By paddloPayday loans
Here are a few shots of one of my favorite people ever, Monica Renee…and some stuff I learned from the shoot. :)
First, be prepared for the unexpected. Pros are able to get the job done with what they have and what they know…and are able to roll with the punches.
And, speedlights work in a pinch. :)
Here is the podcast…
[audio: adapt.mp3]
Or you can download the episode here.
And here are the pictures. :)
Information and education for creative professionals is becoming increasingly available…which, I have to say, is an AWESOME trend. To be able to geek out and watch behind-the-scenes videos and learn from some of the world’s best photographers and other creatives is something that is pretty amazing.
I talk about a few of the podcasts, blogs, and other sources that I routinely check out….
[audio: gettingbetter.mp3]
Or download the episode here.
The links:
And many more!!
If you know me, you know that sunset is the best part of my day. The tranquility, the colors, the mood, the tone…everything about the day – stress, problems, worries, deadlines, drama – seem to melt away like the sun melts into the ocean.
In today’s show, I talk about some tips and tricks for getting that perfect sunset shot with a swimsuit model. I’ve shot many-a-lady in front of the gorgeous sky…and I have to admit they are my favorite kinds of shots.
One of the photographers I mention in the podcast is Christopher Hartman. A genius when it comes to achieving a perfect light balance on his gorgeous models. Check out some of his shots here.
And here’s the show…
[audio:sunset.mp3]
Or you can download the episode here.
And here are some pretty sunset shots I’ve taken…
Great podcast as always, Aaron. Really admire your sunset shots!
Just curious, which AB do you usually use for sunset work? 800 or 1600?
A tip you might want want to add is sandbags for your lightstands. Here on Maui, the beaches get very windy near sunset, so adding weights to the lightstand is a necessity, especially if you’re using a softbox.
I’ve been wanting to use my AB/Softbox setup at the beach more often, but keep running into issues with the Vagabond dying (usually in the middle of the shoot). Been looking into the Honda EU1000 generator to replace the Vagabond – have you tried those out or does your Vagabond workout pretty well for you?
Thanks so much Todd…your comments and insight are always appreciated!!
To date, I have been mostly using an 800…I just recently acquired a ring flash as well as a 1600…so I’ve been testing those out recently to see if there is a big difference. And honestly, there hasn’t been since I’ve really been able to get away with the 800 all this time. I think the real test will be in brighter daylight situations.
As far as sandbags…DEFINITELY a great idea! I usually use the vagabond to weigh my stand down…and I use the AB wide-foot stands…they are more stable.
Curious; how long have you had your Vagabond? Usually, if you have had it for more than a year or so, the battery tends to not recharge fully, thus not lasting as long. You might want to try replacing the battery portion, which is actually pretty easy to do. I haven’t had my battery die on a shoot…yet. :) And I’m actually able to use the Vagabond for a couple shoots before I have to recharge it. I don’t usually pop the lights higher than half to 3/4…and when I do push it to full power, it isn’t for very long.
I’ve had my Vagabond a few years now, but have rarely used it – maybe on 5 or 6 shoots total because it usually only lasts about 150 pops with an AB800 @ 1/2 power. (I’ve heard it’s supposed to last a LOT longer)
I’ve put up with it so far because I don’t do nearly the amount of shooting you do – no magazines or swimwear manufacturers have been hiring me to shoot for them yet. Maybe you can do a future podcast on how to get those kinds of contacts ;-)
I’ve worked with Alien Bees customer service several times and had the inverter replaced twice, but it’s still flakey (It works when it feels like it).
My friend had the same problem with his Vagabond, so he switched to the Honda Generator. I’ve been thinking about going that route as well someday.
Good stuff Aaron – For the Vagabond, I haven’t had mine very long but it is recommended that it stay plugged in whenever it isn’t in use – that is supposed to help it last longer…
Quick question; what is the largest softbox you use?
I was curious about that too. In some of your videos I think I’ve seen you use what looks like an Octodome? Also, your ringflash, have you been using it with or without the moon unit? I bought one, but haven’t really played around with it yet.
My Vagabond has been plugged into the wall ever since I got it, and I’m still not getting anywhere near what everyone else seems to get out of it. Wierd. ;-)
The largest softbox I use is a 7 ft Octodome. :)
Yeah, I have been thinking about grabbing the 56″ moon unit…which one do you have? I have been using my ringflash on location as a main light due to the flexibility of using it as an off-camera strobe or an on-camera ringlight. Let me know how you like the moon unit. :)
I go through these cleaning sprees which involve taking out all the crap in my closet and throwing away garbage I haven’t looked at in years. I ALMOST threw away this whole entire binder filled with school papers when I saw the top paper was an article I had written for my conducting class. Reviewing a conducting article entitled A Portrait of Successful Directors, I realized a lot of the points the writer made paralleled what makes a successful photographer…and a successful anything, for that matter.
I thought I would share some of the points here since they are topics I have been talking about with other photographers for the past couple weeks.
No links or notes for the show…but hope everyone has an awesome Christmas this week. Ho, ho, ho!
[audio:portrait.mp3]
Or you can download the episode here.
So, I have a lot of things in the works…I’ve been busy planning over the past week on things that need to get done…I’ve been working on a slight rebranding, a business plan that is going to involve some new things, and a possible redesign of my web site. Also, a much-needed and DEFINITE redesign of my portfolio.
Learned some things…and these things confirmed what I already knew…the portfolio has got to go!
I’ll be fixing it up all nice and purdy over the next few weeks, so stay tuned.
And while you’re at it, listen to the show…
[audio:less-ep010.mp3]
Or download it here.
And while you’re at it, you might want to take a look at some of the cool stuff mentioned in the podcast…
I had a GREAT weekend…the highlight of which was a shoot with my pal, Sol.
After our shoot, we got to talking…and she got me thinking about what I love shooting and why it’s so important to shoot things that you like and the stuff that you’re passionate about.
Here’s the show:
[audio:fresh-ep009.mp3]
Or you can download the show here.
There are infinite numbers of ways to use the sun…
On this particular day of shooting, I tried 3 of those ways.
Here are some pretty pictures of Brianne…
Natural light, back-lit…
Natural light, front-lit, with reflector
And here are some with artificial light as my key light and a reflector as an accent edge light….
Some of the geniuses I talked about in the podcast…
And here is the show…
[audio:sun-ep008.mp3]
Or you can download the episode here.
In this episode, I lament the end of daylight savings time…and talk about the pros and cons of using a tripod.
They are cool. Really.
Okay, maybe not. :)
But maybe we can overcome the uncoolness.
Here is the show…
[audio:tripods-ep007.mp3]
Or download the episode here.
Here is the video we did up in the snow, in case you want to check that out.
I recently switched from an old heavy Gitzo to a super light carbon fiber Manfrotto 190CX tripod and I find I’m using it much more often now. I don’t worry about the coolness factor ’cause I’m old (just made 42 – eek) and married. ;-)
Another alternative to the tripod is a monopod – granted it’s not as stable as a tripod, but it does give you a little more freedom to change up your angle quickly. It helps to steady it if you stick the foot of the monopod inside your shoe and brace it against the side of your foot.
I got to thinking about the things we can do to make our photo shoots a better experience for the models we work with…and it all boils down to one thing: stepping in their shoes for a bit and realizing what things are like on the other side of the lens.
[audio:modelphotographers-ep006.mp3]
Or download the episode here.
Very good tips! I agree – many photographers don’t realize sometimes what models have to endure while they get the shot.
Something I learned when giving feedback during a shoot – take your face away from the viewfinder when speaking to the model. It’s hard for them to hear what you’re saying when your mouth is blocked by the camera body and she’s standing on the edge of a cliff with the surf crashing around her.
I use breaks to show the model samples on the laptop or netbook (wireless transfer using WFT-E1 or an Eye-Fi Pro) of what we are getting, so she can see what we’re trying to accomplish.
I also bring a small cooler with bottled water, sugar-free Red Bull, and granola bars for the model.
Wow, more good tips! Yeah, the one about stepping away from the camera to give feedback is a good one. I have a tendancy to forget…quickly followed by a, “Huh?” :)
Also, very good move on the water and snacks. Very smart! ;)
Aaron, when you do shoots at the beach, do you still have music playing during the shoot? If so what do you use?
I do try to have music even on the beach…even if it’s just music playing from my iPhone. It can be a little on the quiet side…but if the model can hear it, then I let the model set the rhythm of the shoot. I also have a portable ipod Dock that runs on batteries that I take with me. I know the crashing of the waves can be a little loud sometimes, though. :)
And regarding feedback…good call on bringing the laptop out to shoots…I think if a model can see how the shoot is going and what they are doing, it can really help you both conceptualize and help you get that shot! Even if you just roll through the camera and let your model see the shots in the back of the camera.
While a popular technique for wedding and event photographers who shoot indoors using hot shoe flashes or speedlights, I gave this rather basic technique a try with bigger studio strobes.
Here’s a shot of Nikol bouncing the light off the ceiling of her home studio…
I also used the bounce flash technique with this shot of another Niki…
[audio:bounce-ep005.mp3]
Or download the episode here
Links:
Great podcast and amazing shots as always, Aaron.
I try to always bring backups to a shoot – extra bodies, cards, batteries, flashes etc. – you just never know what you’ll run into on a shoot.
And I share your pain on the Alien Bees. Most of the time they rock, but there’s always that once in a while where they seem to have a mind of their own.
When you went to your speedlights, did you have any modifiers on them or did you work them as is? Whenever I use my 580s, I tend to shoot them with the Fong Lightsphere or the Lastolite Ezybox.
Thanks Todd!! Really means a lot!
When I work with speedlights, I usually use them with my Fong Lightsphere I find that it gives me a softer effect.
You can do amazing stuff with speedlights…but I don’t have to tell you that. :)
http://mizomi.blogspot.com/2010/06/enhancing-light.html