Grab a quick lighting tip - and maybe a cool Westcott prize. Click here for details.
Explore the light,
Rick
Grab A Quick Lighting Tip - and maybe a cool prize
Coming Next Month: My new on-line lighting class
Hey Gang - I'm very excited about my new, basic on-line lighting class, which is all about making great portraits in your home. I could have called the class, "Look Ma, No Studio," because I illustrate how to create studio-type shots in your home. Here is just one example.
The class will be up in June!
Shoot me an email to get on the info list for this new class, as well as my new on-line landscape class.
In the meantime, you can learn about lighting and photographing people in my two favorite books: Exploring the Light and Face to Face.
Catch you then my friends!
Explore the light,
Rick
Making Beautiful Outdoor Portraits in Harsh Light is as Easy as 1, 2, 3
Making beautiful outdoor portraits in harsh light is as easy as 1, 2, 3 – that is, using three accessories.
To make the portrait on the right, I used:
- The diffuser in the Westcott 6-in-1 Reflector/Diffuser kit to soften the harsh light coming from the top left;
- The sunlight surface reflector in the Westcott 6-in-1 Reflector/Diffuser kit to bounce some light onto the subject's face, and to add a nice catch light to her eyes.
- Covered the wall behind the subject with the Westcott April Showers/Bracken Brown background (April Showers surface)
I talk about controlling light in my upcoming on-line class on lighting in and around your house. Shoot me an email to get on the info list. The class should be up in June!
Explore the light,
Rick
This post sponsored by x-rite. X-Rite is the global leader in color science and technology. The Company develops, manufactures, markets and supports innovative color solutions through measurement systems, software, color standards and services.
Check out these cool x-rite products:
ColorMunki
Passport Color Checker
Use $10 Lights and Go from Average to Awesome
Coming in June: my new, cool on-line/on-location lighting class. In the class I use some $10 lights and go from: average to awesome, snapshot to great shot, from drab to fab, from mundane to marvelous, etc.
Here are to some shots from today's shoot.
Of course, some technique is involved when using $10 lights. I'll share all this stuff with you in the class. Stay tuned to my blog for the release date. You can subscribe here.
Oh yeah, I also use some professional accessories in the class. The more the merrier.
Explore the light,
Rick
P.S. This class will be launched at the same time as my Landscape Photography class.
This post sponsored by x-rite. X-Rite is the global leader in color science and technology. The Company develops, manufactures, markets and supports innovative color solutions through measurement systems, software, color standards and services.
Check out these cool x-rite products:
ColorMunki
Passport Color Checker
My Basic Studio/On-Location Speedlite Setup
One Canon speedlite in a Westoctt 28-inch Apollo softbox was used to illuminate this scene.
Today is the last day in my series of speedlite shooting tips. Thank you for following along. Scroll down for previous posts in this series.
As some folks are just starting out, I thought it would be a good idea to share with you my Basic Studio and On-Location Speedlite Setup.
But first, here's a practical tip: If you want a dramatic portrait, don't light the entire subject. Uses shadows to add a sense of drama to portrait.
Here's a look at the gear I recommend for setting up a basic studio/on-location speedlite setup.
Westcott Apollo Softbox kit - for shaping the light for an individual portrait.
Westcott Grid for Apollo softbox - for shaping the light even more.
Westcott Orb Speedlite kit - for softer, wrap-around lighting and for small groups.
Westcott 6-in-1 Reflector/Diffuser kit - bounce a speedlite into a reflector or fire it through a diffuser for a larger light source: the larger the light, the softer the light.
Honl Gel kit - for adding color to the light.
Honl Grid - for shaping the light from a speedlite.
Honl Speed Strap - for attaching grids and gels to your speedlite.
Westcott Black Cloth backdrop - for low key portraits.
Westcott White Cloth backdrop - for high key portraits.
If you are in the market for a Canon speedlite system, here are my recos:
Canon 600EX-RT Speedlite
Canon ST-E3 Speedlite Transmitter
For serious shooters, I recommend shooting tethered using the Tether Tools kit.
If you like on-line learning, check out my Kelby Training on-line classes. Master composition and learn how to see the light.
