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

September 17 Lighting Workshop Update

Tags

CT Actor Photographer, CT Headshot Photographer, CT Model Photographer, CT Photography, CT Photography Workshop, CT Workshops, Interfit S1, Interfit S1 Monolight, Location workshop, Nikon, Photoflex, Sony

Hi Everyone,

Here is an update to yesterday’s post.  I forgot to give specific details.

Location: Courtyard behind Shubert Theater in New Haven, CT.  This area is isolated from foot traffic and very graphic so we’ll shoot in a fashion/editorial style.

Date: September 17

Cost: $100.00

Time: 11-3

Look: fashion/editorial

Model TBD

Gear:

Two Interfit S1 battery monolights

Pocket Wizards

Sekonic Light Meter

Umbrellas and grids to show how to use the most basic gear to get amazing looks

Location image: you can park in the Crown St garage or on any adjoining street:

For more information, call or text: 203-540-8821

Bring your cameras as this, as always, is a shooting event!

 

The Importance of Styling

Tags

Beauty Headshot, CT Headshot Photographer, CT Model Photographer, Headshot, Model, modeling, natural light, NYC Headshot Photographer, Sony, Sony A7 II

Hi and welcome back.

I took last week off during the lazy days of Summer.  I’ll be posting only a few times a week until September and the kids are off to school.

For today, let’s take a look at the importance of styling.

If you are a going to a photoshoot, no matter who you are or what your need, styling is very important for a few reasons:

1. You look great after pro pampers your face and hair
2. It makes the photographer’s or retoucher’s job so much easier when post processing
3. If you are a model, male or female, and you can do your own styling, you will sometimes get hired over other models who can’t do this.  So as budgets shrink, learning to do it yourself is beneficial.

Now on to hair, makeup, and nails.

For hair, if you are doing a concept shoot or beauty shoot that requires you to have crazy hair, then keep it simple and clean but add body so if a fan is added you have the volume to move around.

For makeup, stick to neutral tones that enhance your eyes and overall tone.  Again, unless you are doing something specific, keep it simple and elegant.

Nails are a pet peeve of mine.  Keep them clean, manicured, and use a neutral or light tone color on them so they disappear in the image.  Don’t arrive to your shoot or job with broken nails or chipped neon purple nails.  If your hands wind up in the image, you’ll be happy you had your nails done and ready for the shoot.

Here is a proof of a shot I did a while back.

Notice how the tones of her lips, face, and around the eyes are even and neutral.  Her hair has had a blowout at a salon so that there is volume to it, even though you can’t see too much of it.  But most importantly look at her nails.  They are in great shape and the color on them blends with her skin tone, so they disappear in the image and don’t detract from her face:

Because her skin is evenly toned, her hair is controlled with product, and her nails blend perfectly, retouching is easy.

Here is a final retouch done by my retoucher:

If you are learning to style yourself, here is a guide I got from InStyle Magazine that will help you choose colors for your skin tone:

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

Attaching a California Sunbounce Tube Frame to a Lightstand

Tags

california sunbounce, California Sunbounce Micro Mini, CT Headshot Photographer, CT Headshots, Nikon, Reflector, Reflector Systems, Silver White Reflectors, Sony

Hi and welcome back.

Since the price drop of the California Sunbounce Micro Mini, I’ve had several emails about the system, especially about attaching it to a lightstand.

Here is a blog re-post from a while back explaining how I do it and how you can do it cheaply.

If you have any questions about the system, email me: bob@robertharringtonstudios.com

Attaching a California Sunbounce Reflector to a Lightstand

I get this question often.  The California Sunbounce reflector system is, I think, the best on the market.  However, you do pay for that quality!

California Sunbounce

The CS Micro Mini was the first piece of professional gear I purchased after my camera and lenses, and it has been with me for 8 years!

I currently own 2 Micro Minis, 1 4×6, and one of the 36″ Sunswatters.

The great thing about the CS system, is that it is based on an aluminum tube frame so that it is sturdy, the fabric stays taut, and you can attach it to a light stand so you can work alone.

 

However, attaching it to a light stand can be tricky since CS discontinued their Grip Head Pro a few years back in favor of the new Enterprise bracket, which is cumbersome at best.  But there is a workaround!

The original Grip Head Pro was a traditional 2.5 inch grip head with a hole just the right size for the CS tube, which is a metric size:

This wonderful and small bracket, and if you are reading Amy, my CS contact, you need to bring that back into production, was replaced by a bracket called the Enterprise.

The Enterprise allows you to attach either of the CS tube sizes: the small for reflectors and the large for the Sun Swatter or other products.  This unit is big, bulky, and does not fit into your bag well:

But here’s the workaround: Purchase a Matthews 2.5″ Grip head, use Matthews as the head is made of brushed aluminum and then simply bring it to a machine shop with a tube section from your CS reflector.  For the about $40.00, a 12 pack of beer, or a Box of Joe and some donuts, you can have the original grip head for less money.  And it works!!

It is important to bring a tube sample from the reflector so the machinist can match the tube size.

This is a great solution to fix the problem and get that reflector on a light stand so you can work alone.

Matthews 2.5″ Grip Head

Thanks and till next time, keep reflecting!

 

The California Sunbounce Micro Mini Price Drop

Tags

Actor headshots, BH Photo, california sunbounce, California Sunbounce Mivor Mini, CT Headshot Photographer, Headshot, Location Headshots, Nikon, off camera flash, Rogue Flashbenders, Sony, Speedlighting, Speedlights, Studio Headshots, Theia Studios

Hi and welcome back.

I’m posting this as I just saw this on the BH Photo website while shopping for another California Sunbounce item.

If you know me or have taken any of my workshops or been to any of my presentations, you know I am a huge supporter of the California Sunbounce system.  It is lightweight, super easy to setup, and rolls into itself for storage and transport, making it one of the most versatile reflectors on the market.

However, the problem with the system is its cost: it is expensive!  Even though I’ve owned my Micro Mini for almost 10 years, it is hard to justify the expense.

Normally the unit costs $189.00, but I just saw a huge price drop on the BH Photo website to $107.00 for the 20 x 30 silver/white:

BH Photo

I love this reflector, and it is the first item in my bag when heading out to a shoot.

It is compact, versatile, light, and attaches to a nightstand so you can work alone.

Here are some BTS shots of it being used on location and in the studio:

Check out this system on BH Photo’s website.  If you want an amazing reflector at a very reasonable price, remember this is photography, then go for it!

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

 

Location Lighting with the New Interfit S1 Monolight

Tags

CT Actor Headshot Photographer, CT Headshot Photographer, CT Photographer, Interfit Photographic, Interfit S1, Interfit S1 Monolight, Location lighting, Monolight, Pocket Wizard, Sony

Hi and welcome back.

I met Brendan on location to do his Actor headshot this past Saturday.  He knocked it out of the park within the first few minutes of the shoot.  So after we had the typical actor headshot “in the can”, I wanted to try something different.

I wanted to try something dramatic.  I don’t shoot a lot of men, so adding cool photos to my portfolio was also an ulterior motive for moving to another, more dramatic look.

I posed him in front of a brick wall.  He comes from an hour away from me, so we met at a location I use that is about exactly half way from the both of us.  Working on location poses a unique set of difficulties.

But I used the new Interfit Photographic S1 Battery Powered Moonlight to shoot the job perfectly.

If you’ve not seen the new S1’s, check them out!  At 1/2 the price of a Profoto B1 and with the ability to shoot with battery power or plug into a wall socket for mains power, it smokes the B1 in terms of usability.

Here is a post I did explaining the system: Interfit S1 Review

Now to the images.

Here is an unretouched proof of the final look.  It is dark and edgy and hard.  This is a look I rarely do but am totally enthralled by it and love it:

Here is how I shot it.

I removed my usual 24 x 30 softbox and added a 7″ reflector and 20º grid to isolate Brendan and light just his face and upper body.

Gear: Interfit S1 Moonlight with reflector and grid

Matthews C-Stand

Pocket Wizards

Impact 15 pound sand bag

Here are two more proofs:

This was a really cool look we both liked.  While it is a departure from the traditional actor shot, I think taking the time and risk really paid off for both of us.

That’s it for now.  Till next time, get risky with your light!

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!

Natural Light; Natural Beauty; No Photoshop

Tags

beauty, Beauty Headshot, CT Beauty Headshot Photographer, CT Headshot Photographer, CT Model Photographer, CT Natural Light Headshot Photographer, Headshot, Model, Model Photographer, modeling, Natural Beauty, natural light

Hi and welcome back.

I’m heading to Boston this weekend to teach The Headshot using all small flashes, but recently I’ve become addicted to natural light, natural beauty, and NO Photoshop.

Here is a pic I pulled from the archive that totally exemplifies that look.

Stacey worked for me a while back at a workshop and we shot in late afternoon sun.  This time of day, also known as the Golden Hour, is best shot right before, during, and right after sunset.

This shot was taken just as the sun dipped below the houses to camera left.  The light bouncing off of the sand, as we were on the beach, coupled with the cool background, produced a simple shot without any external modifiers.

When I shoot this kind of look, I choose these settings:

Aperture Priority between f/4 and f/5.6

ISO boosted to give me a good working shutter speed.  I have no issues going to ISO 1200 or more to get a shutter of at least 1/125 so everything is sharp.

Also, I’m into natural beauty.  This image had a contrast adjustment in Capture One and that is it.  NO PHOTOSHOP at all.

While speed lights and strobes are awesome, why pay for and lug all that gear when natural light does the job every time!

That’s it for today.  If you are coming to Boston, I can’t wait to meet you!

Till next time, keep it natural!

The Upcoming Boston Workshop and Photoshop Friday

Tags

beauty, Boston Lighting Workshop, CT Beauty Headshot Photogrpaher, CT Headshot Photographer, headshots, Interfit, Interfit Photographic, Nikon, off camera flash, Off Camera flash workshops, Rogue Flashbenders, Sony, Theia Studios, Theia Studios Workshops

Hi and welcome back.

I want to touch on and upcoming workshop on July 16 at Theia Studios, Boston, MA.

I’m heading to Theia Studios with my popular Headshot Workshop.  I’ll be teaching and you’ll be shooting multiple headshot looks with just speed lights and a few simple modifiers.

This is an awesome workshop that helps you to learn how to shoot the headshot in a studio or on location with just speedlghts and simple, readily available gear.

Here is a link and description, I hope to see you there!!

Theia Studios registration link: Theia Studios Headshot Workshop

I have to repost my Photoshop Friday article as I’m running out of time!

For today, I want to show you how to add a copyright to your images.  And then once you get that, you can create an action to run in the Scripts Manager or just add it per image.  I do it per image on delivered and retouched images as it is fast and simple.

First, pull a web-sized image into PS.  This shot has gone through the scripts manager as a batch conversion and is ready for the internet.

On the left of the PS palette, is the T.  You can choose it here or just type the letter T to place your text:

Once you have that chosen, the box along the top will come up and show your choices.

First: choose your script, I like Zapfino

Second: choose your type style, I choose regular but there are other choices

Third: choose type size, this will differ depending on your Font, just test on your image

Fourth: select your justification, although you’ll change this location to taste

Fifth: choose color.  For dark images choose white, for bright images choose black

Below my text box is on the image and active: 

For MAC users, use the Alt/Option key and the letter G to get the Copyright symbol up in the text box.  For you PC users, you’re on your own!  Sorry.  

Then type in your text.  I like the cursive style, so Zapfino works well for me: 

Once done, click the text box on the layers palette and your are all set.  Once you’ve gone through the motions, set yourself up with an action and let PS do the work for you.

That’s it for now.  Go back a few posts on the page and you’ll find tutorials on how to create an action and batch edit your images to make your photographic life easier.

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

Keep Your Mistakes

Tags

beauty, black and white, california sunbounce, CT Headshot Photographer, Female, Headshot, headshots, Model, natural light, Natural Light Workshops, Nikon, NYC Headshot Photographer, OCF Workshops, Scrim, Sony, Sony A 7II

Hi and welcome back.

Today we’ll look at keeping your mistakes.

When shooting outside in natural light with a reflector, I pretty much shoot in Aperture Priority and use Exposure Compensation to get the correct exposure.  I like to control my Depth of Field this way and always get great results.

However, you must be aware of your shutter speed.  If you shoot at f/5.6 and the light causes your shutter to be low, like 1/100 and you add 2/3 of a stop of exposure compensation, then your shutter may go to 1/60 which may not be fast enough.  So you need to be aware of that and adjust ISO from 100 to 200 or 400 to get a faster shutter to freeze the action.  Remember, you move, the client moves, the earth moves, so it is necessary to have a shutter speed fast enough to counter all of these movements.

Also, while this is not a RAW versus JPEG argument, always shoot in RAW as you can adjust your exposure up or down by up to 3 stops and save an image.

For today, I shot this natural light headshot of Shaza at Unique on Saturday.  I had left this station to set up another lighting station for the workshop attendees and came back to take a few more frames and didn’t change my exposure back to my original settings for this shot.

So this shot is about 1 stop overexposed:

While I like the look, here is a screenshot of the image in Capture One Pro, my RAW converter.  You can see the clipped highlights.  While I am not concerned about the background, it is the face that is losing detail:

But because I shot in RAW, I was able to pull back the exposure almost 1 full stop to correct the image:

Now the image looks like the others in the set that were correctly exposed.  However, I though to myself, why correct it?  I like the overexposed high key look and as long as I like the image, why not try to keep it.

My solution and the solution I teach to everyone is that if you don’t like an image or have a mistake, swap the image to Black and White.  Black and White has a certain elegance that color lacks.  Without the noise of color in the way, black and white images reveal a beauty that sometimes color cannot.

I simply went to the Presets in Capture One Pro and chose a high contrast black and white conversion and voila, a beautiful high key black and white image that I fell in love with:

By converting to b/w and pushing contrast a bit, I have this beautiful b/w image.

So for today, keep your mistakes.  Don’t immediately delete them as they may be able to be saved and turned into art.

That’s it for today.  Till next time, keep making mistakes!