Mexican folklorico dancer Dylan Carbone
Assignment

Practice isn’t just for beginners but also seasoned practitioners

A selection of faces I've collaborated with. Some recent, some a little older., but all these were done after I left the newspaper business.
A selection of faces I’ve collaborated with. Some recent, some a little older., but all these were done after I left the newspaper business.

Over the years I’ve been extremely fortunate to have met and photographed a lot of faces.

Many of these weren’t paid jobs but just collaborations or what is frequently called “Time For Prints.”

Mexican folklorico dancer Dylan Carbone
This is image of Dylan Carbone by one of my students from the workshop Norm Heinecke. I used 2 Speedlites and 2 reflectors.

I’d like to think these ladies felt my efforts were worthy of their time.

As I transition into teaching more and more, I find it is extremely important I continue shooting because I loathe showing ‘old’ work.

This is how Dylan was lit using 2 Canon Speedlies triggered by a long off-camera cord and another speedlite as a slave.
This is how Dylan was lit using 2 Canon Speedlies triggered by a long off-camera cord and another speedlite as a slave.

There’s also the matter of the need to stay in practice because I have  VIP clients like Riverside County and UC Riverside who can call at the drop of a hat and I’m expected to deliver.

And then there’s the way I prefer to teach.

In this digital age, there’s no reason to not shoot ‘live’ and make the necessary corrections so that my students can see the series of corrections and adjustments I make so that I have an acceptable starting point for them to jump in.

Norm Heinecke used my same lighting setup when I photographed Maria above. I just changed the images slightly in post. Inspect the highlights and you should be able to confirm this.
Norm Heinecke used my same lighting setup when I photographed Maria above. I just changed the images slightly in post. Inspect the highlights and you should be able to confirm this.

For that method of instruction, I have to be on my toes as it were or else it will be quickly apparent I’m a hack.

It’s only through practice that this sort of confidence is gained and my skills can stay sharp.

How do you like to learn? I’m fairly certain whether it’s photography, cooking or some similar activity like painting or dance, you know passively sitting in a humongous convention center room isn’t that much fun.

Neither is sitting in front of a computer watching videos without the ability to ask questions in real time.

Which is why I felt really good about what I do and how I teach  when one of my students, Debbie Redfearn, recently mentioned this on Facebook: “Peter is a great teacher. I asked for help a couple of times and he was right there with a unique and easy solution. Gave me some great pointers. Loved the small class. Everyone got the help they asked for and needed.”

By the way, if you’re interested sign up for my next offering for Small Flash Lighting workshop is Sat August 20, 2016 12:30p to 4:30p.

And thank you so much to Gabriela Pineault of Leyenda Dance Company for helping me out by bringing your dancers.

Bianca was lit by 1 Speedlight placed about 2 o'clock and 1 reflector on the left in this demo image I made during my 4-hour hands-on workshop
Bianca was lit by 1 Speedlight placed about 2 o’clock and 1 reflector on the left in this demo image I made during my 4-hour hands-on workshop

Peter Phun Photography

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