recap: Photography workshop – Charlotte, NC (2015)
recap: Photography workshop - Charlotte, NC (2015)
A group of photographers in Charlotte asked if I would like to present a flash photography workshop there. We arranged a really nice venue - The Getty Center, in Rock Hill, SC - and settled on a date, July 25th (Sat). Everything in place for this, the first workshop away from NJ / NY since the workshop in Amsterdam two years ago. With two models, and a relatively small group of 8 people - just how I prefer the workshop size, we could cover the photography workshop syllabus in a relaxed tempo, and be sure everyone had the Read more inside...Off-camera flash: Rim-lighting and using flare
Off-camera flash: Rim-lighting and the intentional use of flare
For these promotional photos for aspiring model twins, Carina and Carolina, we went to a park. There are certain things I look for when working on an location, that I know will immediately give me a better chance at successful portraits. My book, Lighting and Design for Portrait Photography, looks at exactly that thought-process throughout the 60 chapters in the book. The technique here should be quite obvious by now: A long lens (a 70-200 used closer to the longer end), compressing the perspective. Shooting Read more inside...Wedding photography moments – Anticipation & being ready
Wedding photography moments - Anticipation & being ready
Wedding photography has fortunately come a long way since the times when it was more portrait dominant. Now there's more emphasis on the story-telling aspect - the photojournalism - where the moments that happen as the day unfolds, gets rightful attention. Obviously this means you need to have a watchful eye, and be ready to respond. This also means you have to have your camera ready - appropriate settings, and an appropriate choice of lens. You have to be able to anticipate what is likely to happen where you are right Read more inside...Portrait lighting setup – Chiaroscuro
Portrait lighting setup - Chiaroscuro
Chiaroscuro is defined as the use of strong contrasts between light and dark - bold contrasts affecting a whole composition. Chiaroscuro in an Italian phrase meaning Light and Dark. Chiaro = Light; Scuro = Dark. In Film Noir, there are many examples of the use of Chiaroscuro, enhancing the mood. Here though, we're going to look at a straight-forward way of using Chiaroscuro as a lighting technique. This then becomes an easy starting point to experiment further. By adding planes that have a gradient between light and dark, you can enhance Read more inside...Your camera doesn’t matter – except when it does
Your camera doesn't matter - except when it does
There's this specific narrative that gets pushed that your camera and photo gear don't matter all that much. That it is your imagination and your eye that counts for the most. Perhaps, perhaps ... but without the necessary gear to enable what you're trying to capture, you're lost. It seems so self-evident. I would even insist that you need photo gear that are better than your abilities - this way you're not constrained by your equipment. With this performance by Team Circus which they asked me to photograph for them, I had to Read more inside...Dramatic lighting effects for portrait photography
Dramatic lighting effects for portrait photography (model: Jessica Joy)
For this dramatic Hollywoord Glamor inspired portrait sequence of Jessica, I used two Litepanels Sola 4 LED Fresnel Lights (B&H / Amazon). But there's more that happening here with the lighting than just the main light and the rim light. There is the splash of color in the background, augmenting the blue rim-light coming from behind. Jessica's reaction to the first test shot was amusing - a surprised,"where did that come from?", when she saw the image on the back of my camera. The blue tones and Read more inside...Best softbox for on-location headshot photography
Best portable softbox for on-location headshot photography
I vary the lighting kit that I use for on-location portraits and headshot photography. It could involve multiple lights, or a single-light setup on location. My choice of lighting is most often decided by how complex it need to be, and the logistics of getting to the location and setting up. More than struggling with something, I detest the appearance of struggling with something. Let me explain - when working with clients, it all needs to appear smooth and efficient. Everything in place, and professional. No struggling Read more inside...Themes & context in Boudoir Photography
Themes & context in Boudoir Photography - on the streets of NYC
The model in this striking image is my friend, Jessica, a boudoir photographer. Her pose is intentionally this strong and assertive. The concept here is part of an on-going project she had planned for a long while now. She had asked me to collaborate with her in taking the photos. The main idea behind the project (and these are my words and interpretation of what we had discussed) - women are objectified in society, but there is a disconnect in how people respond (or don't) to provocative posters and images of Read more inside...Why use a high-resolution camera?
Why use a high-resolution camera?
The Nikon D810 (affiliate) is a camera that surprised me for how much I liked using it. The high resolution of this camera was a drawback for me initially. But it had very responsive AF. Also, super-crisp images because of the improved sensor and due to the lack of the anti-aliasing filter. Ergonomics. (I have big hands.) But I didn't anticipate that I would love the D810 as much as I do. For a long while though I kicked against the idea of using a camera with a very high resolution. But then the Nikon D810 convinced me. There's a story Read more inside...- « Previous Page
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