So as you may know we have been very busy producing the 28 images for the BOWENS display at FOCUS.  We also had our lighting workshop here at Claremont yesterday which was a great success and many thanks to Chloe and Ashley for being so patient during the day. Jilly, our PA, came across this posting on a blog site yesterday. Looks like somebody really was paying attention during our master class at the SWPP convention. Take a look  http://www.photocreative365.com

No time today as we have been in the office since the crack of dawn but this is one of the images for Focus taken back in 02 on the Blad and printed from the scan onto Fotospeed Platinum Gloss WT paper. Looks lovely….. more images tomorrow. Should perhaps mention that the subject as well as being a talented violinist is also a surgeon at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children.

Delighted to announce that we are hosting a small, 4 delegates max, workshop here at Claremont on Studio Lighting and Posing for classic portraiture. Sunday 28th of February 10.00am – 4.00pm. We will work in the studio with a couple of different models, have a discussion on portraiture, look at what different lighting modifiers can achieve, have a nice relaxing lunch and spend the last hour of the day watching Faye do some post production work on one of the images from the day. £295 inclusive.

Today’s image is from our lighting workshop at the Convention. One softbox….. that’s all folks! Post Production and hair styling by Faye.

Today we have some images from our first Superclass at the Convention which was on Portraiture, one of our favourite subjects. It always amazes and astounds me at how complicated some photographers can make such a simple subject as a portrait. Lighting on the first 2 images was simply with a large Bowens soft box with a reflector kicking light back in from left of camera, nothing difficult or complicated. The second image was to demonstrate how easy it is to create a simple portrait with only available light and a reflector. here the light was coming from camera right with the reflector providing some fill on Christiane’s face. I saw this image as a simple yet dynamic portrait with the red seats disappearing in to the background providing a strong focal point on the subject.

I again appeal to anybody setting out in Portrait Photography to learn to see and use light, leave buying any new kit until you have mastered your lighting. Use family, friends, neighbours etc. as your subjects, always use the largest light source you can afford be that a soft box or daylight and remember at all times to keep it as simple as possible allowing you to spend time in conversation with your client. I use a 20+ year old soft box and Bowens head in our studio, it is always set to the same output so I know never have to worry about exposure, occasionally I will use a second, much smaller, soft box to provide either some fill or separation from the background but once again its a very simple set -up. Your lighting should become second nature to you  so be it in your studio or a clients home you should know to half a stop what your exposure should be, the unfortunate thing is this only comes with practise and experience which is why again I say if you are dedicated to improving your portrait lighting skills get out there and photograph!

The first portrait taken on our Super class Faye has left in colour because of Christiane’s striking hair.

I love the colour image but when converted to black and white with just a hint of tone added it reminds me of a 1930’s Holywood Glamour Portrait

The final image today is a simple daylight portrait of Christiane taken in one of the booths of the Planet Suite of the Novotel. Daylight coming from camera right and a fill camera left provided by a reflector. That’s it.. simple!

Well as promised the final processed images from Monday’s Lighting workshop held @ Loxley Colour in Glasgow.

We had wanted to get some exterior shots during the day but as usual the weather decided to be nasty and the rain just seemed to sweep over Glasgow and Loxley for most of the day. With one, almost dry, break in the weather I dragged Aicha and our delegates outside Loxleys and down to the the metal fencing that surrounds the building. Though it was light drizzle we did manage to get several shots again using the Quantum Turbo head to light Aicha and her striking yellow coat.

Back inside I wanted to show how to light a portrait with a single soft box using one of the wonderful new Bowens Gemini 500R heads. Faye has processed a colour and black and white version. Let us know your favourite.

And finally back to the Loxley red wall where we shot this image of Aicha using the Bowens Gemini 500R head fitted with the fab Bowens Fresnel spotlight.

Well as promised, and despite the work schedule, unexpected visitors and studio sessions here are a few more images from yesterdays fabulous Lighting Workshop held at Loxley Colour in Glasgow. All of these images were created within the Loxley building, my stair shot using the Quantum heads, Faye’s red wall taken in the Loxley meeting room using our favourite Bowens fresnel spot and finally my daylight shot taken at the window of the Loxley boardroom. A final couple of images tomorrow and then we move on.

First the Loxley meeting room.

The Loxley internal staircase.

The Loxley Board room

Faye and I had a wonderful day in Loxley’s and though just back home and somewhat tired thought I would post a finished image from today.

Our delegates came from all over the UK and thanks to Chris Kay and Loxley’s for providing us with an excellent lunch. This image I took from the first floor of the Loxley Building and it was post processed by Faye during the afternoon session. More fabulous images tomorrow.

Just an example of a recent portrait commission and an indication of what we will be covering in our next workshop, Lighting Techniques @ Loxley Colour – Glasgow – Monday 19th of October. We still have some places available @ £99 for the day inclusive of lunch courtesy of Loxleys.

In conjunction with Loxley Colour we will be holding 2 Monday Mentoring courses, 19^th of October and 16^th of November.

Our first event will be Lighting Techniques for studio and location and will take place at Loxley Colour in Glasgow on Monday the 19^th of October and our second event will be Fine Art Weddings on the 16^th of November.

Both of these workshops are competitively priced at £99 per delegate per day.

All delegates will, in addition, receive a 50% discount on any Loxley product and a discount on the KUBOTA DASHBOARD and Totally Rad action sets.

LIGHTING TECHNIQUES workshop

The Lighting Techniques workshop is aimed at photographers who wish to push their boundaries in order to produce creative, stylish and innovate portraits that will set them apart from their competition. You will see what can be achieved by using the correct lighting equipment and you will learn that, used in the correct way, contemporary lighting styles can produce stunning imaginative images for your studio.  We will be demonstrating with both Natural and Artificial lighting during the workshop and we will have the latest Bowens lighting available

You will be working with our model during the day and you will learn how to use the various light modifiers currently available to maximum effect in the studio and while out on location. You see how we create classic studio portraits to funky fashion images. Faye will demonstrate how we create some of our Fine Art images in Photoshop and the range of actions that we use in post- production.

This workshop is all about taking your images to the next level.

Course Objectives;

Selecting suitable backgrounds indoors and on location

The different techniques to be applied and their effect of the subject

How to use daylight and artificial light effectively

How to combine artificial light with daylight

The equipment to use

How to direct your client in order to achieve stunning images.

You will have the opportunity to capture images for your records.

FASHION WEDDINGS workshop

Our Fashion Wedding workshop is aimed at the wedding photographer who wishes to stand out from the crowd and create stunning images that will excite their bride and groom and the photographer who is looking to sell Wall Art in addition to the album. We will look at lighting, both natural and flash, suitable backgrounds that can be used and how to compose your bride and groom to create memorable, lasting images. In the afternoon Faye will demonstrate how we create some of our Fine Art images in Photoshop and the range of actions that we use in post- production.

This workshop is all about taking your images to the next level and reinventing yourself so that you stay ahead of the game.

Course Objectives

Looking for suitable backgrounds indoors and location

Better images demand a higher price

How to create a demand for Wall Art

Composition that sets you apart from the rest

How to develop a personal style

The use of Photoshop to create stunning images.

How the use of actions can help enhance the final image.

Create Fine Art Fashion images that sell

You will have the opportunity to capture images for your records.

How to book your place.

Simple, either by cheque payable to Yerbury Seminars or by BACS or PayPal.

E-mail workshop@yerburyseminars.com to reserve your place and to receive payment details.

what previous delegates have said about our workshops

““I can’t take my eyes of these photographs. The light was gorgeous and the story that Christiane told was delightful” I’ve never worked with anyone of this quality, Stan said the seminar would be inspirational, he undersold you. You taught me alchemy !!”

Chris Mackenzie – St Andrews

Trevor and Faye,

Just a quick note of thanks for putting up with me yesterday. I had a truly fantastic time. Although I spent far more time travelling than shooting it was well worth it and I’d recommend the experience to anyone. The guidance you gave was just what I was hoping for and the endless enthusiasm you have for your projects is an inspiration.

Carl

Dear Faye and Trevor,

I can’t think of enough superlatives to describe yesterday’s seminar. I left feeling totally energised and brimming with confidence. What your seminar did that most others don’t is impart your trade secrets for the benefit of others. Your passion and commitment to your profession shines through like the quality on your photographic prints. I loved every minute I just wish that I had met you two earlier in my career. Wonderful day.

Best wishes David Cruickshanks