Removing Reality Can Result in More Creative Images

Today I had a chance to enhance (after jamming with workshop student Chuck Pierce) a few more of my images from my recent NYC model/lighting workshop. Check out my previous post to read about the awesome workshop.

My idea for the images in this post was to remove some of the reality from the files to create more creative and artistic images.

Opening image: I was envisioning a painterly look for my portrait of model Minyoung Cheong. To reach that goal, I shot a three-image bracketed set of pictures with my Canon 5D Mark III and processed the files in Photomatix. Yes, the in-camera HDR (a JPEG) looked good, but I wanted more control over my HDR image, so I used Photomatix.

If you don't have Photomatix, give it a try. You will find that it is the most powerful and creative HDR program out there. Why? Because these guys invented HDR software. Get a discount on Photomatix on my Save on Plug-ins page.

After creating what I call my HDR negative, I cropped and straightened my image, played around with the Pastel Filter in Nik Color Efex Pro, applied selective saturation, and did some burning and dodging.

Quick tip: Remember that light illuminates; shadows define - and that shadows are the soul of the photograph.

Above: While "reflecting" on the awesome workshop, I started to play with this image of Minyoung. After converting it to black-and-white with onOne software's Perfect Black-and-White Premium 9 (also listed on my Plug-ins page), I used the Render Lighting Effects in Photoshop to mold and shape the light around the subject.

By the way, this is a natural, window light photograph.

Quick tip: Use reflections to add interest to your photograph.

Above: Here are two more of my favorite photographs from the shoot. Westcott Rapid Box Duos were used to illuminate our beautiful model with beautiful light.

Quick tip: The background can make or break a shot . . . which is why we chose the Metropolitan Building as our workshop location.

Quick tip: If you want an interesting/dramatic portrait, don't light the subject's entire face.

Above: These stacked, old trunks made a perfect background for our model, Tanya S. Our lighting: Westcott Spiderlight TD6 Daylight and 36x48-inch Shallow Softbox – combined with a TD6 in a Westcott 12x36 Strip Bank with Egg Crate Fabric Grid. To change the mood/feeling of the scene, I used the Polaroid effect in Nik Color Efex Pro.

Quick Tip: Use plug-ins to change the mood/feeling of a photograph.

Above: That's Westcott's Dave Piazza in the background checking the lighting . . . I think. ;-)

Thanks again to my fellow instructors, Dave Piazza and Joe Brady, for making the event a success. And thank you Adorama and Westscott for sponsoring the workshop.

I loved the group of 12 photographers, too!

I hope to see you on a 2015 workshop. All are welcome!

Explore the light,
Rick

Final Photograph From My NYC Model/Lighting Workshop

What a blast we had yesterday at my NYC model/lighting workshop. A big thank you to F.J. Westscott and Adorama (where I get all my gear) for sponsoring the event!

A big thank you also goes to my co-instructors, Westcott's Dave Piazza and lighting expert Joe Brady as well as to the 12 photographers who participated in the event. Oh yeah, and thanks to Susan Sammon for organizing the event - and keeping me sane!

Back to Adorama: Josh Wright and Julio Figueroa were awesome "assistants."

The opening image for this post is my favorite image from the shoot. The model is the awesome Rebecca West.

The opening photograph for this post is the last shot I took during the 5-hour shoot. The tip: keep shooting until you know you have the shot. Another tip: see eye-to-eye and shoot eye-to-eye. That way, the person looking at your photograph can relate to the subject.

The lighting for my photograph was set up by Dave Piazza, pictured above – yes, the dude on the left. :-)

Dave is an awesome instructor . . . he makes learning fun!

The Westcott lighting gear for the photograph:
• The Eyelighter (bottom)
• Spiderlite TD6 Daylight 36x48-inch Shallow Softbox kit (top)

My camera gear, for the entire shoot:
• Canon 5D Mark III
• Canon 24-105mm IS lens.

Above is a side-by-side comparison of my before-and-after images. My processing:
• reduced Clarity in Camera RAW
• onOne Perfect B&W 9
• Nik Color Efex Pro (Image Borders)
• a bit of cropping, selective contrast adjustment,dodging and burning in Photoshop.

The idea: envision the end-result, and realize that processing is a big part of image making. Tip: work selectively, not globally.

You can get a discount on onOne software and all the creative plug-ins I use on my Save on Plug-ins/Courses page.

Learn more about lighting in my KelbyOne class: Light – the main element in every photograph.

I hope to see you on a Rick Sammon Photo Express Workshop someday!

Final quick tip: If the eyes are not in focus and well lit, you've missed the shot . . . in most cases.

Explore the light,
Rick

P.S. You noticed I said "thank you" a few  times in this post. Saying "thank you" is important. Don't think so? Read this book, The Thank You Economy.

November NYC Ultimate Model Shoot

If you want to learn about lighting, and if you want to photograph three awesome models in a totally cool location, this workshop is for you.

Details:
• Three Models.
• Three instructors: Me, Joe Brady and Dave Piazza.
• Three Lighting Sets.
• Several Natural Light Sets.
• Only 15 photographers - so you get to shoot a lot!
• You get to play with a ton of Westcott gear. Click here to download the PDF.
• Cool HDR possibilities, too!
• You sign up through Eventbrite. Only 2 spots remaining.

More info:
Be one of 15 (we reduced the size of the group) photographers on this awesome NYC-area model shoot – where you will learn about model photography and lighting – and get to use the images on your web site. You can sell the image ONLY if you work out a deal directly with our models.

Above: Our three professional models for the shoot. The model in the opening image for this post is the same model on the right in the above set of images.

Above: What could be cooler than photographing cool models in this cool location? 

In addition to photographing the models, you can make HDR images – but you need to keep clear of the model sets. New to HDR? Check out my iHDR app.

For processing HDR images, I suggest Photomatix. Get a 15% discount here.

Above: Those of you who have been on my workshop know this: I like to make learning fun! You'll have a ton of fun on this workshop with the models, props and mirrors. This is a hand-held (as you can see) HDR image.

Above: Picture yourself, and our models, here.

The details (Please read very carefully):
• You sign up through Eventbrite.
• First come, first serve – as we are only accepting 15 participants on this awesome shoot.
• Cost: $279. Refund, minus $50 cancellation fee, 30 days before the event. Sorry, no refund after October 4.
• Max 15 photographers.
• Your instructors: Me, Westcott's awesome lighting expert Dave Piazza and color master Joe Brady.
• Three models, three shooting stations (max 6 at a station at one time). You get to shoot at each all locations. If you have an idea for a shot, we can probably do that... just know that others may take the same photo.
• Learn about: Speedlites, constant lights, reflectors and other lighting techniques.
• Date/Time: November 4th (Tuesday), 1 - 6 PM.
• Location: 3rd Floor, Metropolitan Building, Long Island City, NY. Short ride from NYC. Do a Google search to get location and directions.
• Parking is challenging. Best to take a cab or subway. If you drive, leave some time to find a spot.
• No need to show up early. Session does not start until 1 PM.
• Photo gear on hand: A variety of Westcott lighting gear.
• Awesome props.
• You need to bring your own camera, lenses and tripod.
• You can use the pictures you take on your web site, but you can not sell any of the images you take – unless you work out a deal directly with our models. You will sign a release stating image use.
• My friends from Adorama will be on hand with some special prices on the Westcott lighting gear we use.

Above: One of our perfect settings to learn about lighting.

Above: Our goal will be to make environmental portraits like the one above, which I took in Venice, Italy . . . using just one Canon speedlite in a Westcott Apollo softbox. All my gear is listed here on My Gear page.

Above: We'll work with professionals models, like the one pictured above. I took this shot in the Westcott Warehouse, believe it or not. Here's a video to prove it. :-)

The props at the Metropolitan Building are awesome.

View fullsize

Speaking of working in challenging conditions, I took this shot (using Westcott Spider Lights) at Photoshop World, again in an exhibit area where lighting conditions were challenging.

During our shoot Dave and I will talk about controlling, shaping and balancing the light.

Again, first come, first serve – as we are only accepting 18 participants on this awesome shoot. Register here.

About the opening image for this post: I took the shot with two Canon 600EX speedlights  & a Canon STE-E3 transmitter in the Canon booth at the Photo Plus Expo show in the Javits Center last year. Camera: Canon 5D Mark III. Lens: Canon 24-105mm IS.

Hey, if shots like this are possible at a trade show, imagine what we will do at the Metropolitan Building!

As a prelude to the class, you may want to check out my KelbyOne class: Light – the main element in every photograph.

All my workshops are listed on my 2015 Workshops page.

If you would like me to review your work after the shoot, we can set up a Godfatherly Advice session.

Explore the light,
Rick

P.S. Brooklyn Bridge Park (pictured below) is about 20 minutes away. Go there for a nighttime shoot after the workshop. Cool photo ops, and good restaurants, too!

One Photograph - 24 Photo Tips!

I love teaching photography and sharing my photographs. So, I thought it would be fun to see how many photo tips I could give that apply to this photograph - which I took with my Canon 5D Mark III camera and Canon 24-105mm IS lens. 

Here goes.... but first, this image was taken on the Death Valley Photo Workshop that I taught with Hal Schmitt. Love working with Hal.

1 Never underestimate the importance of a good subject.
2 Never underestimate the importance of a good location.
3 Watch the background.
4 Expose for the highlights.
5 Focus on the face.
6 Pay attention to light on the face.
7 Shadows are the soul of the picture.
8 Props Rock.
9 Composition is the strongest way of seeing.
10 Play with plug-ins.
11 Direct the subject.
12 Frame the face.
13 Separate the subject from the background.
14 Chase and catch the light - you snooze you loose.
15 Placement of the horizon line is important.
16 Burn and dodge carefully.
17 Cropping gives us a second chance at composition.
18 Be prepared with the right lenses.
19 Don't skimp on a filter.
20 Master technique, but.... (see number 21)
21 The most important thing about a picture is the mood/feeling.
22 Make pictures, just don't take pictures.
23 Explore the light.
24 Have fun!

If my photograph looks familiar, it’s from from KelbyOne class: Sammonisms: Speed-Learning Advice for Making Awesome Photographs.

Explore the Light,
Rick

Today's Guest Blog: Dave Ray Gives a Preview of Our 2015 Java/Bali Workshop

Today's guest blogger is my friend Dave Ray. Dave and I are planning an August/September 2015 Java/Bali photo workshop, so we thought we'd give you a preview of what's to come.

Shoot me an email to get on the info list.

Take it away, Dave.

As the earth formed, a gigantic ring of fire emerged around the Pacific Ocean. At the SW corner of that ring, continental plates thrust up the ocean floor creating a tropical archipelago of over 14,000 islands. The action continued as dozens of active volcanoes perforated these tropical isles.

Above: Volcanoes Mount Bromo & Mount Semeru at Sunrise, East Java

These volcanoes continually shower their mineral rich ash over the landscape, blanketing these lush isles with some of the most fertile soil on the planet.

Above: Steep field farms in the Tengger Highlands, East Java

And fertile ground meant that there would be abundant food to support a growing population.

Above: Javanese Rice Planters, Trenggalek, East Java

Sufficient food guaranteed that these people would be able to devote much time to pursuits beyond merely seeking their next meal—building great civilizations & developing stunning arts.

Above: Borobudur Crescent Moonrise, Central Java

 So, they built huge monuments like Borobudur—still the world’s largest Buddhist shrine 1,200 years after it was completed.

Above: Batik Tulis (TOO-lees)

As Java converted from Hinduism & Buddhism to Islam, some locals opted migrate so that they could keep following Hinduism. They fled across the narrow straits to Bali—complete with an Exodus opening-of-the-Red Sea kind of story. There they grew prolific in building Hindu temples.

Above: Yellow Temple, Bedugul, Bali

And, like their Javanese Muslim cousins, developing the rich arts—including some of the world’s finest wood carvings.

Above: Balinese Religious Procession, Ubud, Bali

 Zeal for preserving their traditions assures that you’ll even see their beautiful young children performing in their ancient dance rituals.

Well, that is a quick look at the photographic possibilities that this workshop offers. I have more than 20 years experience living in SE Asia, and I am happy to be working with Rick on this awesome workshop.

I hope to see you on the workshop. To see more of my work, please visit my web site.

Dave Ray

• • • • •

Dave: Thank you for sharing your images and insight.

Photographers: This workshop will fill up fast, so get on the info list by sending me an email.