This past weekend I led the first day of a workshop titled 鈥淟ight the Portrait鈥�. My goal during the two sessions was to help photographers understand how to use light, indoors or out, when they photograph people.
Fear-of-Flash has always been a topic of discussion for photographers photographing weddings, and portraits both indoors and out.
American photographer and author of the Strobist.com blog David Hobby said, 鈥溾�ou hear a photographer say, 鈥淚鈥檓 a strictly available light photographer, I鈥檓 a purist.鈥�
鈥淲hat I hear is, I鈥檓 scared of using light so I鈥檓 going to do this instead.鈥�
鈥淲ell, for me lighting was a way to start to create interesting pictures in a way that I could do it.鈥�
It鈥檚 with those words that I began the workshop that would discuss using both studio lights and speed lights. Adding that personally, I always use a flash when I make a portrait of someone inside or outside. I don鈥檛 care if the ambient light is bright or dim.
My goal is to not only help photographers gain an understanding of off-camera lighting, but to also convince them that using flash will separate their photography from those that rely on natural or as I prefer calling it, 鈥渁mbient light鈥�.
The first session was about the big studio lights and accompanying light modifiers like, umbrellas, softboxes and reflectors, to name a few that we employed during the day.
Those of us in the Kamloops area are fortunate to have a local portrait studio that is not only large enough for a class, but also is packed with all sorts of lighting equipment, backdrops and change rooms for models. The portrait studio, Versatile Studio, also comes complete with a kitchen and dining area. And there are all sorts of props for posing.
All I needed to do was write up my lesson plan, print some handouts, book the studio, hire a model and show up in time to start leading participants into the exciting world of off-camera lighting.
I enjoy leading; I like that word better than 鈥渢eaching鈥�.
I know to teach 鈥渋s to show or explain to people how to do something鈥�, but most of those that attend know a lot about photography and have already been shooting portraits for some time.
All I need to do is build a bridge for them between what they already know and what I am presenting.
And, as I stand with them in the studio/classroom I get to watch that quick tightening of shoulders, widening of eyes and smiles when they suddenly get it.
When that happens I can鈥檛 help but smile too.
Well, the first day is over and, as usual, they tired me out.
However, I am already looking forward to next week with those enthusiastic photographers (and our energetic model).
I wonder if I should begin next week鈥檚 session with the words of legendary filmmaker from the 1920s, D.W. Griffith. 鈥淟ights camera action鈥�.
These are my thoughts for this week. Contact me at www.enmanscamera.com or emcam@telus.net. Stop by Enman鈥檚 Camera at 423 Tranquille Road in Kamloops. I sell an interesting selection of used photographic equipment.
Don鈥檛 hesitate to call me at 250-371-3069.
