Frontline webinar with Thomas Dodd December 3rd, 9:00PM EST
JOIN US….December 3rd, 9:00PM EST
OPEN to everyone….REGISTER HERE
Thomas Dodd is a visual artist and photographer based out of Atlanta, Georgia who has developed a style that he calls “painterly photo montage” – a method he employs in editing software in which he crafts elaborately textured pieces that have a very organic and decidedly non-digital look to them. His work often has mythic and quasi-religious themes that pay homage to Old Master art traditions while at the same time drawing from psychological archetypes that evoke a strong emotional response from the viewer.
Although his artwork resembles paintings, his pieces are entirely photographic in nature, fusing many images into a cohesive whole. His larger works are often presented in a mixed media form that adds a depth and texture that complements the photography beautifully. Thomas has had numerous exhibitions of his works in many cities in the USA and around the world.
He has had recent shows in Germany, Romania, Argentina, New York City, Mexico City, Orlando, Miami, New Orleans, Tokyo, San Antonio, Seattle, Paris and in his hometown of Atlanta. Dodd’s photographs have been featured in many magazines, on book and album covers and he frequently teaches workshops and webinars on photo-editing and marketing for artists. 
Thomas began his career as a visual artist in 2005. Before that, he was best known as the harpist and songwriter for the 1990s musical group Trio Nocturna, a Celtic Gothic ensemble that put out three critically-acclaimed albums (“Morphia”, “Tears of Light” and “Songs of the Celtic Night”) and performed at author Anne Rice’s annual Halloween balls in New Orleans, as well as spawning an offshoot band called the Changelings. Mythic themes and their relation to emotions and psychological states continue to be his primary subjects and motivations.
JOIN US….December 3rd, 9:00PM EST
OPEN to everyone….REGISTER HERE
Photographing the hockey coach on location
Hockey is big on our area. Especially Triple A hockey. You can tell when there’s a game on, since most of our downtown will be jammed with vehicles and all parking spots snatched up.
I was hired to shoot the local triple A hockey coach for our local lifestyle mag. They wanted a studio shot. Ugh.I had something else in mind.
Now, this guy did NOT want his pic taken.
When I called him up and scheduled his session, I assured him it would take maximum fifteen minutes.
My hope was, once he showed up at the studio, I could convince him to give me an addition fifteen, but back at the arena. I had a vision and I really wanted to create it.
He said yes. We jumped in our cars and booted out to the arena.
Here’s the area I had in mind at the arena. Got here five minutes ahead of the coach.
I had a small softbox to the left and a kicker light (Nikon SB800 on manual) to the right, on a stand, held by my trusted assistant. Here I am standing in for the coach:
Coach shows up, here’s a pull back shot showing the kicker to the right:
Final shot below.
ISO 800 5.6 at 1/80th of a second. Nikon D800.14-24 2.8 lens at 14mm
Final image used on the front cover. Sadly, they cropped it in a little too much for my taste. It lost some of the “grandeur” that the original image and vision contained.
High School football senior lighting
Someone asked about intense lighting for a high impact football themed portrait. Here’s my lighting layout. Very simple, two kicker lights, one main light nice and low. A background light and grid with red gel adds a sprinkling of color.
Straight out of the camera:
Final poster:
Here’s my version of the lighting and a quick video explaining the photoshop workflow.
High speed synch and off camera flash portraits..using the Sony A7R and Sony flash
Of course, this will work with any brand, Canon, Nikon, or any system that allows high speed synch.The goal is to use flash outdoors in bright light, and set the aperture as wide as possible. This creates a painterly, beautiful soft background with separation and bokeh. Controlling the light is also a benefit by adding reflectors and and over head scrim to “subtract” the light.
ABOVE: Using my Sony A7R, 85MM Batis 1.8 lens, the HVL-F60M Sony flash with small soft box and onboard the camera is the much smaller, but used as commander, Sony HVL- F32 flash, all set to high speed synch.
Shutter speed at 1250th of second. ISO 100 at 2.2
I added a “canopy” over top. This is inspired by the Fuzzy Duenkel “subtractive” lighting strategy.
And one small reflector, as noted above, on the ground to kick in a little more specular highlights in the eyes.
I talk more in depth on this lighting scenario, and many others, in all my monthly lighting mastermind meetings.
Yours in success in photography,
Robert Provencher
“If you want to be a profitable and successful photographer, then study profitable and successful photographers.”
Webinar with Jeff Lubin
Image by Jeff Lubin
I heard of Jeff Lubin from Travis and Paula Gadsby over at SilverLake photo backdrops.
If I were able to bring up long last memories of the many conventions I’ve attended, I’m positive there’s one in there where I saw Jeff speak…years ago.
Jeff is 65 years old. He talks about the struggles and challenges of life, like back operations, cancelled travel plans and a 14 year old son with life threatening cancer and the challenges of starting and running one of the most successful portrait businesses in the country.
Give me all the best photographers today, all the hot shots. the Sandy’s, the Gerrys, the Sarahs, the Harringtons..on and on… wrap em all up into one big super hero photographer…..
…and I’d take Jeff Lubin over them all.
Why?
Jeff mainly shares some of the best information on running a professional photography studio I have ever heard.
Ever. Bar none.
Listen, this is good. Sure, we had some technical issues getting this webinar off the ground. It is far from perfect.
But when you deliver amazing, jaw dropping and priceless information, who cares if it gets delivered in a tattered old pizza box someone pulled from a dumpster.
I say that in case any of you take issue with the aesthetics over the pure 24 K gold delivered.
Cool?
Onwards. Be smart and soak this in.
Jeff shares some of the best information you will ever hear, including:
- what you need first and foremost before you start marketing
- you know people, you know what you need to do
- the over all formula and mosaic for success, and how you play a valuable role
- use pricing that makes sense
- raw guts, drive and sportsmanship…essential ingredients
- it’s never ONE thing that makes you successful…it’s a puzzle, a mosaic
- be adaptable…there’s always opportunity
- how Jeff changed with the times, even though his core product (timeless classic portraits) didn’t…he remained adaptable, progressive in the face of lower averages, he still managed to pull off an amazing year average sales (you won’t believe this amount when you hear it- I nearly fell off my chair)
- the biggest challenge when using the best marketing strategy
- your skills are two sided..intellectual and creative…soft and hard…
- have game and learn to stand out in the crowd
- look at yourself in an objective way…Jeff explain this in greater detail
- fear…the dark side of success and how to use it in a positive way
- the number ONE strategy that every portrait studio needs to do…it’s universal!
- stop looking like your selling a “product”
- ESP doesn’t work very well in marketing:)
- ” I know people. I know what to do.”
- There’s opportunity, you need something to sell
Enough said….go take it in now….
.
Robert Provencher
Webinar replay with Kira Derryberry
Excellent and insightful. Enjoy.
An interview with Kira Derryberry. Some highlights and quotes:
- “they have to know why they love an image….it’s a feeling….”
- critique…’everyone’s an expert online
- “I start a dialogue that ends in a sale…”
- Personal projects segue to sales and money
- Essential: Good with people
- “It’s a choice…”
- Give yourself permission to fail….and take the variables out
Kira admits there are a million Facebook groups….but she always wanted to start one. In discussion with her she decided to “level up” and get it done.
And so it it.
“Have you ever met a carpenter who only uses a hammer? A chef who only uses a hot plate? As professionals we have a wealth of tools at our disposal to create our art. So why limit ourselves by shooting only in our comfort zones? This group is here to encourage you to keep learning, to experiment, to increase your bag of tricks as a photographer so that it’s not fear that keeps you from taking that assignment that’s outside of your wheelhouse. Why not make it your wheelhouse?…”
Kira’s “Level Up” FaceBook Group HERE
Yours in success and in photography,
Robert Provencher
Podcast with Rob, Judy & James October 2017
“Don’t use pro photography when you have a crappy Santa…”
Plus, all about best dressing strategies as a wedding photographer….
AND, accidental death by trains, water and dry-mounting presses.
Those, and other meandering topics to do with running a photography business.
From three of the busiest players in the industry….
yours truly, Rob Provencher, James Hodgins & Judy Cormier
- « Previous Page
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- …
- 14
- Next Page »