01. Fabulous beauty captured with my new favourite lens: the 60mm from Fujifilm. It has finally taken over from my Canon 100mm macro for that accolade. I lit Elle Richie with the new Lupolux DayLED 1000 LED Fresnel spotlight.
The occasion was my second boudoir workshop at Old Down Manor in Gloucestershire. The brief I set for the event was to shoot with either natural light or one artificial light source. I had a Speedlight with a Lastolite Ezybox and a Lupolux DayLED 1000 Fresnel spotlight to make this shoot come alive.Make up and hair was by Vicki Waghorn
Styling was by Elle Richie
Elle was cast by the Gingersnap Model agency in Bristol
02. We started the shoot with a cup of tea. Natural light shot using the 60mm lens at 1/125th second and f/4
03. Elle by window light. ISO800, 1/125th second, f/4 using the 60mm lens.
My first session was lit with the light from one window ant a bit of spill coming through open doors. I taught my group how to find and use the light that surrounded us.
04. Deep into the room some 8 metres from the window I used my 35mm lens wide open at f/1.4, ISO800, and 1/60th second.
Great light doesn’t always come in vast quantities and a fast prime lens gave me the opportunity to capture these shots hand held. Simply using a 24 – 105 f/4 zoom would need a shutter speed of 1/4 second or an increase in ISO to 12800.
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06. I used this frosted window as a backdrop and directed Elle to create this striking shape. 60mm wide open at f/2.4. The 60mm is the sharpest lens wide open of the three lenses Fuji released at the lauch of the X-Pro1.
07. I used a splash of flash from a gridded Ezybox here and it shows.
08. A Lovegrove classic lighting set up.
09. Lovely legs
10. I lit Elle Richie with the new Lupolux DayLED 1000. ISO 400, f/3.6 at 1/125th second using the 18mm lens.
11. Lighting as above shot on the 60mm at f/2.8 and 1/60th second.
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16. Throughout the day there was time to shoot intimate portraits. I run my workshops with very small groups and we rarely move on until everyone has got the shots they want. It's a relaxed and exhilarating training experience. This shot has a natural lift from flare. I used my 60mm lens without it's hood and I regret it now. Yes I could 'sit' the blacks in Lightroom and bump the contrast but I prefer to leave it as shot.
17. This was our first shoot together and it won't be our last. Elle has a radiant beauty and is easy to build rapport with. I always want to have a connection in my work if I can get it.
18. This was one Idea I borrowed from my previous workshop. I do like to generate new pictures each time out as it keeps my creative process fresh. Every now and then though a classic that deserves repeating shines through.
20. I showed the delegates how to control daylight to set a mood for a sequence of shots.
21. Lit with natural light.
22. ISO 1250, 1/125th at f/2.4 shot with the 60mm lens.
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24. 60mm lens wide open at f/2.4, ISO1250, 1/125th second. This is a perfect lens for natural light portraiture. I shot from above to soften Elle's look.
25. A beautiful moment captured on the 60mm lens wide open. Once you get the hang of the Fuji X-Pro1 it is easy to capture moments and get them pin sharp.
26. I used a Lupolux DayLED 1000 to create the sunlight in this shot. 60mm at f/2.4, ISO400, 1/125th second.
27. A wider shot on the 35mm lens.
28. And wider still using the same 35mm lens. Triangles, curves and fun.
29. Very into the light with the 60mm lens wide open at f/2.4
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33. We took an opportunity to get some vitamin D and ventured out into the sun with a Speedlight.
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35. Creative exposure combined with careful positioning resulted in this graphic shot for our collection.
36. The Lupolux DayLED 1000 provided the light for this shot too.
37. What era? What a classic light and style.
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My next Boudoir workshop is yet to be scheduled but I’ve a mind to call it Curvy Boudoir and feature a curvy size 14 or 16 model. If you would like to be a part of that workshop please Email Blaise stating Curvy Boudoir. Alternatively if you want to shoot with Elle Richie and myself please email Blaise too and let her know your preference. We can shoot Femme Fatale, Into The light, or Boudoir. You don’t have to be a professional photographer to be a part of these photography workshops. We have many keen amateurs from all walks of life and all countries too.
Why not get a few friends together and book us to arrange your shoot/ workshop experience. You can exchange a few pictures, create a genre and then we can provide a great choice of suitable models. We have access to some fantastic locations and I have the lighting kit to bring your shots alive. Why not stay over and make an evening of it too? Sharing the cost makes so much sense. Blaise is the near super human resource we have at Lovegrove Training to make your wishes become a reality.
Please feel free to comment on these pictures.
Your shoots and sessions and not only great photography but also very informative. Thanks for sharing the info and knowledge.
Thanks KedR :)
17 and 29 – simply stunning!! Have finally made time to watch my download of Simply Boudoir – can’t wait to try it all out!
Wow thank you Tracy,
Give it a go and have fun. Do ask questions as they arise via Twitter or on my facebook page.
Kindest regards,
Damien.
Hi Damien
Great images, how are you finding the 60mm on the Fuji, its the one lens I struggle with – not quality wise but the focusing is well below the other two – I’m currently using the Leica trick of setting focus and moving with my feet!
Tapas
Hi Tapas,
Thanks for your kind words. I love the 60mm lens, I shoot it at f/2.4 or f/2.8 most of the time and I have no focussing issues with it. The latest firmware has made focussing faster for the 60mm apparently acording to the forums. It’s an un doccumented improvement but an improvement none the less. My full 8000 frame review is here: https://www.prophotonut.com/2012/07/13/fujifilm-x-pro-1-8000-frame-user-review/
Kindest regards,
Damien.
Love Love Love these….
Thanks Kim :)
I approve ;-)
Hi Howard, Phew!
Another cracking set of images Damien, interesting to see the shots as I’ve heard very varied feedback about the Fuji X-Pro 1
P
Hi Peter,
Thanks for the compliments. The Fuji X-Pro1 is certainly not for everyone but it inspires me. It’s more of an artists camera than a techies tool. I love it.
Kind regards, Damien.
3,6,7 beacons in a wonderful collection
Thanks Chris :)
Hi Damien
Fantastic shots! I had a great time on the course.
Here’s my favourite shot from the ones I took.
http://500px.com/photo/9552575
Cheers
Ioan
Great shots Ioan, It was great to have you with us :)
Kind regards, Damien.
Fantastic blog post. I feel I’m learning just looking at the photos. – the photography is interesting too! – ha. Do you always use the Ezybox on a speed light for this type of photography? Do you ever use it out doors? Many thanks, David
Hi David,
Thanks for your compliments :) I often use the Ezybox with Speedlights indoors and out but I do also use an Elinchrom Quadra in the Ezybox when I need more power. I kept things simple for this workshop as it was foundation level. I hate having to give the delegates long shopping lists ;)
Kindest regards,
Damien.