Photowalking Utah studio event 2011

This year I and Scott Smith hosted a setup for Photowalking Utah 2011 studio event (second year). I wanted to post a follow up of the lighting setup as well as some notes on the result from each light.

I don't want to spend a lot of time talking about technique (or my lack thereof), but rather just give a show and tell version of what each piece of lighting contributes to the overall image.

One of the things I like to do is to look at an image and try to dissect the light by looking at the highlights, shadows etc. If you are the same, the skip down to the bottom of the post to see the final result.

The image is the result of three strobes and one large reflector for fill (a very simple and common setup).

The light setup:



Images showing the progression of adding the different light sources. First off an image showing the result of the main Octabox (47") lighting the subject only:

Next the addition of the background light. A gridded strobe on a grey seamless roll of paper.

Next an image showing the result of adding the rim light. The gridded beauty dish adds that extra bit of light on the hair and the side of the face to separate the subject from the background.

Finally the addition of a large 48" X 96" reflector for fill.

Happy shooting!

Photowalking Utah studio event

This year I had the honor and privilege to give back a little to the photographic community, by hosting one of the many studio setups at the photowalking utah studio event this year.

There must have been around 200 photographers at the event. I wanted to share a quick little write up about the setup I used and a little of why. Hopefully this will be a helpful reminder of the setup for those who may want information for future reference.

First off a diagram of the setup:

The setup I used doesn't formally have a name, though I have seen it used by other photogs in a similar fashion. The setup is very specular with a 3D quality, and at the same time soft. The setup also changed ever so slightly during the shoot (the diagram above and result shown directly below is the light as it evolved to the final state). I would be remiss without thanking Scott O. Smith for helping with gear and setup!

The setup consisted of two rear lights modified by soft boxes (one octa and one square). These create the rim lighting or lighting that creates the highlights in the hair and the sides of the face. Above (represented by the grey see through circle above the model) was a gridded beauty dish and a small silver reflector below. The beauty dish above combined with the reflector lights the face in the opposite direction as lights from behind. The beauty dish is what creates the highlights on the nose and chin. The only light visible as a catch light is that of the small reflector from below which mainly acts as fill.

A tighter crop of the above. See the light patterns...

The photo below is the exact same setup, except the beauty dish was moved about one foot back toward the back drop (again the beauty dish is the grey circle in the diagram above). Big difference right?

The lighting technique used was very precise, and requires for the model to be placed just so in relation to the location of the lights. Movement of a couple of inches creates a different look. In general studio lighting is precise, when compared to natural light (though this setup was more so than most). Moving the model slightly will change the light. The power of the light is very dependent on the distance from the model to the light source. Generally larger sources and having your light source further away from the model allow for more freedom of movement, but also require much more power to use.

Wow that was a mouth full...

So that was the how, now to the why: The light setup was intended to be "edgy" and "specular". This isn't a setup for doing family portraits. I wouldn't want this setup for cute little kids. This setup would be awesome on a guy with lots of hard features and a cut figure (think James Bond, Daniel Craig who my wife thinks is the hottest guy on the planet). It would look good on Male or Female athletes.

But honestly that is what is so cool about studio lighting. You can change it in million little ways do get different looks. I could reconfigure (using the same equipment) the lights and bam, I am ready to baby portraits etc. I was asked by about every other person who came through the line to shoot at the setup I was hosting, why I had the lights where I had them. I tried to explain what I explained above. That first, I setup up the lights to get the edgy look you see above, and second, you learn how to setup your lights as you use them (experience). I knew this setup would be edgy because I've used it before.

Now for some fun shots:

The first is of Scott Jarvie(Hit the link to see learn more about the shots). Amazing the fun look you can get from a ring flash and a Ultra Wide Angle lens.

One more of Jeremy:

August photowalk

It is only the second time that I have made it to a Utah Photowalking event since I joined the group back in November. I almost made it to the June Photowalk but arrived late. I ended up walking solo in June.

This time I arrived on time to meet the group. We met for a short time talked about next months meet and then headed out. Some how I ended up doing the group photo…

The coolest thing about the meet is the chance to rub shoulders with photographers who see differently, have different experience, and are willing to share their knowledge and skills with others. I tend to get a little excited when it comes to photography jumping into things when I only half know what I am doing and sharing knowledge that I think I have but really am just learning about. So being able to absorb others experience is exciting.

Photo is property of Rich Legg, model is me...

The shot above was taken by Richard Legg (Stock photographer extraordinary). For the shot he borrowed a lens from Dave Ward, and used my lights to light the dim train interior of this train. That is input from three different photographers (I feel lucky to be one of them)!

After shooting a little at the train station we headed off down 25th street, Ogden for some street photography. I am amazed at how others can see things along the streets. I just don’t see the way others do. I was very impressed with what Scott Smith came away with.

Photo is property of Scott Smith

Of course I was searching for abstract subjects and well came away with this (sigh...).

Hit the post title to check out what some of the other fellow photowalkers came away with.

There was a moment where Rich and David Ward did a little available light technique (learned from work shops done with the amazing Kenneth Linge). One thing I realized is how slow I am when it comes to being ready for a shot. Many of the others were ready in an instant. Goes to show how much I still need to learn… Dave Ward came away with some amazing photos of a biker.

Photo is property of Dave Ward

We arrived back at the train station and decided to do a couple of Strobist inspired photos. We used the speed lights from the group pool to get some interesting shots. I was amazed at how at easily other photographers found it to convince others to let us shoot them (with cameras). Someone was able to coax two young men getting ready to catch a train hobo style, to pose for the group. We were already using hard light creating hard shadows creating a mood that fit perfectly with the transient/hobo look. Many others came up with lighting ideas (using gels etc.) that added to the look of the photos! For some this was the first experience using speed lights and others it was part of the norm. It was a true learning experience for all!

Can't wait for the next photowalk!

One of the really great things is that I met a few photographers that live near where I do. Can't wait to hang out again...

Photowalking Utah June Great Salt Lake

The Photowalking Utah event for the month of June was held at the Great Salt Lake. Everyone met at Saltair at 6:00 o’clock that evening. There were some who were late (myself being one of them). I was sooo excited to meet with the group that evening but when I got there late (almost didn’t go as I have been feeling under the weather), it was one of those moments where I had to decide to make the best of it. I couldn’t find the group; I searched frantically for a short time then I wanted to cry like a lost little girl. I ended stopping near an old abandoned building. I started by hanging around the building hoping I would see the group drive by.

Inside the building, a couple of kids were spray painting the walls. I was actually very impressed by the artistic value of the graffiti they were creating. I had to get a photo of someone in the building; it was just too neat of a location to pass up. If you don’t know by now, my favorite photographic subjects are people. I didn’t dare ask the kids to pose for the photo as I thought that their activity was likely illegal and they might want to keep their anonymity, so I used myself as a model holding a spray can like I was the master painter. At least I got my best side…

Exposed using Manual 1/400sec ISO 200 at F11 (used sunny 16 rule to determine exposure for outside the building), WB set to sunlight. Used three strobes to light up the walls and myself (to bring up the exposure inside the building to match outside). Camera left I set up a strobe with a ½ CTO filter, the strobe to the right used no filter. The two strobes were set at a cross lighting type of style. A third strobe was placed in the broken wall with a red filter. I know the model is not the haut man what you are used too; ever since I stopped using buns of steel…

Then I decided to start the walk down toward the lake (much further than I thought). I found several interesting photo opportunities along the way. I don’t think of myself as a landscape photographer type, I hardly ever go out and shoot landscapes, but I had a lot of fun. When shooting landscape photography one of the difficulties is capture the dynamic range of the scene. The sky often turns out too bright and the ground too dark. This is because of the limited dynamic range of digital cameras (film cameras suffer the same problem, they can only capture so much of the contrast that exists in a real scene). This especially becomes true as you hit twilight (think how the human eye has problems seeing at the time of the day). My solution was to put the camera on a tripod and bracket. I then combined the photos later using Photoshop Elements. Photographers who do a lot of this type of photography often use graduated neutral density filters (this is a filter that is half dark and half clear, you place the dark portion over the bright sky to allow the camera sensor to read the scene more like our eyes are able to), I don’t have graduated ND filter so I used a digital darkroom equivalent.

Single exposure, I used a flash (gelled with a CTO filter camera right) to bring up the light on the stump in the foreground. Without flash the stump would have been black. I set the WB to sunlight and shot around F14 at 1/100 of a second (aperature priority) at ISO 200 and +0.7 exposure compensation.

Two exposures used one exposed for the foreground and one for the sky. Additionally I used a flash (gelled with CTO filter camera left) to bring up the light on the piers. I set the WB to sunlight and shot around F13 shutter speed varied by bracketing.

A different technique was used on this old wreck which begged for its photo to be taken. I used a single strobe fired once for each of the multiple exposures used to light up the old vehicle. I walked around the vehicle and lit up the vehicle from different angles using one CTO gelled strobe. I then combined the exposures in Photoshop elements. Following is one of the photos I combined in Photoshop.



You can see my strobe on the right side of the frame. I moved around the old wreck lighting it up as I went.



After seeing the Photowalking group photos, I have decided that I need to visit the spot where the group met. I plan on making a trip down to the Great Salt Lake soon and I am taking the whole family. Stay tuned for some awesome slick family photos!

Photowalking Utah, March

I managed to make it to the Photowalking Utah event this March. The last event I was sicker than a dog and missed. I sooo wanted to go last month. I almost missed the meet again this month. The group met at the Trax station located near the Moran Eye Center. I was late for reasons I don't want to get into. This is the same group that held the studio photowalking event that I blogged about here. You guessed it, if we met at the light rail station the photowalking event must have been themed around Trax. Actually the idea was to ride the train and shoot at every stop. Here is another photowalking member Jeremy photographing the train...



Urban/street photography is not the kind of photography that I usually do and for that reason was great! I got out of my comfort zone and was looking to photograph things that I usually don't care to photograph (non-people things).

So I did photograph some people. This man was on the street and was kind enough to allow his photo to be taken by many of us on the photo walk.

Here is a street tile...



Another member of the photowalking group... Diane



It was great fun to meet other photogs and to learn from so many that have tons of experience that I am just starting to grasp. Great stuff. Next time though I plan on being on time!

Photowalking Utah

This January I had the opportunity to meet with other photographers here in Utah at a photowalking Utah event organized by Rich Legg. It was a real eye opener in that I was able to "kick the tires" so to speak, and use other photographers lighting setups. The setups in most all but one case used the big studio strobes that are able to output mega-tons of power. It was a real eye opener as I am used to working with small dedicated flash units. My little camera never had seen so much power and well I think it liked it.

One of the coolest lighting tools I was able to try out was Kim's ring flash. The light rocked and well ever since I have been experimenting with making my own ring flash adapter using a small flash. Not the same but I am on a tight budget. This is a photo of Kim being lit by his ring flash (too cool)!



Laarni (Kim's wife) was there and was a very willing model. This photo was taken in a setup with two large softboxes. Very flattering.



This is Sarah, she is a cutie isn't she! She was a bit shy but she has a beautiful smile.



One of the things that each setup had was back drops. Ever since this photo meet I have been looking at setting up my own back drop of some sort. Definitely on my to get list.

This is one of the other photographers at the meet. Jeremy loves his work! Again this is lit by that uber sweet ring flash. Check out some of the great work Jeremy is kicking out here.



Of course one of the new things I have been trying to do is try a little more black and white photography. Love the look of black and white and well I feel that I just don't use it near enough. These are black and white photos of Jenna and Andrew who were kind enough to volunteer as models for the photogs running around.





One setup had a ladder with it so as to allow us to try out different perspectives. Clara is another cutie that was willing to allow us to grab her picture.



These last two photos were taken by Kim (he is in the first photo with the diesel hat). I am breaking the norm as these are photos I didn't take but hey these are of me! Kim has some wicked cool photos check out his photos here.

Photo taken by Joachim Guanzon used with permission

Hey the paparazzi is after me again! I had so much fun and well it was great getting to know other photographers and having the chance to bounce ideas off of more people with more experience.

Photo taken by Joachim Guanzon used with permission