Save 10% On Any Alien Skin Plug-in Until Aug 15th

Yes! I have been accused and convicted of using Performance Enhancing Plug-ins -  including plug-ins from Alien Skin Software. 

Alien Skin Software offers a bunch of cool plug-ins: Exposure 5, Blow Up 3, Snap Art 3, Bokeh 2 and Eye Candy 7.

I used Exposure 5 to create the opening image for this post. You can save 10% on any Alien Skin plug-in until August 15th by using this code – RSA1308 – upon checkout from the Alien Skin web site.

Talk about variations! Exposure 5 offers endless creative options for photographers with Performance Enhancing Plug-in addictions. :-) 

Above is my original image.

Check out my Save on Plug-ins page for savings on all the plug-ins I use. 

Explore the light,
Rick

Keep Your Camera, Monitor and Printer In Tune

Before I play guitar, I tune up using an awesome iPhone app called CLEARTUNE. My guitar never sounded better, and I have more fun playing.

All musicians know that tuning is a must.

Same goes for your camera, monitor and printer. It they are "out of tune," or "out of calibration," you will not get the best results - and consistent results.

In the field I use the ColorChecker Passport to calibrate my camera to the existing lighting conditions. This device comes with a CD that you pop in your computer and within minutes you are on your way to accurate color.

At home, I use the ColorMunki Photo to calibrate my monitors, printers and even my digital projector. Here, too, this device comes with a CD that help speeds you on your way to accurate color.

Here's a cool video on made on HDR and using the ColorMunki. The photograph above was taken in the same location. (That's not me playing guitar in the video.)

Here is a quick video of me jamming with some friends at CreativeLive.

You can also use CLEARTUNE to tune a bass guitar (above).

Explore the light (and sound),
Rick

P.S. A reader just asked about a more affordable color calibration device.

Check out the ColorMunki Smile. 

Join My "Follow the Sun" Google+ Community

Hey Gang - I just started a new Google+ community: Follow the Sun. 

The images are fantastic - and an inspiration for all of us to follow the sun. 

Follow the sun,
Rick

Recreating a Rembrandt

What fun I had yesterday trying to recreate one of Rembrandt's paintings, "Old Man in a Military Costume." This new portrait was a follow-up to my "Girl with a Pearl Earring" portrait, which I took a few years ago.

Here's how I made the new image - and how you can do it.

Both portraits were taken in my office, which I converted to a studio for the photo sessions. The girl in "Girl with a Pearl Earring" photograph is my friend's daughter, Maggie. The man in my "Old Man in a Military Costume" photograph is my friend and artist Jay.

For my "Girl with a Pearl Earring" photograph I used one Canon Speedlite in a Westcott Apollo Softbox. For my latest recreation of a master's paining I used Westcott TD5 Spiderlites, which have been updated with the TD6 Spiderlites. These lights produce constant, beautiful, soft, daylight-balanced light.

That's Croton-on-Hudson painter/my friend Eddi Fleming helping with the props. Those props, including the gorget in the final image, were major elements in creating the mood of photograph. Check out Eddi's web site to see her wonderful paintings.

My main light was a Spiderlite in a Westcott 12 x 36-inch Stripbank, which was placed fairly close to the subject – because the closer the light, the softer the light. The Stripbank has a recessed front panel, which helps shape and direct the light, as opposed to some softboxes that don't have recessed panels. I used a bare-bulb Spiderlite to light the background, which was a Westcott Masterpiece Muslin Sheet Background.

To check the lighting, especially the shadows, I printed copies of the painting I found on the Web and put them around my office. 

I shot with my Canon 5D Mark III and one of my favorite portrait lenses, the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8. I shot tethered to my Mac computer so we could all see a large image. I set up my camera on my Induro tripod.

Behind Jay (mostly out of sight) is a Westcott 6-in-1 Reflector Kit. I had planned to use the silver side of the reflector to fill in some of the shadows on Jay's face, but Eddi pointed out that Rembrandt often used deep shadows in his paintings, so I decided not to use that accessory.

We can learn so much, especially about light, from studying the work of master painters, including: If you want an interesting portrait, don't light the entire subject.

Try recreating a masterpiece in your home. It's a challenge and good fun.  

Explore the light,
Rick

If you want to learn more about basic lighting, check out my iPhone and iPad app, Light it. Info on My Apps page. 

I also give private lighting lessons. Shoot me an email for info. 

Today's Lighting Tip: Don't Light the Whole Subject

Light. That's the main element in every photograph. Break that down and you have two sub elements: highlights and shadows. Control the light - the highlights and shadows - and you have the potential for a cool portrait. 

The picture on the left is a natural light image taken with my camera positioned at eye level. The picture on the right was lit with just one light (a light I got at The Home Depot) placed off to camera right. I took the picture while standing on a ladder.

When lighting a subject, remember this: If you want an interesting portrait, don't light the entire subject. Shadows are the soul of the photograph.

I teach lighting on my workshops. Join the fun! 

Want to learn more about lighting? Check out my iPhone and iPad apps. 

Tech info: 
Canon 5D Mark III
Canon 24-105mm IS lens.

Explore the light,
Rick