Educational Tutorials
The studio is planning a workshop for 4 to 5 participants on a Saturday 10am to 3 pm; incl 1 hour break to review and chat.
Topics are lighting a model using chromazones,(ring flash, strip lights, soft glam box lights), color balance with expodisc, working with a flashmeter, lightmetering, thus creating good model port shots.
If you like to model for this contact me, you will receive a CD with selected portfolio images to use from me/participants.
Requirements: safe hotshoe for firing my flash, patience, and a digital camera on total manual mode, lens about 100 - 200 mm.....nothing auto - all will be explained. this is not for beginners, email me for more info.
Three tutorials on how to use your lightmeter in digital photography
Lightmetering part one
Lightmetering part two
Lightmetering part three
Chromazones, Dean Collins developed this concept, and here is a short summary for you:
To illuminate a wall as a color background with a color gel, set up 2 lights with a standard reflector bowl or similar, on a 45 degree angle, like you would do a "copy job" aimed at the wall.
Place a color gel over both lights, say blue.
Take a reflected light meter reading of the centre of the wall. This will give you the correct exposure for the "blue" wall.
If this is colour your desired intensity or hue (do not know how t describe it accuratly :-( do nothing use it as is for your background colour.
If you want it a lighter colour, increase both light outputs one stop. This will create a lighter blue. Increase it by 2 stops and the blue wil be very light. Increase the light output by 3 stops and the wall will be almost white with a hint of blue or none.I have dug up a couple of slides to illustrate this point, but found that the plus 3 exposure was still quite blue, so I goofed up somewhere, see sample scan of these slides. These slides are taken about 15 years ago, if you try it with your digital camera you will find it will work like a charm...
Of course, you do not change your aperture, that stays on the same number as you read it the first time.
The reverse takes place too, you create a darker blue by decreasing the light output by one stop, 2 stops or 3 stops to make a very dark (black?) blue.
This method gives you infinite range of colours, easy to replicate for another job.Take it one step further and apply this method to your colorama backgroundpaper...will post a few working images soon.
If you read my lightmetering tutorials you get the hang of it quickly. Enjoy!
See enclosed thumbnail (double click to see larger image) chart for easy reference:
Tutorial
- A commercial set up explained in full detail!
An in depth explanation of my work method as shown to students
at Unitec
Lighting exercise: How to photograph a pocket knife with a perfect reflection on knife blade (PDF download)
Contrast control: How to photograph a profile in black against white, and exactly the opposite, and with some detail in face against black AND white wall, all in the same position...(PDF download)
Use of Mixed Light Sources - How to mix the use of flash and tungsten light in a time exposure to highlight a product or show motion. (PDF Download)
Photoshop Tips and Tutorials:
I have collated a selection for you here, please respect the copyrights of the authors as indicated.
Photoshop - CS2 Artful Watermark your images Download PDF
Photoshop - color and shadows Download PDF
Photoshop - extract flames with Russel Brown Download PDF
Photoshop - extract hair with Russel Brown Download PDF
Photoshop - the healing brush in action Download PDF
Photoshop - making rain visible like reality Download PDF
Photoshop - seeing big pixels - emphasize digital Download PDF
You wished there is an easier way to extract hair? Yes, use fluid mask...
Some links to instructional photoshop movies:
A basic beginners curves instruction
Any suggestions for more articles or tips are appreciated!
DOF Calculator All film camera formats.
Expodisc
- my review (pdf) on an unbeatable accessory for white balance
