Studio Lighting 101

Yesterday I attended the Photowalking Utah annual Studio Lighting event. And I realized it's not hard to take good photos when you are working with expensive lighting equipment and professional models. :)

Actually it was a really fabulous event. I must say that photographers are quite an eclectic bunch. But they are also amazingly giving people. There was 9 different lighting set ups and a host photographer at each setup to guide and instruct. And every single one of them was extremely patient with my many MANY questions. I learned not only about lighting but about how to use my camera better in different lighting scenarios as well as a wealth of information about how to work with models. Everybody was so kind and generous with their time and talent.

And so now this is the part where I shameless post a bunch of the pictures I took so you can all tell me how good they are. :)

In one corner they had set up a trampoline and you could shoot your subject from the top of a ladder while they jumped. It made for some fun images.





This was a natural lighting set up. The outside light from the window lit them from one side and a reflector on the opposite side smoothed the harsh shadows. No lights or flash used.



This was Rembrandt Lighting.





A high key lighting set up



This set up was similar-the white background is the same. But there is no light on the backdrop itself. All the lighting is focused on the model for this look.



I liked this set up because it used just one light. Very enticing to an amateur like me who currently owns no lighting equipment of my own.



Okay, I won't torture you anymore. (although if you want to torture yourself you can see a few more shots on flickr page)

And now that I've made you look at my pictures, you can also go to the Photowalking Utah Group Pool on flickr and see pictures from some real photographers. Including pictures of Andrew the Rock star on the trampoline.

In the spotlight.....or not

I don't generally think of myself as the kind of person who needs to be the center of attention. I'm not that person at the party telling all the funny jokes. I mean of course I want people to laugh at my jokes when I do tell one, but I don't need to be constantly telling them. I've spent a lot of time in the chorus, so to speak. And for the most part just being on stage at all is good enough, I don't need to always have the lead.

At least, that's what I thought.

Sometimes, though, I find myself in situations that makes me realize that there must still be a small part of me that is looking for my 15 minutes of fame.

Where to start? I was recently introduced to a group called Photowalking Utah And, as the name would imply, it's a bunch of people who get together with their cameras and go on photowalks and then share the pictures on flickr.

Rich Legg is one of the group's organizers and teachers. He also specializes in stock photography. So when he sent out a plea for extras I thought, what the hey. Sounds like it could be fun.

And really, that was my only motivation for going. Because it sounded like a fun way to spend a couple of hours.

But something happened once I was sitting there in that theater seat with the flashes popping. I suddenly found myself wanting to make sure I was in each picture. I found myself sitting a little taller in my seat or standing on my tiptoes to try and ensure I was in the shot. I started to wonder if I should've worn something different or done my hair different or worn more make up.

About half way through the shoot we moved to a smaller theater and Rich said that the people sitting in the back should sit up front this time. I was thinking "Oh good, here's my chance to really be seen in some of the pictures." But the gal on the end of the row we were on had 17 coats and 8 bags and who knows what else because she took FOREVER to get out of the way so by the time we got to the next theater over we were in the back again. And I was irritated. I mean like it really mattered. Seriously. When did I get to be such a Prima donna?

To top it off, I also kept looking around at the people who had brought their kids and thinking "I should've brought my kids. They're cuter."

Did I just admit to thinking that?????????

Rich has posted 1 picture from the shoot. And I feel a little like Mike Wazowski and his picture on the front of magazine. But really, it was a fun morning and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.