When I heard that Photofocus was renting the Pinball Hall of Fame for a party, my mind started going crazy with ideas. The plan was to host a party during Photoshop World in Las Vegas and invite Photofocus readers to join us for a live shoot with models and borrowable cameras from LensRentals.com. The party was a blast, and you've already seen some of the pictures posted here on the blog. I had a particular plan in mind, however, and I'll show you how I made it come to life, and maybe my method will help you realize a vision you've had in … [Read more...] about Pinball Heroes: How I Previsualized and Realized a Photograph
Lighting
Behind the Scenes with Dave Black
We had a chance to catch up with Dave Black at Photoshop World last month in Las Vegas. He sat with Photofocus' Pamela Berry to go behind the scenes of 5 of his most recent commercial jobs, showing us how he set up and lit each image and got an amazing shot. https://youtu.be/-1mWqaMGkbs About Dave Black Dave is a freelance photographer for over 30 years. His work has primarily centered on the sports industry for such publications as Sports Illustrated, Time, Newsweek and the award-winning TV show Sports Century on ESPN. He's covered events … [Read more...] about Behind the Scenes with Dave Black
Speed, Speed it’s what you need
Before engaging the enemy it was a low light situation, once the rifles burst it was only then that I knew I had captured the shot. This is my first post on Photofocus. Thank you Richard, Vanelli and Nick for your help and encouragement. Having the correct tools for the job is imperative. Some of those tools are fast lenses. Fast lenses allow you to shoot in low light situations where you can't sacrifice shutter speed because the action in front of the lens would blur. Okay so just increase your ISO, you can, with the new cameras and … [Read more...] about Speed, Speed it’s what you need
Photofocus Podcast September 5, 2015 — Lindsay Adler and Ron Pepper
This week we catch up with two photographers to get a wealth of advice. First Robert Vanelli talks with fashion photographer Lindsay Adler about her career and advice to other photographers. Then Rich Harrington since down with panoramic photographer Ron Pepper for a free-wheeling discussion about gear, tech, and workflow. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/222560844" params="auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true" width="100%" height="175" iframe="true" /] Get the show here or get it on iTunes Don't … [Read more...] about Photofocus Podcast September 5, 2015 — Lindsay Adler and Ron Pepper
Adding Light – The Difference Just One Light Can Make
When I first started out with photography, natural light was my best friend. I didn't have money for lights, so I learned to shoot using what was available to me. Shoot after shoot, I'd tuck a little money away into a gear fund to save up for lights. Natural light can get you pretty far, but adding just one light can really take you up to the next level. On a recent video shoot, I was able to snap a comparison frame between a shot lit naturally and a shot lit with a mix of natural and artificial light. The building I was in had massive … [Read more...] about Adding Light – The Difference Just One Light Can Make
Photographing Candle Flames
Let's photograph a candle lit and not. It's simple right? Well, maybe... The Setup When I start to photograph anything, I ask myself "What is it?" By that I mean describe its properties. Looking at the candle, I see it's round. No. Make that cylindrical. It's reflective. It has texture, well the wick has it anyway. The properties tell me what the light wants to be. Reflective cylinders must be defined with a highlight running the length of it to reveal the roundness. How important is the texture of the wick compared to shape of the candle. Not … [Read more...] about Photographing Candle Flames
Elinchrom, Photix & Seckonic Band Together
Swiss pro electronic flash manufacturer Elinchrom, Phottix whose control systems currently work with Canon, Nikon & Sony DSLR cameras TTL for flash and Sekonic, world class creators of hand held light meters have teamed toghether to focus these areas of expertise on light measurement and control. What does this mean for photographers? A big change for how electronic flash systems are controlled is one important consideration. Remote controlled flashes are not new by any means. Putting together these three companies can mean some … [Read more...] about Elinchrom, Photix & Seckonic Band Together
Taming Interior Reflections
Photographing interiors means dealing with tons of reflective surfaces just waiting to spoil the fun. These little mirrors are everywhere bringing unwanted reflections into what would be an otherwise inviting inside space. The answer is simple. Show those offensive mirrored surfaces what you want the camera to see--nothing! Essential tools In order to successfully avoid reflections, I recommend using three tools There is one absolutely necessary tool for getting rid of pesky reflections. That's a tripod. In order to make this work, the camera … [Read more...] about Taming Interior Reflections
Photoshop World • A Learning Fest!
I've had the honor of teaching at well over twenty Photoshop World conferences. While I am there to teach; I am also there to learn. What a great opportunity to discover new ways to work in Photoshop, a lighting idea (Thanks Glyn Dewis!) or something I didn't know Lightroom could do. Photoshop World offers concise, info filled classes each lasting an hour. In sixty short minutes new ideas are born, creativity ignites and those in the room are inspired. It's three days of fun learning. What I want to see Business Track Tim Wallace rocks the … [Read more...] about Photoshop World • A Learning Fest!
Westcott Ice Lights Saved my Shoot – Vincent Versace | Stories from the Set
Stories from the set takes you behind the scenes with top photographers as they talk about the challenges it takes to get the shot. [youtube:http://youtu.be/bdBheOv8Vm4] Robert Vanelli sits down with pro photographer Vincent Versace to discuss his approach to lighting. Learn how ICE Lights were uses on a recent shoot. Vincent Versace is an internationally recognized pioneer in the art and science of digital photography. His passion for natural light photography is manifest not only in his work but also through his role as a creative … [Read more...] about Westcott Ice Lights Saved my Shoot – Vincent Versace | Stories from the Set
Shooting Smoke
There are times when a photographer needs some smoke. Want to make a candle look like it's just gone out? Smoke. How about a steaming cup of coffee? Smoke. Make the cigarette or cigar look realistic? Smoke. Add some magic to a fantasy portrait? Yep. Smoke! Here's a quick tutorial on making photographs of smoke's feathery goodness. Incense I'm not much into incense. Sure it smells good. That's not how it gets me happy. It looks amazing. A single stick of incense is good for several hundred fun, wispy images. Lighting for smoke Sidelight is … [Read more...] about Shooting Smoke
How to Stretch Your LED Lighting Budget with Accessories
LED Lighting is a great way to shoot video and photo projects, but its more expensive than other choices. Fortunately you can extend the budget and your lights usefulness with some key accessories. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0FFgHaOZnE In this tutorial, explore some cost-effective options for working with LED lights in your video productions. Watch the follow-up movies within this series at … [Read more...] about How to Stretch Your LED Lighting Budget with Accessories
How I Got the Shot | Negative Fill
Thinking on your feet Before the seminar began, I scoped out the room for potential subjects. I was instantly drawn to our new friend Rob Leigh. He reminded me of Hemingway, the famous writer. I paused for a moment and thought, how would I light him to give a dramatic effect? I realized what I needed to do. I just needed to modify my lesson plans in front of a live audience. Forget for the past few weeks I rehearsed how to add light to a portrait and do the opposite; remove light to get a dramatic effect. No pressure. A simple set up A … [Read more...] about How I Got the Shot | Negative Fill
Making “The Boxer”
"I want to be a boxer!" said model Vanessa Guillemette as we were preparing a test shoot in my studio last week. She pulled out some pink Everlast boxing gloves and the fight was on... The Setting Most photographs begin with the environment. I thought about how to represent a gym-like feel. The scene would evoke a smokey, window lit place with lots of shadows. I hung an old canvas drop cloth from a friend who painted commercial buildings. A piece of cardboard with cutout shapes in front of a Dynalite SH2000 studio head cast the shadows. I … [Read more...] about Making “The Boxer”
Elinchrom + The MAC Group
Back in March Elinchrom announced it would form a company to distribute their electronic flash products. The company was to be called Elinchrom USA scheduled to debut on May 5th. Times change... MAC Group to distribute Elinchrom The MAC Group announcement quotes Elinchrom President Chris Whittle as saying Last month we announced the birth of Elinchrom USA, but since then a far better and even more exciting plan has emerged. We are pleased to announce that MAC Group will be taking on the sales, marketing, distribution and service for Elinchrom … [Read more...] about Elinchrom + The MAC Group
There’s Just 1 Trick to Photographing Glasses
The trouble with photographing eyeglasses is that they're made of glass, which is generally pretty reflective and reflections of my flashes may obscure the eyes behind the glass, and if we can't see a person's eyes we might as well not make a picture. I was pretty intimidated by this when I was a new photographer. Tips I'd read for beating the problem included tipping the glasses on the face, removing the lenses, and taking a shot without the glasses and blending it with the glasses in Photoshop. As a guy who wore glasses, the idea of removing … [Read more...] about There’s Just 1 Trick to Photographing Glasses
Photographing The Sapphire Pin
Photographing jewelry always presents some interesting challenges to overcome. The brooch crafted by Marie Scarpa is shiny gold and silver wire wound in a spiral holding seventeen sapphires. Each one is a different color. The wire had to read as silver and gold. The individual stones had to show their true colors. The background was to compliment the center stone. Here we go... Pin Support One of the most difficult parts of shooting brooches and pendants is supporting them for the photography. I built a little rig that was simply a piece of … [Read more...] about Photographing The Sapphire Pin
My Most Profitable Light Is Also My Cheapest
Six years ago I started making pictures, and I dove right in planning to make a portrait business. The best thing I did was attend David Ziser's workshop where he taught me that shadow and light are the most important technical things to learn in photography. He showed image after image of stunning portraits, and they were almost all lit with the same modifier, and I bought one from him that night. Six years later, that Zumbrella is still my most profitable tool, and while it's seen better days physically, it's still the fastest and easiest way … [Read more...] about My Most Profitable Light Is Also My Cheapest
Executive Portrait Lighting for Dark Skin
Portraits of people with white or Caucasian skin are defined by the shadows. Darker skin--African American, Asian, Hispanic, Indian and Native American are shaped by highlights. Source of Illumination & Fill Panel This portrait of Shawn is lit with a three foot Chimera Octa Plus light bank powered by a Dynalite Studio Head electronic flash about two and a half feet from his right. There's a white panel just out of frame on his left that fills in the darker, left side of his face. Look closely at the highlights on the forehead, upper … [Read more...] about Executive Portrait Lighting for Dark Skin
One Must Have Accessory for Event Photographers
One of the best reasons to go to trade shows is to get your hands on new gear. I'm not talking about the latest camera or lens from Nikon or Canon--you can hold that and try it on at the camera store any time you want. No, the best gear to get your hands on is all the accessories that aren't out of box in camera stores. My favorite booth for great accessories at WPPI this year was Phottix, where I found the handiest accessory I've seen in a while. The Worst Thing That Can Happen Say you're photographing an eventa wedding reception, or maybe the … [Read more...] about One Must Have Accessory for Event Photographers
My Photoshop Story | Brooke Shaden, Fine Art Photographer
Some photographers are driven to capture the world as it is; Brooke Shaden wants to capture the world as it isn't. Inspired by empty rooms and open vistas, Shaden's work features otherworldly imagery, pieced together in Adobe Photoshop. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctPGJ5hhvVU ___________________ … [Read more...] about My Photoshop Story | Brooke Shaden, Fine Art Photographer
It Started with a Shimmer…..
It Started with a Shimmer... Actually, a shimmer and an idea. I don't know why the folks at Nikon and the Photo Plus Expo administration listened to me when I came to them with Halloween ideas. For someone such as myself, raised up on comic books and the dark fantasies of Mordor, the notion of distressed trick or treaters, of small children poised on the verge of fantastical disaster and mayhem was completely normal. I was somewhat nonplussed then, when most people I tried to explain my ideas to would listen politely, tilt their head, look at … [Read more...] about It Started with a Shimmer…..
Benchmark: DIY Rolling Studio Gear Rack
Lately, I have been researching studio configurations. Jeremy Cowart's Triptik Studio Walkthrough got the juices flowing; especially the rolling backdrop that doubles as storage for bounces, flags and other gear. My space is an open floorplan and I already have plenty of stuff on casters, including my edit desk. I'd never thought of something like Cowart's rolling wall. Genius! I made a mental note to do something similar and moved on. Then, I stumbled across the video below from on Lifehacker. Ramsey's concept is a bit different than … [Read more...] about Benchmark: DIY Rolling Studio Gear Rack
Powerful Environmental Portraits Need 3 Things
Environmental portraits show people in their place, their habitat. The environment sets the mood and the place of the story, and a single look at the photograph can tell you what the story is about. Let me show you three things I think about as I light the background to make an environment worth photographing. 1. It's Gotta Be Believable Lighting and posing a person so he looks his best is my primary concern. (Here are two other articles about lighting and posing to help people look great.) After that's under control, I've got to figure out … [Read more...] about Powerful Environmental Portraits Need 3 Things
Dusk, Spotlight, Fog & Music
Recently, a post of mine shared the planning process and the initial set build for a portrait session for Atlanta musician Jeff Paige. This one deep dives into the rest of the details. Lighting Without question every photograph is all about the light. The tools available allow us to sculpt exactly the look and feel we want to create. The original concepts for this project included dusk, backlight-maybe headlights, a spotlight, mist, smoke or fog captured with a long lens. These are beginnings. The ideas are not fully realized. They are the … [Read more...] about Dusk, Spotlight, Fog & Music
Keep Track of your Rechargeable Batteries
Life on set can be crazy . . . You're thinking about the set design, lights, backgrounds, camera settings, models, hair and makeup, pleasing your clients, the art director breathing down your neck, etc. Every time I finish a shoot, I reflect back to find things that might have made the day go a little easier. I use rechargeable batteries in my speedlights, so I can't throw them out when theyre dead. This leaves a large pile of dead batteries on the floor next to my bag. Throughout the day, I never know which batteries are fully charged and … [Read more...] about Keep Track of your Rechargeable Batteries
Planning a Musician’s Photoshoot
Atlanta musician, Jeff Paige came to me with his challenge of rebranding his look for his online presence as well as for upcoming releases of his work. The process always begins with planning. I met with his team to discuss his look, style, accessories, wardrobe and a lot of other details including props, colors and effects. Almost a year before that Jeff and I spent time talking about the look of his hair. Hair? Oh yes, the hair. It's important. Looks over time These four photographs chronicle Jeff's hair styles over nine years. Somewhere … [Read more...] about Planning a Musician’s Photoshoot
Beat a Rainy Day With a Polarizer and One Tool That’s Practically Free
Today was rainy, and then it was rainy and windy, but what else can I expect in the winter in the Pacific Northwest? Trouble is, I still have to make a living even when it's raining. Fortunately, I had a willing client and two tools that helped me make the most of the situation. Twist to Enrich My client was going to meet me at my office where I had a decent background of greenery available and a covered porch to shoot under. However, things changed, and we ended up going to a different spot. Changing locations can be really terrifying. As you … [Read more...] about Beat a Rainy Day With a Polarizer and One Tool That’s Practically Free
Portrait Photography |Placing the Main Light
The main light is the source of illumination for a picture. It's the one that's measured for exposure with an incident meter. Using one is explained in the Photofocus post Exposure Tactics: Incident Metering. It sets the mood for the photograph. It's the one that all the other lights serve. It also provides the main diffused highlight in a portrait. It's important. The question I get asked most often about it is "How do you know where to put the main light?" That's a good question. A really good question. The answer? It comes down to … [Read more...] about Portrait Photography |Placing the Main Light
What’s Up With Lightroom’s White Balance Tools?
White Balance is all about the color of light, and the best reason to shoot RAW is the freedom to adjust the white balance with great power in post production. But what's up with Lightroom's White Balance Slider? Why is it backwards? Keep Cool, Like 2000 Kelvin If you've shot in RAW, you'll notice the top white balance slider has a number on the right, and that represents the color temperature in kelvins (if you're working with .jpg files, then you see a number from -100 to 100, but the affect is the same). A really orange light, like a sixty … [Read more...] about What’s Up With Lightroom’s White Balance Tools?
