Skip to main content

The Best Photographic Conference of the Year is Nearly Here!!!

The Societies Convention in London is being held from January 20th to the 24th this year. As always I am so looking forward to it. Not only is a great opportunity to receive formal training from some of the best in the industry but its also a chance to learn and gain immense knowledge from so many people from all over the world while enjoying a drink (or 3) at the bar. I always come away from this trip feeling as though I've just attended a family reunion. I've made so many wonderful friends who so often are there for me through the year. It is such a worth while event and for anyone not sure whether to make the trip I can assure you its made a load of difference to me. 


Anyway, I am posting this to tell you that I am again running two classes this year, The first is software related and is a 2 hour masterclass.  The second is a hands on lighting 4 hour superclass. 

Masterclass: You Don't Know What You Don't Know
When: Thursday January 21st from 1:00 to 3:00pm

This class will cover shortcuts, tips and tricks to quicker, easier and more manageable editing.  Learn how to apply layer masks, apply textures, use blend modes, use and assign short cut keys, and dodge and burn on non destructive layers.  We will address the liquify tool and show that it can be used for more than just reducing lumps and bumps for the perfect figure.  As well we will cover creating actions, batch processing and so much more.  


I plan to show you how you can use multiple images to create the one perfect shot for those times when you couldn't get it just right with one image. I know we always aim to get it perfect in camera on a single shot but that isn't always possible. So instead you can take elements (ie a person's face, their eyes or a prop that moved) and place it seamlessly on another image to make one perfect portrait.

Feel free to bring questions with you and I will do my best to answer them. Attendees are welcome to contribute as well. Last year I learned something new during my texture's masterclass and I'm hoping I might find the same again this year.  

The 2 hours will be crammed with information.  The intention of this class is to uncover so many light bulb moments that the time you save in editing throughout the year makes attending the convention all worth while. 

Superclass: Foundations in Portrait Lighting Using Bowens Equipment
When: Saturday January 23rd from 9am to 1pm

This class will provide a solid foundation in lighting techniques for both beginners as well as established photographers who've perhaps become too comfortable with safe lighting.  It will cover a multitude of essentials required to create beautiful, directional light for a variety of subjects and genres.  


To do this we will explain and demonstrate lighting patterns, light ratios and hard versus soft light.  We will be using a variety of light modifiers provided by Bowens in conjunction with their popular range of lights to show the different portrait lighting affects each modifier can create.  Attendees will also be given the chance to have a guided play with the equipment themselves so photographers are encouraged to bring along their own cameras.


I plan to cover my staple lighting technique used in the bulk of my portraits as a basis to show how simple lighting is all you really need. Typically I use just 2 lights and really that is all you need. But from there we will expand bringing in a further 2 lights in some cases and using modifiers such as a beauty dish, strip softboxes and a fresnel spot. I want to show you how to make a high key portrait really pop, how adding a rim light to your subjects can add some wow and really make a portrait current and fun. And we'll carry on in this way giving everyone a chance to create something of their own using any of the techniques covered. 


If you're new to lighting or feel your confidence is lacking then this is a great opportunity to expand your lighting skills and grow your confidence. 

I hope to see you there!!!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

My Associate Panel

As I mentioned in my last blog, I achieved my Associateship in Portraiture with the SWPP (Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers).  I just thought I would share with you the panel I submitted.  Having sat through the assessment I see that there are a couple of images that I wish I hadn't chosen, more so due to not having enough variety rather than the lack of quality.  but overall I am pleased with my submission. I always thought that once I achieved my Associateship I would be done with qualifications.  Working towards a Fellowship just seems so unattainable.  I don't think I can just sit here not striving towards a goal though.  Besides, my husband has already set 5 year plan.  So I guess I've not seen the end of qualifications just yet.  But don't be expecting any news on this front for quite some time though.  A fellowship is on an entirely new level and its going to take a lot of work. 

5 Reasons you Should Consider Getting a Professional Headshot

Headshots, or profile pictures are becoming a requirement of so many tools we regularly use or reference today. From Facebook to Linked In, Instagram to Twitter and often any website that represents a company for which you work or own will have a place to include a photograph that is meant to show your audience who you are. And how you present yourself there will tell your audience so much about you. 1. A profile picture is your first opportunity for your audience to see you. Its often the first impression you make and we all know you only have one chance at a first impression. A professional photographer has the skills to show you in the best, most suitable way to give a great first impression. (These headshots were created for recruitment firm  Optima UK  who asked to have their logo placed behind them. I think it makes these headshots quite eye catching and they should do their job well.) 2. Using a professional to create your headshot will convey yo

I am Still Me: A Story about a Transgender Boy

  Meet Leo. Leo is 15 and currently going through an epic transformation that has momentarily turned the lives of himself and those around him upside down. A mum who once had the daughter she always longed for is now coping with the realisation that she will be living the rest of her life with a son instead. When your child is born you have certain expectations of the typical life they will lead but most of us know and accept that it won't necessarily end up the way we imagine. Not every person wants to marry, have kids or be involved with the opposite sex. Most of us have come to accept this and can adjust to whatever comes our way relatively easily. But few of us have expected to have to deal with a change in sex. Its not that we've hoped it won't happen, but just that it never occurred to us that it might. This is a new adjustment that we as a society are being presented with today, just like so many others that have come before. When I first heard that Phoebe

Portraits of a Beautiful Young Woman and Her Guitar

You may remember a while back when I did a casting call looking for teenage boys and girls. Well this is the girl I chose. I had quite a specific look in mind, one which included really long hair. I have always had a thing for long hair. The choice also became quite simple when this young lady put herself forward as she is someone I've been photographing through school for several years and she is a past member of the Hinckley Athletics Club where she has been coached by my husband for nearly as many years. He's always had a soft spot for her, being one of his first members which helped my decision. When I have projects where I want to work with a model rather than a paying client I like to use friends or past clients whenever possible as it enables me to give something to those who have been loyal to me. Wallis has been a pleasure to work with. She is a stunning, confident young woman. In addition, she could bring props with her that I love. I've been wanting to ph

Its a Dog's Life

When life gets tough I always look at dogs or my cats and think how lucky they are. I know not all are treated well but those lucky enough to be in a good home, like the ones who come into my studio, have a really great life. They look so happy and its a wonderful thing to see.  I honestly love photographing dogs. They are a joy to work with and its almost impossible to produce a bad portrait of a dog which does of course make my life a little easier. I am someone who really needs to love the work I create. I can't help but love the portraits I've created of all the dogs I've photographed over the years. And this shoot was certainly no exception. I found it a real pleasure using a lighter background this time too. I do often gravitate towards darker looks but seeing as this dog had a light coloured coat I thought I'd produce lighter images. This gave me the chance to use a canvas I painted a couple of years ago but never really used and I absolutely love it