1 - The Pebble of Manchester and Lisa Marie are lit with a splash of flash from an SB-900 on a stand. I triggered the flash in full sun at a distance of 30m with the pop up flash in my Nikon D700. At no point throughout the day did we have triggering problems with Nikon's fantastic infra red system.
2 - A close up from a different angle showing the crisp clean light from a bare faced Speedlight. I used the sun as a backlight on Lisa Marie.
3 - Next we were off to the Bridgewater hall air con duct. We go to all the nice places on a Speedlight Mastery workshop. This picture from a different angle shows the pattern of light on the wall from my zoomed in SB-900.
4 - We then went to the tiled pub to shoot using the Orbis. The SB-900 was triggered with the pop up flash of my D700. The D3s delegates used an SU-800 commander.
5 - Chris Hanley had a bright idea and held the Orbis above Lisa Marie for this shot. The Orbis makes a good close proximity soft light.
6 - Key and kick two point lighting works from any angle.
7 - The wide shot version of the picture above with a bit of flare to add an extra dimension.
8 - The sunlight coming through the bridge in the background makes a wonderful graphic shape. Lit with a single bare faced Speedlight.
9 - I had to switch my camera to colour at some point. I used an SB-800 on camera with a full CTO gell to light this shot at Deansgate station entrance.
10 - This shot pushed the Nikon CLS (creative lighting system) to the limit. The two backlights were set to half power on manual and the key (an on camera SB-800) was set to TTL - .6 stop.
11 - Although Manchester was sunny it was also cold so Lisa Marie put on her jacket. Same lighting as above. There's nothing quite like having a drain pipe growing out of someones back. It was deliberate by the way :)
12 - With the master set to TTL it was not camera to subject distance critical. I used a 120mm lens for this frame.
13 - Take it easy girl. After not managing to secure the bar we had morning coffee in for a shoot we opted to try another bar for afternoon tea. This time my negotiating skills played off and we did a few interior portraits with Orbis.
14 - Another Orbis shot.
15 - There was something surreal about this test frame so I kept it.
16 - This was the shot I was after with my Orbis.
17 - I used a 60cm Lastolite Ezybox Hotshoe as the key for this shot and the sun as a backlight.
18 - This is my bird shit shot. A piece of art lit with a Lastolite Ezybox Hotshoe. All my shots were triggered with the pop up flash on my D700 set to commander mode.
19 - I changed my viewpoint and composition for this variation.
20 - I spotted this white washed glass on an empty building while walking back to the Deansgate pub for a well earned end of shoot drink. Flash on camera was all it needed to create this punchy shot.
21 - Chris Hanley spotted this reflection shot too.
That was day three of a full on Manchester shoot session. Why not join me in Bristol for a Speedlight Mastery workshop or join Chris and I for a Cherish the Dress workshop. Please feel free to comment on these pictures.
Damien
Im a bit confused over what course to do next. I did a similar course (from another training company – I had not heard of you at that point) to your Urban Portraits course last year, but to be honest, I found it a bit lite in terms of technical knowledge. There was no real use of Flash beyond setting it up on a stand at 45 degrees. I used to do that at college with a Key light so I didnt feel like id expanded my knowledge at all.
Ive got all your DVD’s and they are incredibly helpful
I intend to do the wedding course at some point this year.
I’ve got a 580 EXii and an STE2, but Im absolutely terrified of it, I sort of understand second curtain sync and tricks like metering for ambient light and adding the flash to bring out the subject, but Im sort of looking at where to go next with building my skillsets.
Any advice please?
Image 9 is my fav from this set.
Thanks Leo,
We had to wait for gaps in commuter traffic to get our shots but with just one flash on camera it was a quick shot to set up and take.
Regards, Damien.
Hi Damien
thanks to you and Chris for a fun filled day, the highlight of the day, apart from using that fantastic 14-24 lens, must be the bird shit shot, I don’t think I will ever forget that.
Hi Jon,
The bird shit shot is one of my favorites too. I’m hoping Marko will kick them into shape soon so I can print them on Photo Rag paper.
Cheers, Damien.
Anyone considering photo training workshops should have a day with Damien and Chris the Canon and Nikon masters. Their workshops are great fun, full on and intensive whilst being very simple yet inspiring. Great value for money and they go the extra mile to make sure all enjoy the experience – do not book any other workshop.
Where else will you get hands on experience with top quality professional gear, speedlights, softboxes, orbis ring flash and beautiful models.
The Lovegrove team genuinely exceed expectations.
Hi Bob,
It was great to have you with us on the day and I’m glad we exceeded your expectations. Your endorsement is wonderful. Thank you, Damien.
No 18 CLASSIC Lovegrove!!!! LOL Never get bored of seeing your posts, real inspiration.!
Hi Damien, love your photos, v inspiring,
Tom
Thanks Tom and Stuart, I really appreciate your wonderful feedback. Cheers, Damien.