BH Photo Event Space Next Week

Tags

beauty, Beauty Headshot, Beauty Photography, BH, BH Event Space, BH Photo, Black hair, Model, modeling, Nikon, off camera flash, Photoflex, Photoflex Umbrella, SB800, Single Light, Single Light Portraits, Small Flash Photography, Sony, Sony A7II

Hi Everyone,

I apologize for not posting for a while.  I’ve been busy and have neglected the blog.

Next week on December 28, I’m heading to BH Event Space to run a presentation from 1-3 on the Humble Umbrella.

BH Event Space

I just received the new Photoflex Diffusion Screen for the 45″ convertible umbrella.  For those of you who know my work or work in photography education, you know that I love this umbrella.  Now, with a diffusion screen, this umbrella system is now complete.

Here is the link to Photoflex:

Photoflex Umbrella Diffusion

I’ll be at BH to demonstrate this wonderful piece of gear and to get a handle on it.  I’ve not shot with it, so we’ll all learn something that day.

I’ll be shooting with the incomparable Tatiana, who worked for me at the Nissin Booth this year at the Photoplus Expo:

Register at the BH Event Space site and join in the fun!

Hope to see you there.

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!

 

September 17 Location Strobe Lighting Workshop

Tags

CT, Editorial, fashion, Interfit S1 Monolight, Interfit S1 Moonlight Review, Location lighting, Location Lighting workshops, Model, Model Workshops, modeling, New Haven, Nikon, Photoflex, Sekonic, Sony

• Hi Everyone,

  I cancelled the Headshot Workshop in Middletown as I was having too much trouble organizing it for the day, so I’ve decided to try my luck at a location lighting workshop in New Haven.

  We’ll shoot Location Strobes.

  If you are new or are looking to move up to strobe/monolights for your kit, location shooting is a great way to use them.  With new technologies and battery packs available, location strobes are all the rage right now.

  We’ll shoot a two light kit, going from one key to adding hair or accent lights for a fashion/editorial look.

  Gear:

  Interfit S1 Monolights

  Pocket Wizards

  Skein Light Meter

  Simple modifiers: Umbrella, grids, maybe a softbox

  When you purchase moonlight kits, you normally get two lights so let’s shoot with two and get some great and creative looks.

  Model TBD

  Location is my favorite spot in the courtyard behind the Shubert Theater:

  

  CHANGE

Hey Bob, get the conversation started!

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!

 

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!

Change Your Lighting Look By Turning Lights On or Off

Tags

Actor headshot, Actor Headshot Photographer, beauty, Boston OCF Workshops, Boston Workshops, brunette, CT Beauty Headshot Photographer, CT Model Headshot Photographer, high key, Mid Key, Model Headshot, Nikon, OCF, OCF Workshops, Sony, Theia Studios, Theia Studios Workshops

Hi and welcome back.

One of the simplest ways to change the look of an image is to just turn lights on or off.

The High Key style actor headshot went out of fashion a few years ago in my marketplace; however, I still do shoot it if the client wants it.  I prefer darker backgrounds, so the best way to quickly and efficiently do two looks with your client is to just turn the backlights off.

In this BTS shot, we can see the High Key headshot look all setup and shoot ready.

Key: SB910, Photoflex Shoot Through Umbrella

Fill: California Sunbounce Micro Mini, silver side

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

So with my setup ready to go, I shot the High Key look:

Then, I went to a completely different look, more out of the actor high key to the model mid key look: just by turning my back lights off.

Looking for a quick and efficient way to add looks for your client?  Just turn some lights off; it’s as simple as that!

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

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!