Guest Blogger: Kathie Austin

Photograph by Kathie Austin
I meet many talented people on my workshops, at my seminars and on the web. During my recent lighting demo at Unique Photo in New Jersey, one of the attendees, Kathie Austin, suggested a cool lighting technique: positioning the soft box directly above the subject.

I liked her idea, and tried it when I returned home. Below is my shot using this technique.

Photograph by Rick Sammon
I asked Kathie to be a guest blogger here on my blog. So away we go!

Kathie Austin – This "low light" shoot was done in the studio with a black backdrop, short black stool, and a 24" x 32" strobe soft box. The key to the lighting effect was having my assistant stand on top of a ladder, holding the softbox parallel to the ground, as if it were the sun beating down on the model. Having the model look up into the light ensures smooth lighting across her face and body as well as nice catch lights. The model was about 3' from the backdrop. The bottom of the photos were vignetted in Photoshop.  (1/250, f/8, ISO100, 50mm).

This is a great lighting effect for First Communion shots, as the lighting is very "Godly," coming from above. 

Kathie Austin
NAKED EYE PHOTOGRAPHY, LLC
Capturing the Creativity in Life 
Click here to learn more about Kathie.
• • • 

Thank you Kathie!

For more on the Unique Photo shoot, click here.

More guest bloggers to come.

Explore the light,
Rick

P.S. Here is the info on the softbox (in which I placed my Canon 580 EX II) that I used:

Have Some Plug-in Fun This Weekend – and Save a Few Bucks, Too!

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Topaz Adjust/Portrait Smooth
Plug-ins expand the capabilities of Photoshop, Lightroom, Aperture, etc. They also expand your creative horizons.

Plug-ins are relatively inexpensive - and you can even save a few bucks by using my special codes below.

Here are my favorite plug-ins, favorite plug-in images, and favorite plug-in tips. 

For my picture, "Girl with a Pearl Earring," I applied Topaz Adjust/Portrait Smooth on the top layer (the original was on the bottom layer) and then I faded the Opacity to reduce the effect.

Photomatix Plus Topaz Adjust
HDR Efex Pro

My latest, favorite plug-in: Nik Software’s HDR Efex Pro. Save 15% if you use this code: RSAMMON upon check-out on the Nik web site. Actually, you can save 15% on all Nik plug-ins - including Color Efex Pro! Just use the same code. 

HDR Efex Pro tip: Use the Control Points and Curves to fine-tune your image – and to save time touching up your images in Photoshop, Lightroom or Aperture.

 Photomatix Plus Topaz Adjust
The image above was created with Photomatix - with a touch of Topaz Adjust. You can save 15% when you order Photomatix by using this code: ricksammon. 


Photomatix tip: Adjust the White Point and Black Point sliders first. If your highlights are washed out with even with the White Point slider moved all the way to the left, you missed capturing the entire dynamic range of the scene with your original HDR sequence. 

Topaz Adjust

Topaz Adjust is just too cool. Above I used the Spicify Effect. Below I used the same effect, but greatly reduced the noise. Click here to order Topaz Adjust. Hey, save a bundle when you order a Topaz bundle.


Topaz Adjust tip:  Press the Reset tab each time you work on an image - unless you want your previous effect applied to your current image. 
 
Topaz InFocus

Topaz InFocus is a relatively new plug-in from Topaz Labs. Click here to read about InFocus.


InFocus tip: Don't over-sharpen your images. The more you sharpen, the more noise you'll get in your images.



Bokeh

Check this out. Want to turn a picture like the one on the left into a picture like the one on the right? See below.

It's fast and easy with Alien Skin's Bokeh 2. You can save 15% when you order any AlienSkin plug-in by using this code upon checkout: RSA0901.

Bokeh tip: Spend the time in Photoshop making a VERY careful selection.

 Aline Skin makes more cool plug-ins. Click here for info.



Nik Silver Efex Pro
Hands down, the coolest way to create a black and white digital images is with Nik Silver Efex Pro. Save 15% off if you use this code: RSAMMON upon check-out on the Nik web site.


Silver Efex Pro tip: Experiment with the different color filters to see how they can enhance the tones in your images.

Explore the light,
Rick

P.S. If you like HDR, check out my latest app:


Rick Sammon's HDR Portfolio


My newest how-to app for the iPad is now available: Rick Sammon's HDR Portfolio - featuring HDR Dissolve™. This app is packed with photos (my latest), info and movies. A great way to learn HDR.

Leaving Las Vegas for an Awesome Model Shoot

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Photograph by Rick Sammon
Hal "Bull" Schmitt, director of Light Photographic Workshops, and I are planning an awesome model photography workshop in and around Vegas in some totally cool - and secluded – locations. See below.

Photograph by Rick Sammon

Photograph by Rick Sammon
 You need to be in good physical condition, as a bit of hiking is involved.

Hey, even if you just want to photograph the landscape, you may want to join the photo fun. However, we only have one price for the entire workshop.

Photographs by Hal "Bull" Schmitt
Space will be limited to 20. So, the max in each group, for individual attention, will be 10.

We'll cover both natural light and flash/reflector/diffuser photography.

Photograph by Rick Sammon
Here's the schedule:

Friday, September 2:
Welcome dinner and slide shows by Rick and Hal

Saturday, September 3:
AM: Indoor Model Shoot
PM: Outdoor Model Shoot

Sunday, September 4:
AM: Outdoor Model and Landscape Shoot
PM: Shoot, Download (Hal and I will help you with Lightroom and Photoshop) and Group Slide Show. . . and Good-bye Dinner.

Cost per person: $499.00.

Includes: Workshop fee and models fees. Note: You can only use the model photographs for personal use.

Hotels, meals and transportation are on your own. However, we will car pool for the location shoots.

Each photographer will also receive copies of my books:

Exploring the Light 
Rick Sammon's Exploring the Light: Making the Very Best In-Camera Exposures
and
Field Guide to Digital Photography
Rick Sammon's Field Guide to Digital Photography: Quick Lessons on Making Great Pictures

Plus, we will have more than $1,000.00 in door prizes.

We will be staying in a hotel outside of Vegas - to cut down on expenses.

Interested? Shoot me an email. Fist come, first serve.

Explore the light,
Rick