My apologies for the complete lack of recent updates but it's been a very busy couple of weeks. I've been recording my latest tutorial (more info here), Libby has gone back to the UK for a fortnight, and I've had a hundred and one other things to get through before I could find time to shoot or post any new material.
The most recent, and exciting, is that I've been taking part in a Bulgaria photographic symposium ;– Bodygraphia – focussing on the the body. I've included the link to the English version of the site below, but please note that a lot of the images feature nude bodies.
It was a three day event, and there were 16 of us taking part. We were split into four groups, assigned two models a day (one for the morning, one for the afternoon), and had three days to shoot in a variety of locations: a factory, nightclub, a hotel spa, a traditional Bulgarian house, or a location of our choice. My group spent two sessions in the factory, one at the Bulgaria house, one in the spa, one at a local lake, and one at the nightclub (I had to miss that one).
All things considered, I had a really good time, but it was so far outside my normal comfort zone that I found it very challenging. For example, I'm used to photographing people, but not at all used to directing models. We also had a range of lighting kit available to us. As you know though, lighting isn't exactly one of my specialities, so that was rather hit and miss too. The net result though is that I got quite a few shots that I'm pleased with - some that fit with the theme of the symposium, and some that don't.
This one is in the latter category :-) It was taken before we started shooting at the factory, and I should probably explain that the goggles were brought along by one of the members of my group and Iva, our model for that session, was trying them on outside one of the buildings.
Anyway, I'll post more shots over the next week or so, some of which are a bit more serious than this one ;-)
captured camera lens focal length aperture shutter speed shooting mode exposure bias metering mode ISO flash image quality RAW converter cropped?
comment bydjib at 01:55 PM (GMT) on 19 August, 2010
Wow, your processing on the hair really is amazing. Great and somehow funny portrait. I like the colours.
comment byCarlos Garcia at 02:34 PM (GMT) on 19 August, 2010
Curious capture. Looks like she is watching a nuclear flash, but with style and amazing calm :)
comment byDan Kaufman at 03:04 PM (GMT) on 19 August, 2010
love the composition and framing with the factory walls.
comment byDan Kaufman at 07:00 PM (GMT) on 19 August, 2010
… you made a couple of comments that caught my attention: 1) re directing models and 2) re using lighting kits. Both these reminded me of the recent CreativeLIVE online 3-day tutorial that Zack Arias did with Chase Jarvis’ CreativeLIVE venture. It was, in a one short word, fantastic. I was captivated and watched virtually the entire 3 days live-online. Zack is an amazing teacher. He did a really good job of explaining how he works with a model, how he keeps up the repartee with his subject/client all the while doing the photo-tech/strobist thing. AND, of course, he made the using of strobe lights and the modifiers look SO EASY that anyone could do it J J. Well, anybody but me of course. It is still very far from my comfort zone too.
If you didn’t get to see any of this CreativeLIVE-Zack Arias class, they recorded the entire event and have DVDs available. I would HIGHLY recommend it for any photographer who, at least, wants to get more comfortable with lighting and working with models. Here’s a link to Zack’s blog with shots from the session:
comment bydjn1 at 07:22 PM (GMT) on 19 August, 2010
djib and Carlos: thanks :-)
Dan: thanks for the link to Zack's workshop, I'll take a look. Zack has been at the last few Gulf Photo Plus training events, as a fellow instructor, and the quality of the work his student's produce is wonderful. Sadly, I haven't had time to sit in on any of his workshops.
Anyway, back to your comment ...
I'm definitely technically lacking when it comes to lighting, but I think the thing that bothered me most at the Bodygraphia event wasn't the lighting, or directing the models, but the "idea" of directing models – it just seemed such a weird idea. When I photograph the kids, or a wedding, or people on the street, I'm interpreting something that pre-exists my involvement. Shooting with models though, is all about what's inside your head – creating a reality rather than interpreting one.
I think, with a bit more practice, it's something that I'd really enjoy, but it was a very alien experience.
great shot (i've got to get me a pair of those goggles). If you're interested in seeing how famous photographers light their images, you should see GuessTheLighting.com
My apologies for the complete lack of recent updates but it's been a very busy couple of weeks. I've been recording my latest tutorial (more info here), Libby has gone back to the UK for a fortnight, and I've had a hundred and one other things to get through before I could find time to shoot or post any new material.
The most recent, and exciting, is that I've been taking part in a Bulgaria photographic symposium ;– Bodygraphia – focussing on the the body. I've included the link to the English version of the site below, but please note that a lot of the images feature nude bodies.
http://www.bodygraphia.com/
It was a three day event, and there were 16 of us taking part. We were split into four groups, assigned two models a day (one for the morning, one for the afternoon), and had three days to shoot in a variety of locations: a factory, nightclub, a hotel spa, a traditional Bulgarian house, or a location of our choice. My group spent two sessions in the factory, one at the Bulgaria house, one in the spa, one at a local lake, and one at the nightclub (I had to miss that one).
All things considered, I had a really good time, but it was so far outside my normal comfort zone that I found it very challenging. For example, I'm used to photographing people, but not at all used to directing models. We also had a range of lighting kit available to us. As you know though, lighting isn't exactly one of my specialities, so that was rather hit and miss too. The net result though is that I got quite a few shots that I'm pleased with - some that fit with the theme of the symposium, and some that don't.
This one is in the latter category :-) It was taken before we started shooting at the factory, and I should probably explain that the goggles were brought along by one of the members of my group and Iva, our model for that session, was trying them on outside one of the buildings.
Anyway, I'll post more shots over the next week or so, some of which are a bit more serious than this one ;-)
camera
lens
focal length
aperture
shutter speed
shooting mode
exposure bias
metering mode
ISO
flash
image quality
RAW converter
cropped?
Canon 5D Mark II
EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
70mm
f/4.5
1/125
manual
n/a
evaluative
100
no
RAW
ACR
very minor
Wow, your processing on the hair really is amazing. Great and somehow funny portrait. I like the colours.
Curious capture. Looks like she is watching a nuclear flash, but with style and amazing calm :)
love the composition and framing with the factory walls.
… you made a couple of comments that caught my attention: 1) re directing models and 2) re using lighting kits. Both these reminded me of the recent CreativeLIVE online 3-day tutorial that Zack Arias did with Chase Jarvis’ CreativeLIVE venture. It was, in a one short word, fantastic. I was captivated and watched virtually the entire 3 days live-online. Zack is an amazing teacher. He did a really good job of explaining how he works with a model, how he keeps up the repartee with his subject/client all the while doing the photo-tech/strobist thing. AND, of course, he made the using of strobe lights and the modifiers look SO EASY that anyone could do it J J. Well, anybody but me of course. It is still very far from my comfort zone too.
If you didn’t get to see any of this CreativeLIVE-Zack Arias class, they recorded the entire event and have DVDs available. I would HIGHLY recommend it for any photographer who, at least, wants to get more comfortable with lighting and working with models. Here’s a link to Zack’s blog with shots from the session:
djib and Carlos: thanks :-)
Dan: thanks for the link to Zack's workshop, I'll take a look. Zack has been at the last few Gulf Photo Plus training events, as a fellow instructor, and the quality of the work his student's produce is wonderful. Sadly, I haven't had time to sit in on any of his workshops.
Anyway, back to your comment ...
I'm definitely technically lacking when it comes to lighting, but I think the thing that bothered me most at the Bodygraphia event wasn't the lighting, or directing the models, but the "idea" of directing models – it just seemed such a weird idea. When I photograph the kids, or a wedding, or people on the street, I'm interpreting something that pre-exists my involvement. Shooting with models though, is all about what's inside your head – creating a reality rather than interpreting one.
I think, with a bit more practice, it's something that I'd really enjoy, but it was a very alien experience.
great shot (i've got to get me a pair of those goggles). If you're interested in seeing how famous photographers light their images, you should see GuessTheLighting.com
It was nice to meet you there. I wish you all the Best.
Peter
Thanks Petar, it was good to meet you too.