Last Friday I went to my first Kelby Training seminar on photography Location Lighting Techniques.
Can you believe that over 600 people would pay 100 bucks to sit in a big ballroom for 8 hours and watch a some guy demonstrate flash photography?
Well, wait – that guy was Joe McNally, one of the world’s top shooters – and one of the instructors who led the National Geographic Workshop I took in Italy back in 2007.
Really, for about 12 bucks an hour we got to learn from our industry’s rock star – I think it was a pretty good deal.
These are a few of the rock star lighting secrets we learned–
Fight for natural light always. If at all possible, NEVER use the built in flash on the camera. But if natural light is not possible, use one of these approaches based on the needs of the shoot.
1. One external flash:
Most of us have lighting kits and could relate to the tips he was giving us here. He spent an hour taking image after image of the model on the stage – changing settings, moving the one flash around, bounced it here and there – one move would change the entire energy of the final image. It gave me lots of ideas on what to try on my own.
2. Multiple flashes:
This was a more sophisticated demonstration for those who had studios or did a lot of location work. Joe was masterful – he shot image after image, and all the changes he made we would compare back to prior shots. When it got overwhelming I put my pen down and just watched. It will be a while before I jump to this level, but at least I know now what I need get there.
3. The Big Guns:
He demonstrated the use of HUGE powerful spotlights and multiple strings – the size of these flash units were unreal -and maybe one day I’ll get to shoot on a project that had the need for this kind of set up. The downside to the big guns is that it takes a tremendous amount of time to set up, adjust, reset and use. Patience would be the biggest key here.
So I watched in awe as he led this workshop with incredible knowledge and confidence.
I came for the technical training, but I also got stuff that wasn’t on the agenda.
Here is what I learned from Joe about being a successful photographer, just by watching him lead -
- Photography requires patience.
If you try to hurry or push, your work will look hurried and pushed. - Anticipate ugly.
Expect mistakes. Embrace the 10/1 rule – which means for every ten you take, if you get one good image, you’re ahead of the game. Really. - Always go back to square one,
your starting point, if something goes wrong. - Don’t quit till you get the shot
or, until you can say “I’ve tried everything I know how to do, and I’m not getting there, so lets move on and try something else.” - You can’t shine a turd.
Ah, one of my favorite Joe McNally quotes – he got it from one of his past editors. It means this: wait – and create a good image. Don’t rely on editing afterwords to make it right. If you take a so-so shot in the field, no amount of time in heavy post production will make it right. It will always be crap. Pretty, shiny, edited crap. But crap nonetheless.
Have you ever had a chance to learn from your dream rock star?
What did you learn? What difference did it make for you in following your dreams?
Until next photo,
Rem
Remy’s dream is creating opportunities for photography showings and public displays of her work and to ultimately be recognized nationally as a respected photographer . . . then the world. Remy is CEO of Cornerstone Creative, a business consulting practice in Northern California. Remy’s post day is Wednesday. +Remy Gervais
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