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!!

 

 

This Saturday’s Boston Workshop at Theia Studios is a Shooting Workshop

Tags

Boston Lighting Workshop, Boston OCF Workshop, Boston Photography Workshops, Expoimaging, Interfit, Interfit Ambassador, Lighting, Lighting Workshop, Nikon, OCF, off camera flash, Off camera flash workshop, Sony, Theia Studios, Theia Studios Workshops

Hi and welcome back.

If you are attending the Headshot Workshop at Theia Studios this Saturday, it is a shooting workshop.

Bring your camera, batteries, clean cards, lenses, and everything you need to shoot.  I supply the lights, modifiers, and radio triggers.  After I set the look, you get to shoot frames and learn how to do the look.

I live by this little mantra:

Tell me and I forget

Teach me and I remember

Involve me and I learn

Our model is Amanda:

I’ll teach and you’ll shoot with speed lights these looks:

Corporate

Beauty

Actor

Model

Creative

Gels

Glamour

40’s Hollywood Glamour

This is a fun and interactive event where you get to shoot and learn.  Don’t forget your camera kit and shoot, shoot, shoot this Saturday.

I hope to see you there with your cameras!

Taming Harsh Sunlight with a Scrim

Tags

california sunbounce, CT Headshot Photographer, Expoimaging, Expoimaging 2-in-1 reflector, Headshot, natural light, Natural Light Headshot, Nikon, NYC Headshot Photographer, Rogue, Scrim, Shower Curtain, Shower Curtain Scrim, Sony, Sony A 7II, Unique Photo, Unique Photo Camera Show, Unique University

Hi and welcome back.

Last Saturday’s workshop at Unique Photo dealt with taming hard sunlight.  As photographers, we need to learn how to use every light source at our disposal.  If we shoot in hard light, then we need to see and use hard light or know how to diffuse it to get the best result for our client.

I like to use my scrim to control hard sunlight.  Some clients have crazy schedules, so shooting at noon on a sunny day is the only time they have.  So we need to understand how to get the shot “in the can” and please our client.

I have the California Sunbounce 4×6 frame and Zebra/White reflector.  Coming in at $334.00, this is not a system for the faint of heart.  As part of a sponsorship with California Sunbounce, I received the frame and textile for free a few years back.

But I wanted to use my CS frame as a scrim, or light diffuser.  When I saw the cost of a 1 stop scrim textile, at $158.00, I cringed.  So I headed to my local Marshall’s and got a Shower Curtain for $5.99 and strung it across the CS frame.

But, just Google DIY Scrims and you’ll come across a bunch of online tutorials on how to build portable scrims of all sizes on-the-cheap using PVC Pipe and fabric from a craft store for anywhere from $20-$50.00 depending on size.  This is the move.  Don’t spend more than you have to!!

Using scrims is easy, simply place the diffusion in between the sun or light source and your subject.

Here is an image from Saturday using the scrim and the Rogue 2-in-1 reflector only:

And here’s the setup.  As this was only a headshot, I used a piece of white masonite from my local home center as the background.  The sun is directly overhead for a hair and separation light, the scrim is overhead blocking the sun, and the white reflector is directly underneath our model, Shaza:

Used in this set up, the CS scrim is unwieldy, so I used my Matthews C-Stands, Avenger Boom arm, and 3 15 pd weight bags to keep it all steady.  A slight breeze picked up during the shoot, so the weight bags kept everything stable.

Here is another shot from the workshop.

The scrim is one of the most simple yet versatile tools in your kit.  They can be built cheaply and used all over.  You can harness the power of the sun or just shoot a light through it.  Whatever the case, scrims are a great and simple way to control your light.

Many thanks to Shaza Lauren for modeling at the workshop and to Unique Photo for having me in to teach at their annual Camera Show.

Tomorrow, Keep Your Mistakes!!

Till then, happy scrimming!

 

Unique Photo last Saturday

Tags

Expoimaging, Female Model, Model, natural light, Nikon, NJ, OCF, OCF Workshops, off camera flash, Rogue Flashbenders, Small Flash, Sony, Sony A7II, Unique Photo, Workshops

Hi and welcome back.

I was at Unique Photo last Saturday running two lighting workshops.

I’ll dissect the shoot for you as the week goes on with other posts, but for a quickie post today I’ll give you a few proof images from the two shoots.

From the front of the building: Taming Hard Sunlight

From the second workshop: Industrial Fashion

I’ll put together individual posts on lighting technique and setups throughout the week.

I’ll be planning a Beauty Headshot Workshop for July 9 and heading to Boston to Theia Studios on July 16 for “The Headshot” Workshop.  More on that this week too!

Till then, Happy Monday!

Unique Photo this Saturday

Tags

Expoimaging, Nikon, Rogue 2-in01 Reflecor, Rogue Flashbenders, Rogue XL Pro, Sony, Speedlighting for Beauty, Speedlighting for Glamour, Unique Photo, Unique Photo Show, Unique University

Hi and welcome back.

Sorry for the delay in posting, but it has been a bit crazy.

This Saturday, I’ll be at Unique Photo’s Camera Show running two lighting workshops.

Registration Link: Unique Photo

Taming Harsh Sunlight

I’ll be teaching how to tame hard light and also how to fall in love and use it to you advantage.

1:30-3:00

Front of the store

I’ll be using scrims, reflectors, and some fill flash to get great results.  I’ll also show you how to build the outdoor studio.

Industrial Fashion

We’ll be shooting at the rear of the building on the loading dock and going for Industrial Fashion looks.

3:30-5:00

All small flashes with Rogue Flashbenders, including the new Silver-Lined XL Pro

Bring your Camera!

I’ll be supplying all the gear for you to shoot 3 models in 3 stations in both locations.

Don’t miss out on this wonderful event put on by Unique Photo.

Hope to see you there!

 

 

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:

 

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!

 

WPPI-That’s a Wrap!

Tags

Beauty headshots, CT Headshot Photographer, Dark Beauty, Expoimaging, headshots, Nikon, Nissin Flash, NYC Headshot Photographer, OCF, OCF Workshops, off camera flash, Rogue Flashbenders, Sony

Hi and welcome back.

I just spent 5 days in Las Vegas teaching OCF for Expoimaging and Nissin Flash at WPPI.  If you haven’t made it out to Vegas for this event, definitely check it out and try for 2017.  It is a fabulous event in a wonderful location, the perfect late winter getaway to start the season off right!

Here are a few highlights from the trade show:

The mirrorless revolution is expanding with new offerings from Fuji and Olympus.  Sony is releasing 3 new lenses for it’s FE mount mirrorless cameras.  The mirrorless cameras are becoming a thorn in the side of the bigger D-SLR companies.

On a side note, I was watching House of Cards episode 2 last night from the new season and a surveillance photographer was using a Sony camera.  That used to be Nikon or Canon, so look for that more often now.

Interfit showcased its new self-contained monolight, the S1.  It looks like a Broncolor Siros and has a removable battery like a Profoto B1.  Priced lower than these two lights, Interfit is attempting to re-brand itself with better quality gear.

Nissin, who I worked for, has the new Di700A and Air Remote.  A great alternative to more expensive speed lights, the Di700A is awesome in that you can get one speed light and change Air 1 remotes, so you can shoot different camera brands and only change the remote for that camera.

Expoimaging, who I also worked for, is releasing a new set of white grid inserts.  These give a more even spread of light over their black grids.  They are also releasing the Super Soft Silver Reflector.  This new reflector uses a unique silver/white surface that was included in some older Flashbender units.  With an abundance of leftover material, they are entering the collapsible reflector market with a unique silver surface that provides an amazing reflected light.

Drones, last year was about drones with a booth on every corner; this year I saw only 2 drone manufacturers.

Printing and books.  If you sell books and albums, there was no shortage of companies there to sell you books.  There was also a huge influx of overseas manufacturers: books, prints, and albums dominated this year.

That’s about it.  If you missed WPPI this year, try to make it out.  Las Vegas is a great place with a lot to do and see, plus enjoy the show!

A quick note on workshops:

One Speedlight, 16 Looks is next Saturday.  Interested?  Please register by Thursday or I will have to cancel.

Photo Uno is March 29.  Sign on at Photo Uno for this free event on speed lighting.

April 2 is a fitness workshop at Crossfit Expressions, Stratford.  Link will be live soon.

April 9 is Advanced Speedlighting in NYC.  Sign on soon so everything can be confirmed.  Learn advanced techniques using simple gear.

That’s it for now, till next time: happy Spring!

Bob

Here are a bunch of proof images I shot for Expoimaging and Nissin Flash:

 

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!