Upcoming Workshops

Tags

Actor headshots, Berger Brothers Camera, Bowens, Bowens Softbox, CT Headshot Photographer, Headshot Photographer, Headshot workshops, headshots, Model, Model Headshots, Nikon, OCF, off camera flash, Rogue Flashbender, Sony, Speedights

Hi Everyone,

I have not been blogging lately and will make an effort to get back to it!

The rescheduled Berger Headshot workshop is this Saturday, November 5 at Berger Brothers Camera in Huntington, Long Island.  If you want to learn how to shoot multiple headshot looks with just 1-3 speed lights, then don’t miss this one.

You must register with Berger Brothers: Berger Brothers Headshot Workshop

Samples of looks from previous Headshot Workshops:

I may try to run one more workshop this year but can’t promise, so the Berger event may be the last workshop for 2016.

I am currently teaching at the Milford Adult Ed and have been asked to run another semester for Spring 2017.

If you are interested, I’ll be offering:

Advanced Lighting I

Tuesday nights, 7-9

7 week course, $40 tech fee, 4 models, constant, strobe, speedlight

Advanced Lighting II

Thursday nights, 7-9

7 week course, $40 tech fee, 4 models, all multiple light setups from 1-4 lights with speed lights and strobe lights

These classes are a great deal of fun and a wonderful learning environment to shoot with a model using different light sources.

All classes held at Foran HS, Milford, CT.  You can Google Milford Adult Ed after January 1 to register.

Thanks and see you soon!

Bob

Photoshop Friday: Adding a Border

Tags

Actor, Actor Headshot Photographer, Adobe Photoshop, Bowens, Bowens Softbox, CT Actor Headshot Photographer, CT Headshot Photographer, Headshot, Headshot Phtographer, Interfit Monolight, Nikon, Photoshop, Photoshop Friday, Photoshop Tips, Sony

Hi and welcome back.

This is a simple technique that I use all the time.  The Actor headshot requires you to add borders to images and names to the bottom of your headshot so the casting director knows right away who you are.

Adding borders is simple.  Here is how I do it:

Here is my image ready to be cropped.  As I need to make an 8×10 final image, I crop my image to a specific size first: 

Here I chose the Crop tool and set my parameters to Width 7.5 and Height 9 inches.  I chose this size at it allows me to add my border perfectly for an 8×10:

I set my crop and then hit ok: 

Here is my image cropped and ready for my white border: 

To add the border, go to Image>Canvas Size and click to get the size box up:

Here I choose my width to be 8 inches and height to be 9.5 inches.  The height gives me a continuous border that is the same size on all four sides.

Where it says Anchor, keep all the arrows pointing out from the center, which is my image.

On the bottom of the box where is says Canvas Extension Color, I chose white but you can choose black or gray as well:

Here is the image with the continuous border:

Now I go back to Image>Canvas Size, click again, and then change Height to 10 and Anchor to showing all the bottom and right and left sides.  This allows me to change my height on the bottom only: 

Here is my image in the 8×10 format with a 1″ border on the bottom and 1/2″ on three sides: 

Now I go to the Text box and set my font, set my text size, and then color to add the name on the lower right corner of the image:

Here is the final ready to be saved as and delivered to the client:

Here are the before and after’s:

You can add a border to any image and set the bottom a bit thicker so that you can add a name or title or anything else you need.

I supply my actors with both images so they can use them for castings and in their book if needed.

That’s it for today.  Till next time, happy bordering!

Getting Creative without Breaking the Bank

Tags

beauty, Beauty Headshot, Bowens, Bowens Softbox, california sunbounce, Creative Headshot, CT Actor Headshot Photographer, CT Beauty Headshot Photographer, Expoimaging, fun, Nikon, OCF, off camera flash, Rogue Flashbenders, Sony, Sony A7II

Hi and welcome back.

Last Saturday I ran a workshop at Theia Studios in North Andover, MA, just outside Boston.

It went great!  I taught the Headshot with speed lights only.

One of the looks we did really showcases how you can get creative on a slim budget, of course, that is only after spending your inheritance to get to this point with cameras, lenses, lights, soft boxes, reflectors, etc, etc, etc…  As this IS photography after all!

But once you reach that point, you can get creative easily and without spending a lot of cash.

For this shot, I went to Dick’s Sporting Goods and purchased a roll of purple sports underwrap:

Dicks Sporting Goods

I simply wrapped the model like a Mummy and shot the look.  For about $6.00 and $20.00 for Sephora Lipstick, which the model already owned, we got a super creative look and had a bunch of fun.

Here is a straight-out-of-camera raw to jpeg proof:

Here’s how I shot it.

Key: SB910, Bowens 60 x 90 softbox with Interfit S-Mount Ring for speedlights

Reflector: California Sunbounce Micro Mini, silver side up

Back: 2 SB800’s with Large Rogue Flashbenders as flags

Then, after we set the lights and exposure and shot the look we wanted, I had Amanda, our model, have fun with her facial expressions!  She just rocked it and knocked it out of the park!

I wanted to take the traditional beauty shot on white to another level, and for only a few bucks, we shot an awesome and fun look.

Well that’s it for now.  Till next time, stay creative!!

 

 

Saturday’s Headshot Workshop at Unique Photo, NJ

Tags

40's Hollywood Glamour, Bowens, Expoimaging, Model, Model Photographer, Nikon, NJ OCF Workshops, OCF, Off camera flash workshop, Phottix, Rogue Flashbender, Sony, Unique Photo

Hi and welcome back.

I’m in prep mode today for Saturday’s Headshot Workshop at Unique Photo.

Here is the registration link: Unique Photo

This is a long workshop, coming in at 5 hours and with a pizza break somewhere in the day.  With this much time, I’ll be able to comfortably cover 9 different headshot looks, going from simple one light to multi-light setups.

I’ll cover:

Corporate

Actor

Model

Beauty

Dark Beauty

Gels

Glamour

Creative Lighting

And 40’s Hollywood Glamour to cap it all off!

If you are looking to gain insight into the different headshot styles, build a portfolio, and see just how much you can do with a few speed lights and commercial modifiers, then join in the fun!

We’ll have 3 models at 3 stations.  I’ll rotate looks and models through each station so everyone gets images.

Don’t forget your camera, lenses, batteries and cards!  This is a shooting event, so everyone gets to shoot the looks.

Here are some samples that we’ll be shooting:

 

Location Speedlighting Workshop this Saturday

Tags

Bowens, CT OCF, CT Off Camera Flash Workshop, CT Photography Workshops, Lighting Workshop, Nikon, Sony, Workshop

I’m changing everything about this meetup.  Let’s shoot outside!  I’m sick of inside, let’s get out into this Spring weather!

We’ll meet behind the Crown St garage in New Haven.  I know it says Temple St, but meetup couldn’t find that address.

Here is a map of where we meet.  There is a courtyard right in the center of the block under the round garage ramp: it is perfect for us.  The red X marks the spot.

And without a studio expense, I am lowering the price to $100.

You can use the Paypal link above to register and pay.

I’m going back to my roots a bit and heading down the path of simple lighting with simple gear.

If you are new to speed lighting and want to learn how to get great photos with off camera flash, then join in the fun.

I’ll cover:

Radio triggers

Lightstands

Umbrella brackets

The convertible umbrella

Reflectors

Softbox

and more.

Come with your questions and ideas and an open mind to learn OCF.

Want to learn a certain technique, ask me and we’ll set it up and shoot it.

Model TBD

HMUA TBD

Whomever comes in to model or style, it will be a great afternoon of OCF!  Don’t miss out.  I’ll update the page as talent confirms.

Don’t forget your camera and lenses to shoot, shoot, shoot!

Upcoming Lighting Workshops

Tags

Bowens, CT OCF Workshops, Nikon, NJ Workshops, OCF, OCF Workshops, Off Camera flash workshops, Photoflex, Phottix, Sony

Hi and welcome back.

The next two Off Camera Flash lighting workshops are:

The Speedlight Workshop: An open workshop where I teach to your questions and ideas on lighting.   

Saturday, April 23

11am-3pm

Studio 52 North, Middletown, CT, but I am thinking of changing this to a location lighting workshop to take advantage of the great weather.

Cost: $120.00, you can use Paypal link above to register

Model supplied.

The Headshot Workshop, NJ

I’ll be heading to Unique Photo to teach 9 headshot looks.  We’ll have 3 stations and plenty of time to break out into groups to learn each technique.

Cost: $125.00

Register Here: Unique Photo

 

That’s it for today.  Just want to get the word out about the next two events in April.

Get out and enjoy the day and if you can shoot, shoot, shoot!

Till next time, happy Spring!

 

Last Saturday’s Workshop in NYC

Tags

beauty, Bowens, CT Beauty Headshot Photographer, Expoimaging Rogue Flashbenders, Nikon, NYC Beauty Headshot Photographer, NYC OCF workshops, OCF, OCF Workshops, Sony, Space4Shoots

Hi Everyone,

If you missed last Saturday’s workshop in NYC, you missed a doozy!

Jada was just amazing and we shot with umbrella’s, Rogue Flashbenders, and a Bowens Softbox.

I also introduced my Matthews Road Rags Silver/White Reflector system.  More on that later this week.

I’m planning on an event on April 23 in CT, so don’t miss out again!

Here are a few proof images:

That’s it for today.  You can see the Matthews reflector in the BTS images.  Want a really lightweight and portable reflector, check out Matthews Road Rags II.

Till next time, happy reflecting!

Advanced Speedlighting Workshop, NYC, April 9

Tags

Bowens, CT Beauty Headshot Photographer, Expoimaging, Godox, Interfit, Nikon, NYC Commercial Photographer, NYC Headshot Photographer, NYC off camera flash, NYC Off Camera Flash Workshop, NYC Photographer, OCF, OCF Workshop, off camera flash, Phottix, Rogue Flashbenders, Sony, Space4Shoots, Space4Shoots workshop, Workshop

Hi and welcome back.

I’m putting together an “Advanced Speedlight Techniques” workshop at Space4Shoots in NYC.

Take your work to another level as I draw on strobe light techniques for fashion, glamour, and beauty and transfer them to small flashes.

We’ll shoot multi-light setups but never go beyond 3 lights and simple modifiers.

Gear: 

3 speedlights

Phottix Ares Radio Triggers

Convertible Umbrellas

Rogue Flashbenders

Bowens Softbox

Phottix Luna Beauty Dish

Godox Bracket

Details: 

Cost: $260.00, you can use the Paypal link at the top of the page or call with atm/cc card: 203-540-8821

Location: Space4Shoots

Time: 1-5 pm

Date: Saturday, April 9, 2016

Model: Daria Bardola from Anomaly Models

HMUA: TBD

If you missed the Headshot Workshop at Space4Shoots, don’t miss this one.  It is going to be amazing with a professional NYC model.

Daria Bardola

A Poignant Thought

Tags

Bowens, CT Headshot Photographer, CT Workshops, Expoimaging, Interfit S1, Lighting Workshops NYC, Nikon, NYC, NYC Headshot Photographer, NYC Lighting Workshops, off camera flash, Off Camera flash workshops, Phottix, Rogue Flashbenders, Sony, Workshops

Hi and welcome back.

This is a quick and thoughtful post.

I just found this online and thought it was poignant for all educators.

As a photography educator, I thought it really applied to the workshop format, something I take pride in and teach internationally.

Keep it in mind as you can only go so far with books and videos; you really need to shoot to learn:

Tell me and I forget

Teach me and I remember

Involve me and I learn

Take a workshop, get involved, shoot, shoot, shoot, and when you think you’ve had enough, shoot some more!

Make plenty of mistakes and enjoy the ride.

Till we meet at an event or workshop, happy shooting!

 

Advanced Speedlight Techiques, NYC

Tags

beauty, Bowens, CT Headshot Photographer, Expoimaging, fashion, Fashion lighting workshop, Godox S Mount, Nikon, NYC Headshot Photographer, NYC OCF workshops, NYC workshops, OCF Workshop, OCF Workshops, Photoflex, Phottix, Phottix Ares, Phottix Luna, Rogue Flashbenders, Sony, Space4Shoots

Hi and welcome back.

I’m putting together an “Advanced Speedlight Techniques” workshop at Space4Shoots in NYC.

Take your work to another level as I draw on strobe light techniques for fashion, glamour, and beauty and transfer them to small flashes.

We’ll shoot multi-light setups but never go beyond 3 lights and simple modifiers.

Gear: 

3 speedlights

Phottix Ares Radio Triggers

Convertible Umbrellas

Rogue Flashbenders

Bowens Softbox

Phottix Luna Beauty Dish

Godox Bracket

Details: 

Location: Space4Shoots

Cost: $260.00, use the Paypal link above or call/text for atm/cc card: 203-540-8821

Time: 1-4

Date: April 9, 2016

Model: Daria Bardola from Anomaly Models

HMUA: TBD

If you missed the Headshot Workshop at Space4Shoots, don’t miss this one.  It is going to be amazing with a professional NYC model.

Daria Bardola

Hope to see you there!