Like good acting—and skilled retouching—masterful lighting is an accomplished skill that should remain mostly unseen. This is the takeaway from our conversations with two great lighting whisperers, Canon technical advisor Eric Stoner and Nikon Ambassador Joe McNally. We sat down with both of these experts earlier this year at B&H's 2023 Depth of Field Conference.

Our first guest is Eric Stoner, a Canon technical advisor who specializes in creating portraits with Speedlites and colored gels. He offers insights about the high degree of control these tools provide, describing how adding colored gels boosts creative improvisation and heightens impact. We also discuss the technological advances of the past 20 years, while reflecting on how great photography still hinges on learning the craft and connecting with your subjects.

After a break, Nikon Ambassador Joe McNally discusses his mission to light photographs in a way that provides an unfettered experience for the viewer. In addition, we explore his long and successful career as a working professional, from his formative years as a LIFE magazine staff photographer to the recent exhibition of those very same images in a fine art gallery. Stay to the end to learn about his latest book The Real Deal, which he wrote during COVID, and hear about his busy schedule of international workshops.

Guests: Eric Stoner & Joe McNally

For more information on our guests and the gear they use, see: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/podcasts/photography/lighting-whisperers

Above photograph © Joe McNally

Stay Connected: Eric Stoner Website: https://www.mystonegallery.net/ Eric Stoner Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericstonerphoto

Joe McNally Website: https://joemcnally.com Joe McNally Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joemcnallyphoto Joe McNally Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joemcnallyphoto Joe McNally YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/joemcnallyphoto Joe McNally Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoeMcNallyPhoto Joe McNally Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/joemcnallyphoto