I presented the first of two lectures on flash photography, at the Event Space at B&H on this past Wednesday, on August 11 … and, wow!
As I mentioned in my announcement post here – this is all very exciting to me. Some of the biggest names in the photography world have presented talks and seminars at B&H. So for me, this was quite A Big Deal to present a lecture there.

Just as exciting was to see that the place was jam-packed. The venue has 65 seats, but in the end I think there were about 75 people inside, with some sitting on the floor in front of me, and some lining the door .. and some 20+ people outside seeing if there were some way of still finding a spot …
This 24mm wide shot wasn’t even wide enough to capture everyone in there!
Oh, by the way, the pieces of blue tape on my shirt was to hold the microphone in place – the clip had broken. More pieces of tape was added as the lecture progressed, to everyone’s amusement.
The title of the presentation was: Just Give Me The F-Stop
Response by those who attended was also wonderful:
Your class at B & H’s Event Space was fast paced and full of concepts that could be hard to wrap ones head around, but you made them easy and fun. There was plenty of time for questions both during, and after the class and I feel that every student received as much attention as they needed. I know I did.
(Jeff Mitchel)
Hi Neil, it was wonderful attending your workshop yesterday, at B&H. Fantastic! Thanks again and look forward to more of its kind.
I was sitting in the first row, across from your laptop. Truly enjoyed the class–hands on, built so that everybody would understand. Maybe a good title would be “Deconstructing the secrets of lighting with flash” or something of that sort.
(Alina Oswald)

Because of the phenomenal initial response by people booking spots for this lecture, I arranged with the people at B&H that we do a repeat on another date later this month - August 26, 2010 – but that too has filled up by now.
I’m planning to present other lectures on different topics at B&H in the future as well, so sign up to their newsletter .. and sign up to my newsletter to keep up to date with announcements. As always, I look forward to meeting everyone there.
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The video recording of the first presentation can be seen here.
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And if you’re interested in attending a workshop on flash photography, check the link for the dates and more details.
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You earned your spot there and the sell out is a nice compliment but also something which you’ve earned through your great writing and site. Congrats.
Comment by Rory — August 4, 2010 @ 8:09 pm
Neil, please have someone film it and release a DVD!
Comment by Michael Fisher — August 4, 2010 @ 9:34 pm
I was psyched to see your name on the schedule, and to get one of those 65 seats. Looking forward to meeting you!!
Comment by Amy Cham — August 5, 2010 @ 2:04 pm
Great news !!! Go break a leg !!
Hope to see you in Vagas in the future at WPPI where they will surely
ask you back
Any news about your net broadcasts that you are planning ?
Comment by RON LEMISH — August 5, 2010 @ 6:10 pm
Neil is moving up on the popularity scale. Congratulations!
Comment by Stephen — August 5, 2010 @ 10:12 pm
I’m very excited to have snagged a spot for the second talk. Looking forward to it!
Comment by Emily DeWan — August 6, 2010 @ 1:36 pm
Neil, have you considered making a DVD avialable of the seminar? Zach Arias did a 3 day gig on the Creative Live site a few weeks ago (realtime webcast, archived for download) and I think it was a huge success. I’d love to add you to my library.
Please give it some thought.
Thanks,
Comment by Howard Owen — August 7, 2010 @ 6:33 am
Comment by Neil vN — August 7, 2010 @ 6:41 am
Hi Neil,
It is very nice that you have started doing this too :) I was out of town but looked like everyone had a fun time learning your techniques :) I guess the new 24mm f/1.4 wasnt good enough to cpature all ehh? LOL
Comment by Arnold Gallardo — August 13, 2010 @ 11:02 pm
I am surprised B&H couldn’t lend you a good mic to use for the presentation so you wouldn’t have to use tape. What is up with that?
Comment by arnold soshkin — August 13, 2010 @ 11:39 pm
Comment by Neil vN — August 13, 2010 @ 11:43 pm
Neil, is there any chance that you’ll ever do a workshop or lecture in Belgium (or any surrounding country? :-)
Comment by William Krusche — August 14, 2010 @ 2:20 pm
Neil,
I am not going to surprise anyone if I say that in my practice of photography there is a before and after Neil van Niekerk… I thought I had some knowledge in photography but what you have showed us has changed a lot in my mind.
I can assure you that there is absolutely no book in the french language that provides as good explanations and tips as yours. Fortunately the very good translation made by Melina Barrals has allowed non english-speaking frenchies to access your secrets and hints.
I have probably been one of the first in France who has bought your book… and according to the various subjects you are talking about in your website there is no doubt to me that your second book will be a “must have”.
I believe that there would be some french people interested in meeting you if you happen to come to France… I believe it will happen soon or later !
Best Regards and many thanks for your valuable contribution
Comment by Christophe Baixas — August 15, 2010 @ 5:52 pm
+1 on the “visit Belgium or surrounding countries” proposal by William…
I’m even willing to offer you sleepover facilities including evening meal and breakfast… in my own house! :-)
Regs,
Roel
Comment by Roel — August 16, 2010 @ 4:36 am
Comment by Neil vN — August 17, 2010 @ 10:20 am
Neil, You’re a fantastic photographer and a fantastic person for being able to share and explain the nuances of flash photography to others. Kudos to you and thanks!
Comment by Jeff — August 17, 2010 @ 12:02 pm
I’m glad that B&H is recording Neil’s presentation.
I am looking forward to watching it!
I too watched Zack Arias @ CreativeLive and enjoyed it though I wasn’t able to stay the whole time so I bought the videos, which cost nothing compared to the wealth of knowledge that I get to watch over and over. I actually suggested CL to contact Neil but I guess B&H beat them to it. Hey B&H, you could have at least given Neil the more professional looking gaffer tape instead of masking tape. ;-)
I enjoy reading your blogs Neil. More power to you!
Comment by Lari — August 18, 2010 @ 1:28 pm
Like I said on your flickr group, you’re a rock star. Really, I mean it. You’ve done more for most photographers I know than any other person/resource out there.
Comment by Ali — August 18, 2010 @ 8:36 pm
Comment by Neil vN — August 20, 2010 @ 12:27 am
Comment by Neil vN — August 25, 2010 @ 9:26 pm
Hi Neil.
For the sake of convenience I would like to download your videos from B&H, but when I press the button for download, it opens a new tab in Firefox and Opera and start playing with Quick Time. In IE, windows Media Player starts. Any ideas on how to be able to download?
Comment by Ove — August 26, 2010 @ 5:46 am
Comment by Neil vN — August 26, 2010 @ 1:20 pm
Oops, that one was almost embarrassing. Works good the way you suggested. Thanks Neil!
Comment by Ove — August 26, 2010 @ 5:57 pm
Comment by Neil vN — August 27, 2010 @ 12:48 am
Neil,
Thanks so much for posting your class. I thought I was doing good by using a diffuser on my flash and softening direct light. But it was a great comment to say that one needs to think of the source of light and that direct lighting is flat.
I definitely have a new way of looking at it!
Mark
Comment by Mark — August 29, 2010 @ 10:44 pm
Neil,
I watched the B&H video, and I like the part where you flip between the ambient exposure photo and the TTL flash photo of the model on page 50 of your book. Seeing the two same-sized photos changing in the same space creates a useful overlay effect. I found that particular visual presentation of the material easier to understand than reading the same passage from your book. I guess I’m one of those people who benefit from visual aids.
You could definitely simulate that overlay effect on your blog by using an image rollover instead of putting them one after the other.
Comment by Stephen — September 2, 2010 @ 12:02 am
Comment by Neil vN — September 2, 2010 @ 3:23 am