Now that presentation season is getting underway, I brought Stacey in to model a few looks for my presentation program.

If you are thinking of joining me at Calumet Photo, NYC, on February 25, take a look at some of the work I’ll be demonstrating:

SB900 with Rogue 45 degree grid

SB900, Large Rogue Flashbender with diffusion panel and California Sunbounce Micro Mini

Ray Flash Ring Light Adapter

SB900, Large Flashbender with diffusion panel and Special KH Lavender gel main light

SB800, Large Flashbender with diffusion panel and Bright Red gel backlight

There you have some of the creative techniques I’ll be demonstrating at Calumet and the other locations this year.

Don’t miss out on the fun, join me and let’s get shooting!

In preparation for a large headshot project, I ran a test shoot of a look the client asked for after a regular headshot sitting.

Here’s the behind-the-scenes shot:

Main light: Profoto Strobe, Elinchrom 39×39 Softbox, Pocket Wizard Plus II

Reflector: Lastolite Triflector with one side not used

Hair light: SB800, Lastolite 24×24 Ezybox, Pocket Wizard Flex TT5

Back light: SB900, Rogue Flashbender, Pocket Wizard Flex TT5

Camera: Nikon D3, Pocket Wizard Flex TT1 and AC3 Zone Controller

Not only was a test of a client-specific look, it was a test of the Pocket Wizard System.

I set my main light at F/10, which was fired by the Flex TT1.  Then I set the back light and hair light with my AC3 Zone controller in Manual Mode.  After getting my initial exposure set for the foreground, I used the zone controller to get the background gradient to taste then adjusted the hair light.  I don’t like a lot of noticeable hair light, so for me having that adjustability for a blonde, to brunette, to a bald male makes all the difference in the final product.

Here’s a final shot:

The entire system worked perfectly and is a great example of Pocket Wizard integration with the older Plus II’s and the new Flex’s.

That’s it for now.  Till next time, happy shooting!

I run lighting series with my local camera shop, Milford Photo, comparing two lighting systems: Off Camera Flash to Studio Strobe.

This is a fun an lively event, usually well attended by novices and pros alike, that compares the two styles of lighting and see if there is one direction or another they want to go in their photography or just get to use equipment they wouldn’t have access to.

Unfortunately, I have no strobe lighting examples as I was extra busy on the speedlight side.  I set up 3 stations and shot both models under the same conditions.  Take a look at how I did on the OCF side:

Nikon SB800, Photoflex Shoot Through Umbrella from the top down, Lastolite Triflector on the bottom for that contrasty wrapping light:

In this setup I used a single SB800 into a shoot through umbrella high and from the right for that simple magazine cover look.  I also used a blowit fan to put volume in their hair:

For the last look, I used a SB900 into an Orbis Ring Light and pushed my ISO to 400 to handle the 1 stop loss of light that the Orbis eats up:

Many thanks to our two models, Bernadette and Miranda for being great and fun!

Equipment used:

Photoflex 45″ Convertible Umbrella

Lastolite Triflector Mark II

Blowit Fan

Orbis Ring Light

All things considered, I think the OCF images came out just as well as the strobe light.

If you are attending or are planning to attend a presentation/workshop with me at Calumet, Milford Photo, BH, Photo Connections, or Adorama, this is what you have to look forward to learning how to create.

That’s it for now.  Till next time, happy shooting!

Last week Jess came in for updated actor headshots not only for her portfolio but for a part she’s auditioning in a theatrical production.

I set up my usual actor headshot lighting, but this time used a Lastolite Triflector under her face instead of my California Sunbounce Micro Mini.

The Triflector is an amazing reflector that has 3 adjustable sides, so you can get full wrapping reflective light or drop one side or both to adjust your reflective light for male or female or for whatever effect you like.

I simply love this new addition to my kit!!

Check out our results:

Perfect exposure, composition, model, and everything needed for the actor headshot.

Need a new one, don’t hesitate to contact me anytime.

Till next time, happy shooting!

I’m not much of a gear blogger, but the new cameras from Nikon are awesome.

Based on the pro level body, the D4 is a stunner.  But at $6,000, it’s gonna sit on the shelves of many photo stores.

The reason: The new 36 megapixel D800 just announced.

Here’s a link to Nikon: D800

They’ve taken a leap with such a huge resolving sensor and are set to compete with the medium format shooters using ultra-expensive Hasselblads, Contax’s, Mamiya’s, and the new updated Phase One’s.

Looking for more resolution?  Priced at around $3,000, the D800 should satisfy.

Till next time, happy shooting.

Here is a shot taken with speedlights and the Rogue Flashbender system to create the hard, dramatic light of the classic Hollywood Glamour Portrait.

Equipment:

SB900, Small Flashbender rolled into a snoot as main

SB800, Large Flashbender rolled into a snoot as hair

SB800 with Rogue Grid skimming the background

Nikon D3, 70-200vr

This is a great and fun technique that’s done with the simplest equipment.

Till next time, happy shooting!

During one of my advanced speedlight classes, Ray came in to model for the P90X black and white fitness look.

To achieve this look, I used:

Nikon SB900 @ 1/2 power, Pocket Wizard Plus II’s, Lastolite 24×24 Ezybox with Adorama grid directly above

SB800 @ 1/4 power, Westcott 28″ Apollo, camera left

I set the exposure then went for something in that dramatic black and white style.

This is a really cool and fun technique done with simple equipment.

I used Capture One Pro 6 for all the raw conversions and the High Contrast Portrait Black and White Preset Style.

Simple, quick, and just fantastic results.

That’s it for now.  Till next time, happy shooting!

If you missed yesterday’s Suite 201 workshop at Suite 201 in Chelsea, you really missed a great one!

Here are a few shots from our day:

Here’s a series of lifestyle images going from test shot to final:

Then we did a one light fashion look:

A few more one and two light lifestyle:

Then we a did two light high key actor headshot:

One Light High Key:

And finally the 40′s Glamour shot:

Don’t miss out on the next one happening probably in March again at Suite 201, 526 West 26th St, NYC.

Thanks to Bernadette, my attendees, and Tom at Suite 201: We had a blast!

Till next time, happy shooting.

Here’s a link to a newly scheduled Off Camera Flash event sponsored by Expoimaging.

Calumet Photo, February 25, 1-4

Hope to see you there!

Bob

Here’s a short list of what’s going to be happening in the near or not to distant future:

B+H Photo Event Space 

Off Camera Flash: One Speedlight Six Ways

January 23, 11-1

Suite 201 Workshop

Directly following B+H on January 23

3-7 pm

Cost: $235

Check it out on my Workshop and Presentation page, book the date and pay via Paypal.

Don’t miss this one!!

Calumet Photographic

February 25

This is a Rogue Flashbender Sponsored Event

Full details to follow

Rogue Flashbender Sponsored Workshop with Milford Photo

March 8

More info on that soon!