Fujifilm X Creative shoot/ workshop in Manchester

Jan 19, 2013 | Continuous Lighting, Flash, Location

Model Jenny Cooper in the corredors of power. Lit with a Lupo Dayled 1000 spotlight.

1. Model Jenny Cooper in the corridors of power. Lit with a Lupo Dayled 1000 spotlight.

Here is a small selection of the pictures I shot on my Fuji X100 at last weeks workshop in Manchester. Chris Hanley joined me in teaching 12 delegates our style of interior portrait shooting. We secured the fabulous Hilton Cloud 23 bar for the shoot and had full Hilton hospitality.

2. The sumptuous upholstery in the Cloud 23 bar was perfect for this simply lit shot.

2. The sumptuous upholstery in the Cloud 23 bar was perfect for this simply lit shot.

3. Sunlight and imagination create striking portraits. Nearly every delegate came away with something different here.

3. Sunlight and imagination create striking portraits. Nearly every delegate came away with something different here.

Chris and I swapped delegate groups every 45 minutes so that each photographer captured every set up. Chris and I both shot on the X100 and our delegates sported a mixture of X-Pro1 and X100 cameras. Styling and the make up was by the models. This was a fun informal day enjoyed by all.

4. It was my role to show the system of using Speedlights with the X series cameras. In this instance I used a Nikon SB900 on a Gemini bracket.

4. It was my role to show the system of using Speedlights with the X series cameras. In this instance I used a Nikon SB900 on a Gemini bracket.

5. The light in Cloud 23 was wonderful and natural light pictures were everywhere to bew seen.

5. The light in Cloud 23 was wonderful and natural light pictures were everywhere to be seen. It always seems to be sunny when I’m in Manchester.

6. I love a bit of table action. We used the Nikon Speedlight for this shot too.

6. I love a bit of table action. We used the Nikon Speedlight for this shot too.

7. Golden glow was provided by winter sun and creative use of the 'K' white balance setting.

7. The golden glow was provided by winter sun and creative use of the ‘K’ white balance setting.

8. Jen Brook has a fabulous figure to work with when pulling shapes.

8. Jen Brook has a fabulous figure to work with when pulling shapes.

9. With the X100 LCD screen it is quite straight forward seeing the composition from all angles.

9. Using the X100 LCD screen it is quite straight forward to compose shots from all angles.

10. Natural light shooting opportunities were everywhere.

10. Natural light shooting opportunities were everywhere.

11. We explored the intimacy of head shot portraits with the 35mm eqv field of view.

11. We explored the head shot portrait potential with the 35mm eqv field of view of the X100. A depth of rapport is so important with intimate portraits like this.

12. I unleased a Lupolux LED 1000 daylight balanced Fresnel spotlight and the resulting shots were tremendous.

12. I unleashed a Lupolux LED 1000 daylight balanced Fresnel spotlight and the resulting shots by the group were tremendous.

13. I love the low key opportunities a powerful spotlight can give. The more powerful the light the moodier the image. The LED spotlights by Lupolux have full dimmer control so it's easy to set the shadow density.

13. I love the low key opportunities a powerful spotlight can give. The more powerful the light the moodier the image. The LED spotlights by Lupolux have full dimmer control so it’s easy to set the shadow density in the unlit zone.

14.

14. The lower you go the better the view.

15. Shot on the X100 using just the Lupolux LED 1000 spotlight.

15. Shot on the X100 wide open at f/2 using just the Lupolux LED 1000 spotlight. I love the f/2 look from the X100 lens. The bokeh is not fussy and demanding attention like most full frame 35mm fast prime lenses I’ve tried.

16. After dark with one spotlight and the ambient light in the hotel.

16. After dark with one spotlight and the ambient light in the hotel.

17. A Lupolux 1000 spotlight some 40m away provided the light on Jen Brook.

17. A Lupolux 1000 spotlight some 40m away provided the light on Jen Brook. Decent LED spotlights have a good throw on them. The light from LED panels with an array of small LEDs falls off beyond a few meters.

I saw this and thought of a bunch of grapes. Cue the post workshop drink in the pub next door.

18. I saw this and thought of a bunch of grapes. Cue the post workshop drink in the pub next door.

If you have an X camera and would like to join Chris and I on a portrait shooting adventure, our next workshop is on 2nd May and we will be returning to the fabulous Hilton Deansgate. Full details are here.

Stay creative and stay inspired. Feel free to comment below.

Chris Hanley’s amazing pictures from this workshop are here.

9 Comments

  1. Peter Bur

    Fantastic use of light and shade here- love the way you use shadows in some of these images!

    Reply
    • damien

      Thanks Peter :)

      Shadows are a favourite compositional tool for me. I love hard light too.

      Best regards, Damien.

      Reply
  2. Mark Dell

    Great set Damien
    It just shows how fab the images from the Fuji X series can be
    I may well be up for a London date!

    Reply
    • damien

      Hi Mark,

      Pop on a train the Manchester from London. Relax at the buffet, watch a movie and join us in the Hilton for the rerun of this workshop. The models will be new, the pictures will have evolved and the fun will be fantastic. If you come by train you can join us in the Deansgate pub next to the Hilton for a few beers on us at the ends of the day too. Several delegates come from London by train to my Hilton workshops :) Anyway thanks for your compliments about the pictures.

      Kind regards,

      Damien.

      Reply
  3. Sona

    Love these Damien, especially the low key ones;))

    Reply
    • damien

      Thanks Sona,

      It’s funny how the more light I use the lower key the shot becomes. It sook some delegates a while to grasp this but such fun was had by all.

      I hope we shoot again together soon :) Damien.

      Reply
  4. Paul Cope

    Congratulations to you Damien, outstanding set of images and everyone a gem, without doubt your signature style. Truly a fantastic time had by all Fuji owners who joined you and Chris Hanley for a day of creative photography, fun and banter.

    Reply
    • damien

      Thanks Paul. This day went down so well with my blog readers we are putting on another one. Details are here.

      Kind regards, Damien.

      Reply

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