Day 3 - Sunset Sally

About 3 months ago i went to a training seminar in London to see a photographer called Joe McNally. At the seminar he showed us how to use single and multiple speedlights to create amazing images applying some very basic techniques. For those who don't know him, Joe has over 30 years of experience in the business and is a master at off camera flash using speedlights.... you can see he's work here http://www.joemcnally.com/

With today's image, I applied some of the techniques i learnt at the seminar allowing me to capture an amazing image of Robyn against the sunset sky. It took me no longer than 10 minutes to setup, capture, download and edit the image... the reason why it took me such a short time was because I applied some very basic techniques which worked and will work again time after time.

Robyn was reluctant at first to climb onto the sheds roof, thinking the roof would give way, but after a little persuasion she finally bottled up the courage climbing onto the roof... that's my girl!! I positioned her half way up the roof, making sure there were no distracting objects behind before setting up the flash.

The flash was placed on a 2m stand with a white translucent umbrella about a foot away from her on the right side of the camera. The sky was just perfect so i took the exposure...

Again i think the image shows that you can create something great by having a little vision and applying some basic technique!

See you on Day 4.

Shane

Day 2 - Princess Spot-a-Lot

After yesterdays first attempt at an image on a black background, today's task was to create something on white just like the Venture brand... For those of you who dont know what or who Venture is, they are a photographic studio in the UK that captures and sells high key contempary images, as they call it "Art".

They hook people by having reps in shopping centres try and sell the brand as people are going about their business, ask a few questions,  get their contact details and then a week later they receive an email / call that they have won a free studio session...

Once that potential client has completed the free studio session, they pull out the hard sell with you parting with large somes of money for the final product (printed and framed) usually around £400.

Dont get me wrong they are very good at what they do, having a brilliant team of Photoshop guru's behind the scenes, BUT they are very expensive. Please dont think i'm having a dig, just merely highlighting that anyone with some creative sense, Photoshop knowledge and the right equipment can create the same image for a fraction of the price... at least so i think!

And that brings us to today's image of Zoe, also known as Spot-a-Lot...

This image was captured using two speedlights, a white bed sheet and SLR camera. I must admit that i had to do a little more than usual editing in Lightroom and Photoshop to get to the end result, but this was to create a Venture like image.

Shane

I want to flash!

I've decided to start a 10 day project using off camera flash to help develop my flash technique and also get a better understanding of using speedlights as portable studio strobes.

The reason behind this project is that I've been reading a lot of photographers blogs recently. I came across a photographer called Zack Arias, based in Alanta. He has this unique ability to capture amazing images using off camera flash but also makes it look so easy to do.

Yes, there is the technical side of understanding how your aperture and shutter work together in relation to your flash power setting to getting a good exposure, but you also need one massively important ingredient... creative vision.

The project kicked off with me trying to catch a decent sort of studio like image using a black background. For this exercise, i had some real talent at hand.. little Drew, fresh from her first day at school (the bags under her eyes tell you she had a busy day).

The aim was to capture an image that i could pull straight into Lightroom, make the usual contrast and colour adjustments but not have to drag it into Photoshop doing extensive editing by trying to get the background pure black because of light spill. I think i achieved this...

Day 2 coming soon to a screen near you.

Shane

Where to begin?

Hi, today i break my blogging cherry...

Wow, i never thought i'd be blogging about my passion but what the heck, i might as well share the love. My background in photography started at school back in the 90's with a 35mm camera, some classmates as models and the schools darkroom at the back of the science class.

Since then, i've had a fascination with photography although admitley when i left school, my passion turned to girls, nightclubs and booze. 5 years ago, i decided to get back into it and bought my very first SLR, a Nikon D50. And so they say, never looked back.

My first job as a photographer came when my wifes friends sister (complicated i know) asked me to do their wedding. Reluctantly i declined as i felt i lacked the experience not having photographed a wedding before. But the couples tenacity and charm made me re-think the offer and i decided to jump into the deep end without in any armbands.

If it was not for them believing in me and making me believe in myself, then my wedding photography business would be non existing... thank you Kate & James!

I have since photographed a number of weddings alongside another Pro to gain invaluable experience but also by myself with the confidence gained. I will i say this, i love being a photographer.

If you want me to help you capture that special day, get in touch. If you want me to create an awesome family portrait that will last forever, get in touch. Even if just want to talk photography or anything else, get in touch.

Shane Herwill