Fashion Shoot...

It's widely known and accepted that I am a big time fashion photographer.  I'm an expert at this stuff, you know, Malcolm Gladwell; 10,000 hours and all that that stuff

O.K. maybe not.  So, when I needed to show my Langara College students how to run a fashion shoot, I knew I'd have to turn it over to an expert.  Photographer, David Ellingsen is that guy.  David shoots a variety of things, and he's an expert at all of them.  While I am very comfortable talking about most of the subjects we cover in my new Editorial Photography course at Langara, fashion isn't one that I would say falls within my area of expertise.

David assembled an awesome team to put on a great shoot at the fabulous shooting space that is Sugar Studios.  Thanks to Gina and her crew for helping us out.

David Ellingsen Showing some test shots before the shoot.

More after the jump...

Scouting

Some of the most important things that go into making a shoot successful happen long before you pick up your camera.  I was doing one of them tonight, scouting.

What's inside?

More after the jump...

Cheating, a bit...

Because, I'm re-posting something I wrote for another blog a while ago.  It was written for a guest blog that I did for the News Photographers Association of Canada.  If you are a  photojournalism student or working photojournalist based in Canada, I highly recommend that you join.  There are forums on a wide range of topics, including information about job postings and internships in Canada.  For $50 a year, you can't beat it.

So, here you go, in an effort to be environmentally friendly, my recycled post:

More after the jump...

Pocket Wizards

I have been using Pocket Wizards for more than fifteen years.  They are, IMHO, the most reliable way of wirelessly synching strobes.  Translation; most reliable means, best, and wireless means convenient.  To explain, we need to get into the way back machine, all the way back to 1993.  Here's the situation; Canadian federal election, Liberal leader Jean Chretien's home riding of Shawinigan, on assignment for Time Magazine.  I needed to shoot pictures of Chretien as he gave his victory speech.  Everyone was pretty sure it was going to be a victory speech, as he was running against Prime Minister Kim Campbell, whose poll ratings were dismally low.  I was shooting transparencies, some of you may be old enough to remember that stuff you loaded into a camera, and then waited for someone else to magically turn it into slides.  Trannies required lots of good light to look their best.  My film of choice was Fuji Provia 100 ASA.  Beautiful film, but daylight balanced.  Since the stage was lit for TV, it was tungsten balanced, my only choice for available light would have have been Kodak Tungsten 320 ASA, sub-optimal at best.  

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Upcoming Workshops

I have a few workshops and seminars coming up, and a couple of them are free.

More details after the jump...

Back Next Week...

I'll be back in the swing of things next week.

Gear I Use

Most of the gear I use is reasonably expensive.  Actually, I'm not sure that it makes sense to use the word reasonable in reference to things like a $5000 camera body or $7000 lens, but such is the life of a photographer.  Today, however, I want to talk about a great piece of gear that costs about 20 bucks.  That's right, I said $20.

Don't believe me, follow the jump for more.

Part 2

So...I'm sure most of you figured out that I was shooting the Markus Naslund pre-game ceremony and Vancouver Canucks hockey game.

 

Markus Naslund's number being retired

More after the jump...

Part 1

So, for the two part reveal...

The Hall of Heroes at Rogers Arena

Photo and more after the jump...

Something Different...

I'm shooting for Canadian Press tomorrow.  I haven't really done much work for the wire services in over 15 years.  I'm not telling you what it is, you'll have to check back tomorrow and Sunday for updates.


Can you guess what I'm going to be covering?

Behind the picture...

Doing this job is a privilege.  It is a privilege that I have worked very hard to earn, and with it, the right to call myself a photographer.  Part of what makes it a privilege is that occasionally I get to see some things, do some things, and meet some people who are very interesting.  Every once and a while I meet someone who is fascinating, someone who is known around the world, and is making history.

A few years ago I had the chance to meet two of those people at the same time.  It was, to say the least, an awesome experience.  The word awesome gets overused, especially in less that truly awesome circumstances.  This was not one of them.

Follow the jump for the photo and more...

The Way I Roll...

Literally... I roll my camera case these days.  I have gotten to the age where I no longer feel the necessity to prove my manhood by carrying 45 lbs. of equipment slung over one shoulder.  At least that's what I tell myself, the reality is that I can't carry that much gear anymore, even if I wanted to.  I use a Think Tank, Airport International, and when I need my laptop, a Think Tank Urban Disguise 60, on most jobs these days.  Certainly there are times when everything has to go in a backpack, because a roller isn't practical, but anytime I can save my back, I will.  Even though I use an assistant on most jobs, I still lug gear around, and wheels are the way to go.

Photo and more after the jump...

Speedlight Bootcamp

I just finished up another fabulous week-end speedlight bootcamp, at Vancouver Photo Workshops, and wanted to share some of the photos.  Thanks to all of the participants for bringing an enthusiasm for learning that motivates me to teach.  Another big thank you to all of our models, without whom our shooting sessions just wouldn't be the same.  Trust me, you don't want to have to shoot pictures of me all week-end.  Thanks to Shazmin, Cecelia, Yusuf, and Eric.

We shot on location, and in the studio, with a pile of gear that required numerous sherpas to haul around.  I also have to thank my assistant , Eric, for knowing what I need, even before I do, and co-ordinating the above mentioned mountain of equipment.  Thanks too, to Marc Koegal, director of the truly awesome space that is V.P.W.  Another big thanks to Carol, at Nikon, for helping us out with Nikon Speedlights.

The always fabulous, Cecelia.

 More photos after the jump...

Joe

As a photographer, looking at other photographer's work is one of the most important things I do.  I love photography, and I love to look at pictures.  It's how I relax, get inspired, am awed, get scared, be entertained, you get the idea.  I look at pictures every day, from my students work to icons like W. Eugene Smith.  

Every once and a while, I meet another photographer whose work I admire.  I had that opportunity last week.

More after the jump...

Behind The Picture

I'm trying out a new topic here.  Explaining the story behind the picture.  Sometimes that will be details about the technical aspects, others will be about how a certain picture came to be anecdotally, or emotionally.  Please let me know, in the comments, what you think.  Also, if you can come up with a better subject line than "Behind The Picture" I will be grateful.

I'm starting with a photo that I have had a lot of comments and questions about in the past.

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Open Call...

There's going to be a show at the Photohaus Gallery, and it's not too late to get your photos submitted.  The show is "Small Strobes-Big Ideas"  Submit your pictures that fit the theme and come to the opening. If you can't get your pictures in, at least come out to see the show at the opening.  Joe McNally is the evening's special guest.

Check it out here for more info.

Baseball...

According to Tallulah Bankhead, "There have been only two geniuses in the world: Willie Mays and Willie Shakespeare."  With deference to Mays, and apologies to Shakespeare, I will attempt to explain my love for the game of baseball.  There is nothing I would rather shoot,  Simply put, baseball has everything a photographer could possibly want.  Action, beauty, grace, simplicity, character and more.

I started shooting baseball in 1986 in Montreal, the home of the now defunct Montreal Expos, for the wires and The Montreal Gazette.  The Expos were a great team, at times, others, not as great.  The Olympic Stadium was, unfortunately, a terrible place to shoot baseball.  The biggest problem was that the retractable roof of the stadium wasn't.  To be fair, I think they may have successfully opened the roof once or twice before the roof shredded, due to design flaws, and was eventually replaced with a roof that didn't open.  As well, large cement chunks of the building would fall onto the field from time to time.  Not quite the same experience as shooting at Wrigley Field.

Follow the jump for photos, and more...

Courses & Workshops…

A few announcements regarding some teaching that I will be doing in the next little while.

November 13, 2010:  Free DSLR workshop at Langara College.  This is for anyone with a digital SLR camera who is looking for some answers to some of the basic issues confronting today's photographer regarding workflow.  Some advice on how to set up your camera, importing to your computer, embedding IPTC information, RAW vs. JPEG, histograms, and colour management with Lightroom and Photoshop.  All this and more for FREE.  That's right FREE!  Call the Langara Cont. Studies office and register: 604.323.5322

November 27-28, 2010:  Speedlight Bootcamp at Vancouver Photo Workshops.  This is an intensive week-end workshop aimed at those looking to improve their lighting skills with hotshoe flashes, off camera.  Saturday's all day (12 hours) session is full-on, with discussions, demonstrations, and shooting sessions with models.  Sunday is more demonstrations, more shooting and review of photos.  This is the third time we are offering this workshop at VPW, and the last time it sold out in one day, so sign up now.  For more info call 778.898.5256 or go here.

January 2011:  Editorial photography.  An exciting new course at Langara College aimed at anyone interested in learning about the editorial market, specifically magazines.  This course will cover portraiture, fashion, location lighting, self promotion, dealing with contracts, and much more.  Sign up with the Langara College Cont. Studies office (registration begins Nov. 17th):  604.323.5322 or for more info. go here.

Shot during an editorial workshop with a Nikon D3, a Profoto 7B and 6ft. Elinchrom octabank

Gear I use...Batteries

The single most important thing about any gear that I use is, it must be dependable.  It's gotta work when I need it.  A long time ago I realized that there is no savings in buying a cheaper piece of equipment if it won't get the job done.   Invariably, whenever I try to save some money, and buy something cheaper, it ends up costing me more.  Because, in the end the cheaper doohickey won't do the job, and I end up buying the more expensive one too.  I have learned that it is cheaper to buy the more expensive one right from the get go.  For the most part, more reliable gear is, more expensive gear, and sometimes a lot more.  But, not always.

When I am shooting with my speedlights, there is one thing I always use.  Batteries!  And lots of them.  For three good reasons I use rechargeable batteries.  The environment, economics, and most importantly-performance.  The first two are obvious, but the third not a given.  Rechargeable batteries only perform better if you buy the right ones.  Currently, I say that because battery technology changes quickly, the best choice for me are nickel metal-hydride batteries.  They work well in high discharge devices, like a flash.  I have used a few different brands, but until recently, I couldn't find any that were great.  Most performed fine when used immediately after being charged, but didn't hold a charge well if they sat around for anything more than a day or two.

Shot with a Nikon D3 & Speedlight through a 5 in 1 Photoflex reflector

More after the jump...

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