Top Tethering Tips | Take and Make Great Photography with Gavin Hoey

In these days of wireless everything, it might seem like a strange choice to deliberately tether your camera to a laptop but there are some seriously impressive benefits in doing so. The most obvious reason to tether is possibly the most persuasive, but as photographer Gavin Hoey explains USB tethering offers a lot more than simply seeing your images on a big screen.
Working in his small home studio Gavin starts by running through the basic kit he uses to tether a camera to a tablet PC or laptop. Then he shows how he uses USB tethering to double-check exposure, focus, and the small details in an image before starting a full photo session.
Gavin also has tethering tips for using a second screen to help your models get the perfect pose and to show clients exactly what’s happening on set, something that can be hard for photographers to explain clearly during a busy photo session.
And then there’s one of tethered captures’ hidden secrets, automatically backup images, which Gavin makes use of to create a very quick composite image in Photoshop.
Timestamps and Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:30 Tethering essential information
1:54 Using tethering to check exposure and focus
4:13 Tethered photo session with books
5:01 How tethering can help your model pose
6:35 Tethered photo session with a typewriter
7:09 Using tethering on dynamic photo sessions
8:05 Tethered photo session with falling pages
8:47 Photoshop composite of falling pages
9:33 Conclusions and Subscribe
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✘ PRODUCTS USED:
Tether Tools Pro 16' USB 2.0 Active Extension Cable
www.adorama.com/ttcu1917.html
Tether Tools TetherBLOCK
www.adorama.com/tbqr004g.html
Manfrotto TetherGear Laptop Deck
www.adorama.com/bgltsa4301b.html
Tether Tools AeroTab
www.adorama.com/ttatl4.html
OM SYSTEM OM-1
www.adorama.com/iomom1.html
Olympus M.Zuiko 45mm f/1.2
www.adorama.com/iom4512.html
Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro
www.adorama.com/iom1240b.html
Flashpoint XPLOR 300 Pro
www.adorama.com/fplfx300ptb.html
Flashpoint eVOLV 200 Pro
www.adorama.com/fplfev200pk1....
Flashpoint R2 Pro Transmitter
www.adorama.com/fprrr2proo.html
Kupo 20" Master Raiser C-Stand
www.adorama.com/kuks703712.html
Flashpoint 10’ C-Stand and Grip Arm
www.adorama.com/fplsc.html
SmallRig RA-R6090 23.6x35.4" Rectangular Softbox
www.adorama.com/sr3930.html
Manfrotto EzyFrame Vintage Background Kit, 6.5x7.5', Tobacco
www.adorama.com/lsllb7926.html
#tether #photographytutorial #adorama
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Follow Gavin on
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Model: Chloe Kerley
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THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!

[@wellsee123]

Really refreshing to see instructional videos from a photographer who isn't trying to shove their overpriced online course, lightroom presets or merch down your throat every five minutes! Just good, honest advice that's useful for photographers of any ability! Thanks Gavin!

[@frankzayas3103]

None of your videos can be dull, Gavin. You are my top KZbin photography creators. Always educational and entertaining.

[@AndyFarnham]

I ran the IT of a secondary school and they decided to do afternoon classes on Wednesdays (it's a rural school with the kids bussed in so after school clubs weren't an option). I volunteered to help the media class which turned into a digital photography class based on several of your videos Gavin (thanks for them!). By tethering my camera to my laptop, I could then use the classroom projector so everyone could see the photos being taken. I used LightRoom Classic, and had the images automatically save into a folder which was linked to the files folder in the class' Office 365 Team. So the kids were able to access the photos from home automatically.

[@GavinHoey]

That's a perfect use of tethering Andy. Also I'm always thrilled when I hear Adorama TV is being used in an educational setting, it's sort of what I have in the back of my mind when I'm making them 👍

[@bennettandyp]

I LOVE tethering my camera in Capture One. I'm not confident establishing my settings as I change environments so it allows me a great peek into what my results are. However...I do a lot of outdoor portraits/families and I don't have any workflow to support tethering in the scenario. That was a fabulous video.

[@MikeJamesMedia]

Nice work, Gavin and Chloe. Always fun to watch you work, and learn along the way. Take care!

[@ClaudioDesideriFilms]

This video is just gold! Thanks Gavin ;)

[@manyirons]

I love the results you got. Really inspiring!

[@vulcan1623]

Another great tutorial Gavin!

[@kennethnielsen3864]

Love your videoes, so informative. Thanks for sharing.

[@MychealJones]

Brilliant setup for someone who needs a small place in their home to do a dynamic photo session. Thanks, Gavin, for the vid as it was inspiring.

[@CoffeeConversationMusicGear]

Gavin, love your videos. Always informative and clear. I use tether tools for my headshot shoots and some fashion work. I find it to be quite helpful when doing in studio shots that are not so dynamic.

[@paulmullin3202]

Brilliant as usual Gavin .

[@angelfnts]

That's a great session, love ♥️ the final result.

[@jeffcoles3642]

I’ve been researching “why to tether” and “best ways to tether” on KZbin for 3 days now. This video was perfect. Great timing! Thanks Gavin!

[@chrisyfitz]

Another really, really useful video, Gavin; thank you :)

[@jimjenjazz]

The first time I tethered camera to laptop was an exercise to see how to do it and then a studio seffie session. That taught me so much about the process as a photographer and also gave me an insight into what it's like on the other side of the camera. Well done Gavin, excellent video as always.

[@michaelschmitt5413]

Love this video and the ideas and info. Chloe looked great in the eye glasses and hair.

[@philippedugout2278]

Great enjoyable video as usual, thanks 💙💛

[@raulakis35]

I do a lot of self portraits and definitely tether is the best way for me to go as I can correct my posture, lighting etc on the go and have fun while shooting. It is amazingly useful when photographing other people too as they see themselves in the photo right away … great video Gavin !

[@paulengle5784]

It's easy to take this for granted, but the instruction from Pye, David, Daniel, et al, is super informative.

[@dvongrad]

Another great video! I'm always in awe of your creativity with clear explanations of what you're doing and why you're doing it. Looking forward to seeing more!

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks for the kind words David.

[@terryleephotographer]

I was having a bad day, but coming home to find a new video from Gavin cheered me right up (as always). Thanks for everything Gavin!

[@GavinHoey]

Hi Terry. I hope tomorrow is a better day, in the meantime enjoy the video 👍

[@jimpurcell]

Very helpful, thanks.

[@stephenmuller5098]

Another great video. I have previously used an eyefi card until support stopped, which was handy and a CamRanger. These have been very helpful when light painting with models in the dark and astro imaging. No cables to trip over in the dark, but a studio is a different situation.

[@lisapalzer2511]

Fantastic Gavin and Team, thanks!

[@GavinHoey]

Thank Lisa 👍

[@dkeithcollins]

Those glasses and that hairstyle are a great look for Chloe!

[@marcalvarez1]

Great video Gavin as always. Tethering has always been my arch nemesis, I wish I could figure out a way to get it working reliably in my workflow.

[@deborahahahn2069]

Wow. Cool photos and work. Great explanation of all. Thanks Gavin and Cloie and Same ant the other lady.

[@gentlegnt]

As always, a much needed and informative video, Gavin. Thanks so much for you and Adorama. I will say that I have tried wireless tether using the Mars X system (worked well, but not idea for constant connectivity...but good to have when nothing else would work for my Sony A7III and A7IV cameras using Lightroom-oh no....or Sony Imaging Edge software. Just too cumbersome). However, I now have "The best of both worlds" and I with my Sony A7IV, I connect an HDMI to a stand along TV or computer monitor (without a computer) and then I also can connect my camera simultaneously to my laptop (Microsoft Surface Pro) with a Tether Tool USB C cable. Now I have: Immediate feedback on monitor from HDMI and also dual storage on SD card in camera and also transferred to laptop using Imaging Edge. Yes...TWO cables, but the freedom that it does video it does give me is what I am looking for in studio. ALL of these are mounted onto a rolling heavy duty light stand with TWO monitors (one for me/onlookers) to see images before shutter click and afterwards for review and also 2nd monitor for model to see what I just shot to help her/him correct pose or bring more excitement with the images they are loving. LOTS of gear and work, but I love having options. Use what I want at any given time or connect everything up and use as well. Thanks again. Huie (Fremont, California)

[@EJL88]

I shoot tethered for events, mainly military parties and Prom. I do use it when I have my small studio set up out. I shoot with Capture One. I enjoy it because it gives my clients an idea of what the photos will look like. Plus if the customer doesn’t like the photo after reviewing it we just take another and we are good to go. As always, another great video.

[@stormfalconstudios]

Since I started tethering in my headshot studio, my work has actually improved. Being able to see the images large and in real time let's me see what's working and what isn't, and helps me in directing the client to get their best look. I love it. And the teacher cable isn't a big deal for me, I shoot on a tripod with a cross arm and the cables are velcroed to it.

[@santoshtamang5563]

I just love how you make and present your videos which are so easy to follow amd understand. No unnecessary information and right to the crucial points related to the process. 👏👏

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks for the kind words 👍

[@serebrenikovvadim]

Thanks Gavin! Very useful and interesting video. I always link my Olympus via wi-fi to the android tablet when work in my smal studio.

[@jorgefiocchi]

Hola Gavin!!! Excelente video! Muchas Gracias por compartir!!! Saludos desde Argentina!!! Jorge

[@johnclay7644]

greatly informative 10mins Gavin, some good model tips, and +s of tethering, some great conceptual pics with some useful assistants.

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks John 👍

[@chipcurry]

I don’t know how much I learned from your videos, but I’m always well entertained. Ha ha ha actually, you do a great job Gavin, I’ve learned a lot and take notes

[@willemfloris]

Great video, but even better pictures with those "dropping" papers. Very well done Gavin!!

[@LucioBusaPhotography]

Great. Ever good ideas and videos. Thank you 😉

[@ricktwice2205]

You are amazing as usual

[@jaym5938]

Amazed manufacturers don't provide 'professional tethering contacts' on their cameras. They used to have 'professional PC ports' on cameras. Great video! Thank you, Gav.

[@ssgh100]

Thank You for a nice video! I always tether in MY small studio.

[@art_by_adrian2913]

I wireless tether sometimes with the a7iv love all of your videos I try not to watch when you post because I want to wait til I have more and can watch them all together lol

[@acrummey85]

I have an original E-M1 and an E-M5 ii so I have cameras that can tether. I also have a Microsoft Surface 3 so I will definitely be trying this. Thank you for so many practical ideas that I can try. Chloe really aced the look for this shoot. Well done all around.

[@hankfoto]

Gavin; Yes I have been known to tether especially when doing miniature and Macro. But enjoyed the video. It gets the gears turning so thank you .

[@brianjackson3894]

Love the creative flooring!

[@GavinHoey]

Ah yes, the "up-cycled" flooring. It's been earmarked for a barn rebuild project but for now it's living in my studio 👍

[@brianjackson3894]

@@GavinHoey I think it's better suited for studio work! I may have to borrow this idea

[@eddykoninckx4458]

top, altijd leuke ideeën!

[@timostrander9355]

I am looking to tether so my students in my virtual class can look at my studio set-up and see the end results when I shoot. I have recommended Adorama and your videos in particular to my friends here in the US. I enjoy you and Sam every time I see your tutorials.

[@andreak4280]

I absolutely loved this shoot! Turned out wonderfully as do your other projects Gavin! Chloe looks fabulous as well and is such a lovely/lively muse for you (very lucky to have her) I really want to start tethering to my iPad Pro for my own studio work … i think it would help a lot. My laptop is ancient so hopefully ipad works well for tethering - thanks Gavin & Adorama 🙏🏼

[@GavinHoey]

I can't help with your iPad Andrea (all Windows PC's here) but Tethering isn't very taxing so an old laptop may well do you proud.

[@stupendously_creative]

Very great tips

[@iangill6761]

As always another great video. I don't do photography professionally but I do photo booths for a local community centre /charity for free twice a year. I use wireless tethering for health and safety reasons and print straight away with a DNP printer. I use heavy ancle weights round the centre post of all light stands etc as small enough to fit in my case.

[@ChristianValentine]

What do you use for wireless tethering?

[@usuallyroamingrob3427]

This is such a fun idea!

[@jamesulrich4406]

You are a fantastic Teacher. Thank you to you and your crew,

[@BLITZgescheit]

Brilliant - this was exactly what I was looking for. Missed the original video and only found out about it yesterday through the livestream. I'm currently looking for a micro-ITX computer with a 26 inch monitor on a chunky homemade wooden stand. I think I'll look for a Windows Surface 8 or 9 on a small stand that will give me more flexibility and take up less space. The only drawback right now seems to be the backup solution. When I shoot tethered with CaptureOne, there is no backup on my card in the camera. Seth said that manufacturers need to pay CaptureOne to solve this problem...

[@250GTOAJ]

Great Video Gavin, Chloe, Sam and Freya Thanks. 😎👍🇨🇦

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Alan 👍🇬🇧

[@Andrew-cl7cc]

Great video

[@dunnymonster]

Always tethered to your videos Gavin 👍😉

[@GavinHoey]

I see what you did there 😉

[@lolingsaraee]

You make my life less confusing thanks 👌

[@Elassyahmed]

I really love how feathered the softbox was in the first setup. Photos look great

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Ahmed 👍

[@sturk6528]

Как всегда, на высоте. Браво!

[@brentmiller3250]

Thanks for the video Gavin. I'm just starting to experiment with the newly-released FUJIFILM XApp and my Fujifilm X-T5.

[@charleyl264]

A good shoot and demo, Gavin. Thanks again Cloe. For my tether cable, I run the extension up from my laptop and across the ceiling of my studio along my ceiling attached lighting support system. In my case it is tie wrapped in place to above my usual camera location. The tether cable itself then connects there and hangs down from the ceiling, leaving me plenty of cable to move the camera location around quite a bit. Without a ceiling grid, you could do similar using hooks on the ceiling that would allow you to change the down point as needed, and also easily install or remove the cable as needed. With mine tie wrapped in place, and the need to always have a spare anyway, I have a second tether cable and extension to use outside the studio, or when needing to substitute for the ceiling cable in the studio, should I have a problem, or just need to locate the camera somewhere else.

[@cjk1943]

great video

[@deenugent473]

Always an awesome tutorial Gavin! 👍🙏

[@kirstyhepworth7343]

Great video Gavin

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Kirsty 👍

[@kirstyhepworth7343]

​@@GavinHoey your welcome Gavin

[@thanhtuanpham7418]

Amazing ...

[@wbuttry1]

I tether quite a bit I use light room classic It's always a big help cause the customer can see it and we can change on the fly saves time and money for the client.

[@andymcgarty3099]

Always tether in the studio. Make sure your pc/screen are calibrated or you can end up messing up the exposure by ignoring your meter and believing the screen. I find it helps to show the model what I am doing helping her to get onboard when shooting something new (lighting/prop/setup). Great video as always Gavin.

[@GavinHoey]

Good tip about calibrating Andy 👍

[@andymcgarty3099]

@@GavinHoey Can you guess who didn't and got caught out.......?

[@carlkristensen8398]

Tether or not - You allways have some nice shooting ideas that is a pleasure to watch....!

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Carl 👍

[@Joesphotography]

Another great tips for tethering.. when you do a software one, you should check out cascable for the ipad. I love it for location and in studio work to cause i can even have a hard drive hook up to it when i shoot.

[@arthurhughes42]

I ran a portraiture session at my local camera club and tethered to my laptop which I had facing the model. The model was a teenage granddaughter of one of the members and she appreciated being able to see the images. I had my camera image review set to hold and was using LUMIX Capture software.

[@cosmo0080]

i do tether when doing product photography with or without the client, however i use darktable as a software thank you good video

[@robwatt133]

Thanks for this video. It was great to see how you are using tethered to the monitor. Love your videos and I watch more of yours than any other photo instructions. Thx 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Rob 👍

[@GabreCameron]

I tether in my home studio too. When I'm on location I use the Canon Camera Connect App on a Samsung tablet that I use to review images wirelessly.

[@ronvillarrealphotography]

I would occasionally shoot tethered with my Nikon D5200. But now I'm mainly shooting with an entry-level mirrorless, Lumix G7, and unfortunately it doesn't tether. I do use my cell phone or tablet to remotely control it on occasion though. Thanks for another cool tutorial. I definitely got some ideas from this video.

[@BritishBeefy]

What no smoke ? I can't believe it ! haha .... great video as alway Gavin and team I used you gobos and smoke technique on a recent shoot and results were awesome ... so thank you again

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks for the kind words Nigel, glad your Gobo session was a success 👍

[@antoinernb9398]

Amazing

[@pauldarville3843]

Thanks!

[@josephchan4198]

I been folowing Adorama for a while. Great instructors like Gavin. Will check more often since great instruction.

[@AlissonSilveira]

I'm tethering my canon using an app to sync with an iPad. Works great.

[@Horizon-Design-Photography]

so nice...Chloe and you Gavin🤩

[@randyfox5317]

Can you mention using tethering in macro work? (probably best for stacking images?) Excellent video...as usual, fella!

[@stephenpezzulich1108]

The tether block is expensive but so worth it! It's saved me many times

[@GavinHoey]

Agreed Stephen. I've moved from a rubber band around the lens, to a Jerk Stopper, to a TetherBlock. All work but some look more "professional" then others 😉

[@iamdjfidel]

You can use the wireless tethering too from capture one 23 Great Great video Sir

[@NKS-ex8hj]

❤ grated

[@chilecayenne]

I"m tethering to my camera that is set on a camera stand, used to "scan" my film negatives. I tether my GFX100 to laptop, running Capture One, and scan away...getting some really good high Rez scans of my film...mostly medium format, but some pano length 35mm too. I scan, have the C1 software put the images into a shared drive that has them automatically populate my drive I use on my main desktop editing computer.

[@naterosso9126]

Love having the additional monitor, the subject can always see, if definitely a positive at a shoot. But I find I'd rather tether wirelessly, its slow at max raw file so I just have it upload a smaller jpeg file buuut im not tripping over a wire or getting it tangled around something.

[@art_by_adrian2913]

Love the trial qnd error photography, everything manual is the only way

[@claudioalexandrephotography]

Thank you very much for all the classes and tips... One question, regarding tethering, something I haven't tried yet, where are the photos stored? Is it a card on the computer or just one of them??? Thank you very much, I hope to continue watching fantastic videos

[@studioperfil]

Gavin top 1000

[@ttbarbu]

Hello from Belgium. Thank you for your very interesting videos that I have just discovered. I like this one but I don't understand how the color takes on a greenish tint like there is a green filter. Please explain to me. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.

[@dayzaudio]

Really great video and content approach to this... I guess my only miss here and maybe its elsewhere in another video - is why not cover the use of what type of display and why around color accuracy or shots translating to another display technology? Or in your case you never use the tethered screen to judge anything color wise or setting up controls camera setting type choices? thanks again... followed!

[@RonK]

Omit the cable and shoot "tethered" over WiFi if your camera offers it. Sony has an option to keep the big RAWs in camera and send only about a 2MB-JPEG-copies to the computer; hence images get transferred super quick, even through wireless connection (sending a full raw takes way to long). Beautiful shots, Chloe stunning as always 😊

[@andreasniggemann]

I am using only wireless tether systems in my home studio. No hassle with cables. Toshiba FlashAir WIFI-SD-Card (now available used only), a mini-PC and a 23-inch Monitor. And my FADown software.

[@simonatlarge]

Gavin another great video - I recently tried tethering using Lightroom Classic and found it a great way to view photos at a larger size - the downside was that the photos saved to the laptop and not on my memory card on my Nikon D850 nor could I view them on the camera screen - it seems you can only save in one place with Nikon. Or am I wrong?

[@zackbulatao]

I just use a TV connected to my Fuji XT100 using a smallrig micro HDMI to HDMI adapter....its really convenient for the clients and makeup artist to review the photos on a bigger screen. :)

[@jankoppal1211]

tethering changed my shooting :-) :-)

[@pnpscada743]

Hi from sunny Cape Town, South Africa. Love your video. What software do you run on your tablet for tethering?

[@kevinparkes417]

I tether for product and food. It makes life so easy. Just one point - not all cameras support tethering so best to check first.

[@andyvan5692]

great video, but at 4:46 you are right, great for setup, but it's real use is for PRO's, as this is primarily a way of giving the 'shots' to an assistant to edit in Capture One, Photoshop Lightroom etc Simultaneously during the shoot, to save time in product delivery workflows.

[@onegreenev]

Another excellent video. I do tether and don’t use Tether Tools. I have a tether block of sorts and a high quality usb c for my tether cable. It is red for easy visibility and never failed to send an image with the setup I have. Im going to tether to my large 4k tv monitor next. No need for tiny expensive monitors when I have a huge 4k tv at my disposal.

[@DhruboNil]

I do with wifi. It’s a bit slow but works for me. ❤