Free Light Friday 7-18-08 : Toronto Edition
My thanks go out to the Professional Photographers of Ontario for hosting a wonderful half day workshop for their members with me as their speaker at the Ashbridges Bay Yacht club in Toronto.
I was able to present to the group a motivational lecture, an on-location shoot, and an image review and quick post processing example after dinner. However to extend your experience, I’m going to provide you with some original Canon 1Ds raw files shot that day to try your hand at lab color mode post processing, as well as altering the mood of the photo with a lighting overlay image you can download from the Create Cart:
Have a brand new free texture from me as you check out from the cart - there are a few more free ones and several sets of high resolution texture and lighting files if you are interested.
Now on to the full raw file downloads:
Download Test file one (13mb Canon CR2 raw file): Blue background accentuated by a tungsten gelled main flash, if you weren’t there you can download this screen cast movie file to learn to process your files for rich and vibrant blues : or view this post page on photoshop manipulating the blue in images. This image would be a fun one to try out the texture - if you try it - post a link in the comments to your blog page, flickr page, or other way to see your results. In this image we use the principles of Make Light Real:
- provide a clear subject - by making the subject brighter than the background
- create compelling color and contrast - by altering the flash color temperature with a gel to warm it
- compose the unexpected - I waited until the boat was in the right place to add the added ’story line’ to the photo
Download Test file two (13mb Canon CR2 raw file): another gelled image of the model on the rock, this is would be a great candidate for the lighting overlay you downloaded from above.
Download Test file three (13mb Canon CR2 raw file): a strong test of balancing the very dark nigerian model with the bright summer sky on the lakefront.
Have your fun with these images and post your versions to the comments and I’ll do my photoshop edits and post back in about a week.
| 3.6 (1 person) |
Come see me in Toronto - July 14th - 12-6pm
Here’s the program description:
Lighting for Creativity - click here to register!
Part1: Listen to Neil’s personal journey. And share his understanding the creative power light has brought to his image making process. Make the visual connection between creativity and light on many planes as we discuss the implications for our spirits, our businesses, and our cameras. You will be personally challenged to break through your own personal psychological limits before moving on to part two - in the field.
Part2: Light with Neil in the field. Neil will approach a location he has never been before, with a subject he’s never shot before and attempt to share with you the running dialog in his head as he ‘lights for creativity’ in bringing out the qualities of the location, subject and mood. His challenge will be to transform the location with creative and expressive power.
Part3: Finish with flair. Neil will download and photoshop his raw captures live while taking questions from the audience as he goes. If you think there’s some kind of dark magic locked up inside your computer, come check inside Neil’s as he accentuates the visual phenomenon in his photographs using Photoshop.
Sponsored by:
Central Portrait Branch - Professional Photographers of Ontario
Professional Photographers of Ontario
Click here to register. We welcome all skill levels, you’ll get something out of it!
| 3.2 |
Veritas Vignette before and after #2
The ideas behind the Veritas Vignette overlay package is that predictable is boring…
Perfect is unnatural….
And the vignette shapes in the downloadable texture package will help you add that slight organic twist for a sense of the mysterious, the organic - to your images. Here’s a before:
Here’s an after:
The Vignette not only darkens, but also lightens certain areas of the frame that help your composition.
Here’s a few more images from my recent wedding that use the vignettes:
| 3.2 |
you will what you imagine
Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine and at last you create what you will.
George Bernard Shaw
| 3.2 |
Tectonic Shift: Meditation for creativity - music soundtrack
I start each day by meditation and I use for a soundtrack Tectonic Shift by Delirium as part of my trigger (preview, listen, and buy with this link).
Have you heard of a trigger yet? Start off by reading this post to increase your understanding.
Tectonic shift is a crescendo that helps me focus my mind, calm my heart and set me on an even - but excited tone for the day. No matter what is going on around me - headphones on and I go to that place.
You can have some fun exploring my favorite tracks for meditation with this Amazon player.
| 3.2 |
a series of NO’s
…a series of NO….to get to the yes of success…
“I’ve worked out of a series of no’s. No to exquisite light, no to apparent compositions, no to the seduction of poses or narrative. And all these no’s force me to the “yes.” I have a white background. I have the person I’m interested in and the thing that happens between us.”
Richard Avedon, 1994
When No becomes yes
you have understood the Tao
| 3.2 |
Fleeting Instant - inspiration soundtrack
Fleeting Instant by Delerium - my pre-wedding inspirational soundtrack
I wake up, put on my face
Identify with the human race
i fall asleep take off my face
somehow the light can’t keep up the pace
don’t be so hard on yourself
you’ve got so much to pull off the shelf
pack it away
then pack it in
life is too short
the airs getting thin
the dying moon compels the arrogant seas
the deathless ‘me of me’ caught up in the tease
you still inspire me though you hurt and deceive
and if you hear me now awake in your sleep
Alleluia
Alleluia
don’t be so hard on yourself
you’ve got so much to pull off the shelf
pack it away
then pack it in
the airs getting thin
the dying moon compels the arrogant seas
the deathless moon caught up in the tease
you still inspire though you hurt and deceive
and if you hear me now awake in your sleep
Alleluia
i go to sleep take off my face
eyes open to the darkness
identify
the dying the moon compels the arrogant seas
a fleeting instant i was led to believe
and what you give so shall you receive
and if you hear me now
AWAKE!
I’m listening to this song on my MP3 player as I get my creative juices started up for the wedding I’m about to shoot. You can buy the MP3 from amazon here. Or the whole album with this link…
I think this song is a soothing reminder of how I need to put behind me my human frailties and move into the moment to enjoy it, be inspired by it, and capture it!
| 3.2 |
Involve me and I’ll understand
“Tell me and I’ll forget. Show me and I’ll remember. Involve me and I’ll understand”
Confucius
| 3.2 |
Small softbox on location
Continuing my explanations from the gear I use - today again the small softbox:
So I was out on an engagement shoot and had done all the normal stuff and wanted a little something extra…
But the simple daylight angle was not very flattering and the busy environment of the playground rope piece made for a very messy image - cool - but a little too messy - what could I do quickly to improve the impact of my couple in the space…
Here I am climbing around searching for the right perspective….
Read on to see the final shot and read about my camera settings making it….
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