First Studio Session (a continent apart)

[Marie Hass]

I want to preface this post by saying that I am not a patient person – and like a child, when presented with something I do not understand, want to ask volumes of questions. And I want it now. That said, it is the fault of several CiC members that I have started on a lighting journey.

Today, I had virtual access to my mentor’s studio, which increased my possibilities 1000 fold. I was not a passive observer, but I was director and my mentor was my assistant and guide.

We discussed considerations like layout, primary light source direction, secondary light source incidence, light modifiers, flagging, dust removal (prior to shoot!!) were all aspects that were a part of shooting this image. We also discussed light shaping, lighting placement, means to diffuse the lights, tethered shooting, backdrops, tabletops, composition (layup, lines, textures) of still life objects, and many other issues pertinent to this shoot.

What I liked best was that I could make mistakes and undo them quickly without repercussion - and understand why they were mistakes and how to correct them immediately – live. I was able to take my creativity to another level because of the extended tools at my disposal.

I am so excited!!! This was a great experience. It was so vivid and the learning so condensed. In an afternoon, I was able to act on, and get answers to, many questions that I had about professional studio issues. These were questions that could only have been answered by access to a studio and hands-on experience.

This is the result. Fruits and vegetables – a food still life. My first shoot – in a studio – a continent away.



What do you think?

'Rie

[Manfred M]

A beautiful image, Marie.

I dare you to try to reproduce it at home now.

While I appreciate what you and Kodiak are doing, you are still missing the secret ingredient; hands on experience.

I did a studio lighting course at the local community college a few years ago, and I got some really great images during the course because I was in a professional studio, with professional equipment and most importantly an instructor with years (decades really) of commercial product and people photography experience. I finished the course feeling pretty good about my work and my knowledge.

I didn't realize how much I didn't know until I got some lights of my own and set up a (albiet a temporary) home studio. The instructor knew how to tweak the light output or light position, move the subject ever so slightly that took things from a pretty good image to an outstanding one.

I guess what I'm saying is, once you can get a shot like that on your own, you will have mastered studio lighting. The only way to do so it to get out there and do so by yourself and learn by making your own hands on successes and failures...

[Marie Hass]

OH, Manfred!!!!

How right you are!!! But still a wonderful way to spend a gray and rainy afternoon. I learned a lot, and have a lot to learn.

My next attempt will be with my ever patient amaryllis, some cardboard and my speedlite.

If you hear loud cursing all the way to Ottawa, you will know I was not very successful.

'Rie

[Shadowman]

Nicely done, still life is such a challenge for me (placing of the items) and adding lighting is even more of a challenge. You did well.

[Downrigger]

Something to be proud of, though Marie. Lovely old world painterly hues in this effort.

[KimC]

Makes me want to get out my pots and pans and whip up a delicious dinner - everything looks so fresh and delicious.

[IzzieK]

You are sure that with Marie everything that goes in her pot will be fresh. I was more trying to gauge whether that white mound on the lower RHS is salt or shredded coconut...??? I did wonder too about the banana...I think that is ready to be made into a banana cake...

Manfred what do you mean by:

I dare you to try to reproduce it at home now.

I am not familiar with the phrase...and might translate it literally...

[Stagecoach]

Very good Marie, I like the way your eyes are drawn into the centre.

[Mike Buckley]

Very nice, Marie!

I sure do wish I had tethered shooting in my makeshift studio. Having it would save me lots of time. On the other hand, the fact that I don't is just one reason it's only a makeshift studio.

[Marie Hass]

Hi, Mike! I am working on setting up a small studio in my office. I need to free up a long wall completely, but I will only have about 7 feet (from camera to subject)

In the way of lights to work with. I have 2 painter's clamp on lights with reflectors. I need to find led lights to fit in them. I dug up 2 broken stands. I have an old continuous 100 watt photographer's light. I have a speedlite and a cheapo speedlite-clone. For now, I will make this stuff work....

I love tethered shooting. I do it now in my own work, primarily for stills. I am also using my tripod more. I have no camera shake and am able to achieve a better focus.

Maybe you could be like Terry and lay claim to the garage? Or the man-cave in the basement? LOLs!!!!!

Just have fun!!!

'Rie

[Mark von Kanel]

Well done Rie. the crops a little tight for me but the lighting is gorgeous.

Wish i had a garage

[Marie Hass]

Good morning, Izzie!!!

It is very naughty shredded coconut. In the last pictures that we did, the coconut would not stay put and started spilling onto the table and the knife..

Yes, the bananas are ready for banana bread or cake

My personal goal is to produce images such as this in my own studio. As you did, I will be visiting hardware stores to try to build as much as i can on my own. Not sure what area of the house I will lay claim to. Probably in the basement so I do not have to take down frequently. I will have no ambient light, tho....

'Rie

[Marie Hass]

Dear John,

I did not know how hard it was until today. i am so naive!! What I learned was to examine each element separately then as a gestalt. I also learned about lines. If you notice, the fruits and veggies make pleasing line arcs from left to right. The lightest line - onion, eggs, garlic, mushrooms, coconut, trails through the scene.

'Rie

[Marie Hass]

Thanks, Downrigger Mark

The way we positioned and diffused the lights, and the already existing earhtones of the fruits and vegetables contributed to the lovely colors that you see.

'Rie

[HaseebM]

I think the image brings out the essence of what you wrote.

[Marie Hass]

Good morning, Kim

Makes me want to get out my pots and pans and whip up a delicious dinner - everything looks so fresh and delicious.

Yeah, but it was hard to virtually wash all of those fruits and vegatabes!

'Rie

[Marie Hass]

Grahame!!!!

I also learned about lines. If you notice, the fruits and veggies make pleasing line arcs from left to right. The lightest line - onion, eggs, garlic, mushrooms, coconut, trails through the scene.

Hi, there!!! Yes, that is one of the things I learned was to create those lovely lines.

'Rie

[Mike Buckley]

Maybe you could be like Terry and lay claim to the garage? Or the man-cave in the basement?

I definitely wanna be like Terry when I grow up. For now, I have no garage and no basement.

[ashcroft]

Forgive me for being dull, but what exactly were you doing? Talking to someone remotely who helped you take the shot in their studio? I like the result. It has a very painterly look and feel due to the lighting. I think a little more space around the subjects would have helped - like this painting http://www.ifaaonline.com/wp-content...inting-004.jpg A very good effort though.

[ashcroft]

I have no garage and no basement.

Attic space?