Riverside’s 2015 Day of the Dead festival

November 14, 2015 Peter Phun 2 Comments

Every year I look forward to Riverside’s El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festival.

Though it is in its twelfth year and I’ve attended each and every one of them, I still look forward to it because of its uniqueness.

Folklorico dancers in pretty pink dresses perform for the crowds at the Aztec stage. This ground level stage is always packed during performances and very difficult to shoot. I used a monopod to raise my camera above the crowds in front of me. I used a remote cable release and guessed about the framing which is why this is often called a "Hail Mary" by news photographers — Folklorico dancers in pretty pink dresses perform for the crowds at the Aztec stage. This ground level stage is always packed during performances and very difficult to shoot. I used a monopod to raise my camera above the crowds in front of me. I used a remote cable release and guessed about the framing which is why this is often called a “Hail Mary” by news photographers

Unlike the other festivals, this is probably the only one where folks attending expect to be photographed because they come all decked up in costume and makeup.

So if you like taking pictures of people, this is one not to miss. Continue reading Riverside’s 2015 Day of the Dead festival →

Photography

Learn to use your speed light to improve your portraits

October 26, 2015 Peter Phun

Miracle at Graber House 2015 — Miracle Guillory, my model was lit by 2 Speedlites inside my small Octodome softbox and also another on fitted with a grid on the left of her. The small Octodome was on the right just out of camera frame.

It’s been a while since I led a small flash lighting workshop, so I’ve scheduled one for Sat Oct 31,2015.

We’ll be using the auditorium on the 2nd floor at the city of Riverside’s Main library.

I’m planning to have 4 models, possibly more, but that would depend on the number of students that actually pay and show up.

If you live in Southern California and are interested in taking better portraits, there’s no better investment than taking a workshop to learn to light. Continue reading Learn to use your speed light to improve your portraits →