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I photographed exclusively with natural light until 2018 (see all my gear here). I blew lighting equipment off and called myself a natural light photographer (isn’t everyone) until then. My studio lighting course in college was great but I never pulled the trigger on any lights. Then I finally decided I was tired of getting stuck in situations where natural light wasn’t producing the results I wanted. I bought Profoto because it was (and still is) worth it to me to pay more for easy-to-use, reliable products. Time is money, people. Profoto is ridiculously intuitive and user friendly, their products work together seamlessly, and I haven’t had a flash mis-fire yet. I literally didn’t have to break out the manual to figure out any of the Profoto products I have purchased. 🙌
What is it
The reason I am writing about this today is that the first light I bought, the Profoto A1 for Canon (here is it is for Nikon and Sony), is currently on sale for about $400 off, until supplies last. They just introduced the Profoto A1X, which is now the original cost of the A1. The A1 is advertised by Profoto as, “the world’s smallest studio light” (it’s a round hot shoe flash), and has an air remote built in, (a $430 piece of equipment on its own). You need an air remote for your camera to communicate to other Profoto lights. By starting with the A1 you basically get two for one and can avoid purchasing an air remote later. If you add the price of a normal Canon hot shoe flash and then add the air remote in, that is the normal cost of the A1 (made sense to me). However now the A1 is nearly half off sooo, you need to grab one while you can! I am about to add a second to my bag to use off camera when I don’t want to bring my Profoto B2‘s with me!
Why you need it
Typical, less expensive hot shoe flashes have so. many. menus. and can be tricky to work with. The Profoto A1 can be used in TTL (through the lens) or manual. You can try to let it figure out how much light it needs to add or you can manually select the amount.
My friend that runs Jack and Link Toys–the cutest handmade, heirloom quality wooden toys–was picking my brain one day about product shots, and I told her all about the Profoto A1. I quickly photographed some examples of the difference it makes. Below, you’ll see two images straight out of camera, no editing after whatsoever. One without the Profoto A1, and one with Profoto A1 turned on to manual. I literally just turned the dial to 8.5. The light is pointed up and slightly behind me.
Here are the links to everything I used for the photo:
- Savage 53″ Pure White Paper Roll (I ordered from “the imaging world” seller and it came perfectly all the way to Japan! I have also ordered other colors from them in the past). I have had a large white one for years but this size is great for products, headshots and kiddos.
- Mine is on a curtain rod on a blank wall. You can totally get a backdrop stand if you don’t have a spare wall for this across from a window. I have this one from amazon.
- Profoto A1 for Canon (make sure you purchase whichever A1 works with your camera brand, here is it is for Nikon and Sony)
- Wooden baby rattle from Jack and Link Toys
- Super cute baby not available online but Pjs are from Carter’s! 🤣
Instructions:
With the A1 off, expose your image for the current light as best you can without your shutter speed dropping too low or having to raise your ISO too much. If it is a little underexposed, don’t worry! Turn on the A1, and either take a test shot in TTL, or flick the toggle on the side to MAN for manual. Spin the wheel and take some test shots at different light out-puts. I recommend pointing the light towards the ceiling and a little bit behind you. This allows the light to bounce around the room and be softer on your subject.
That is why I love the Profoto A1 my friends! Holler if you have any questions and tell me if you snag one! The deal is while supplies last since they updated it to the A1X. Don’t sit in your hands if your thinking about it!
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