Hard light

what about this, lets start w/basics

using speedlights with no diffusion to light a scene.

as many as you like or just one but the point would be to

see how to make a small hard light work effectively for the subject matter.

In my opinion it would be a pretty tough assignment.

The second assignment for example could then be add diffusion, bounce what ever

changing the size & quality.  we could go along those lines.

with that said here's the lattest from me, how could I have made this better.

Thanks guys

Monthly assignment idea

a possible idea would be "daylight at night" (i.e., the look of daytime at nighttime).

David Gralian

First assignment?

Wanted to post a couple ideas for our May assignment and see what you think?

1. Flick of light or

2. Rim lighting

please feel free to add to the list and suggest something else.

Fred

A note from Mark

Hi Guys, Mark asked me to post this for the group. I am trying to get with him to walk him through the posting process but we haven't been able to hook up.

Hi Fred,

I wanted to post to the group that the Lastolite TriFlash (LL LA2412) is

now in stock. This is the umbrella tilt head that can mount up to three

pocket flashes that Joe used the first two days of the workshop. There

has been allot of interest from many of Joe's fans on this product and I

think the group might be interested in this. 

Sincerely,

Mark Astmann

David - self assignment 2

I'm really trying to get the hang of

art a rim lighting.  It gives an HDR effect with out all the 

photoshop show business.  So if this has a little Dave Hill

look it was to see if I could do it.

that said, it was shot with a travelite w/ a small softbox camera right

and my trusty SB 80 zoomed and bare camera left.

Took a lot of pics, a lot of bad ones and this was the best from the series.

I would not say this is a home run but more of a testimony of the effort.

No pain no gain.

comments welcomed

For the two dancing pictures I used an CTO gel on the flash and had my white balance on tungsten (trying what Joe taught us). I had an umbrella on left up high and flash aiming at floor reflector. For the pictures at the music recital, I set up a bed sheet between two light stands with two SB900's behind the sheet about a foot above my head. I also set up a kicker light bouncing off a reflector on the floor to fill in set at -3. I knew I was going to have groups of 6 people and didn't know how to light the group somewhat evenly since I don't own strobes or large soft box. I also set flashes on even balance (again as Joe suggested). I had the group angled toward sheet with me on the edge but not sure if there is a better way. Dealing with reflection was very hard, and I didn't really deal at all. I did learn how to do it a little better, but didn't have time to practice until after the concert (only given 25 minutes before concert to take the pictures and got there late because of a huge snowstorm here in Denver this weekend).

Abby and Armando

Here are a few images of a children session I shot a couple of weeks ago. The images posted were of course using the new techniques we learned from Joe. So a little feedback from you guys would be great! and I hope everyone is doing well.

EZYBOX update

I've been in touch with Mark Astmann from Bogen, I needed info for an article I was writing for photocrati.com. I also invited him to join us on this blog so we'll see if he has time. Anyway here is the info on the new EZYBOX, I know I'm ready to jump on it. From Mark.... The Ezybox Hotshoe will have an updated bracket assembly. The old one was made out of metal and the hole through the ring was round. The new Mark II bracket is made out of Delrin (a nylon derivitive) and the hole through the ring is rectangular to match the shape of a flash head. Also the new bracket will allow mounting of additional options coming later this year. With the new Mark II bracket you will be able to mount an optional beauty dish, snoot, wide or long throw reflector. This new bracket is now due in towards the end of April. The units will cost the same as current versions, List of $183 and $242 for the 15" and 24". Most dealers sell them at a discount so you can usually find them for around $164 and $217 respectively. Current available options include; Short and long extension handles at a list $48 and $56 and set of three creative mask front covers (circle and two strips) at a list of $83 and $89. No idea what the unreleased options will be yet.  I don't have the bracket yet, however, I believe they are coming in our next shipment. To help distinguish the new version from the older one I will have a new part number for the Ezybox Hotshoe with the new bracket. None of our dealers have this new part number yet, so you won't be able to order it. I would say you should be able to order it at the end of this month under part number LL LB2462M2. 

Desert Senior Portrait
Here are some images from a 'High School Senior Portrait' I did about 3 weeks ago. She will be moving to Alaska this summer to go to college, so we thought a desert theme would be fun.

These were taken out in the Arizona desert in late morning (bright) sunlight.

...

For light, I just used a translucent panel (Lastolite Tri-grip) to diffuse/soften the hard sunlight that was hitting her.

After I got back and uploaded/processed the images I could tell that one mistake I made was to not have a flick of light into the eyes to make them standout more and provide a highlight. She has beautiful light colored eyes that would have added more 'pop' to the picture.

My key learning there was that I could not see the LCD clear enough in the bright sun, so I wasn't able to see how the image looked clearly enough. I think I've solved that problem, I bought the Hoodman Screen Loupe, just got it so haven't been able to really try it out yet.

Clearly getting out earlier in the day would have been better for both the light and the comfort factor (it was getting kinda hot standing around in the sun).

Any suggestions/thoughts on what else I might have done?

Thanks, David

perspective

so here we are, a month & 1/2 later

and well into our daily grooves and patterns.

The question now is what lingers, what insights,

lessons, challenges and discoveries continue.

when I think of the energy spent to get to class

let alone money and can't but search myself

and ask was it a valuable experience, did it advance me

as a photographer.  I tend to put a lot of emphasis on workshops

more like expectations.  I think now, that line of thinking is unrealistic.

Workshops and I think especially Joe's simply reveal a path and it's up to us

to walk down it.   like the tools are presented to fix the engine along

with the basics of mechanics but until we get in there nothing changes, nothing gets fixed.

so again, what was the most impactful revelation for you from the class, what path was revealed.  I think this blog is a great opportunity to continue in the momentum of getting

better and digging deeper.  I hope to hear from all who follow this blog!

Red Rocks and Businessmen

I'm working on getting a picture of a friend running the stairs at Red Rocks. I know I have the flash all wrong, but I made a few attempts anyhow. In this shot the sun rises behind him and sets into his face.

Took a business picture for a lawyer on 52nd floor downtown but only had 10 minutes to set up. Used high shutter speed to decrease light out the window.

A teacher at Kent Denver High School. 

I take 10 pictures around the high school every week and they go into an on-line newspaper. I plan to just keep taking them until a pattern evolves that I like.

I would very much appreciate ideas about the running pictures, or anything.

Rusty

here is a self assignment I did today

for the portfolio.  One light on my good friend Rusty

with a flick light in the face. the location is a body shop

where he has worked on a off for 20 years. 

which do you like better?

comments welcome.

Hi guys - wanted to share a slide show from pictures I forgot that I had from Santa Fe - just click here.
Also, had an assignment today for a small real estate company looking for new photos.
I'm really giving a lot of thought to jumping head first into e-ttl, especially after seeing the new PocketWizards. Don't think they're even available yet but they would have been perfect for today's shoot. Just getting tired of lugging around all the big toys.