More From Wednesday

A pretty neat shoot Wednesday. We tried something different this week in terms of lighting and location. It wasn't the greatest spot, but we were able to do some neat things. Thanks to Helen, Tripp, Melissa and her friends, Jae and Linh. Short write up at the bottom. enjoy the pictures!




















Make sure both flashes work


Things I learned:

• Find a better location next time, I hated this spot. It only worked well for the break dancing shots, but even then it was kinda cramped.
• Check your flashes to make sure they're firing (we tried to get clam-shell lighting, but only got regular umbrella lighting)
• Move the light closer to your subject and your subject away from the background to make it dark
• Rim lighting as Long pointed out is a hit and miss and must be constantly adjusted

I think that about covers it. Till next time...

Ryan

photo shoot from Wednesday afternoon

Please review all of the photos by clicking the photo link below.


All the shots from my camera are untouched so a true assessment can be made. note:
Alex posed as a lighting test subject, no direction of posing was made.
For the rest, I will list what needs improvement on posing and lighting.

-Shot all on 85mm with varying aperatures of f4 and f5.6. I started out with this error without realizing it until after the shoot; the apertures were too low. There is lack of focus on the two person shots, the subject behind is blurred. Shoot at least f8 or above to grab both planes of focus.

-The rim lighting is a miss. Here, the light became more of a side lighting; a better position would be placing the light high above and more behind the model. My Manfrotto clamp would be useful in that case.

-Some distracting elements in the foreground, caught unaware by me until importing into the pc. Taking the time to move objects is worth the effort.

-Shooting from behind the shoot through umbrella caused light leak into the camera causing lack of contrast - those images where it had whiteness throughout.

-Unnecessary shadows under the noses, caused by light source being off axis of subject's face.

-Poses could be pushed more by introducing more angles, not viewfinder-wise but by bending the poses themselves. More tilts, weight leaning, elbows out.

Post your suggestions in the Comments. And hope this will help out in your scenarios.

Past and Present

Last week's Thursday shoot turned out really well. We had a good turn out and shot in some new locations. Thank you to the group that let us take their pictures, Jennifer, and Vicki for posing.







Most of the following shots had 4 lights as arranged above

umbrella right, one flash behind column (back right)

straight on camera flash

Playing with a Honl Grid Spot






And a couple from the previous week of Monisha and Dana.






See you Tomorrow,
Ryan

Back to Wednesday

We're back to our normal time this week. Wednesday, October 28 at 1PM in the art barn is when we will meet and head out. See you there.

If you have time, start reading Strobist's 101 and 102 sections. It will help give you ideas on how to use light to achieve different effects. You'll be able to put your knowledge to better use at our shoots.

Also, check out Long's updated list of basic lighting techniques and tricks right here.

Halloween Costume photo shoot

update: mass email has been sent to utd students. Expect large turn out.

Friday the 30th, starting at 7:30PM at the Art Barn. Hosted by one of UTD's photography professors. It happens to coincide with a new gallery opening.
There will also be a costume contest with prizes.

Peace of Mind

I've always worried about leaving my photography equipment in the car or unattended just for a brief moment (example: during wedding jobs). It's a rough world we live in today and it never hurts to be safe, especially when you have thousands of dollars worth of equipment laying around. I've read countless stories about photographers getting their camera stolen. There was even a guy who left their camera in their trunk for a few minutes while he went to the restroom at a gas station, and his car got broken into in broad daylight. Apparently this happens a lot. So i searched the internet and found this:



It is a stainless steel mesh that gives you the ability to lock and leave your belongings. It is designed to cover and protect a variety of bags and packs from tampering, pilfering and theft. I actually bought one myself, because it's better safe than sorry. Pacsafe also has camera shoulder bags and camera straps that can be locked as well. The default strap that comes with cameras usually has the camera brand and type in big bold letters on the strap. You don't want to advertise your camera to potential theives! Sorry to sound like an infomercial, but I think this is useful equipment. You can find this at http://www.pacsafe.com/

Off campus photo shoot planning

update 10/22: based on the interest I am seeing, the Dallas Arboretum will be our upcoming photo shoot this November. Let me hear a pricing for tickets and I'll let everyone know. We'll plan to do this on one of the weekends of November if possible.


Leave a comment if you are interested in having an off campus photo shoot during the month of November. Additional suggestions welcome.
Choices:
1) Dallas Arboretum
2) Fort Worth Botanical Garden, and/or Japanese Garden
3) Mandalay Canal Area at Las Colinas, TX (property use license and map)

The Photographer's Game

In concept development. A fast action game that is built on the mechanics of photography, can be educational too.
Critique and ask questions.

Next meet on Thursday the 22nd

update 10/27: some shots from Ryan.

Thursday 1:30PM to 2:30PM, Meet up at the art barn.
Talk, discuss, meet other members for the first five to ten minutes, then
move onto campus and scout out location. Call 214 718 2387 if you can't find us during this time.

Photo Shoot This Wednesday 10/14/09!

You know the drill. We're meeting and leaving at 1PM in the Art Barn (Visual Arts Building) and headed to the campus for a shoot. It should be a nice warm sunny day.

See you there!
Ryan

No lighting equipment this week

I probably won't be able to attend this week's meetup and provide the usual lighting equipment. I am trying to push my animation piece into its final stages. That's not to say there won't be a meeting. Perhaps one of our members can schedule a day, time and location.

Product Review:

Ryan's review on his Canon 7D here.