Using the MagMod MagBeam kit for projection effects
Using the MagMod MagBeam kit for projection effects
The lighting pattern on the background here, is 100% in-camera, created with a gobo and a light-projection kit: the MagMod MagBeam Kit (B&H / Amazon). So no Photoshop going on here (aside from mild retouching of skin blemishes.) Even that little bit of a halo around Anastasiya, is part of the effect. In-camera. With the test shots, I noticed there is a brightening of the pattern in the middle, so I placed Anastasiya directly on front of it. A bit of serendipity that I took advantage of. Several articles on Read more inside...Stella Pro 5000 & 2000 video light review
Stella Pro 5000 & 2000 video light review - continuous lighting kit
My friend Kevin, or as his friends call him, Kevin, brought along his new Light & Motion Stella Pro 225 3-Light Kit (B&H / Amazon) to the studio for us to play with. The Stella Pro 5000 video light is powerful enough that you can use a softbox with it when shooting indoors. Where continuous lights really shine, is in how they allow you to adjust your lights in a WYSIWYG way. What you see is what you get - that's just how continuous lights work. That aspect makes video lights ideal when Read more inside...review: Fuji X-T2 camera
review: Fuji X-T2 camera
The Fuji X-T2 (B&H / Amazon) is one of the most likable cameras I have ever handled, and up there with the best cameras. Ever. Fuji made immediate impact with their Fuji X-100 camera, which had sexy retro appeal, especially with the optical viewfinder. Since then, Fuji has released cameras which retain that kind of appeal, which culminated two years ago in the Fuji X-T1 - a camera which also really impressed me, as mentioned in my review: Fuji X-T1 camera. Now we have the Fuji X-T2 which in some ways, is a considerable jump up from the Fuji Read more inside...Checklist for portrait photography on location
Checklist for portrait photography on location
There's that algorithm that I most often use when shooting on-location portraits - find an interesting or complementary background, that also has good light on my subject. If there isn't good ambient light, then I add light. Then, my subject's positioning and pose is adjusted so that the photograph comes together. Find an interesting or complementary background, that also has good light on my subject. If there isn't good ambient light, then I add light. Then, my subject's positioning and pose is adjusted so that the photograph Read more inside...Studio photography – Capturing movement with continuous lighting
Studio photography - Capturing movement with continuous lighting
The effect here, which makes me think of black flames, was the result of a slow shutter speed (1/20th) in the studio, using continuous lighting. The short duration of a flash pulse would've frozen the movement, so I needed continuous light for this effect. I used two Litepanels Astra EP 1×1 LED Panels (B&H / Amazon) that I bounced into a V-flat to soften the light. I also used another V-flat to partially block the light towards her feet for more light fall-off to the bottom. The photo below is a pull-back Read more inside...Portrait lighting patterns: Loop lighting & Butterfly lighting
Portrait lighting patterns: Loop lighting & Butterfly lighting
In the article on available light portrait photography, I mentioned how I posed Anastasiya, so that the spot of reflected sunlight created a butterfly lighting-pattern. While most of us associate lighting patterns with studio lighting, the thought-process in how to use available light or bounce flash or continuous lighting, remains the same. It has to do with how we pose and position our subjects in relation to the light. And it also depends on how we position ourselves. I want to show some straight-forward Read more inside...Available light portrait photography
Available light portrait photography
For a review of the Fuji X-T2, I met up with one of my favorite models, Anastasiya, in New York. Working with just the Fuji X-T2 and the kit lens that came with it, I wanted to work with just the available light. But I wasn't just on the lookout for soft, flattering light - I also on the lookout for interesting found light, such as unexpected splashes of light. Available light portrait photography with intent! These two articles will show how surprising it can be to stumble upon interesting available light to enhance a portrait: Observing and Read more inside...Personal photography workshops – models
Personal photography workshops & photo walks in NYC - models
When we do a photography workshop on location, what I want to teach and help nurture, is the ability to control our environment when we take portraits outside. We look for interesting and complementary backgrounds, or background which are complementary to our subject. We look for, or create great light for our subject. It's all about the Direction & Quality of Light! We will use interesting 'found light', but what we really concentrate on, is creating flattering light with off-camera flash, or with video Read more inside...Using the Profoto B1 modeling lamp as a video light
Using the Profoto B1 modeling lamp as a video light
Looking through the past articles on this blog, you'll notice that I love using a video light for low-light photography. A video light adds that sense of drama to portraits, and very often blends better with the existing ambient light, than flash would. Lately though, I haven't bothered to bring a video light to weddings for the romantic portraits - I already have the Profoto B1 there with a substantial enough modeling light! Less gear to carry with me! Since I rely heavily on my Profoto B1 flashes (B&H / Amazon), I Read more inside...- « Previous Page
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