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!

 

Happy Fourth of July Weekend: A Primer on Shooting Fireworks and Two Upcoming Lighting Workshops

Tags

Boston Lighting Workshop, Boston OCF Workshop, Boston Off Camera Flash, Boston Photography Workshops, CT Lighting Workshops, CT Workshops, Interfit, Interfit Ambassador, Interfit Photographic, Interfit S1, Nikon, Sony, Theia Studios, Theia Studios Workshops

Hi and welcome back!

Happy Fourth of July weekend.  It’s going to be a beauty, so if you are heading out to shoot some fireworks, here is a quick primer:

Firs a little known fact, the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 2, July 4 is the date it went out to the printer!

Here are a few tips on shooting fireworks this weekend:

• Get to your location early
• Use a tripod and cable release
• Base Exposure: 4 seconds @ f/8, ISO 100 or 200, WB Auto or Incandescent
• Get set up early to shoot.
• Wait till the first discharge of fireworks to focus and shoot and then just keep shooting till you get what you want, adjusting shutter speed as you go.
• I’ve found that the fireworks are so bright you should be able to focus with Auto, but you can also set your focus on the first blast and then preset the focus to that point
• Shoot during the first rounds of explosions for best results.  Multiple firework discharges can add a lot of smoke to your images.  Shoot right away and then wait for a spell for sky to clear
• Black card trick: Set exposure to 30 seconds and cover the lens with a black card, this allows multiple bursts of fireworks to register on just one frame
• Have Fun!!!

Now on to the upcoming workshops.

First, on July 9, I’m running a Beauty Headshot Workshop at Studio 52 North in Middletown, CT:

Location: Studio 52 North, Middletown, CT

Date: July 9

Time: 11-2

Cost: $160.00, use paypal link above or call with ATM/CC card info: 203-540-8821

We’ll be shooting my favorite look for the headshot: Beauty.

As a new Interfit Photographic sponsored photographer, we’ll be shooting all Strobe Lights, using the new Interfit S1 monolight and related Interfit modifiers.

If you are interested in theses lights, I have a 10% off coupon code redeemable at the Interfit website for any Interfit gear: harrington10

Interfit Photographic

After brief instruction on the gear and look, we’ll shoot these 4 looks with the possibility of going to a 5th look if there is time:

Beauty on White with 2 Lights

Beauty on gray/blue paper, 2-3 lights

Beauty with colored gels, 3 lights

Creative beauty using sports tape for a really cool creative look

If there is time: Beauty using only grids: 10, 20, and 40º grids with 4 lights

Here are samples:

The second workshop is in Boston on July 16 at Theia Studios.

I’m heading back to Boston for the first time in about 3 years.  The last time I taught there I was with E.P. Levine, which sadly went out of business in late 2015.

But I’ve been invited to teach my Headshot Workshop at this new studio:

Theia-Studios in North Andover, MA

Registration link: Theia Studios

Date: July 16, 2016

Time: 11-4

Cost: $159.00

This is a very popular workshop where I teach multiple headshot looks using a few speed lights and simple, commercially available modifiers, including:

Shoot Through Umbrella

Rogue Flashbenders

Bowens 20×30 softbox

Interfit Collapsible Beauty Dish

Interfit S-Mount Speedlight Bracket

Bring your camera as you’ll get to shoot these looks with a professional model:

Corporate

Actor

Model

Creative Light

Beauty

Dark Beauty

Gelled light

Don’t miss out on this great, fun, and interactive event.

Bring your camera and lens kit; I supply all the gear and radio triggers for you to shoot with.

Till then, happy lighting!

Photoshop Friday, a Workshop Saturday, and Headshot Day Sunday

Tags

Acting, Actor headshots, CT, CT Actor Headshot Photographer, CT Headshot Photographer, CT Model Headshot Photographer, CT Workshops, Interfit S1, Lighting Workshops, Model Headshots, modeling, New Haven, NYC Headshot Photographer

Hi and welcome back.

I’m going to tackle three topics here, starting with Photoshop Friday on an actual Friday!

For today, I’ll show you how to do a simple color correction with the setting in PS and a keystroke command.  Need a quick correction, this is it.

On my image, I have a lot of warm light.  This was due to the sun coming in over my client’s shoulders and reflecting off of my silver reflector.  I like the warmth but I think it needs a bit of adjustment to bring the color back to neutral, removing the warm tone:

After bringing your image into PS, create a new layer over the top of the original so once you make your adjustment you can toggle in between the two to see the effective change you made.  Hit CTRL>J to make a copy or drag and drop the image over the new layer icon, the page with the dog ear on the lower right corner of the palette:

On the top of Photoshop, click the Image icon, choose Mode, and then choose Auto Color or do the keystroke command, which once learned is fast and easy and if you don’t like it, just drag and drop the layer you created to the trash can and start over:

SHIFT>COMMAND>B

Once you click the command or choose the adjustment, voila!  You have a corrected image.  The tone is still there but her shirt is whiter as so are her eyes and teeth.

This is a simple way to get great results with just a few clicks!

Now, onto this weekend:

Saturday: 

Location Strobe Lighting Workshop

I’m a new Interfit Ambassador and have received a full complement the new Interfit S1 battery powered monolights.

Interfit S1

I’m still in the shake-out phase, but let’s get together and shoot location strobe lighting.

The new S1’s compete directly with the Profoto B1 and B2’s for half the price.  The difference: the S1’s come with batteries for location work and an inverter for mains power.  You can shoot plugged in to a wall outlet inside and then go outside with the same light.  It is quite ingenious.

 

Date: June 11, 2016

Location: The courtyard behind the Shubert Theater, New Haven, see map below

Time: 11-3, early enough to beat the traffic and get home in time to cook out

Cost: $160.00, use Paypal link above or text: 203-540-8821

 

During this 3 hour workshop I’ll cover:

Headshots

Fashion

Editorial

And simple light setups to really explore the power of location strobe lighting.

Model supplied and TBD

The location is behind the Shubert Theater in the courtyard in the center of the block.  You can enter from Crown, Temple, College, or Chapel streets.

This is an awesome spot to shoot in New Haven, so let’s take advantage of it and shoot location strobes!

Sunday: 

Headshot Day

I’m running a headshot day on June 12, 2016.

I’ve been working with Karen Wagner Talent and IMTA and am offering any model or actor who needs new headshots a chance to get them before the IMTA event.

But this is also open to anyone needing a headshot.

Here are the details:

Location: Courtyard Marriott, 136 Marsh Hill Rd, Orange, CT, directly off of exit 41, I-95, Go to Conference Room A

Date: June 12, 2016

Sitting Details: 

• 30 minute sittings, starting at 10:00 am
• Cost: $200.00
• Deposit of $100.00 to book, balance at your sitting, please add 3.8% for atm/cc card fees
• You receive all the images from the sitting delivered electronically
• Two lighting and wardrobe looks
• One professionally retouched image in hi res and web ready.

I am also offering hair and makeup for $80 on that day.  

Book Now: 203-540-8821 or bob@robertharringtonstudios.com

Headshot day may be moved from the Courtyard Marriott to a location due to costs involved.

If you want to attend the workshop or get new headshots, at this time it is best to call or text asap to get your spot:

203-540-8821

That’s it for now, till next time, get outside it’s gorgeous here in the North East!

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!

 

Snow?!

Tags

Beauty headshots, Bowens, CT Actor Headshot Photographer, CT Beauty Headshot Photographer, CT Corporate Headshot Photographer, CT OCF Workshops, CT Photography Workshops, CT Workshops, headshots, NYC Headshot Photographer, OCF, Phottix

Hi and welcome back.
Don’t let this nuisance storm keep you home!

It’s gonna end this afternoon and be sunny and 40º tomorrow.

Register for tomorrow’s headshot workshop and get prepared to learn the headshot, how to light it, the difference between corporate, actor, model, and beauty, and use on only a few speed lights.

Still on the fence?  Walk-ins are welcome.

Where: Roger Salls Studio, 80 Ferry Blvd, Stratford, CT, park in rear.  There is a door in the back, can’t find it, text or call me: 203-540-821

Time: 11-2, late enough to sleep-in yet early enough to enjoy the afternoon and prep for Super Bowl Sunday.

Cost: $100, really can’t beat it: work in a pro studio, with a great model who’s worked for me before, and learn simple OCF to bring your photography to another level.

Use the Paypal link above or pay on site if you are a walk-in.

Don’t let the weather keep you home, get out of the house, bring your camera and lenses, and let’s shoot!

Hope to see you there.

This Weekend’s Workshops and the 100 Megapixel Camera

Tags

Beauty headshots, CT Beauty Headshot Photographer, CT Headshot Phtographer, CT OCF Workshops, CT Workshops, Expoimaging Rogue Flashbenders, Nikon, OCF, off camera flash, Rogue Grid, Sony, Speedlights, Workshops

Hi and welcome back.

This weekend’s workshops are not sold out.  If you are interested in attending the Jan 9 “One Light 101” workshop or the Jan 10 “Beauty” workshop, please register by Thursday or contact me directly about your attendance.  I need to finalize all the details.

Right now the Jan 9 workshop is in danger of being cancelled.  The Jan 10 workshop is booked and going forward.  Please let me know.

Our model for One Light 101 on January 9:

Our model for the Beauty workshop on January 10:

bob@robertharringtonstudios.com or text to 203-540-8821

On the gear side, Phase One has just announced the 100 megapixel back for their cameras.

Phase One makes Medium Format cameras.  If you never shot MF, then you should give it a shot.  They are amazing cameras.  I’ve shot Phase One and Hasselblad and wish I can afford them!

At around $1,000.00 per megapixel, it should run you about $100,000.00 for this camera.  Can’t afford it outright, they lease their gear for around $500.00-$1,000.00 per month.

Phase One

Please remember to contact me about the two workshops this weekend so I can plan.

Stay warm today,

Bob

Images from a past One Light 101:

Images from past Beuty workshops:

The January 10th Beauty Headshot Workshop

Tags

Beauty Headshot, CT Beauty Headshot Photographer, CT Headshot Photographer, CT Headshots, CT OCF Workshops, CT Workshops, Expoimaging, Nikon, OCF, OCF Workshops, Phottix, Rogue, Rogue Flashbenders, Rogue Grids, Rogue XL Pro, Sony, Workshops

Hi and welcome back.

On Sunday, January 10, I’ll be running a beauty headshot workshop.  The beauty headshot is one of my absolute favorite things to shoot.

We’ll be shooting two different beauty looks: one clean and one with a bit harder, more direct light and creative makeup.

I’ll show you how to get amazing results with just a few speed lights and modifiers.

Here are the details: 

Location: Studio 52 North, Middletown, CT

Date: January 10, 2016

Time: 12-3

Looks: First look is clean beauty, second look is creative beauty with creative makeup

Cost: $160.00, use the link or the Paypal link on top of the page.  

Our first look is clean beauty using: 

Phottix Luna Beauty Dish

Our second look is totally creative using: 

Rogue Grids

Rogue XL Pro with the strip grid

Our model for the day is Laina:

This workshop will run slightly differently.  Laina will be in hair and makeup from 11-12 so we can shoot from 12-1.  After the first look and hour of shooting, she’ll head back into styling for creative makeup and hair while we set up the second set of lights.  The second look is a very specific lighting, so we’ll all engage in setting it up to shoot and learn how to do it.

Don’t forget, all my workshops are shooting workshops so don’t forget your camera, lenses, batteries, and cards to shoot, shoot, shoot, this amazing look.

Any questions, email or call:

bob@robertharringtonstudios.com

203-540-8221

I hope to see you there!

 

Photo Connections Workshop and the Westcott Spiderlites

Tags

CT Headshot Photographer, CT Workshops, headshots, portraits, Westcott, Westcott Spiderlite, Westcott Spiderlite TD6

Hi and welcome back.

Last Sunday I ran a lighting workshop at Photo Connections in CT.

This was a dual light event: one station was speed lights and the other station was Westcott Spiderlite TD5’s.  They didn’t have the TD6’s, so we had 5’s.

Well, I have to say the Westcott Spiderlites stole the show for me.  I’ve shot home made constant lights but not anything ever like the TD series lights.

Westcott TD6’s

The light out them in incredible, soft, and so pleasing to the eye and skin that they are worth the investment.

Here are some sample, straight-out-of-the-camera proof images and BTS shots.

My first look was key and edge:

The second look was a wall of light to emulate open shade:

With the third look, I wanted to explore gels and coloring the light.  On the edge light I placed a Rosco Blue Gel over the fluorescent bulbs and then used Tungsten White Balance to push color to a desaturated blue tone:

These are all proof images.  Maddy’s skin looks fabulous under such soft light.

Here is a quick review:

Pros:

Amazing quality of light

Adjustable from 2 to 6 lights for key and fill output

Soft!

Large softboxes

What you see is what you get

Perfect for single or small family portraits

Cons: 

Need to shoot at high ISO for a decent aperture.  These images are at ISO 800, 1/60 @ 5.6

Hard to travel with as the base and bulb setup seems that it won’t take a lot of abuse

A bit awkward till you get the hang of them

Final:

I love these lights.  If I were to get them, I’d get a few TD6’s and be off and running with beautiful light.

That’s it for now.  Till next time, Happy Thanksgiving!!

 

Photo Connections Workshop this Weekend!

Tags

Constant Lights, CT Off Camera Flash, CT Off Camera Flash Workshops, CT Workshops, Photo Connections of Colchester, Small Flash Workshops, Small Flashes, Westcott, Westcott Rapid Box, Westcott Spiderlite TD6, Workshops

Hi and welcome back.

This workshop is coming up quickly, so register to join in the fun soon.

On November 22, I’m heading to Photo Connections of Colchester, CT to run a speed light/constant light workshop.

Mike and Jeannette from Photo Connections have had me in before, and I’m looking forward to going back for a fun and creative lighting workshop.

Here’s the registration link: Photo Connections Creative Lighting

This is a 3 1/2 hour workshop with a small break in the middle.

Details:

Photo Connections, Colchester, CT

November 22, from 9:30-1 (it starts early!)

$59.95

Looks: 40’s Hollywood Glamour, Creative and Simple Fashion

Gear: Speedlights, Rogue Flashbenders, Westcott Spiderlight TD6’s

Here are a few look samples:

November 22 Workshop at Photo Connections, Colchester, CT

Tags

Constant Light, CT Commercial Photographer, CT OCF, CT Workshops, Expoimaging Rogue Flashbenders, fashion, headshots, Hollywood Glamour, OCF, Photo Connections of Colchester, Westcott Spiderlite TD6

Hi and welcome back.

I don’t normally post twice in one day, but the link for this event just came through.

I’m getting back into the workshop series and am trying to book as much as possible for the end of the year and start the new year off with a schedule.

On November 22, I’m heading to Photo Connections of Colchester, CT to run a speed light/constant light workshop.

Mike and Jeannette from Photo Connections have had me in before, and I’m looking forward to going back for a fun and creative lighting workshop.

Here’s the registration link: Photo Connections Creative Lighting

This is a 3 1/2 hour workshop with a small break in the middle.

Details:

Photo Connections, Colchester, CT

November 22, from 9:30-1 (it starts early!)

$59.95

Looks: 40’s Hollywood Glamour, Creative and Simple Fashion

Gear: Speedlights, Rogue Flashbenders, Westcott Spiderlight TD6’s

Here are a few look samples:

We’ll do other looks, but basically the Hollywood Glamour and lighting for fashion and portraits.

Join in the fun before the holidays and get your gift list started after using cool gear!

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