This past weekend I led the first day of a workshop titled B次元官网网址淟ight the PortraitB次元官网网址�. My goal during the two sessions was to help photographers understand how to use light, indoors or out, when they photograph people.
Fear-of-Flash has always been a topic of discussion for photographers photographing weddings, and portraits both indoors and out.
American photographer and author of the Strobist.com blog David Hobby said, B次元官网网址淏次元官网网址ou hear a photographer say, B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 a strictly available light photographer, IB次元官网网址檓 a purist.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淲hat I hear is, IB次元官网网址檓 scared of using light so IB次元官网网址檓 going to do this instead.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淲ell, for me lighting was a way to start to create interesting pictures in a way that I could do it.B次元官网网址�
ItB次元官网网址檚 with those words that I began the workshop that would discuss using both studio lights and speed lights. Adding that personally, I always use a flash when I make a portrait of someone inside or outside. I donB次元官网网址檛 care if the ambient light is bright or dim.
My goal is to not only help photographers gain an understanding of off-camera lighting, but to also convince them that using flash will separate their photography from those that rely on natural or as I prefer calling it, B次元官网网址渁mbient lightB次元官网网址�.
The first session was about the big studio lights and accompanying light modifiers like, umbrellas, softboxes and reflectors, to name a few that we employed during the day.
Those of us in the Kamloops area are fortunate to have a local portrait studio that is not only large enough for a class, but also is packed with all sorts of lighting equipment, backdrops and change rooms for models. The portrait studio, Versatile Studio, also comes complete with a kitchen and dining area. And there are all sorts of props for posing.
All I needed to do was write up my lesson plan, print some handouts, book the studio, hire a model and show up in time to start leading participants into the exciting world of off-camera lighting.
I enjoy leading; I like that word better than B次元官网网址渢eachingB次元官网网址�.
I know to teach B次元官网网址渋s to show or explain to people how to do somethingB次元官网网址�, but most of those that attend know a lot about photography and have already been shooting portraits for some time.
All I need to do is build a bridge for them between what they already know and what I am presenting.
And, as I stand with them in the studio/classroom I get to watch that quick tightening of shoulders, widening of eyes and smiles when they suddenly get it.
When that happens I canB次元官网网址檛 help but smile too.
Well, the first day is over and, as usual, they tired me out.
However, I am already looking forward to next week with those enthusiastic photographers (and our energetic model).
I wonder if I should begin next weekB次元官网网址檚 session with the words of legendary filmmaker from the 1920s, D.W. Griffith. B次元官网网址淟ights camera actionB次元官网网址�.
These are my thoughts for this week. Contact me at www.enmanscamera.com or emcam@telus.net. Stop by EnmanB次元官网网址檚 Camera at 423 Tranquille Road in Kamloops. I sell an interesting selection of used photographic equipment.
DonB次元官网网址檛 hesitate to call me at 250-371-3069.
