Tag Archive for: Backstage

Get stunning results and high contrast images easily with the Rogue FlashBender XL

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I love the FlashBender XL

I’ve been using the Rogue FlashBender for over 10 years now. And it’s still one of my favorite modifiers because you get easily stunning results and can make high-contrast images.

When I got the “first” edition I started using it not as a bounce card. But to get some cool effects on the background, and due to the design of the FlashBender, you could also light your model from the back. An amazing tool at that moment which gave me loads of creative options.

This also got the attention of Expo Imaging (the creators of Rogue) and we started to talk. And over the years the Frank Doorhof XL edition was designed. Every time we added and changed smaller and larger details and I’m incredibly proud of the product as it is today.

First of all; the material on the Frank Doorhof edition is different from the other FlashBenders. We chose a soft silver material that gives you a more direct light-output vs white. So you get a really nice edge to your light. Plus it also boosts the output which can be great for outside situations where you need a bit more.

The FlashBender Frank Doorhof XL edition can be used as :

Bounce card
By bending the top you can limit the light loss and get much more direct light on your subject instead of just losing it into the air.

Softbox
In the box, you also find a softbox attachment to soften the light.

Snoot
Just fold the flashbender into a snoot by using the velcro.

Striplight with grid
Probably my favorite option and also the one I’m using in this video.

In this video, I show you how you can use the FlashBender in the striplight configuration to light both the background and the model for some really cool and contrasty images.

And some of the results you also see in the video.

the Rogue Frank Doorhof FlashBender XL

For my American friends, buy from Rogue 

 

A Harley Davidson and a beautiful model and you get to see it all….

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Frank Doorhof’s Digital Classroom, model shoot with a motor

Have you ever wondered how they got those shots?

Well, you’re going to love the Frank Doorhof’s Digital Classroom series.
In these broadcasts, we show you complete setups and tell you about the technique but most of all, we also talk about choosing the right angle, styling, adding elements in the set or for example, smoke, working with lens flares, colors, etc.

And this time we had a very special prop, a Harley Davidson.

In two completely different setups, I show you how to light the set and pose the model, but also how to light in zones and understand feathering and light placement for reflections and covering up light sources.

And the coolest part?
I did it all with the Geekoto strobes, the FlashBender in striplight configuration, and the Rogue Magnetic system.
A complete setup everyone can afford and still gives you awesome results both on location and in the studio.
See frankdoorhof.com/shop for the gear I use.

Here is the episode of the digital classroom.

Digital Classroom results

And of course, you also want to see the results.
Do realize these were all shot during a live broadcast, so not the perfect circumstances to get everything 100% right 😀

Frank Doorhof’s Digital Classroom supporters

We have to thank our sponsors for making Frank Doorhof’s Digital Classroom possible.

Frank Doorhof’s Digital Classroom is sponsored by BenQ Photographic Monitors & Rogue Expo Imaging; Photographic Design (FlashBenders & Magnetic modifiers, color, correction, and reflection)

Also powered by Calibrite (calibration done right, the best solutions for photographers, filmmakers, designers, and content creators who love color and demand the very best tools for their color-critical workflow) and Cascable (tethering software for the iPad),

Furthermore, we thank YOU! the viewers and fans of our Digital Classroom from all over the world. We like your questions and remarks in the chat live or below our videos.

Special thanks to our friend Martin, who drove his precious Harley in our studio, and friend and model Claudia for being creative.
You might have seen our little mascot Chewie the Labradoodle, who doesn’t like smoke but was brave enough to be watching from below the desk.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more live streams and other videos. 

Frank Doorhof's Digital Classroom, model shoot with a motor Frank Doorhof's Digital Classroom, model shoot with a motor Frank Doorhof's Digital Classroom, model shoot with a motor Frank Doorhof's Digital Classroom, model shoot with a motor

 

Behind the scenes during a photoshoot

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Behind the scenes is always fun

Digital classroom is our online educational live stream.
Once a month we have a 2 hour broadcast from our studio where I explain different topics and lighting setups, always fun and interesting.

Today a digital classroom with Claudia.

A cool behind the scenes during a fashion shoot including all the info free tutorial

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A behind the scenes look

This is how digital classroom started.
Just a webcam starting in the morning and ending when we were done, and I could hardly believe it but some people stayed awake the whole day, which for them was actually night time.

Although this was fun, it was not really something we could do often due to the very bad internet quality.
A few years later we wanted to start the live streams again but in a different format, a 3 hour live semi workshop.
At that moment we had to stream via a satellite uplink, which mostly meant I was worried almost the whole episode, because just one fat cloud and it would fall below the range of YouTube which meant “lost connection”.

Nowadays everything has changed.
We are now streaming with 4 live cams, we have a chat running where people can ask questions and of course we are now streaming via a super fast fiber connection.

Digital classroom has grown

Digital classroom now is totally different from when we started, but we are continuously looking at ways to make it more interesting for you guys. And the first thing we did was shorten the episode length to 90-120 minutes (3 hours was too long).

And of course we can’t do it without the support of our sponsors. So let’s give them a big shout out.

BenQ :
Great monitors for designers, photographers and video.
Without a doubt my choice for monitors.
And they sometimes have great offers for our viewers, like a 10% discount for all EU customers (mail us for the coupon).

Rogue :
We’ve been working with Rogue for almost as long as I shoot models.
The Flashbender is probably the product I’m the most involved in, but Rogue is the kind of company that really listens to their ambassadors and create awesome products. I use the flashbender and magnetic system in almost all my shoots.

Geekoto :
Awesome compact strobes, with great easy to setup softboxes.
And for the price, it’s almost unbelievable what they deliver. I’m very picky and have been shooting with them for over 2 years now and didn’t have any issues at all.

Calibrite :
I always advise to get a proper calibrated workflow, and Calibrite delivers all he goods you need.
I’m using their colorcheckers and analysers to get proper colors in my workflow.

Cascable :
When you see me shooting live there is a 99% change you see me using an iPad Pro, and on the iPad Pro I’m running Cascable, without any doubt my favourite tethering solution for iPad, it’s super fast and reliable, just what a I need under stress.

IQwire :
Tethering is showing your images directly on a large screen while shooting.
IQwire delivers the fastest and most reliable tethering cables and a complete defence system for camera, laptop/desktop and cable.
Available in 5-10-15 meters length (I’m mostly using the 15mtr which makes it possible to move around my whole studio without ever tripping over a cable.

ClickBackdrops :
We started with a signature series and I ended up with my whole studio filled with their amazing backdrops, and eventually we started selling them (they are just too much fun). Available in almost any size and in 2 materials. Vinyl for sharp and “harder” prints and ProFabric, which mimics the old canvasses we all love but can’t afford 😀

Most of these products we now also sell in our webshop at frankdoorhof.com/shop so make sure to check it out.
The reason we chose these brands to work with, or sell, is that they are designed FOR photographers/videographers/designers instead of designed for the photography market (a huge difference in usability).

Ok…
Let’s go straight to the brand new episode of digital classroom with our model Claudia.