distributed around the Grand Softbox. This will prevent you from breaking anything!

 

Now we are rolling and ready to shoot. You’ll notice the reinforced velcro closures, which are a nice touch for securing the end of each rod.

 

Just to add an element of scale, you can see how large this Glow 71″ Grand Softbox is compared to my Canon 5D mark II.

 

The Glow series of products by Flashpoint is proving to be a consistently reliable and quality resource for professional photographers. I had some trouble with the initial set up today, but overall, this Glow 71″ Grand Softbox Review is a positive one. I would recommend the Grand Softbox and I will continue to use it for portraits and product shoots.

The Grand Softbox can be used without the white diffuser/baffle in order to get more of a crisp look, since the light will reflect off the silver lining of the Grand Softbox. With the diffuser, the light more resembles a large soft window, which I really like.

It ships with a bag for everything to neatly fit into once folded and taken down. If you want something versatile, efficient, and large for your studio strobes, the Grand Softbox is a great choice.

 

 

A bear wearing a reindeer costume thanks you for reading this Glow 71″ Grand Softbox Review. Happy holidays.

 

Recent work for Reuters: Fast Food Strike

photojournalism, Published work, Seattle, Still photography

Fast food workers and union activists made a long march from SeaTac to Seattle, Washington in conjunction with demonstrators in hundreds of cities across the U.S. Thursday, December 5, 2013 in the latest coordinated action in the fight for a $15 hourly federal minimum wage. SeaTac recently enacted a $15 hourly minimum wage and Seattle looks likely to follow suit.

 

Demonstrators make their way down International Boulevard in SeaTac, Washington during a march from SeaTac to Seattle aimed at the fast food industry and raising the federal minimum wage and Seattle’s minimum wage to $15/hour December 5, 2013.

 

Manuel Brito demonstrates in SeaTac, Washington during a march from SeaTac to Seattle aimed at the fast food industry and raising the federal minimum wage and Seattle’s minimum wage to $15/hour December 5, 2013.

 

Seattle City Council member-elect Kshama Sawant, a socialist, addresses the crowd during a rally in support of a $15/hour minimum wage at City Hall in Seattle, Washington December 5, 2013.

 

Demonstrators rally in support of a $15/hour minimum wage at City Hall in Seattle, Washington December 5, 2013.

 

 

Demonstrators make their way down International Boulevard in SeaTac, Washington during a march from SeaTac to Seattle aimed at the fast food industry and raising the federal minimum wage and Seattle’s minimum wage to $15/hour December 5, 2013.

 

 

Demonstrators rally in support of a $15/hour minimum wage at City Hall in Seattle, Washington December 5, 2013.

 

Demonstrators make their way down International Boulevard in SeaTac, Washington during a march from SeaTac to Seattle aimed at the fast food industry and raising the federal minimum wage and Seattle’s minimum wage to $15/hour December 5, 2013.

 

 

Demonstrators make their way down International Boulevard in SeaTac, Washington during a march from SeaTac to Seattle aimed at the fast food industry and raising the federal minimum wage and Seattle’s minimum wage to $15/hour December 5, 2013.

 

 

Demonstrators make their way down International Boulevard in SeaTac, Washington during a march from SeaTac to Seattle aimed at the fast food industry and raising the federal minimum wage and Seattle’s minimum wage to $15/hour December 5, 2013.

 

 

Demonstrators make their way down International Boulevard in SeaTac, Washington during a march from SeaTac to Seattle aimed at the fast food industry and raising the federal minimum wage and Seattle’s minimum wage to $15/hour December 5, 2013.

 

 

Aaron T. Sherman yells slogans in SeaTac, Washington during a march from SeaTac to Seattle aimed at the fast food industry and raising the federal minimum wage and Seattle’s minimum wage to $15/hour December 5, 2013.

 

 

Demonstrators rally in support of a $15/hour minimum wage at City Hall in Seattle, Washington December 5, 2013.

 

 

Demonstrators rally in support of a $15/hour minimum wage at City Hall in Seattle, Washington December 5, 2013.

 

 

Demonstrators rally in support of a $15/hour minimum wage at City Hall in Seattle, Washington December 5, 2013.

 

 

Seattle City Council member-elect Kshama Sawant, a socialist, addresses the crowd during a rally in support of a $15/hour minimum wage at City Hall in Seattle, Washington December 5, 2013.