How Many Lights?
Date: 10/20/2009
From "Introductory Lighting Techniques" - Oct. 18, 2009
The classic starting point of the workshop series, and the question that "ruins" magazine photographs forever: "How Many Lights Are In This Picture?"
Clockwise from left:
Larry Harris, Richard Quattrocchi, Kim Karsting, instructor Adam Chilson, Mimi Chen, Hal Lewis, Lina Mao
Got Flashies?
Date: 03/05/2009
"Introductory Lighting Techniques" - Feb. 22, 2009
Before beginning the shooting sets, instructor Adam Chilson goes over some essential camera functions,
making sure each participant knows how to find and adjust them on his own camera.
In addition to locating their basic ISO, shutter speed, and aperture settings, the class does not proceed
until everyone has activated their flashing "overexposure warning" function!
Clockwise from front and center:
Rayner Marx (grey shirt), Steve Rounds, Russell Cruz (barely visible), instructor Adam Chilson, Tyler Valentino, Keith Fancher, Bennette Tan
Alight with Excitement
Date: 03/05/2009
"Introductory Lighting Techniques" - Feb. 22, 2009
Enthusiastic instructor Adam Chilson presents his lighting approach to the class.
Spotlight: Below the Belt
Date: 03/05/2009
"Introductory Lighting Techniques" - Feb. 22, 2009
During a demonstration of strobe light functions, the light just happens to end up pointing at Adam, front and center, below the belt...
Class members are looking down at the controls on back of the Alienbees strobe, but of course camera perspective makes it look like
everyone is looking riiiight to where the spotlight is focused!
From left, clockwise around circle:
Steve Rounds, Russell Cruz (barely visible), instructor Adam Chilson, Keith Fancher, Bennette Tan, Tyler Valentino
Discussion and Makeup
Date: 03/05/2009
"Introductory Lighting Techniques" - Feb. 22, 2009
MUA Lisa Berczel takes model NevaehLleh's look from clean beauty to a heavier glamour, as the class takes a break between sets for Q&A and discussion.
At far left:
MUA Lisa Berczel, model NevaehLleh
Class from left, clockwise:
Tyler Valentino, Rayner Marx, instructor Adam Chilson, Bennette Tan
Informal Discussion
Date: 03/05/2009
"Introductory Lighting Techniques" - Feb. 22, 2009
A break for Q&A and discussion between shooting sets.
We're very informal here!
Clockwise from left:
Tyler Valentino, Rayner Marx, instructor Adam Chilson, Keith Fancher, Bennette Tan
MUA Magic
Date: 03/05/2009
"Introductory Lighting Techniques" - Feb. 22, 2009
MUA Lisa Berczel works her magic on model :devnevaehlleh: while the class discusses a set/lighting change.
MUA Magic 2
Date: 03/05/2009
"Introductory Lighting Techniques" - Feb. 22, 2009
MUA Lisa Berczel works her magic on model :devnevaehlleh: while the class discusses a set/lighting change.
MUA Magic 2-panel
Date: 03/05/2009
"Introductory Lighting Techniques" - Feb. 22, 2009
MUA Lisa Berczel works her magic on model :devnevaehlleh: while the class discusses a set/lighting change.
Verbal Instructions
Date: 03/05/2009
"Introductory Lighting Techniques" - Feb. 22, 2009
Instructor Adam Chilson on set, explaining the basics of the first lighting setup of the day.
"May I?"
Date: 03/12/2009
"Introductory Lighting Techniques" - Feb. 22, 2009
It's rare to see instructor Adam Chilson touch a model in any manner whatsoever, and this is a point of etiquette that we always mention during the workshops.
However after specifically asking permission, here Adam removes a distracting speck of lint from model Emobi's hair as she poses for makeup test shots on set.
The Main Point
Date: 03/05/2009
"Introductory Lighting Techniques" - Feb. 22, 2009
Instructor Adam Chilson gestures toward model NevaehLleh as he points out details of lighting and posing.
Camera perspective of course makes it look like he is pointing directly at her breasts!
Hanging the Sun
Date: 03/05/2009
"Introductory Lighting Techniques" - Feb. 22, 2009
Instructor Adam Chilson reaches overhead to adjust a hair light for the starfield mural shooting set.
Starlight Visions
Date: 03/05/2009
"Introductory Lighting Techniques" - Feb. 22, 2009
Instructor Adam Chilson and class members examine some of their shots from a nude set with NevaehLleh on the starfield mural backdrop in Studio B.
On set:
Tyler Valentino, instructor Adam Chilson, model NevaehLleh
At back wall:
Keith Fancher, Bennette Tan (bent forward), Russell Cruz
Seated at right foreground:
Steve Rounds
The Blue Door
Date: 03/05/2009
"Introductory Lighting Techniques" - Feb. 22, 2009
Model NevaehLleh and a view of the lighting and set for the final shoot of the workshop day.
Set in Space
Date: 03/05/2009
"Introductory Lighting Techniques" - Feb. 22, 2009
A wide view of the setup for the day's final shooting set with model NevaehLleh, photographers Tyler Valentino and Russell Cruz shooting.
Behind Glass
Date: 03/05/2009
"Introductory Lighting Techniques" - Feb. 22, 2009
Workshop participants Tyler Valentino and Russell Cruz take their turn shooting the final set of the workshop day with model NevaehLleh.
Stepping In
Date: 03/05/2009
"Introductory Lighting Techniques" - Feb. 1, 2009
Workshop stylist/MUA Lisa Berczel steps in to touch up NevaehLleh's makeup during a shooting set.
Posing and Lighting
Date: 03/05/2009
"Introductory Lighting Techniques" - Feb. 1, 2009
Workshop instructor Adam Chilson points out suggestions for lighting and posing with workshop model Emobi.
Visible at right foreground, workshop participants Vahid Naziri and Daniel Greene listen and prepare to take test shots to see the effects of the lighting setup.
Adam and Emobi
Date: 03/05/2009
"Introductory Lighting Techniques" - Feb. 1, 2009
Instructor Adam Chilson directs model Emobi on set during the morning portion of the workshop.
Class Discussion
Date: 03/05/2009
"Introductory Lighting Techniques" - Feb. 1, 2009
Class in session, with a discussion about makeup looks and working with makeup artists led by Lisa Berczel.
Visible in the photo (roughly clockwise from left):
Left foreground: Caroline Fredericks, workshop participant
Left far background: Adam Chilson, photography instructor
Center, seated: NevaehLleh, workshop model
Right background, standing: Lisa Berczel, MUA/stylist
Right background, seated: Emobi, workshop model
Right midground, seated: Dru Chen, workshop participant
Right foreground: Keith Wilson, workshop participant
Makeup Looks
Date: 03/05/2009
"Introductory Lighting Techniques" - Feb. 1, 2009
Class in session, with a discussion about makeup looks and working with makeup artists led by Lisa Berczel.
In this photo:
Blue shirt, seated: NevaehLleh, workshop model
Right, standing: Lisa Berczel, MUA/stylist
Foreground, pink robe: Emobi, workshop model
Posing and Shooting
Date: 03/05/2009
"Introductory Lighting Techniques" - Feb. 1, 2009
Model NevaehLleh poses on set, with workshop participants Caroline Fredericks and Dru Chen (foreground) photographing.
In the background, instructor Adam Chilson and workshop participant Keith Wilson discuss and make an adjustment to a light.
Individual Shooting
Date: 03/05/2009
"Introductory Lighting Techniques" - Feb. 1, 2009
During the afternoon portion of the workshop, each participant has the opportunity to take the ideas presented, and compose, light,
and pose their own series with the model on set.
Here, instructor Adam Chilson and technical assistant Lee Berczel discuss set modifications with workshop participant Caroline Fredericks
for the setup of her portfolio shots.
Curses, Baffled Again!
Date: 03/05/2009
"Introductory Lighting Techniques" - Feb. 1, 2009
While the workshop included several nude sets, we also discussed working with an MUA, test-shooting the model's makeup,
and making sure to shoot what an MUA needs for his/her portfolio from the shoot.
Except that NevaehLleh has a figure beautiful to distraction, and everyone (understandably) wanted to shoot full-body
images from the outset.
Finally, I suggested to Adam that he apply some of his infamous "baffling" techniques to define the frame for a head shot
series -- in other words, cover up some of Rosie's "attributes" to enforce a round of head shot shooting!
It worked - we ended up with a collective huge laugh, as well as a great series of head shot portraits from all of our
participating photographers!
Grex Banners over Lisa's Kit
Date: 03/05/2009
"Back in Blacklight" - October 25, 2008
New advertising banners from our sponsor Grex Airbrushes, who gave us a set to hang in the studio just in time for our blacklight workshop.
Both banners of course feature the bodypainting art of workshop MUA/stylist Lisa Berczel of Battledress Paint-n-Body.
Image on the banner at left is from the 1810 Corset shoot (model: Conundra/photographer: Wendy Levin-D. M. Gremlin Studios).
Image on the banner at right from the Metamorphosis shoot (model: greenbirdgirl/photographer: Adam Chilson).
Below the banners are Lisa's bodypainting and makeup kits, set up for the workshop.
A Class Vignette
Date: 03/05/2009
"Introductory Lighting Techniques" - June 29, 2008
Workshop participants recline in comfort on Studio B's couches as instructor Adam Chilson answers questions and presents information between shooting sets.
Fine Tuning Glamour
Date: 03/05/2009
"Introductory Lighting Techniques" - June 29, 2008
Instructor Adam Chilson points out elements of a glamour set and pose with model Brittani.
Group Lunch
Date: 03/05/2009
"Introductory Lighting Techniques" - June 29, 2008
Group shot at lunchtime of our second workshop class.
From l-r, standing:
MUA Lisa Berczel, assistant Mariah Berczel, Adrian Fernandez
Clockwise from front left, seated:
Vincent "Danny" Marcos (in white), Ray Irvine, Steve Smith, Dan Murphy (green shirt), instructor Adam Chilson, model Brittani, Martin Ayon
Group Discussion 2
Date: 03/06/2009
"Introductory Lighting Techniques" - March 29, 2008
..and it begins.
The class gathers round for informal discussion and Q&A in Studio A before proceeding into Studio B for the day's shooting sets.
The morning portion of our first ever workshop day, with that eternal, infernal, and inescapable question from instructor Adam Chilson:
"How many lights are there in this picture?!"
Group Discussion
Date: 03/05/2009
"Introductory Lighting Techniques" - March 29, 2008
..and it begins.
The class gathers round for informal discussion and Q&A in Studio A before proceeding into Studio B for the day's shooting sets.
The morning portion of our first ever workshop day, with that eternal, infernal, and inescapable question from instructor Adam Chilson:
"How many lights are there in this picture?!"
Set Building
Date: 03/05/2009
"Introductory Lighting Techniques" - March 29, 2008
Instructor Adam Chilson leads class members in a hands-on set build.
A good view of just how bare and unfinished Studio B was at this time, around a month before it was open for rental.
Set Under Construction
Date: 03/05/2009
"Introductory Lighting Techniques" - March 29, 2008
Our very first workshop was held before Studio B was even open for regular use.
We built our shooting set amidst the construction debris, and it's almost hard to believe that the polished final images,
visible here in the studio's forums, were shot in this rough and raw environment.
Here, model NevaehLleh holds her position while instructor Adam Chilson adds layers to the fabric web surrounding her.
Glamour Under Construction
Date: 03/05/2009
"Introductory Lighting Techniques" - March 29, 2008
Model NevaehLleh during one of the glamour shooting sets, with hints of the as-of-then unfinished Studio B remodeling visible off to the right.
Smokin' Hot Gals
Date: 03/05/2009
"Introductory Lighting Techniques" - March 29, 2008
Makeup artist Shyann Swisher helps model NevaehLleh, a non-smoker, with the finer points of holding a cigarette for a shooting set.
Inaugural Workshop Group Shot
Date: 03/05/2009
"Introductory Lighting Techniques" - March 29, 2008
Participating photographers and instructor Adam Chilson on the shooting set of our sold-out first-ever workshop.
From l-r, standing:
Melina Isbell, Rusty Isbell, Nathan Trowbridge, Adam Chilson, Lonny Sapikowski, Geoff Safcik, Dr. Steven York
From l-r, seated:
Dennis Ramsey, Paindancer
Inaugural Workshop Lunch Group
Date: 03/05/2009
"Introductory Lighting Techniques" - March 29, 2008
A humorous group shot taken at lunchtime, with a "product placement" from each person!
From l-r, back row:
Adam Chilson, Dr. Steven York, MUA Shyann Swisher, model NevaehLleh, Melina Isbell, Rusty Isbell, Geoff Safcik, Nathan Trowbridge, Dennis Ramsey
From l-r, seated in front:
Paindancer, Lonny Sapikowski