Fast and easy light painting a la John Hartman
A while back I hosted a webinar with John Hartman on his light painting style. Admittedly, one can’t cram too much into a 1.5 hour online webinar.
John puts on a three day workshop to teach this stuff. You can see more info on John’s light painting workshops HERE
That didn’t stop me from giving it a go. I thought about it long and hard, and came up with my own fast and easy light painting hack.
Here it is…..first thing I did was create a custom white balance based on the LED lights I was using. I don’t shoot raw, so, in theory, this should solve the problem.
Here’s the grey card set up I used to create a custom white balance.
I scoped out locations weeks prior to the shoot. I had the car ready to go, a 2006 limited edition Ford Shelby.
I decided on an area that looked industrial. I wanted something “Mad Max” like.
In our city their are mines everywhere. Problem is trespassing. More on that in a minute.
I set up the car before the sun dropped:
Shooting with my Sony A7Rii, 55MM Zeiss lens. Exposures to 30 seconds, ISO 100 F8
The camera is locked down and not to be touched during the shoot. Each exposure is fired by my assistant using the Play Mobile app made for the Sony system.
It works off my Android and does the job just fine, showing us a preview of each exposure should we need to inspect as we go along.
Here’s the area we decided on. Still light in the sky.
I started painting the ground under the car. You can see the sky show up when in fact is was quite dark to the human eye. This didn’t matter for these exposures since I was planning on only using the area under the car.
You can see blurred out parts of my body as I was moving around, “painting” the ground.
After two hours, over 40 exposures, a few mosquitoes and an encounter with the security guard-who told us to get out- this is what I created. Most of the magic happens in photoshop, as I brought in each image and erased only what I needed. I also added color to the light under the car.
It’s not perfect, and I had to sneak in one last 30 second exposure to paint the tires, with the security guard glaring over me (I whispered to my assistant..” quick, fire the camera one last time”..and I gave each tire about 10-15 seconds of light so I had something to work with in that area.) but it worked out nevertheless.
What I discovered was:
- planning is key. Dedicate time to scoping out a great location with very little to no ambient light. I suppose a calm day is a good idea, since wind may moves things around. If you’re off by one pixel you’ll have problems
- mosquito repellent is a good idea
- shoot raw. I don’t, but I think you should
- attend one of John’s workshops. I’d like to one day. John seems to be making great sales with his light painting creations.
- I actually enjoyed this experience. I didn’t think I would, but I’d do it again in a flash
- I actually enjoyed the photoshop portion too! I really didn’t think I would. But it went smooth and it felt like I was creating a work of art
Yours in photography,
Robert Provencher
“If you want to be a profitable and successful photographer, then study profitable and successful photographers.”
The industry that ate itself alive…
I don’t know too many industries that have as many mentors and instructors as this industry (photography).
It seems, for many that is, it goes like this….Get good, start teaching. Maybe, get good, make little to no money, start teaching to make up for it.
I don’t want to sound cynical. It’s not my style. I’m very much a zen like dude. Que sera sera.
Roll with it. Adjust.
The biggest changes in this industry are being fueled by the fact that there is an abundance of “how to”, either from industry gurus or from the proliferation of youtube videos. Not to mention that cameras are everywhere.
Don’t take my word. Go to youtube and search any topic on photography of your choosing.
The fact is, we’re eating ourselves alive. Photography is being ground down to an organic, democratic, “everybody is a photographer” state. For better, or, for worse. Who knows.
The bigger question, for me anywho, is: “How do I market my studio so I stand out and make money?”
It really boils down to marketing. The old days of running a photography studio because of our tech knowledge are quickly coming to an end.
It’s one of the reasons I do my best to answer the question above. And why I believe in constant, non-stop personal growth and searching for excellence. Not just in tech. Iphones got that covered.
If you want to grow, no matter your level, join me tonight and tomorrow. I have three presentations lined up for you:
- Bull Pen Print Show….send us your images, let us give you a beat down. With love, of course.
- Kristi Elias– Platinum, Silver and California Photographer of the Year
- Joel Grimes– shattering the myths in Photography
The industry is like a unicycle. Stop peddling, and you fall off. Don’t risk being eaten alive.
Get serious about your personal growth as an artist and a business person.
Yours in success,
Robert Provencher
“If you want to be a profitable and successful photographer, then study profitable and successful photographers.”
Susan Eckert-Illuminating the Power of the Feminine- January 4th, 2018 at 8:00PM EST- Join us….
Join us January, 2018 8:00PM EST with Susan Eckert with “Illuminating the Power of the Feminine.”
“I believe… …every woman’s voice is unique and that her body language speaks louder than any words ever could. …age is a state of mind…and that the same applies to sexy. …a woman’s curves can speak in whispers…or in deep sultry tones.
I am inspired by the poetry of Annie Liebovitz’s work, the organic beauty of Joyce Tenneson’s imagery, and the clarity of Henri Cartier- Bressons’s vision.
But my vision is also deeply shaped by Tamara Lempicka and Picasso paintings–art that celebrates imperfection as perfection; beauty as interpreted by the beholder.
I see every woman’s beauty. My gift is your trust in me.
Your gift is my capable hand in capturing your one-of-a-kind beauty, voice, soul. Susan”
Robert N. Provencher – Your Master Coach Marketer
“If you want to be a profitable and successful photographer, then study profitable and successful photographers.”
Finding, seeing and using the light you randomly find on location…
When I show up at the brides home for pre-ceremony photos, I look around for creative lighting and posing options. In this example, you can see the light reflecting in my assistant Danielle’s eyes. I spotted that right away, looked to my right and noticed the source. The same light is, in this shot, bouncing off the closet doors to my left.
The main source of this light. I spotted the bannister to the right as a possible option for some creative angles:
I knew I wanted to try some images here with the bride, and planned on shooting from several angles, since the main floor (upper right) would allow me a great place to shoot from. I love finding cool, unusual angles.
Here’s one angle, at eye level…notice the specular highlights in her eyes:
Another example, (the bride is in the exact same place, and this is one of many poses/ expressions) creative angle from up high, shooting just over the bannister:
The thing is, when shooting at a wedding, there’s isn’t a lot of time so I need to work fast, work with what I got and get maximum results.
Yea, yea, I could bring all sorts of studio lighting, or spend hours planning. I want the bride to enjoy the day, not have to sit for too long, and have fun in front of my camera…..
Yours in photography,
Robert Provencher
“If you want to be a profitable and successful photographer, then study profitable and successful photographers.”
Think different
One of my fave books was the bio on Steve Jobs. Steve considered himself “different”.
A rogue, freak and geek…..I can relate. Can you?
I think we’ll agree. And we can all learn a valuable lesson.
People love the Apple brand. They’ll tell you they are well designed and give you reasons why based on the physical virtues and functionality.
However, that’s not the real reason they feel so religiously bonded to this brand.
The real reason is Apple sold them on the idea that they too were different. And because they were different, they used Apple products.
Rogues, freaks and geeks and proud of it.
The first comparable that comes to mind is the Harley motorcycle. These people feel cult like bonded to their brand. Just like the Apple users.
Where else do you see an entire look based on slapping corporate logos over just about every accessory and attachment for their “hogs” and call it bad ass?
(need proof? just go to any coffee shop in the summer where 20 or more Harley owners congregate and count the logos. You’ll get dizzy…)
It’s not the bike. It’s the feeling they get when they own and ride one. Like being in a gang.
I read the best description of a Harley user:
“It’s the only time a 44 yr old accountant can ride down main street and have town folks be afraid of them.”
Years ago when I started in photography I noticed, even in myself, that many people looked up to the gurus du jour.
We wanted to be like them. We mimicked their style and even their marketing.
The truth is, you can’t really give your studio marketing power until you feel deeply connected to it. Until you think different. And become a rogue and a freak.
Everything else is just marketing incest and eventual cannibalism.
We WANT to be different. But getting there isn’t done by swiping wholesale what another photographer does in their marketing.
Owning an Apple or Harley won’t make us so. It’s a vapious lie, of sorts.
But dammit, it sells a lot of computers, ipods and motorcycles. (and motorcycle helmets, jackets, boots….)
Are you throwing darts in a blizzard when it comes to marketing your photography business?
Maybe it’s time to think different.
The first headline I created when I started NoBs PhotoSuccess was… “no whiners, egos, prima donnas…”
I wanted people who thought different.
In order to truly think and act different, you need the right information and a great place where you don’t feel the need to conform.
You get to be yourself.
That, my friend, is one of the founding principles of NoBs Photo Success.
Thankfully, many feel this way. NOT everyone does. Since some leave and look for a place that is more “like them”.
Where it feels safe.
Forget about feeling safe. One never does when one ventures out.
Stay real, stay frosty my friend. Be authentic, be yourself, think different.
Robert N. Provencher – Your Master Coach Marketer
Join us…Content, Coaching & Community
The universe loves speed…. and profits…
The universe loves speed. So do it.
I can’t stand getting bogged down, stuck or glued to a computer for endless hours. Don’t get me wrong, I actually love spending time doing photoshop worklow.
I get to be creative, artistic, and listen to some cool podcasts. I just don’t want to do more then is necessary. Or, if it was ALL I did, I’d hit a wall and go crazy.
For some workflow strategies, like fairy day, or any other higher volume runs, I like to create templates, steps, photoshop actions and a workflow that is FAST, consistent, and mainly, in the end, profitable.
It’s in that vain that I created a new workflow video for our new medieval knights sessions. See image above. It’s kinda, sorta a spin off the whole fairy thing. And it rocks.
This is for members, and includes the Design House action, exclusive for members, and a custom made textured PSD file. Again, all designed for maximum results, and a great bottom line.
MEMBERS go here for that video tutorial, action and template
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Robert N. Provencher – Your Master Coach Marketer
Learning to “see” the light and create portrait style lighting on location.
Light is ridiculously simple and infinitely complex all at once. It’s like music, take a few notes and you can create a masterpiece. But you need to know where you’re going, what you want to create. In other words, mastery. Learning to “see” the light.
Just like learning to play the piano, or the guitar, or the sax, learning light isn’t about buying lights or throwing a flash on camera. When you get to a scene, it’s about seeing what is available and using it, like any tool, and create a masterpiece. Even if it’s a portrait of a two year old. (which also requires an extra dash of timing, luck and patience)
Check it out, from the summer time….two scenes, very similar, where I maximized the lighting available.
We were facing north, and there were some soft streaks of light coming in from behind this scene, creating some “kicker” light:
The final results, almost near perfect studio type lighting. Yes, I did get lucky to some degree, since this was an active two year old. But I had an idea where I was going, what I hoping to achieve, and a willingness to act crazy to get her attention for a nano second. (you won’t have much luck with two year olds unless you’re willing get a little nutty. They “get” nutty…):
Same area, different scene, a younger boy. Arrow on the left indicated where I was standing during the shot. Notice that behind me is the north sky.
Arrow on the right is where the boy is standing. The light coming in from his left, our right, makes for near perfect portrait lighting on location.
80-200 2.8 lens at 200mm, 2.8
Working with lighting on location and “seeing the light” takes time and practice. Force yourself to see the light, the light source, the possible kicker lights and stop, think, analyze for best results during your on location portrait sessions.
I used to really struggle with this, especially when working with people. I’d get flustered, nervous and couldn’t focus on the job at hand. With time and persistence I feel very confident when working with light.
Yours in success in photography,
Robert Provencher
“If you want to be a profitable and successful photographer, then study profitable and successful photographers.”
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