Comments on: workshop view: Jersey City, NJ

By: Rajan

Rajan — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:35:00 +0000

I learned a lot from this workshop. I had an immediate opportunity to use this in an event. It worked. There were many keepers, far less shots than I would have otherwise shot.

I used this technique for capturing table arrangements as well and it worked great.

By: Neil

Neil — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 23:35:36 +0000

Thanks everyone. It’s good to know the workshop had such benefit for everyone.

Jim Ambrose sent me this image from the workshop .. and it illustrates better how we added flash to the available light to enhance the situation.

Neil vN

By: April Williams

April Williams — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 02:13:58 +0000

Neil,

The workshop was amazing! I walked away with far more knowledge than what I even anticipated to learn. I shot a wedding the Saturday after the workshop and was amazed at the difference in my images. Fewer images, more keepers! LOVED IT! I appreciate that you were more than willing to share everything you know…you didn’t hold back at all. I loved the hands on and the fact that you came around and critiqued my work. It was so helpful and you never made anyone feel that they couldn’t do just as great as you! So, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

April

By: Amanda Tang

Amanda Tang — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:24:44 +0000

Is the Photoshop fairy dust a plug-in? Makes for beautiful skin

By: Kim

Kim — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 01:38:07 +0000

Although, I like to sit back & watch … I learned a ton. Truly one of the best workshops I have attended yet. You made me participate (very awesome), you made me comfortable, you filled my head with incredible knowledge that will & has gone to good use! Can’t thank you enough for that.

Your workshop comes highly recommended by me!

By: Neil

Neil — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:53:32 +0000

George, I do agree. I would’ve loved to see more light in her eyes.

Now, not to make an excuse for this, her hair was blocking a lot of light from her face, and I should’ve adjusted that. Also, most times when I show an image from a workshop, it is a photo where I wanted to show the attendees what to aim for .. rather than it being an image where I tweaked a few things and adjusted a few things while everyone waits for me. I’d rather not delay everyone who wants to start shooting .. and this ends up with me not always having the most ideal image to show here.

So with that in mind, look at the photo and realise it was a quick set-up, and that it is already 90% of the way there, and as you pointed out, would need some adjusting on the spot to really get it right.

Neil vN

By: George

George — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:04:27 +0000

I absolutely love your work and your blog, which has been tremendously helpful in terms of improving my knowledge of lighting. My only question is, in the photo above, is there a problem with the model’s eyes not being lit. That is, without a catchlight in the eye, is that a problem with respect to “normal” portrait aesthetics? I know I generally prefer to see it myself.

By: Neil

Neil — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:34:46 +0000

Andrew, I did bounce the flash to my right, and bounced the flash a little past her in order to light up the side of her face that is farthest from the camera, more than the side of her face closer to the camera. And in order to do that, and not have direct flash on her, I flagged the flash.

Neil vN

By: Andrew

Andrew — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:46:27 +0000

Wow! I am looking forward to your class when it comes to Texas. So was the bounce done to camera-right, or behind and to the right? About how big was the room you were working with?

Thanks for all your teaching…

By: Neil

Neil — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:15:07 +0000

Andreas .. the steps between the dark “start” image and the image at the top, is the use of a single on-camera flash. The steps to the final tweaked image … weeell, it will come, it will come. This was a report-back on the workshop. I’m sorry you feel cheated that I decided to add it.

Neil vN