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Softlight with Shoe Mount Flash
Summary:
In this workshop professional photographer Martin Krolop shows viewers how to get the best results using a window as starting point and a key light source, while using a shoe mount flash to illuminate his model to create a fantastic studio like atmosphere.
Using several photographic and style techniques Krolop explains easily, step-by-step how viewers can recreate this type of shooting using very few options such as a camera and white wall, along with a shoe mount flash. Krolop discusses the importance of keeping the light from directly falling onto his subject as well as listing all the types of situations that could ruin his portrait shooting. The key here, as we learn is that the flash should never fall directly onto the subject being photographed to yield good results and a neutral looking lighting scene. True indirect lighting can have some very interesting results that can change the whole feel of the shooting. When the model has a line of sight to the shoe mount flash, or when some of the light falls directly onto the subject the reflection or spark of light will change in the models eyes, either the light source, or light spark will be higher or lower in the eyes respectively.
Shooting in a room with just a window and white walls is easy to find and they are practically everywhere to be found, giving all photographers an equal starting point. Just add flash--as most photographers have a shoe mount flash to accompany their cameras. Bare rooms and white walls are everywhere, and are waiting for photographers to recreate a small portrait studio wherever they are.
Complementary Color Contrast
Summary:
In this FotoTV workshop Dirk Wächter, Director of the renowned D-Forum is here to discuss and explain another spectacular color shooting. Today Wächter is going to show viewers a premium color workshop that can easily be recreated, not only in the studio.
The most important aspect we learn today is how the color wheel is a great tool to study for creating premium photo shoots. Using the basic primary colors of red, yellow and blue and mixing any two primary colors will yield a color that is a complementary color contrast with the color opposite it on the color wheel. Wächter explains all of this while working not in a studio, but in a room that can easily be recreated, giving all photographers the opportunity to create high end results.
Using a complementary color contrast from the color wheel, Wächter chooses blue and orange as his set-up. Blue in the background and orange from the foreground using a Lee #204 orange color filter to place over his shoe mount flash. Working with color temperatures can be daunting for some photographers, but learning to work with color temperatures is a must for any photographer looking to expand his knowledge of color photography techniques and Wächter does a fine job explaining his methods and techniques in easy understandable terms that will give photographers an extra edge when preparing for an upcoming shoot.
Understanding the basic camera and flash setting are the only prerequisites for this workshop. It will give photographers a look at how to create special effects, from beginning to end. Wächter also gives viewers an insight on the make-up applied to the model to best complement the lighting situation.
Using the Pop-up Flash
Summary:
In this workshop with Martin Krolop, Krolop will discuss and demonstrate how to make the best photos using a pop-up flash pre-installed on a camera.
The pop-up flash has the reputation of ruing photos because of the position in which one shoots with it. Mainly people are photographed vertically because they look better lengthwise and the face comes out better. But when shooting with a pop-up flash ugly asymmetrical shadows appear and it makes the photos look amateurish and unprofessional and as if the photo is lit from below.
Krolop show viewers several tips how to remedy the ugly side lighting that comes from using a pop-up flash. He simply shoots horizontally and crops off the image from both left and right sides. He also adds contrast by changing the settings on the camera to monochrome and adjusting the flash to overexpose the areas he would like to be burnt out. All this trickery makes a professional looking photo. Just by changing a few settings and shooting horizontally the photos come out looking like high-end photography.
The Digital Pinhole Photography II
Summary:
Martin Timm is back with part two in his series on digital pinhole photography. Here he has gathered all the necessary ingredients to cook up a pinhole adapter that can fit any digital SLR.
The techniques used to construct it is right out of your grade school handicraft's hour. This amazingly simple approach using toilet paper rolls, tin foil, rubber bands glue etc is carefully explained. The result: a ready to use handy-dandy pinhole attachment for your digital camera that's ready to use.
So now it's time to get your feet wet..literally. Martin takes it outside and gives a hands-on demonstration using the pinhole adapter to compose a great picture, demonstrating it works too. So check it out!
The Digital Pinhole Photography I
Summary:
Three Locations for Nude Photography
Summary:
Photographer Corwin von Kuhwede takes FotoTV viewers on an exciting erotic shooting with his model, Claudia at an abandoned industrial building in Leipzig, Germany.
Today von Kuhwede gives important insight how viewers can find their own interesting motifs in such locations where they initially might think not possible. Going though all disciplines, technical, creative as well as the aspects relating to working with nude models, von Kuhwede accomplishes three different set-ups during difficult weather conditions. The first location that he searches out is on the top floor with open windows letting in the natural light in abundance. He uses a broken window frame as a makeshift swing for model Claudia to swing back and forth on. Von Kuhwede works well with his models always paying attention to body posture and control thereof. It is important for the model to feel comfortable when shooting nude portraits and von Kuhwede does a great job at putting Claudia at ease and taking care of her comfortableness throughout the entire shoot.
Von Kuhwede is also very ingenious when it comes to props and juxtaposing his locations to bring out the best eye-catching contrast. Using ordinary white household curtains hanging down in the run-down industrial building is just one example how von Kuhwede’s mind is always at work creatively. Mixing the old with the new, the modern with the traditional, everything comes together in perfect unison making the sleek erotic photo shooting an instant success. Knowing light and how to modify it also works in von Kuhwede’s favor, whether he uses a reflector or not he is always paying attention to the light and at which angle it is falling onto the model, positioning her accordingly. Von Kuhwede gives an in-depth technical photographic analysis on his choice of camera settings, lenses and post-production photo editing to ensure that viewers can effectively and immediately start out on their own nude portraits. These attentive steps show in the end result, his photos are more than satisfying.
Using Multiple Gray Filters
Summary:
Photographer Martin Krolop returns with another informative hands-on learning video on how to get the most professional looking photos possible in a bright light situation using multiple gray filters and a portable fill in flash.
Krolop begins his shooting at midday, a time when most photographers would be either indoors in the studio or at a cafe waiting for the sun to lower a bit. Most photographers and style aficionados know that this time of day produces a consistent, perfect afternoon lighting effect look. But that does not stop Krolop; he has put together a comprehensive learn-by-doing video for photographers to see just how versatile they and their camera equipment really are. Armed with a few gray filters and a portable flash, Krolop offers many tips and tricks on how to get the best out of a bright light situation and make professional photos.
Focusing on portraiture, Krolop covers important topics from lens selection, exposure time, aperture setting and proper ISO values, leaving nothing out. Any photographer, amateur or professional, looking to update his database of knowledge, or looking to add a different style to his portfolio, is definitely in the right place.
Based out of Bonn, Krolop comprises half of the creative team at Krolop & Gerst photography. Combining traditional photography techniques with the latest technology and software, Krolop and Gerst specialize in editorial, fashion, location and wedding photography, providing excellent visual solution services to many satisfied clients.
Analogue Night Photography
Summary:
Leo Seidel is a photographer from Berlin, Germany specializing in night photography, better yet, and twilight photography. Today he sits down to explain what his shooting methods are in the second part of this two part series on how to take good night photographs.
For the second segment, Seidel focuses on analogue night photography using a large format analogue camera and digital camera, to make comparisons between the two. Seidel also gives a recap of all that was learned in the first part of this series, on digital night photography. He discusses the technical aspects, the choice of lighting, and the weather conditions that can make digital night photography ideal.
Since shooting analog and digital are shooting two different types altogether. Seidel clarifies the differences between the two in regards to night photography. He highlights both their strengths and weaknesses and in what situation you are better off choosing which medium. Analogue definitely has its advantages; it is highly stylistic and very exquisite looking. It is definitely a very sophisticated way for photographers to show what they can do. But analogue photography is expensive. Very expensive in comparison to digital files, which are free. But Digital photography does have its strengths and advantages as well and Seidel does an excellent job listing the pros and cons.
Most importantly, Seidel stresses that photographers should have fun with night shooting and experiment as much as possible and always be on the lookout for things to shoot. There are three things technically that Seidel knows close to perfection that help him create such amazing photos, aperture, exposure time, and ISO. But his biggest advantage by far is having the eye for the right shot at the right time.
Digital Night Photography
Summary:
Leo Seidel is a photographer from Berlin, Germany specializing in night photography, better yet, and twilight photography. Today he sits down to explain what his shooting methods are in the first part of this two part series on how to take good night photographs.
For the first segment, Seidel focuses on digital night photography using a Nikon D3X, which he primarily uses for night work. Armed with two wide-angle lenses, Seidel sets out to photograph on allied airfield in Tegel, Berlin.
Seidel likes to capture movement at night over an extended period of time. Cars leaving a trail of light down the street and people only registering as outlines or shadows make for some very non-descript yet ethereal photo scenes. But that’s what makes his photos all the more attractive because we can all identify with the situations one way or another—even if we’ve never seen anything like it.
There are three things technically that Seidel knows close to perfection that help him create such amazing photos, aperture, exposure time, and ISO. But his biggest advantage by far is having the eye for the right shot at the right time.
Couples at Ease
Summary:
In this “How To” tutorial, photographer Mike Larson gives us tips on the specifics of shooting couples in an atmosphere to make them feel comfortable to make the best possible outcome to make the models and therefore the shoot look most appealing. Larson explains that it is his job to put the model at ease and make them feel as most comfortable as possible. His approach is to get the models to feel at ease and relaxed as soon as possible. He gives multiple tips on how to go about working with the models as if they were friends and not just subjects. He also suggests being extremely prepared, but laid back so to create an amicable atmosphere.
Larson’s style is very practical, something most photographers can appreciate He gives a very comprehensive list of technical and creative aspects that will help photographers create their own shots while building confidence for the models. Moreover, photographers wishing to learn the rules of shooting couples so that the photos are useable will find this video very informative. The most important thing when shooting couples is the relationship between them and the personal relationship with your subject, especially the body language and interaction between them. Larson works with his models in a way that he puts them at ease so that everything they are doing feels comfortable. Intimate shots of a couple touching or tickling each other, or, even being very far away at times for that matter can be extremely difficult at times, especially if the couple feels that they are doing something unexpected. Keeping models relaxed is the key to perfect, professional results. Larson also points out how to solve simple problems that can arise on a portrait shooting, such as keeping both models animated and engaged so that they feel part of the shoot, all with a casual undertone.
To get updates on Mike Larson's work and tips, visit his twitter page at mikelarsoninc.