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:

The Upcoming November 22 Workshop at Photo Connections in Colchester, CT

Tags

40's Hollywood Glamour Workshop, CT Workshop, Expoimaging Rogue Flashbenders, Flashbenders, fun, Grid, Hollywood Glamour, OCF, OCF Workshop, Photo Connections of Colchester, Rogue, Westcott, Westcott TD6

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:

Heading to Philly and Delaware

Tags

Aperture Studios, california sunbounce, Calvin Childs, Cameras ETC, Cameras ETC Delaware, Delaware OCF, Delaware Workshops, Grid, off camera flash, Philadelphia OCF, Philadelphia OCF Workshops, Rogue Flashbenders, Rogueflash, Westcott

Hi and welcome back.

In keeping with the upcoming events theme today, I’m headed to Philly and Delaware in a few weeks.

I’m running a regular workshop at Aperture Studios in Philly on April 11, 2015.

Aperture Studios

Date: April 11, 2015

Time: 11-4:30

Cost: $225.00, you can use Paypal link above or contact me directly

Looks will be fashion, glamour, beauty, and some creative lighting, all with speedlights!

Model: Our model right now is Betty Breznay, who has not only worked for me at the old Calumet in Philly but is on the opening pages of my book “Photographic Lighting.”

 

My next workshop is with Camera’s ETC in Newark, DE on April 12.  

Here is a link to register: Camera’s Etc

You can also call the store to register: 302-453-9400

Here are the details:

Location: Camera’s ETC, 165 Main St, Newark, DE

Event: One Speedlight, 16 Looks

Time: 10-3

Looks: Headshot, fashion, glamour, high key, editorial, simple editorial

Our model is Kali:

 

That’s it for now.  I hope to see some of you at these amazing events as I teach you how to get great results with speed lights and simple gear.

Till then, happy shooting.

 

 

 

Reschedule of the NYC Workshop Today

Tags

Expoimaging Rogue Flashbenders, Lastolite, NYC off camera flash workshops, NYC Photography, NYC Photography Workshops, NYC workshops, off camera flash, Phottix Ares, Westcott

Hi Everyone,

The NYC workshop at the Space 4 Shoots studio has been rescheduled till January 31.

I chose to cancel based on the weather.  I have a few attendees traveling to the workshop from a fair distance and felt that “Better safe than sorry” was the proper thing to consider.

The Workshop will be re-posted on Sunday.

If you are interested, there are still spots left.

I’ll be using all small flashes and great gear from:

Rogue Flashbenders

Lastolite

Westcott

California Sunbounce

Our Model the the day is Julie Dawson:

 

Look for an update tomorrow!

Join in the fun if you can, this will be a great one!

Till next time, happy shooting!

One Light 101 Workshop, January 10

Tags

CT Flash, CT Off Camera Flash, CT Off Camera Flash Workshops, headshot workshop, Julie Dawson, Julie Dawson Workshop, Off Camera flash workshops, Rogue Flashbenders, Umbrella, Westcott

Hi and welcome back.

I’m taking my One Light 101 presentation from BH Photo Event Space and putting into action in my studio with a shooting workshop.

To register, simply use the Paypal link above or join and register on my Meetup Page. 

I’ll cover:

Exposure

Composition

Gear

Working and interacting with your client

Rogue Flashbenders

Convertible Umbrella, including reflective, shoot through, and collapsed

So come if you can:

Studio, 233 Boston Post Rd, Orange, CT

Cost: $120.00, If you book by December 31, cost is $110.00.

Time: 11-3

Date: January 10, 2015

Model is the incomparable Julie Dawson:

 

If you have any questions, you can contact me through the blog, email, or text: 203-641-2880

Hope to see you there!

Heading to New Jersey Next Weekend

Tags

CT Headshot Photographer, CT Photographer, CT Portrait Photographer, CT Wedding photographer, Expoimaing, New Jersey Workshops, OCF, Off Camera Flash workshop in New Jersey, Phottix, Westcott

Hi and welcome back.

I’ll be heading down to Paterson, NJ next Saturday for a speed light intensive workshop.

I’ll be working at the studio of Taryn Truese, formerly of Unique Photo and now off on her own.

The Art Factory is our location: Art Factory

 

We’ll be shooting an intensive portfolio building workshop with our model: Mayte

Some come and join the fun!

Here’s the registration link and directions: Workshop

Don’t miss out on this day of fun and speed lighting with gear from Westcott, Expoimaging, and Phottix.

Hope to see you there.

BH Photo and the Camera Club of NY

Tags

BH Photo, Camera Club of New York, CCNY, CT Actor Headshot Photographer, CT Headshot Photographer, CT Wedding photographer, Nikon, OCF, off camera flash, Unique Photo, Westcott, Workshops

Hi and welcome back.

This past weekend I had two workshops that were just spectacular.

In the studio, we shot beauty and glamour with Julie.  She was awesome and I love the high contrast b/w head shots:

Nikon D3, 105 f/2 DC Lens

SB910

Phottix Ares Triggers

Westcott 43″ Orb

 

Then I headed to Unique Photo in Fairfield, NJ on Sunday for a full day workshop on fashion, beauty, and glamour.

We got great shots during this Westcott sponsored event and used the:

28 Apollo

43″ Orb

Strip

Rapid Box

 

Tomorrow I head to BH Photo for 40’s Hollywood glamour and then to the Camera Club of NY to run a short shooting event.  I’m bringing my speed lights and join in the fun to shoot with a great model a few different lighting looks.

CCNY Link

Don’t miss out on this great and fun shooting and portfolio building event with a seasoned pro, Richelle, who is represented by Ford and MSA.

Hope to see you there!

Till next time, happy Spring!

Enough, Let’s Shoot!

Tags

CT Headshot Photographer, CT Photographer, CT Wedding photographer, Expoimaging, OCF, Off Camera flash workshops, Westcott

Hi and welcome back.

Tired of sitting home and watching the snow fall, anxiously awaiting Spring?

Then join me this weekend for these great shooting workshops and kick Winter in the keester with a few upcoming workshops!

February 22, Glamour and Beauty Lighting, My Studio, Cost $200, 12-4 pm.  We’ll explore multiple glamour looks and have a great time shooting our model: Julie Dawson, MM #3234674.  This is a speed light workshop using Westcott gear.  If you are interested in this workshop, please contact me directly: 203-641-2880 or rvh34@hotmail.com.  There are still spots left.

February 23, Lighting for Fashion and Glamour, Unique Photo, Fairfield, NJ.  This will be an awesome small flash event.  I’m bringing a small set that I built to travel with and will make the studio space look like a room.  Professional models supplied. Sponsored by Westcott.

Unique Photo Registration Link

February 25, Hollywood Glamour, BH Photo Event Space, BH Photo, Free, 1-3 pm.  This event will showcase how to shoot classic Hollywood Glamour with Speedlights and a small array of Rogue Flashbenders.  The event is currently closed to new registrations, but if you can come early as a stand-by, you may get in.

BH Link

February 25, Camera Club of New York, Meetup, Fashion/Glamour shooting workshop, $75.  If you are in the NYC area, don’t miss this one.  We shoot from 6-9 in the CCNY studio with a professional model and get great looks with just 1-3 speedlgihts.  You can register with the link below or email Ed Lee at elee950021@aol.com

CCNY Link

March 3-5 is the premier wedding and portrait photographers event: WPPI.  I’ll be there speaking an presenting with Expoimaging, BH Photo, and Phottix.  If you attend, make sure you stop to meet me!

WPPI Link

March 8, One Speedlight, 16 Looks Workshop, Photo Connections of Colchester, 10-4 pm.  This is an all day shooting workshop.  I’ll take you from beginner to intermediate with 16 different lighting looks with one speed light.  We’ll have 3 models and lighting stations on hand for you to shoot.

Photo Connections Link

March 8, Glamour on Location, This is a full on glamour shoot after the Photo Connections workshop.  Shoot glamour on location with speed lights.  If you are interested in this workshop, you must contact me at 203-641-2880 or rvh3@hotmail.com.

I look forward to meeting and working with you this year!

Till then, happy snow shoveling!

Workshop Announcement and OCF Technique

Tags

Boston, Boston OCF, Boston Off Camera Flash, Boston Workshops, FJ Westcott, Nikon, OCF, off camera flash, Pocket Wizards, SB910, Speedlight, Speedlighting, Westcott, Westcott Rapid Box

Hi and welcome back.

First a workshop announcement:

I’m running my “One Speedlight, 16 Looks” workshop in my studio on Saturday, August 10, 2013 from 12-5 pm.

Where: Studio, 233 Boston Post Rd, Orange, CT

Cost: $100.00

Time: 12-5

Professional model supplied.

We’ll shoot 16 different lighting looks with just one speedlight and a few simple modifiers.  Come and join the fun!

My companion book is available from Blurb: One Speedlight, 16 Looks

You can email or call for details: 203-641-2880

Now on to the post!

Today we are going to look at working outside.  I love to get outside with small flashes as you can do so much and have total mobility.

Because speedlights don’t have the power of a strobe it’s best to move your subject into the shade and take your exposure from there.  You have to play, or chimp, if you are not using a hand held meter, but go for it!

Here, in the BTS shot, I’m working in Boston alongside an abandoned building.  In the background, you can see that it’s a bright sunny afternoon, but by moving into the shade I can get a good exposure:

Gear:

• Manfrotto 1052 BAC Lightstand
• Nikon SB910, SD9 Battery Pack
• Pocket Wizard Plus III
• Westcott Rapid Box

The light out of the Rapid Box is just amazing.  You can use it as a beauty dish or place the diffusion sock over it for a diffused softbox.  The light is creamy and soft and just perfect.

Exposure: 1/125 @ f/5, ISO 200, WB Daylight

Flash was set to Manual Mode @ 1/2 Power.  I don’t use TTL a great deal and normally stick with manual mode to get consistent power output.

Here’s a final:

Shooting outdoors is fun and you can do a lot in a short amount of time, especially with the mobility of speedlights.

That’s it for now.  Maybe I’ll meet you at my workshop!  Till then, get outside and shoot!