Outdoor Lighting Workshop–April 21, 2018

Our next Specialty Class: Outdoor Lighting April 21, 2018 Taking it to the streets: 8 hour seminar that will emphasize outdoor lighting and photographing models outdoors. Seminar includes a three-hour shoot with one of Oahu’s top models. Topics include: Modifying sunlight Open shade Scrims and reflectors Using strobes Quality of light issues Controlling your backdrop… Continue reading Outdoor Lighting Workshop–April 21, 2018

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

How to Photograph People Wearing Glasses

This was one of our recent Instagram posts, but I think it is important enough to warrant a separate blog entry. Creating beautiful portraits or fashion images is difficult enough, but the fun really begins when your model is wearing glasses! UGH! Those reflections from the strobes are guaranteed to mess things up…or are they?… Continue reading How to Photograph People Wearing Glasses

Introduction to Studio Lighting Model Announced

I am very pleased to tell you that we have secured one of my favorite—and one of O’ahu’s best models for our class. I’ve worked with Naomye many times and she is great! She is very talented and good fun. I know it will be a great afternoon! The class will be held on November… Continue reading Introduction to Studio Lighting Model Announced

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!

“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

Fiji Part Three–An Impromptu Fashion Shoot!

Athena on boat: Travel/Fashion Photography—This was a rare opportunity to say the least. It was at the end of an island-hopping tour when this young lady agreed to an impromptu photo shoot on the way back to the main island. Athena was lying alone on a bench closer to the water so I went over… Continue reading Fiji Part Three–An Impromptu Fashion Shoot!

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!”