Workshop USA Watsonville Santa Cruz July 15th

May 20, 2016/2 Comments/in blog/by Frank Doorhof

Mastering the model shoot on tour
July 15th 2016
(10:00-16:00)
Watsonville / Santa Cruz

$299.00
(early bird)
FINAL DAY OF EARLY BIRD !!!
The magic of the speed light

On July 15th I’ll teach a one day class in Watsonville (Santa Cruz) in our Mastering the model shoot on tour workshops.
What can you expect during these workshops :

We start all workshops with an Q&A in which the group can ask any question they want, some questions will be answered right away, and some will be incorporated into the workshop after the Q&A. This means that the workshop is in fact 100% tailor made for the group and everyone gets exactly what they want from it, this is an unique concept that works very well for all levels of photographers.

Topics in the workshop always include the following :
Speeding up the workflow by using a light meter, advanced light meter techniques for outside use, mixing light sources, calibrated workflow, shooting tethered into Capture One (tips and tricks), coaching the model, finding the right angles and poses, maximizing the scene, story telling, styling, using props, expression, adding motion, working with clients, retouching and much much more.

One of the topics that is incredibly important for a successful photoshoot but actually hardly ever taught is the maximum use of your location. In this segment we will not only discuss varies techniques for working on location but I’ll also show several setups in different locations using just the available space, proofing that with very easy to understand techniques you can literally create something spectacular in every single location.

This workshop is brought to you in cooperation with ExpoImaging so you are literally in the best place for all your questions about their amazing products and you can try them out on your own speed lights during the part where the students shoot.

During the workshop you will also get several retouching tips to speed up your workflow and most of all create an unique look.

I always teach in a small group, meaning there is a lot of room for questions and shooting yourself, although this is NOT a shooting zoo workshop, I always try to aim to maximize the learning experience, you will shoot images of course but don’t expect to shoot thousands of images, but do expect to go home inspired and a lot wiser on how to master your model shoot.

Topics will be :
Understanding/Manipulating/metering light
Using the light meter in incident and reflective mode
Mixing light sources
Coaching the model and working to a great shoot
Adding motion for that WOW effect
Advanced techniques for location shoots
Maximizing the location
The right gear
The complete workflow for model photography
Color managed workflows
Using Capture one during and after the shoot
Retouching and selecting images
And MUCH MUCH more…….

Retouching topics will be :
Skin retouching without spending hours behind the computer
Adding an unique look within seconds without plugins
Tinting your images
Body shaping within Photoshop
Using BW convertors for stunning color enhancements
Adding skin detail back if necessary (this can save your shot)
Manipulating light
Adding atmospherical lighting to a shot
Enhancing the look of the scene
And MUCH MUCH more…..

Watsonville (Santa Cruz USA) here we come for an intense workshop

May 14, 2016/in blog, News etc, Visions and technique/by Frank Doorhof

On July 15th we will be in Watsonville, Santa Cruz USA for an intense small group workshop with our friends from Rogue.

This will be a jam-packed day with loads of information on using small flash on location, both inside and outside.
Due to the small group there is a lot of time for questions and interaction, and of course you also get to shoot yourself. Although the gear used that day will be speed lights, the techniques are of course also valid for ANY other kind of light. If you want to learn more about model photography and working with the models, workflow, maximizing locations etc….. this is THE workshop for you.

For more information check : Watsonville Santa Cruz workshop July 15th 2016

World’s tallest thermometer

November 9, 2015/in blog/by Frank Doorhof

As you already know we love to see things that are a bit different when we travel.
I think this is also why I’m always attracted to the states and then especially traveling off the beaten track, or as we call it the “tourists traps” and yeah ok mostly we arrive in areas that can be labelled as tourists traps, so let me put it this way, you won’t find us in Disneyworld or Seaworld most of the times (we did visit some theme parks and enjoyed it) but put me in the dessert on an old road finding empty buildings that’s where I love to be.

During our trip over a small part of Route66 we also visited Baker.

In Baker you will very easily find the World’s Tallest Thermometer, it is an electric sign that commemorates the record 134 degrees Fahrenheit (57 degrees Celsius) recorded in nearby Death Valley on July 10, 1913. The sign weighs 76,812 pounds (34,841 kg) and is held together by 125 cubic yards (96 m³) of concrete. It stands 134 feet (41 m) tall and is capable of displaying a maximum temperature of 134 °F (57 °C), both of which are a reference to the temperature record

It was built in 1991 by the Young Electric Sign Company of Salt Lake City, Utah for Willis Herron, a local businessman who spent $700,000 to build the thermometer next to his Bun Boy restaurant. Soon after its completion, it was damaged by high winds and rebuilt. Herron sold the attraction and restaurant to another local businessman, Larry Dabour, who sold it in 2005. In September 2012, the owner at that time, Matt Pike, said that the power bill for its operation had reached $8,000 per month and that he turned it off due to the poor economy in 2013, the thermometer and accompanying empty gift shop were listed for sale. The family of Willis Herron (who died in 2007) recovered ownership of the property in 2014 and stated their intention to make it operational again.The official re-lighting took place on July 10, 2014.(Wikipedia)

While visiting things like this I also love to talk with the people working there to see what drives them, how the landmark was build etc. Much to my surprise we were actually able to talk to the owners, an awesome couple that told us everything about their pride and joy. I didn’t have my strobes with me and due to some aggressive allergy attacks the day before I was not 100% fit but still managed to shoot some images of them which I can share today.

Make sure to visit Baker and the Thermometer, it’s really worth a visit.

Hoover dam… the day I smelled like BBQ

September 11, 2015/in blog/by Frank Doorhof

For a while Annewiek wanted to see Hoover dam, so when we had a day off in Vegas we decided to go to Hoover dam. And indeed it was well worth the trip, but man was it hot……..

You know I always tell people to do everything for a shot?
Even if it hurts a little?

Well don’t be a stupid as I was 😀
When we walked past the first monument I decided it would we nice to shoot this from ground level up, so I sat on the floor and aimed my camera up, realizing it was VERY hot, now some background information it was in the afternoon and the car told us it was 52 degrees (that’s app 126F), so when I sat down the concrete was feeling rather uncomfortable but it was doable, however I saw a nice shot if I would just move a bit more forward… so I did, not seeing the HUGE copper eagle in the floor, and not realizing that had been baking in the sun ALL day…. that’s when I thought “Hummm BBQ” and immediately jumped up because it was actually me that was touching the copper with my leg and hand….. no scars except the humiliation of not looking with my eyes but through the viewfinder lol.

Was it worth it….?
Well in this case not, but you can judge. But I didn’t want to do it again, especially because more and more people were standing there, probably attracted to the smell of BBQ.

And yes I love that Sigma 12-24 😀