Beauty Lighting Set-up

This was also an Instagram post that I think deserves its own blog post. My good friend Robert Hernandez posted a ”behind-the-scenes” image a few days ago featuring a California Sunbounce scrim. I commented that the Sunbounce gear was great and that I have used the silver reflector for many years.  It is my “go-to”… Continue reading Beauty Lighting Set-up

Fashion and Post-Production

Fashion Photography and Post-production—I am personally not a fan of “fixing it in Photoshop,” but I am also not a fan of flare in my images. I know that the careful use of camera flare can be an effective tool for the right shot, but, like I said, not a fan. Flare, by the way,… Continue reading Fashion and Post-Production

Light and COLOR–plus a post-surgery update

7/18/17 UPDATE: I would like to express my deepest appreciation for all the support and concern expressed to Joan and me over the past few months. Summer classes from June through August were cancelled/postponed while I recover from back surgery. I had a fusion/decompression procedure at the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae in my lower… Continue reading Light and COLOR–plus a post-surgery update

Reflectors—or, More Correctly, Reflected Light

First I want to start by thanking everyone for the amazing support over the past several months. I obviously have not been posting much because I’ve been dealing with some severe back issues that just led to a hopefully successful lower back (L-4/L-5) decompression and fusion surgery. I am not “out of the woods” yet… Continue reading Reflectors—or, More Correctly, Reflected Light

TRIPODS–Do NOT “Cheap Out” on This Critical Piece if Equipment!

Lisa Marie Scott–former Playboy Playmate and always friendly and supportive even years later. I lost touch with her over 10 years ago. Tripods:  Modern lenses have incorporated an absolutely amazing technology that somehow compensates for some of your hand motions/camera shake! Look for something like Image Stabilization (IS), Vibration Reduction (VR) or similar term. The… Continue reading TRIPODS–Do NOT “Cheap Out” on This Critical Piece if Equipment!

Overpower the Sun!

Overpower the Sun: Fashion and Swimwear Photography—We’ve spent the last few weeks talking about creating great images when the light is not the best, namely, when the sun is in front of you. The trick was to underexpose the image to create dramatic images. We have also seen that this works to create amazing sunset… Continue reading Overpower the Sun!

Creating Amazing Sunsets!

  Waikiki Hawai’i Sunsets: Travel Photography—Last week we talked about creating great images in bad light. We will continue this theme this week and discuss how to capture those beautiful sunsets. Sunsets are perennial favorite subjects for many photographers and travelers. Unfortunately they are not the easiest or most cooperative things to capture the way… Continue reading Creating Amazing Sunsets!

“Magic Hour” or “Golden Hour” Explored

“Magic Hour:” Fashion/Swimwear Photography—Last week I posted some images of a surprise fashion shoot in Fiji. Athena in Fiji from last week’s post The lighting for most of the images was natural “Magic Hour” sunlight. It is called “Magic Hour” light because, when the sun is setting behind the photographer, then everything in front of… Continue reading “Magic Hour” or “Golden Hour” Explored

Happy Holidays!

Joan Santa: Portrait/Boudoir Photography—Joan and I wanted to create a fun series of Santa themed images for the holidays. The lighting scheme was borrowed and adapted from our friend and studio-mate, Brett. The lighting was simple: window-light acted as the source of what would become the main and fill lights while also acting as back,… Continue reading Happy Holidays!

The “Rebuild!”

Welcome back to our blog! We are rebuilding from scratch after a nasty hack-job on our old site, so please bear with us as we put it back together. We will feature free lessons and thoughts here from time to time. Some lessons will be from the archives while some will be fresh. Here is… Continue reading The “Rebuild!”