It's been a long time.

It's been a long time since i've put my camera to the shelf and my my hobby on pause. I had a lot of things to do and had no time for anything.
But since i've seen my nikon daily, and knowing that i have a very basic "studio" gear at home the time had to come when i had to say now.
I have to admit i forgot how fun is this. You will see what is missing from your current gear.
I've found out that for background you don't have to go for an expensive fabric. You can go to a fabric shop, and get a few meters from the kind you like. (from 1,5 euro  for a 100X150 cm ). Hang somewhere (i'm thinking to get a curtain valance (4 Euros for an extendable one in IKEA. :) ) and use a flash. the rest is depends on you. And it's easier than you think. :)


For these pictures i've use on'y what i've found at home. and my chap home "studio flash" and/or my system flash.

It's on.

In my last post I've mentioned that i was in a studio.
Well, here are the approved pictures. Enjoy, and share your thoughts.

See my other pictures in my Picasa album 

1st time...

I'm over it. Yes, i had my fist studio session, my first request for it, and the first feedback about the photos.

It's done.

I can tell, if you want to try yourself out in a studio, don't hesitate. It's amazing, hard, and exhausting.

Photos will come soon, but until than let me share some toughs and good to know tips for the first tries.

So the things what I've learnt. 

The most important thing is to ask for assistance. You can do everything by yourself, but handling the lists/tripods, etc and shooting the pictures will distract you, and the model too. Which can be seen on the pictures.

The second thing, is to take short breaks. I've been making photos for more than 2 hours, and i realize that in every 30-45 minute it's good to have a 5-10 minute break, while your model can rest a bit, or can check the pictures or correct the makeup. It will build confidence in her/himself, and gives you some time to think.

Bring water! In the center of the flashes the model will require to drink. and believe or not, you too.

Use everything the model has. Long hair? nice legs? colorful eye? well shaped lips? Record. Concentrate on them. Use them. Believe or not, if you focus on the "parts" what the model is proud to, will make her/him to do a showoff. And than you can capture the essence of the model.

Look around in the studio. Is there anything what you can bring in to the scene? Even a pair of gloves can bring some extra.

Don't afraid to ask the model to do something. If you were able to connect with the model, she/he will be happy to do what you ask. (within in reasonable limits of course) Just ask. Move the model. Ask to make silly faces. try to make the session to be fun. If the model enjoys the session, you'll be able to make good pictures.

And speak. Show that you are keen to make good pictures. Tell what you want to see, in short sentences. Make it simple. Turn left a bit, turn your head back. Look here, look over there. Turn around, look back. But before that, tell why you asking. ( like ok. on the next series i want to make pictures like this. I would like to see this. ok?)

On technical side, don't forget to ask about the flashes. Flash sync speed is important. For example in my case the flashes could be used on 1/160s sync speed. I didn't know that. I've started the session on 1/200. So most of my pictures had the gradient shade on the lower side of the sensor, and i've noticed it only at home.

These are the things i've learnt. I hope you'll be able to use them, and again. Don't hesitate to go to studio. It's fun, and you can develop a lot. Grab a friend and go make some photos.

Rapid Shooting

One of my friend asked me yesterday, if I would have some time to make some pictures about his friend for some web contest. It was Friday afternoon, and i knew that i would have 2 hours free on the weekend. So i said yes.

The only thing i knew that the subject of the photos would be a girl who will wearing a corset, and she wants outdoor pictures. We fixed the time for 2:30 PM, and the location, the nearby ruins of an amphitheatrum. 

So Today i started my ritual, which i always do before the session: dismantle the gear i will use, clean every part of it one by one, and assemble it again, put it back to my camera bag. It usually takes 30 minutes, and helps me to clear my mind. I take my Nikon, the new battery grip, an 50mm 1,8 lens, the 17-105mm kit lens. A flashgun, the Aurora Firelfy, a home made sync cable (with a length of 6m cat5 cable) a car window shade (silver) for reflector and a 1l Coke.

We spend approx 1 hour taking the photos in the direct sunlight (was bad idea i have to admit) and the cool wind.

The results? Well, You tell me. :)

Workshop.

It was the end of 2012. I got an opportunity to attend on a Basic Studio light workshop.
Do you know what that means? Well. Pack together a few photographers. Let's say you are in the middle of the experience level in the group.
Grab a "teacher".
Some light stands, stobes, background, nice girls and let it roll.
Well. I have to admit, the last time when i was in a photo studio, i was approx 5 yrs old, and the kindergarten made the traditional Look how my daughter/son grew up.
That was my last experience.
the tutor told us a lot of things. But 1 sentence grab my attention:
,, The funniest thing in studio lightning is the following: It's damn easy". I've added a few things:
- I've read a lot about how to setup, what to do, why, how to measure, how to calculate........ andsooooooon.
Funny thing. All of us has an extremely important and precise light meter. Our eyes. Put that light here, see the result. Grab this light, and put over there. See. Adjust. Looks good, take a photo. Basically that's all the magic. ( ok i know it far more complex. But you have to admit. If you never tried, you would be as terrified about the studio lights, the setup, the equipment, etc as i was.)
1 day. 6 hours. Result? I feel the i will be able to handle the strobes, and light modifiers just enough to make a band photo, or a nice "profile" picture. And what is more important. I will have the confidence in myself about this. So that will also create a big chance to success. If you as low on budget as me about photography. (I admit it. its a passion for me.) you can still try yourself out in a studio. in Hungary you can rent one with some equipment and backgrounds for 10 euros/hour. Ask a friend, or bring your loved one. And shoot.
Can't be difficult. So for new year, that's the plan. (I've added this to the "Sell 1 photo" whislist)

The Prom

Ok. Here's the deal. You have a camera. You take pictures. You are more or less capable to shoot good pictures. Sometimes. So be a photographer for a young lady's Prom. The Prom.
Scene: A Handball stadium.. Max distance is around 57m (approx 160 feet).
I have to say, i never did something like that. The pressure on me ( what i've felt) was worse than what i've felt on my friend's wedding. This was the Big day for the lil'girl.
I've spoken one of my friend who did some events like this. (Thx for the suggestions Attila!)
I had my 17-105 VR, my 50, and my old 70-300 Tamron, a Nissin Flashgun.
What i did not have: Experience and knowledge about the choreography.  Oh, and i also didn't have a good place. Fixed position behind the display, without the permission to move. Can you imagine? I've faced with a strange situation. Everything was happening right on the other side. Always. The dances, the speeches. Everything.
In no time i got myself in the "Oh, screw it!" mood, but i had to present good/quality photos about the event. No place for letting down the family.
So after a hour (Do you know how difficult to hold  ~2 kg equipment in hand for that long? I never knew. My hands started to shake so much even the VR was not enough to compensate!!!!) i gave up my position, and started to run all over the place to make at least a few good shots. Just before my nerves would melt down,.
I was able to enter to the "dancefloor". That was the another point when I've had to admit. It would be a really good idea to attend on the prolusion. To know where i should pay attention. Of course I had no idea what will happen on the dancefloor.....
So it was somekind of a nightmare. But you know what? The family just loved my photos. :D Even i was able to find some really nice pictures.
So after all it was a good learning. The lessons:
- Don't even start to formal event to make photos without knowing what will happen there, when.
- Be prepared everything. It can happen there is good light, but eventually you'll have to adjust your settings as you would make photos in a low light environment.- Pack water and powerbar. You'll need it.
And to share and show Some of the good pictures.

Happy Birthday for me in advance. :)

Yes, I'm just about to get elder. Usually i don't really like birthdays, You know, the party, the presents, etc.
Ok, i'm kidding. So i don't really like birthdays, because of the counter increases. Now it's gonna be 31. Strange.
Well, this year I decided to invest a little to my hobby. (It's sounds better if i say it was a present than telling that I bought new stuff for something i don't get any money back from it, but i spend quite a lot time with it, with questionable results :) )
So as I've read the photography is about light. How You use light, and what do you do with it.
As mainly I'm a concert photographer (still hobbist :) ) I don't have any control on lights. It's already there. So instead set up the light as I would like them, I have to adapt it to my pictures. Good light, no light, red light. Any light. I have to say i don't really know anything about light setup. (Yes, I've read a lot about basic light setups, but i never had a chance to try them.)
Now it will change.
Let me Introduce my new toys. (from Mikrosat)
The first one is a simple set. Nothing fancy, a tripod an umbrella holder, and a flash-bulb.

The Second one is the real traveler pack. Few months ago i've decided to create a beauty dish, because it seen to be easy. Everything was ok, except the mounting to anything. Than i saw this:

Basically it's an Octobox - Umbrella designed for flashguns. Since i have a quite "flashy" Nissin, i decided to get this one too, with an additional tripod. (As i count, currently i have now 2 tripods for flash, 2 for camera, and one monopod at home. Seems a bit too much? :) )
Oh, yes. And the real thing. How this works? Well, the 1st test pictures seems to be nice.:)

set to BW+Vignetting effect in Lightroom. 

I will try to learn now... So Lights, Camera, Action..... Shooot!
(Images of products are taken from Mikrosat's webpage. See details above)