Chuck Arlund is a Fashion Photographer whose elegant photography is made even more impressive with the simplicity of his set-ups and use of lighting. Chuck's previous guest spot here on the topic of on-location lighting techniques using reflector & flash, was very well received. Therefore I'm very happy that Chuck is graciously sharing more of his ideas with this guest post. Also, check out Chuck's workshops and mentoring sessions.
pin-up style photo session – Jessica
The first time I became aware of the pin-up artwork of Alberto Vargas was with the release of the album, Candy-O, by the Cars in '79. It was often mentioned how Vargas was brought out of semi-retirement to create this image. With that, my interest in pin-up artwork by the legends, Vargas and by Gil Elvgren, was fired up. This will also explain why I've been a fan of the photography of Robert Alvarado ever since I first saw his work. He clearly pays homage to those two artists. Read more inside...
photo session – Modern Gypsies – Martin
After our first, and very successful collaborative photo session with the Modern Gypsies, I was quite eager to meet up with them again. And today we had another series of photo sessions with them .. and it was one of those invigorating experiences you have working with truly talented and creative people. During the course of the day we photographed several set-ups and costumes and performers. I will post more of these over the next few days, showing the results ... but also the progression of ideas; the setting up, and some of what went on behind the scenes ... The first performer we Read more inside...
photo-shoot – a change in plans
progression of an idea during a photo-session
This post was going to be something entirely different - a mini-review of an Elinchrom Ranger Quadra Set that I got hold of to try out. But a key part was missing. Without the Skyport that allows you to control the output of the unit from the camera itself, a review would be less useful. Having booked Priscilla as our model already, and my friend Richard along to assist, we decided to just go ahead and have fun with a photo-shoot anyway ... Read more inside...On-camera TTL fill-flash
On-camera TTL fill-flash
With this recent photo session I didn't have an assistant with me to hold a softbox. I therefore relied on on-camera fill-flash where necessary, and careful positioning of the couple, Renee and David, to control the light. With the two photos above I used different amounts of flash exposure compensation (FEC), for more pronounced, or for more subtle fill-flash. In the photo on the left, I used FEC of -3 EV on the Nikon D3 and SB-900 combination. This is about the same as -1EV with the Canon flash system. For the image on the right, I was Read more inside...Sequence of photos in posing a model
Sequence of photos in posing a model
The photo above is one of my favorite images. It was also subsequently chosen as the cover image for my book about off-camera flash photography. Oktavia is a professional dancer and we both wanted some photos to extend our portfolios. Of the number of places we used as a backdrop, I really liked this place - an art gallery in Manhattan where we were kindly allowed to use as a setting. What I'd like to show, is some of the images leading up to this final choice - how a combination of positioning Oktavia and changing the light, culminated in this Read more inside...sequence: setting up the lighting at a photo shoot
analysis of the lighting setup during a photo shoot
The photo above of Jessica, my assistant, shows the final lighting setup during a recent commercial shoot. I had to photograph various people at a medical technology imaging company for use on their website and promotional material. I had to show some of the workplace, but put the accent on the person I am photographing. Of course, it is much easier to work with my assistant, and do test shots and changes in the setup beforehand. Then we can change the lights and anything else we need to, until we're happy with the results. Read more inside...photo session – Modern Gypsies – Bird Girl
Before we went in to Times Square with the Modern Gypsies, we did a quick portrait session with one of the Modern Gypsies performers, Bird Girl ... Read more inside...
photo session – Modern Gypsies – Times Square, NYC
After the photo session where we played around with banners of fabric on the rooftops, we went to Times Square with the Modern Gypsies ... Read more inside...
photo session – Modern Gypsies – Fabric
Sometimes photo shoots are just work; sometimes photo shoots are fun. Really fun. And then there are photo shoots that also feel like it's a privilege just to be a part of it. And fun! I had the opportunity to work with the Modern Gypsies during the past week. They are performance artists based in New York. I had met Michael Saab last year sometime while photographing an event, and we kept contact, with the idea of working together on some photo shoots, expanding their portfolio for their website. Above are two of my favorite photos of the initial part of the photo session. (Later Read more inside...