I shot this collection of pictures of top model Riona Neve on my Urbex workshop in Charleroi, Belgium, May 2018. This was a technical session covering all aspects of shot design, lighting set up and exposure balancing. I still like to get striking finished images from these events and Riona was an absolute star helping me make that happen.
Photography: Damien Lovegrove
Model: Riona Neve
Camera: Fujifilm GFX50s with 32-64mm, 110mm and 250mm lenses
Lighting: Godox AD600 or AD200 with a selection of modifiers
Styling and make up: Riona Neve
Post production: Damien Lovegrove using minimal adjustments in Lightroom
Shoot assistant: Len Martin
Our session started at a bakery where the team made us custom packed lunches before we moved onto location together. I’d scouted the location the day before making note of hazards and access issues etc.

01. A puff of smoke from my battery powered machine and a splash of flash from an AD200 with a softbox was all we needed in this dive of a place to bring it to life as a set for Riona.

02. I placed a home made CTO (orange) gel on my AD600 bulb and then attached a 70cm softbox to add the warm glow to Riona.

03. The Godox AD600 head was on a boom arm counterbalanced with the pack for this long distance shot taken with the GF 250mm on the GFX50s.

4. A simple 18cm reflector is all I used on the AD600 for these shots of Riona.

5. The AD200 used as a kick light from the right gives this shot another dimension.

06. One simple Godox AD200 was perfect for this shot. The long viewpoint adds some useful depth to the shot.

08. I used the 70cm softbox to light Riona here. I must say I prefer a harder light source most of the time. The 70cm is as soft as I’d go.

09. This almost ghostly shot was lit with a pair of flashes. An AD600 with a 18cm reflector from the left and the same from the right.

10. I finished the day with a simple two light set up using a pair of striplight softboxes with the AD600 units.

11. A closer shot of the same set up taken with the GF110mm lens.
That’s it. If you would like to learn about lighting, join me on a workshop or adventure. Stay up to date with all my events and get discount codes by signing up to our Email list here.
Feel free to comment below.
Hello Damian,
Great photo session, I enjoy your composition, lighting and the work of Rionna.
I have just finished your course Lumen and I am surprised at how “easy” you place the lights and create a beautiful composition, I know they are years of work.
I hope you can soon create a similar book (or video) like “The Fujifilm X System Guide for Portrait Photographers” for the GFX 50s.
Regards!
Hi Leon,
Thank you for your kind comments on Lumen and this post. You are right about years of practice etc but the videos are designed to help shortcut that process by distilling what I know into proven formulas.
The GFX system guide if it happens will be at least a year off yet as there are still many new cameras and lenses to come along. Each time the firmware changes the tweaks are becoming smaller so it will be possible to start part of the book soon. I’m still not sure if I will write it at all because the X series guide didn’t sell too well and I’ve had to pull it from sale now as there are cameras and lenses not included in the book. I don’t have those cameras and lenses to hand in order to update the book. As you know, I now shoot exclusively with the GFX so there seems little point in me going backwards.
Kindest regards,
Damien
Great work as always Damien. The quality of your images never fails to impress.
Thank you Lee for your kind words :) Cheers, Damien
Fantastic click, lighting is great . GFX is the best medium format camera. what is the price in your country withe one body and 32 to 64 . You are from which country. I am from India , Mumbai
Hi Kanai,
Thank you for the compliments. It is irrelevant how much GFX is in the UK as you will need to buy locally to get the support package and free servicing etc. I agree with you that it is the best value camera out there.
Stay inspired,
Damien
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Wow, Damien! This looks like such an awesome workshop! I really like #3 because of the Vegas Showgirl look. Amazing!
Jay
Thank you Jay :) It was a fun shoot for sure. We were lucky with the weather.
Cheers,
Damien
Super images with great light!
Just purchased the Lumen video. Hopefully it will cover styles like these.
Can’t wait to try it out for myself with my Cactus flashes.
One more vote for image No. 3: spectacular use of the location with this outfit.
All the best
Karsten
Hi Karsten,
Thank you for the compliments and for buying Lumen. I cover use of these flashes in similar environments on Lumen so you should get a great idea of what and how to work with flash. Most of these shots could have been shot using Cactus as the ambient light level was quite low in the factory. If you use Cactus on the street for portraits the Illumination 2 video will suit you too as I only use Cactus RF60 units in that production. Anyway, watch Lumen first and ask me any questions that arise.
Thank you,
Damien.
Photos 3 & 8 really stand out for me. Yes, they’re B&W – but they really do suit this type of lighting and environment. Also – they really show what 50mb of MF will give you. Didn’t realise you were on the MF until i spotted the exceptional detail in the young ladies face.
Thank you Andrew,
I nearly didn’t include 8 so it just goes to show what do I know? I do like 3 though. :)
Cheers,
Damien.
Wow, great model in a fantastic setting. Love it very much. Ofcourse the photographer has something to do with it Damien. Congrats!
Hi Frank,
Thank you for your lovely comments.
Cheers,
Damien.