A full-frame sensor is most simply defined by its sheer size – 36mm by 24mm – and the distinctive look it makes possible. Compared to a Super 35mm sensor, a full-frame sensor has over twice the surface area while providing a wider angle of view and shallower depth of field.

“Crop factor” is the ratio of the sensor size to 35mm / full-frame (see below). You take the provided crop factor number, multiply it with the focal length of the lens and you get the equivalent focal length relative to 35mm film / full-frame.

A softbox is a light modifier that confines light from an artificial source into a wire framed box and releases it through a layer of diffusion. Softboxes are commonly used in photography as a soft source of light that minimizes harsh shadows.

A monolight is used to illuminate a large scene, be it a studio, a venue, an arena, or any setting in between. You can use a monolight to add to the natural light in an outdoor scene as well.

Barn doors are like blinkers for flashlights: flaps that you add to your light sources to adjust how much light hits your subject and where that light is directed. The addition of barn doors to your extreme macro lighting is one of many useful techniques that we can borrow from the world of studio photography.