Difference between strobes and constant in the same set

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During the glamour workshop from this weekend we worked with a set and two different light sources.
In the first image you see I used an Elinchrom strobe with the varistar reflector aimed at the ceiling, in the second image the only light we used was from the chandelier which is hanging about the set.

 

Both are slightly different tinted fitting the mood I wanted for each image.
As you can see, both light sources render the light completely different, my personal favorite is often the tungsten light source, especially when we are working with a set, but as I always say, make sure that you shoot both options, at least you have something to choose from, plus… with strobes you have a lot more power meaning I can shoot with faster shutter speeds and more depth of field, the tungsten shots I had to take from the tripod because I needed to stay at ISO200 (shooting it with the Leaf Credo60).

 

Lenaa 31 - January 17 2015

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Tip about locations in the studio with props

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To spice up a shoot you don’t always have to go to a stunning location, sometimes you can bring the location to your studio…. well at least part of the location.
In this case we used an old window as a prop, the model is behind it and the light is falling through the window, I added some waterdrops to make the scene a bit more interesting…..

 

Now the first thing people ask me is “How do you get these props”
The answer is very very simple, just go to your local scrapyard, offer some posters in exchange or pay what they ask, often it’s very cheap because we actually go for the rundown (real scrap) material. You can also of course make a deal that you can bring stuff back and get new props.

 

Lenaa Juni 20 2014 116
One extra tip… DON’T LET THE MAID CLEAN THE WINDOW 🙂

New instructional video “The light meter”

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You probably already saw it on social media, but I also want to give some attention to it on my blog of course.

why and how to use a lightmeter

This week saw the release of my brand new instructional video “Mastering the model shoot : the light meter”
A lot of people have asked me when I would make a new instructional video series in the style of the very populair “Light” series, my answer was always that I would make a new video as soon as I had a lot of information that I did not already share on other videos, because just like you I don’t like to spend money on something I already saw.

 

After the release of my book “Mastering the model shoot” and the workshops connected to the book I got so many ideas and I still got a lot of stuff that did not make the book (there is limit to the amount of pages :D) that I decided now would be the time to release a brand new series of instructional videos.

 

Everything is new.
We have a new approach to filming, we now film everything in 4K for extra quality (videos are presented in 1080P) and we use different camera angles, text will appear on screen to explain the more difficult parts, and all videos will cover different topics so you can buy the ones you like and are not forced to pay for something you don’t like (although I think they are all more than worth it of course).

 

The first video is called “Mastering the model shoot : the light meter”
In digital photography this is without a doubt one of the most talked about topics and to be honest you also hear a lot of stuff that is, now how to say this nicely, well….. not really helping (was that ok?).

 

In over 70 minutes I take you through everything you need to know about the light meter, topics include :
* reading the meter
* which meter to buy
* reflective vs incident
* where to aim the meter
* how to calibrate the meter
* working with strobes
* working with ambient
* mixing strobes and ambient
* working with white backgrounds and black
* how to keep detail in the blacks with a technique called light in light (and how to meter it)
* histogram vs the meter
* how to trigger the meter
* apps and film
* and much more……

I’m joined in the studio by our model Manon and next to the explanation on the meter we will also show you in easy to follow (and copy) examples. This is a very complete video on the light meter and I’m sure you will run out and buy one if you don’t already have one, or understand your meter beter if you already own one.

 

The video is priced at EU 29.95 (US app 35.00) and can be ordere via our webstore or via the direct link here :
https://frankdoorhof.com/web/shop-videos-etc/direct-video-downloads/

Some portraits

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One of the workshops I teach is called “Succesvolle portretten” which translates to “Successful portraits”
In this workshop I teach a small group of attendees to shoot some portraits with a good “wow” factor when stressed for time and when you have to shoot “non-models”, in other words…. like you would normally shoot in a commercial shoot where there is little time and the “models” are not always pleased or at ease in front of the camera, to make it more “juicy”…… they are the models themselves.

 

And trust me, shooting a photographer can be the most difficult thing you can imagine.
Of course I also shoot myself during the workshop, and today some of the images I shot during this workshop from the attendees.

 

Also want to visit a workshop?
Check www.fotografie-workshops.nl

Succesvolle portretten Jan 9 2015 1040

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