Tag Archives: portraits

Assignment

Don’t be afraid to turn off room lights

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Thanks Monika Seitz Vega for being a great sport. ISO 100 1/10 sec @ f2.8 Canon 580EX Speedlight (right) on 1/64th power triggered by Canon STE-2

In most interiors, indoor lighting is chosen for maximum illumination and highest energy efficiency.

Based on this, you can safely assume, the light is usually coming straight down from the ceiling and chances are, they are fluorescent light fixtures.

Whenever I have to photograph someone in such surroundings, I always ask “What would the room look like without the overhead lights especially if there is a large window?”

Experienced photographers understand and appreciate quality of light over quantity of light.

They also know their equipment and their own limitations.

They know the shutter speed they can successfully handhold for any lens in their arsenal.
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Assignment, Photography

Arts & Crafts Beers 2010-Part1

 

One of my first "customers" were a lot of fun. I didn't even need to coax this out them.

I brought almost everything out like last year for this year’s fundraiser at the Riverside Art Museum.

It’s a chore to be sure, but since it’s for a good cause, art education, I always glad.

Everyone who comes by for a quick portrait leaves happy.

So it’s worth it.

See the pictures and tell me what you think. Continue reading Arts & Crafts Beers 2010-Part1 →

Photography, Tutorials

On location single flash lighting

Graduating High School Senior–Samantha Some of you might recognize Samantha who modeled for my students when I taught my Small Flash Lighting workshop a few weeks back. She’s got such a pretty face and great skin, it’s hard not to get a good picture of her. I kept things simple for the most part. I used one Speedlite and a silver reflector for this picture.

One of the most invaluable skills I acquired while at the newspaper was learning to assess my lighting options on scene quickly.

Most of time it meant I would use what’s already at the scene. This approach means you have 2 light sources:

  • what you bring (your small portable flash units) and
  • what available light there is

Continue reading On location single flash lighting →

Photography

Too much light

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When cooking, if you’re the sort who thinks one teaspoon is good, and 2 or 3 will be even better, then you probably eat alone a lot.

Come to think of it, you probably eat lots of leftovers too.

When you’re making pictures, especially when you are starting to explore lighting, resist over-lighting.

It’s all about quality of light not quantity.

It’s precisely that reason photographers sometimes choose to light their subjects.

Less is more–Artist Johnnie Dominguez was photographed using just available light and a large gold reflector. My friend Ted Kulesa held the reflector on the left of Johnnie just outside the frame. Canon 40D ISO 800 1/125 sec @ f2.8 camera on monopod. 80-200 zoom @ 80 mm. No fancy schmancy lights or flash used. I did have an voice-activated assistant Ted Kulesa. I wish I took more behind-the-scenes pictures of this. I’m starting to do so now that I’m teaching.

Continue reading Too much light →