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

Milford Adult Ed and This Weekend’s Boston Workshops with Theia Studios

Tags

CT, milford, Milford Adult Ed, OCF, Photography, Photography classes, Theia Studios

Hi Everyone,

I totally forgot about putting this on the meetup till I got my email from adult ed.

If you are a beginner in digital photography, I teach a Basic Digital class at the Milford Adult Ed at Foran HS.  Classes begin tomorrow night from 7-9 and go for 7 weeks.  This is a great class to learn basic to intermediate digital photo techniques.

GF119 Digital Photography – Beginners Tuition: $69

Learn how to get the most out of your digital camera: photo and file management, the card reader and more. Get creative with camera modes, flashes, compositions, and how to capture portraits and landscapes through the proper use of light. A non-refundable $40 fee is payable to the instructor at the first class. Limit: 15 students.

Robert V. Harrington, (203) 540-8821
Tuesday/Sept.27 7:00-9:00 p.m. 7 weeks Foran HS, Rm. 391 Residents: $69 Non-residents: $79 Milford Seniors: $59

There is a $40 cash tech fee due to me paid at the first class to cover all my expenses for the class

If you are an advanced shooter, I teach an Advanced Photo that is based heavily on lighting.  I’ll cover natural light, speed light, strobe light, and low cost fluorescent or constant lighting.  Models are provided for about 4 of the 7 classes.  This is Thursday nights from 7-9 at Foran HS.

GF114 Advanced Lighting – Photography II

Learn advanced lighting techniques using lightpainting, constant lights, speedlights, and strobe lights in this class and explore external light sources. Use professional lighting equipment in a multitude of ways to explore different aspects of lighting using gear from Photoflex, Westcott, Pocket Wizard and other professional brands. A non-refundable $40 fee payable to the instructor at the first class covers cost of a model for 4 of the 9 weeks. Limit: 15 students.

Robert V. Harrington, (203) 540-8821 Thursday/Sept.29 7:00-9:00 p.m. Residents: $69 Non-residents: $79

7 weeks Foran HS, Rm. 391 Milford Seniors: $59

There is a $40 cash tech fee due to me paid at the first class to cover all my expenses and model fees

You can call Judy at Adult Ed to register before the class at 203-783-3461

Also, I’ll be in Andover on Saturday night and Boston on Sunday running two outdoor lighting workshops with Theia Studios.  If you are in the area, join in the fun.  I checked the weather and it looks great for both events.  There is a discount if you book in for both.

To register, you must contact Theia Studios at:

theia-studios.com or (978) 712-9278[/url]

I hope to see some of you there!

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!

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!

A Quick BTS of the Matthews Road Rags II Reflector

Tags

beauty, Beauty headshots, CT headshot potographer, Matthews Road Rags II, Nikon, NYC Beauty Headshot Photographer, OCF, OCF Workshops, Sony, Unique Photo, Unique Photo University

Hi and welcome back.

I am currently smitten with my Matthews Road Rags II Silver/White reflector.

Link: Matthews Road Rags II

Link: Photek Umbrella Bracket

It breaks down literally to fit in your back pocket and then assembles into a full 24″ x 36″ silver/white reflector.  What can be better than that?

Plus, the attachment pin fits right into a Photek or Lumopro Umbrella Bracket: no more purchasing crazy brackets or arms to attach your reflector to a lightstand:

Here is is in use on a corporate job.  I went to this job on 4/20 and 2/25 and used the same setup for simple shots:

Here it is attached to a short Manfrotto background stand.  

This is a great and simple reflector that I’m happy to have found, although I wished I had found it years ago!

Here I am using it at a workshop with the awesome Jada Stoudemire:

That’s it for now.  There are still a few spots left for Saturday’s workshop, where I’ll be showcasing and using this reflector system.

Here’s the reg link, so join in the fun: Unique Photo

Till next time, happy reflecting!

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:

 

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!

 

The Matthews Road Rags II System

Tags

CT Headshot Photographer, CT Off Camera Flash Workshops, CT Photographer, Matthews Road Rags II, Matthews Silver White Panel, Nikon, NYC Beauty Photographer, NYC Commercial Photographer, NYC Headshot Photographer, NYC Off Camera Flash Workshop, OCF, off camera flash, Sony, Sony A 7II

Hi and welcome back.

For years I have been a California Sunbounce reflector user.  The Micro Mini was the first piece of professional level gear I ever owned after my camera.

However, in my constant quest to lighten my kit, I recently discovered the Matthew Road Rags II system of flags, scrims, and reflectors.

This lightweight system is based on a small tent-pole-like setup where the arms are held together with a bungee cord.  This makes it highly portable and easy to setup and break down.

I got a 24×36 silver/white reflector panel.  Now, I carry this with me instead of my Micro Mini as the Matthews is smaller, lighter, and does the job perfectly.  Also, if you use standard umbrella brackets, then you don’t need any extra brackets to attach the reflector to a light stand.

Mathews Road Rags II

Matthews Silver/White panel

Photek Umbrella Bracket

Now to the pics.

Here is the kit as it comes right out of the box:

The frame opens and then nearly assembles itself with the bungee cord inside:

Once you have the unit assembled, it looks like this:

Then, you take the silver/white or any other Matthews panels and just evenly slip it on the long sides of the frame and slide both sides evenly until it is on fully:

Once the fabric is on, snap it into place.  The snaps hold the entire thing taut:

Once in place, you have a lightweight reflector system with the added benefit of it attaching to an umbrella bracket.  If you shoot speed lights, you already own some kind of attachment bracket.  I use the Photek brand, link above, to attach my lights to my stands.  The beauty of the reflector system, the attachment pin slips right into the umbrella slot: NO NEED FOR OTHER COSTLY BRACKETS!

Here it is assembled and ready for use:

And here I am using it at the workshop last Saturday:

Looking for an amazingly simple and effective reflector you can slip into just about any camera bag or carry-on?  Then check out the Matthews Road Rags II system, which also has scrims, flags, and silks.

I love this compact reflector and will be carrying it from now on in place of my California Sunbounce Micro Mini.

I’m running a workshop in CT on April 23, join me and see for yourself how well this thing works!

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