Learn to light: natural light exposure (left) and photo made 5 minutes later with 2 small flashes and zero photoshop (right)
I’m excited to officially announce our lighting workshop, “Learn 2 Light“, which I’m co-hosting with fellow Lafayette photographer Michael Meeks. Watch this space for more info and updates!
When? all day Saturday, September 22, 2012, 10am-10pm (EST)
Where? We’ll be doing 2 ‘classroom’ sessions at Mike’s studio in downtown Lafayette (4th and Main), and 2 separate 2-hour location shoots (one urban, one more of a natural setting; models at both). Oh, and 2 delicious meals of course.
Who? 2 photographers, and 14 of you: Any students, aspiring photographers, or even established photographers who want to dive into the world of small flash. I’m a full-time working photographer that supports a family of four, and I also have 6 years of teaching experience at the college level, with a Master’s degree in Education. I still love to teach!
What? This is not a first-time beginner SLR class (contact Brian if you need to learn these basics, like what aperture and shutter speed are for). You do not need any lighting experience, or even your own flash, however! You should bring your camera, of course. This will be good for complete newbies to flash, as well as intermediate users who’ve dabbled in it. (Scroll down for the full schedule of content).
Why? Because lighting is one of the key components to being a competent photographer and creating great images in various situations. Sure, great photographs are made with available light, but if you rule out the world of creative light (or sometimes necessary light) you are ignoring a lot of possibilities and solutions. Or maybe you’ve reached a plateau and need to turn the page. And why small flash? Well there are a few things (below) you just can’t do with studio strobes, but speedlights are also a cheaper/easier/lighter way to get started in lighting!
How much? $200. We’re reserving 5 seats at $150 for anyone with a current student ID. Message me for details (don’t use the PayPal below). This includes the entire 12 hours, refreshments, and over $1,000 worth of giveaways from our sponsors! (Scroll down for a current list of sponsors). It also includes a follow-up virtual session with us, and access to our private support group on Facebook.
Register here!
Learn to light in full sun with 1 small flash and a reflector:
Schedule:
9:30am — Studio open for refreshments and meet-n-greet
10am — Session 1: introduction to lighting with small flash, then gear, grip, and settings, and then Q+A.
12pm — Lunch (probably bagged at studio, with some refreshments provided)
1pm — Session 2: techniques and modifiers
3pm — Shoot 1: urban location — fashion and headshot portraits (creating room light and using HSS outdoors)
5pm — Dinner (walk 2 blocks, 50% discount!)
7pm — Shoot 2: large outdoor location — e-shoot couple and action photo (color theory and rear curtain sync / long exposure)
9pm — Wrap-up back at studio.
TBA — Two virtual hangout followups, and Facebook closed-group communication with support, answers, and tips.
Content: small flash vs. studio strobes, mechanics and settings of small flash, off-camera modifiers, triggering options, creativity with exposure and white balance, High Speed Sync, rear-curtain sync, flash composites, etc.
Door Prizes: (running total value: over $1,000)
We will give out door prizes from our sponsors throughout the day during the class times. Keep an eye on this space for updates! I’m going to work on getting our attendees some really great stuff. My goal is for everyone to leave with at least 1 item. So far: David DuChemin (all 4 of his books, $160), Zack Arias (OneLight DVD, $150), Smugmug.com (three 1-year Pro subscriptions, $450), a 7′ light stand / bracket / case from LumoPro ($100 value), box of lighting & photog books from Peachpit.com ($140), and a few mods from B+H ($90 value). More TBA! Photos below:
Create flash composites with multiple exposures:
Hide a light in the middle of light rain:
You can feather one flash from a small softbox, and add a reflector and 2nd light to taste:
You can use rear-curtain-sync with small flash:
You can make portrait-quality light on a fashion show runway: (Before, the available light, left. After, the one small flash, right.)
Yes, you can even make interesting light with the flash still on your camera :)
You can use one flash to fill in the shadow side on a really bright sunny day:
You can do a whole fashion shoot with one bare flash and no assistant (if you have to and the situation calls for hard light):
You can turn the power up all the way, get close, and pull in that blue sky just a bit:
Just a little fill in a darker alley:
Long exposures are fun! Too bad it was below freezing outside :\
You can pull off some concept shots with well-hidden small flashes:
You can also make great light while documenting a wedding day with one flash. No wait, that’s the April 13, 2013 workshop ;) Stay tuned for that!
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Michael Meeks Photography- West Lafayette Indiana Photographer - [...] The majority of information can be found at Brian’s website HERE. [...]