 Images copyright Dave DeBaeremaeker - click on any image to visit Dave's website and check out the original images. by Skip Cohen As I've written so many times before, the fun of this industry is in the friendships that come from everyone's love for the craft. Meet Dave DeBaremaeker. Although we had talked on the phone a few times over the last couple of years, we finally met in person a few months back when he joined me on Scott Kelby's show, The Grid. It was a kick! Dave's passion for photography is all about toys, but as I watched this recent video on his YouTube channel, I realized how many of his applications work in other specialties. From rings and detail shots at weddings to closeups and macro images of flowers at home through the winter months - the common denominator is the gear behind the scene. Obviously, wearing the hat of CMO for Platypod, I love this video, but it goes beyond toys. So many of you have a diverse collection of demands on your skill set. You need to be prepared for different challenges, and Platypod is often about solutions and gaining a new perspective. Click on any Platypod Pro below to check out the rest of the "family." There's an incredible variety of images being captured with Platypod as part of the gear to get the shot! And you'll notice Dave is in the third row down in the photos below. The "family" on our website includes forty-four artists shooting virtually everything from macro to landscape to toys, food, portraits, real estate, night skies, and the list goes on and on. Dave needs to be on your radar. You'll find more of his work on his website and check out his YouTube page too! 
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 by Skip cohen Twenty-three years ago, Don Blair and I wrote a book together, Don Blair's Guide to Posing and Lighting Body Parts. Working with our good buddies, the other two Musketeers, Tony Corbell and Terry Deglau, we shot all the images for the book in Las Vegas. Of course, this was all pre-digital, so the storyboards were taped to the wall, and as we completed each page, the Polaroids were added to the illustrations. There are few projects from my career that make me smile as much as this one. It was a lot of hard work, but the four of us were the very best of friends, and the energy, the laughs, and the success of creating each page made it an incredible memory-maker - perfect for Throwback Thursday! Parts of today's posts are from the SCU archives, but there's a definite reason for sharing the two pages I chose below.
Click on either page to enlarge in the SCU Lightbox There are too many of you who know virtually nothing about lighting. You call yourself "natural light specialists," suggesting it's a talent to always go with available light. But it's so easy for you to learn more about lighting with one goal - to exceed client expectations and make yourself habit-forming, I was looking through "Life's Little Instruction Book, Volume II" and I found this piece of advice... 916. Learn the rules. Then break some. Most of you never knew Don Blair. He used to tell people, "You have to know the rules before you can break them!" His favorite "rules" were about lighting and posing. He respected the rules because they represented the primary tools he had to create flattering images of his subjects. The rules were all about his ability to exceed expectations...EVERY time. Remember, there was no Photoshop for Don...he couldn't take twenty pounds off a subject in post-production. He had to rely on his skill as an artist and get it right in camera!
I apologize for the quality of the scans; these are from an old copy of the book we did together. However, there's enough here to help you understand my point. Every image on those two pages is exactly the way they looked...right out of the can. Now, think about your work. It's holiday time, and most of you will be in a position at some time to capture a few portraits. So take the time to pay attention to your lighting, posing, exposure and composition. And going into the new year, learn everything you can do with your skill set, before post-processing. It'll not only save you time, but you'll elevate your work as an artist and be on your way to becoming habit-forming to your clients. And...when you need to break the rules, for whatever reason, you'll have the incredible satisfaction of understanding them and elevating your work to becoming one of the great portrait artists. Every artist can break the rules; the key is to know them first! Happy Throwback Thursday!  by Skip Cohen When my buddy Scott Bourne posted the image above on the new community site for Platypod Users, I was blown away because it looked so real. The information about the portrait is below, but I still wanted to call him. It was our phone conversation that prompted me to want to write this post. The star of the image is a toy, and while it was done in the studio, Scott gave credit to everything he ever learned about portrait lighting, starting with Monte Zucker. Monte's name is sadly not recognized by many young photographers. He was a master of lighting and portraiture and blazed a trail for so many of the techniques in lighting and posing today. As we talked, the depth of Scott's understanding of lighting kept going deeper with names like Clay Blackmore, Tony Corbell, Bambi Cantrell, and Matthew Jordan Smith, just to name a few. And that brings me right to my point and why I wanted to share this image in today's post. I am a part of all that I have met. Alfred Lord Tennyson wrote that quote above, but it fits perfectly with everything Scott's learned in his career through so many different specialties. From his own workshops, to attending every convention he could find time for, he's never stopped learning, regardless of what his primary business in imaging might have been at the time. He lit Boba Fett the same way he'd work with a live model in his studio to create a pensive portrait. And it doesn't matter if you're a boudoir, portrait, family, maternity, newborn, or children's photographer - understanding the craft and especially lighting will always raise the bar on the quality of your images! Interested in seeing more of Scott's work? Follow him on Vero.  by Scott Bourne
Boba Fett Pensive Portrait Sometimes you have to break the "rules." Typically I'd make a portrait where the subject looks into the empty frame. It's more comfortable and the eye likes to have a place to go. Here, I want to create tension and dissonance. Because of that I have Boba looking out of the short side of the frame. There's a tank trooper in the background. Is he friend or foe? That is for you to decide. I am merely the storyteller. My job is to get your mind churning on the possibilities. The lifelike sculpt in the Hot Toys 1:6 scale Book of Boba Fett figure is amongst the best I've seen. I can work with this guy any time I want. He's probably my favorite character to photograph. And he always does exactly what I tell him to do. This is mostly SOOC from my Fuji X100V using a Hoya +4 Closeup Filter. Photographed against a printed background from Printique.com. See the BTS photo for more info. Shot at 1/80th sec @ f/2 Remember, toys are joy. For a list of my toy photo gear and props go to: bit.ly/toyphotogear  Image copyright Don Komarechka. All rights reserved.  by Skip Cohen Now and then, an image comes along that's so unique, it simply has to be shared. Don Komarechka is definitely the "Mad Scientist of Photography." He never slows down on pushing the edge of the envelope in creativity and technology. With the image above, he wrote: Water droplet refraction photography is all about careful lighting and careful alignment. Every element of the photograph is like a puzzle piece that needs to fit perfectly in exactly the right place for the image to be made whole. Gooseneck arms can hold anything - Lumecube lights for illumination and clamps to hold the photographic "ingredients" in place. The flower in the background needs to be in alignment with the droplets and the foreground petals, which can be easily done with subtle and accurate shifts. This macro contraption is flexible and customizable, and any camera with macro capabilities can get a similar shot. While I generally shoot with fancy mirrorless cameras and expensive lenses, this image was also intended to prove a point: the camera is the least important element to the composition. If you can check of the "macro" box, energy should be focused on the other elements of the image and how to best sculpt it; you're a droplet sculptor first, and photographer second. So many of the skills required to get these images to work have little to do with the camera itself, and more to do with how you stage everything. Platypod is there to make this entire process easier. Let's take his image one step further - check out this shot of his macro setup. Added to the Gerbera daisy, water, and his smartphone are a Platypod Max and Ultra, 2 Lume Cube 2.0 Waterproof LED lights, 1 Lume Cube Panel Pro, 6 goosenecks, 3 Platypod Mini-Super Clamps, a Benro Ball Head, and a Square Jellyfish Smart Phone Holder! This "mini-studio" took Don no more than an hour to set up.  Looking for a great holiday gifts for the photographer in the family? Don's new book, Macro Photography: The Universe at our Feet is available through B&H. Just click on the book to link to the URL. The book is stunning, (Don never does anything halfway!) and is one of the finest most extensive resource books on macro photography that's ever been published! This is one of those books that every photographer should have on his/her shelf, regardless of their specialty. Looking for other great gift ideas this holiday season? - Platypod's Black Friday Holiday Specials are going on now. Just click on any product below for information on some outstanding packages, including the Max-Macro Bundle Deluxe and even lighting for your Platypod setup.    by Skip Cohen Most of you know I'm part of the Platypod team. It's a remarkable company with a terrific product line. So, while this post is in part to let you know about some great Black Friday offers - it's also an opportunity to show what happens when you put our products together with Lume Cube's and the outrageous skillset of artist and educator Rick Friedman. The challenge was to see what he could do with a bunch of Lume Cube 2.0s, their new RGB Panel Pro, and a few Platypods. The behind-the-scenes shot above, which includes clamping a light to the bicycle on the right, shows his setup. And the finished portrait is an excellent example of what Platypod and Lume Cube products can help create. For this image, he was shooting with Tamron's 100-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD lens and the Nikon D850. "It's an unusual choice for a portrait session, but I wanted the compression of a long lens. Rick Friedman He moved outside late in the day and captured the images below using Tamron's 35-150mm F/2-2.8 Di III VXD lens. Click on any of Rick's images to see more of his work! And follow him on Facebook to catch up to where he's traveling and often teaching! The subject is one of Rick's favorites to work with, Emily McCall, fashion designer and model.   Click on any product above to visit Platypod's holiday specials. This week Platypod launched the most diverse Black Friday Holiday Specials they've ever done. Just click on any of the products to the right to visit the website. There are some great discounts and FREE shipping within the US on orders of $100 or more. Check out the accessory line, from the new Mini-Super Clamps to the much-talked-about Platypod Disc. And if you're into Macro photography, the new Max Macro Bundle Deluxe is an instant macro setup - just add your camera! Watch the short video below, and you'll understand why!  by Skip Cohen
Jonathan Thorpe shared this image on Facebook this morning, and it's the perfect post to wrap up the week! The point he makes is just too good to only be on his Facebook page. His comment below says it all. I’ve said it a million times, LIGHTING IS A GAME CHANGER. Before and after from last nights live stream. Happy to say no editing on right shot aside from the smoke. This is what you can do with lighting to your photos, creating drama and story. The left side is just using the natural light provided in the studio, the right has 5 strobes on it. Make photos, don’t take them. Jonathan should be on your radar. Follow him on Facebook, and check out his website too.  Intro by Skip Cohen For years I've written, the best thing about our industry is the friendships that grow out of everyone's mutual love for the craft. Since the start of the pandemic and being quarantined, the importance of those friendships has grown even faster and become more cherished. Meet Erik Cooper. We've only been friends a few months, but thanks to Facebook and the phone, we've spent a lot of time talking. This morning we caught up on a great phone call, and he told me about a project he launched at the beginning of the pandemic. Every week I've been sharing at least one post about something professional imaging artists are doing to make the most out of downtime. There are two aspects of Erik's project that I appreciate the most. First, he's bringing a group of people together who share a mutual love and respect for imaging. They've all helped each other raise the bar on their skill sets. Second, Erik chose to stand out from the crowd and implement a way to be a leader in education, but even more critical during these tough times, help everyone stay positive and focused. The Beatles' line of getting by with a little help from my friends couldn't be more accurate. A big THANKS to Erik for writing something up about the project and especially to all the artists/models involved in the images in this post. The pandemic isn't slowing down, but for this group, neither is their positive attitude!  Click to view any of the collages in the SCU Lightbox by Erik Cooper We make choices everyday that determine just how positive we can remain during adversity. In March and April of 2020 our country moved into quarantine in order to lessen the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This was indeed a trying time for the US as well as other countries involved around the globe. Being located in Colorado, one of the first states to deal with the virus, our new agency, ECP Talent, decided to stick to a positive outlook in dealing with the shutdown. Most of our model and talent team were locked up in their houses and looking for a new spin on time with their families or by themselves. As a photographer, I thought it a good idea to teach them lighting principles they could use for their postings. We had six instructions on side, flare, butterfly, clamshell, low level and GOBO lighting. All of this with the design of staying positive during the lockdown. The response was amazing from the team as well as the public when we would post the resulting collages. The members were then able to apply these principles to future posts and the impact on their pages was notable. I receive requests often to continue in this effort from the team. Staying positive is so important. Note: Check out more of Erik's work with a visit to ECP Talent on Facebook, Erik Cooper Photography on Facebook and on Instagram, ECP Models on Instagram   Click to view any collage in the SCU Lightbox  Click on the above banners to understand what makes ClickCon and ClickCon Nation so unique! by Skip Cohen Last year ClickCon in Chicago kicked off its first conference and became the most successful launch of a new convention in the industry. Many factors were contributing to it being a great show, from the class selections, quality of the speakers, quality and enthusiasm of models and stylists to the involvement of the "Heart of ClickCon," the people involved in the planning. This year we were all excited for the second show in their history when the pandemic hit. But nothing stops the Heart of ClickCon, and this weekend, ClickCon Nation kicks off a nine-month series of monthly classes and support for imaging artists. The next ClickCon LIVE Conference is scheduled for August of 2021, but here's the best part - as part of your registration, you've got nine months of online educational programs from which to choose. Click on the thumbnail below to check out this Sunday's programming.  Everyone has different needs these days, but there are several common denominators - the need to share ideas, grow our skill sets and understand how to deal with the new norm. ClickCon Nation has five different levels of involvement - each one designed to help artists get the support they need most. Meanwhile, I'm looking forward to catching up with many of you in cyberspace and then LIVE in Chicago next August. Registration is just a click away on the banner below!   By Skip Cohen As I pulled together a few images for the composite above, I couldn't help but smile after yesterday's f64 Lunch Bunch get together. The chemistry between Tony Corbell and Bobbi Lane is remarkable and a tribute to the purest definition of friendship. Then throw in our hosts yesterday with Steve Brazill, Don Komarechka, and Chamira Young, and you've got all the ingredients for great programming. Tony and I go back over thirty years to my Hasselblad days...and although Bobbi came into my life much later, the intensity of the friendship with both of them is something I cherish. Then add in friends like Steve, Don, and Chamira, and I might have had the most fun of anybody watching. It's the friendships that make this industry so remarkable! If you couldn't join us yesterday, the video is below and well worth your time to watch. Great images from Bobbi and then Tony, combined with lots of good solid insight into understanding and seeing the light make this video one off our best lunches to date. Plus, a couple of great links shared yesterday:
A BIG thanks to everyone who's been supporting these programs...and especially your feedback. We'll be back next Wednesday with another great program. Who says there's no such thing as a FREE lunch?  Click on the banner above and join us at 2:00 PM EST on May 6! by Skip Cohen JOIN US ON MAY 6 AT 2:00 PM EST FOR THE NEXT f64 LUNCH BUNCH WITH SPECIAL GUESTS BOBBI LANE AND TONY CORBELL! Nobody teaches lighting better than these two. Besides being great friends, they share an incredible passion for the industry, teaching, and especially lighting! Just in case you don't know Bobbi and Tony, I pulled two older videos from both of their YouTube channels, so you get a better feel for their backgrounds and skill sets.
The f64 Lunch Bunch is all about downtime education, conversations with/for photographers and ideas to help you through the challenges of the pandemic. The only thing worse than the downtime and needing to hunker down, is not taking advantage of the free time to raise the bar on the quality of your work. Bobbi and Tony will be joining our hosts with ideas on things you can practice, so you hit the ground running by having a better understanding of lighting. We've still got too many "natural light specialists" in this industry. And we all know, while everyone loves the look and feel of natural light when somebody declares themselves a "specialist" it almost ALWAYS means they don't understand lighting! I hope you'll join us next Wednesday for a terrific program with two great guests. And to put it in perspective on how well these two work together and love the craft, when I asked Bobbi about joining us with Tony she said, "It'll be great to get the band back together!"
 by Skip Cohen Every imaging artist is feeling the same pain right now - business disappeared with the flip of a switch, and now you're struggling with what to do. Sound familiar? This is an industry where we all watch each other's backs. It's never been more evident than right now! Just like that lifebuoy being thrown above - you've got access to so many different places for help. There's no need for me to write a lot of text today - but I am going to give you the links to six great resources available with a click of your mouse - RIGHT NOW. There's a long list of great programming, and it covers everything from expanding your skillset to changing your marketing strategy! This is only the beginning - I'll be sharing more places you can find help as I hear/read about them! I know it's hard to see downtime as an asset when it feels like a monstrous liability. Take advantage of this time to build a stronger brand, skillset and relationships! And if you've got questions or need help you sure know where to find me!    Due to recent developments surrounding COVID-19, we’re offering free weekly webinars, free access to some of our top-watched classes, and discounts on our Plus and Pro memberships. We hope these resources help during this trying time as you work from home or self-quarantine for safety.   
Images copyright Shiv Verma. All rights reserved.  It's Mirrorless Monday, and Shiv Verma's sharing more beautiful images. He sent me the two photographs above this past weekend, and they deserve to be seen beyond his website or Facebook page. Click on either one to enlarge and view in the SCU Lightbox. If you've met Shiv or at the very least, know his reputation. He never does anything halfway! Shiv's using the LUMIX S1R and the LUMUX S 24-105 f/4 lens (which will do 50% macro). He's post focus stacked in the camera to create the image. With the two pictures above, he enhanced the second one in post-processing. The exposure triad was F/4 @ 1/500 ISO 500. The last ingredient is having the camera mounted on a Platypod Max with their new goosenecks and two Litra Torch 2.0s. Click on either thumbnail below for more information about the LUMIX S1R and 24-105 lens. And meet the entire S1 family with a click on the banner at the bottom of this post.
If Shiv Verma isn't on your radar, it's time you started keeping tabs on what he's up to. He's always sharing great content, and even better is catching up to him in person at an upcoming conference, convention or one of his workshops. His website is only a click away. Follow Shiv and the other LUMIX Ambassadors for great content and a lot of terrific diversity. Each Ambassador has a unique skill set, but the common denominators are their love for the craft and respect for quality and creativity.  Click to meet the S1 family.   The image above is thanks to Carly Sullens, and it's a perfect example of my favorite thing about this industry, the friendships that come out of everyone's love for the craft. Here's the very short backstory. Carly and I both spoke at ClickCon last August and will be there again next year. While we don't know each other well, like so many photographers, we share a lot of friends and companies we work with. Carly had a business question she sent my way, and I answered it. That started a conversation about photography, conventions, etc. The image Carly captured above was one of her first as she started experimenting with a Platypod Ultra combined with two of her favorite pieces of equipment, a LUMIX GH5 and a LitraTorch 2.0 complete with barn doors. She sent it to me with the following comment: "Extreme low light, the sun was setting. I wouldn't have gotten this sharp of an image without the Platypod and Litra accenting the still life." Her exposure triad was F/2.8 @ 1/125 ISO 200. Visit Carly's website to check out her work and educational opportunities for photographers. She regularly shares content to help you raise the bar on your skillset. Platypod Black Friday Bundles - Click for more information  by Skip Cohen Last May, I started shooting with the LUMIX G9, and my images have never looked better. I'm not sure I've ever had this much fun with a camera in my hand! I especially love the focus accuracy, the touch screen, the weight, low-light capability...oh, why not just say everything? There's a lot of remarkable technology in this camera!  Image copyright Nick Pappagallo Jr. All rights reserved. Nick Pappagallo Jr is a LUMIX Ambassador and shared the image above on Facebook last week. Click on the image to enlarge it in the SCU Lightbox. When Nick posted it, he shared: Shot with my Lumix G9 Camera in the studio with Godox 400pros and Backlit by the translucent garage door. Edited with Lightroom Classic. But there's always a little more to the story. So, I thought it would be fun to contact Nick directly, and he had a lot more to share! This shot was a brief test shot with the new Godox Lights - and to see how they worked in mixed lighting situations, including daylight. Jurnee was at the studio, and we hopped into studio 4 to test this out. She was having fun, and we only shot about 50 shots in total. The lower angle poses worked better for what I was envisioning. I was lying on my back on the cyc wall shooting up at her. Stands and other gear were left in the shot intentionally to give it a more cinematic feel.
For more information on the LUMIX G9 and the 35-100mm lens click on either thumbnail below.
Check out more of Nick's work. His website is just a click away. Then follow him and the entire US LUMIX Ambassador team. They're regularly speaking at LUMIX retailers and conventions around the country. As I've written so many times before, they're one of the most diverse and creative teams in photography, and should all be on your radar. You'll be surprised at how much great content they share.
And, if you're not in the LUMIX Photographers Group on Facebook, it's time to check it out. There's great content being shared regularly from talented artists all over the world.  Images copyright Rick Friedman. All rights reserved> "You gotta have fun. Regardless of how you look at it, we're playing a game. It's a business, it's our job, but I don't think you can do well unless you're having fun!" Derek Jeter  by Skip Cohen With each new "chef" who joins us in the Tamron kitchen, I like to go off in search of a quote that seems to fit their style and personality. Rick Friedman is definitely a photographer and educator who believes in fun. You can see it in every class he teaches. Walk by the Tamron booth at a convention or into a Tamron dealer where Rick is doing a demo, and you'll instantly be drawn to a photographer having fun! While I've known Rick for a lot of years, we never seemed to find quality time to hang out and talk until a couple of years ago. That changed in 2018 at WPPI, and since then, we've worked on several different projects together. When he recently became one of Tamron's newest Ambassadors, it was the perfect time to have him join us in this series. Rick's best known around the world for his work as a photojournalist for the last 40+ years. In the podcast, he talked about the backstory of getting his first magazine cover on the right. But, Rick's also an educator, and he's been teaching for the last sixteen years. He's well-respected as one of the leaders in lighting. It's under that umbrella of education that he's had an impact on thousands of photographers. As we discussed in this new podcast, being a successful photojournalist and educator is about relationship building. It's about establishing trust with the clients as a photographer and the students in any class or demonstration. Even a twenty-minute demo on the floor of a busy trade show requires a level of trust with the attendees!  Click on any of Rick's images below to visit his website. I pulled some of my favorites, but there was so much from which to choose. "Chef" Rick's recipe is a click away if you missed it last week. And, check out two Tamron lenses that are a critical part of Rick's creative tools, no matter what the subject. Click on either thumbnail for more information. Rick shared a lot of great insight in this new podcast. He's based in Boston, but the world is his home. As you look through his images, it's obvious wherever his creative eye and camera's needed, that's where he's going to be.  As Rick pointed out in the podcast, he believes in the expression, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Having lived in Boston a significant part of my life, Arthur Fiedler was a very special legend. Rick captured the image below shortly before Fiedler passed away, and all it took was a knock on his door. The next thing you know, he's sitting in Arthur Fiedler's bedroom, having a conversation with one of the greatest conductors of all time! And what was Fiedler doing when Rick joined him? Reading music! From photojournalism on the campaign trail to travel to lighting workshops and published editorial images, I'm not sure there isn't anything "Chef" Rick hasn't photographed!  If you haven't visited your local Tamron dealer, it's time to check out the entire family of Tamron lenses. And the Tamron team is on the road nationally all year long. In just the next few weeks, you'll find the team in Greenfield, WI, Sacramento, CA; Reno, NV; Middleburg Hts, OH; Fort Worth, TX; Canton, OH; Saguaro Natl. Park, AZ; Omaha, NE; Greenville, NC; and Lansdale, PA. And, if you're headed to PPE in NYC, stop by Tamron's booth. They've got a lot going on, including their Pet Portrait Studio! Tamron is manufacturing some of the finest glass in photography. You owe it to your clients and yourself to capture images with the very best tools available! All images copyright Rick Friedman. All rights reserved.      
    This is one of those posts where I feel like Carly Simon should be singing in the background, "Nobody Does It Better!" Because NOBODY teaches like Jay P. Morgan. In just under six minutes, he hits eleven solid tips to help you become a more effective artist! And, if you're not a filmmaker but a still-photographer, you'll still find Jay P's tips and suggestions helpful to expanding your storytelling skills. Co-starring with Jay P, actors Sean Ritchie and Savannah Phillips, Platypod had a couple of key roles. Check out Platypod's Instagram page for more ideas on how to change your perspective and bring more creativity to your videos and photographs. If Jay P's website, The Slanted Lens isn't already on your radar, then you need to take a scroll over there. Check out his YouTube channel too! The archives are packed with helpful how-to content in 484 posted videos. No matter what the topic, I can promise you Jay P is always sharing ideas that trigger something new to your skillset, you've forgotten or overlooked. Nobody does it better!  Click to view in the SCU Lightbox by Skip Cohen One of the fun aspects of this series is sharing the work of a different artist each month. As always, I continue to be amazed at the diversity and willingness of each featured "chef" to share their recipes. Rick Friedman joins us in the Tamron Kitchen in this new episode. We had a hard time trying to figure out which image to share. I took the easy way out and featured two. In this new Recipe, Rick's working with two different Tamron lenses, but the common denominator is Julianna Nicole, one of his favorite models. And, the two images are entirely different. But if you know Rick or have watched him at a Tamron demo, you know creativity is in his blood - along with always having fun! "Fun," as I've written in the past, is one of those words too often lost in business today. We're so wrapped up in deadlines and the stress of each moment we often forget about having fun. Well, you can't have fun if your heart isn't in it - and Rick's an artist whose heart is in every click of the shutter. Images copyright Rick Friedman. All rights reserved.  Click to view in the SCU Lightbox In the light-painting image below, I love the fun of Rick's comment about being in the picture, "That's fat me behind skinny her!" And photographers always have fun in Rick's workshops with his work-hard-play-hard style of teaching. With every Tamron Recipes post, I like to find a quote that seems to fit our guest "chef." "You gotta have fun. Regardless of how you look at it, we're playing a game. It's a business, it's our job, but I don't think you can do well unless you're having fun!" Derek Jeter  About "Chef" Rick: Rick's based out of Boston and best known as a photojournalist, but in all honesty, I don't think there's anything he can't photograph. He's also become one of the industry's leading educators, especially in lighting. He started his workshops close to twenty years ago, and "fun" is always a key element in helping artists better understand how to improve their technique. His work has been published in magazines all over the world, including an episode of "Why?" right here at SCU. Part II of Rick's recipe series is coming next Tuesday. You can be sure we'll be talking about lighting, creativity, education, and pushing the envelope with today's technology. His website is just a click away. About the 100-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD lens used in the portrait above: Click on the banner below to find out more about this outstanding lens. Rick captured the image of Julianna above with the 100-400mm at 400mm!  About the SP24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 lens used in this image: This has become one of Rick's most favorite lenses and used in so many different situations. Click on the banner below to find out more about this remarkable piece of glass!
Both images were from Rick's workshops/presentations. The top image was captured at T&F Camera in Vineland, NJ. The second image was at a lighting presentation in the event space at B&H Photo in NYC. If you're looking for a great class on lighting and developing a stronger reputation as a pro, check out Rick's workshops. Tamron never slows down on manufacturing some of the finest optics in photography. Visit your local Tamron dealer and take advantage of their special FALL SAVINGS program going on until November 2, 2019.    Click to listen to the all new podcast with "Chef" Rick  Click to view in the SCU Lightbox!  Captured with a LUMIX G9 and LUMIX G LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT Professional Lens, 12-60mm, F2.8-4.0 by Skip Cohen Every time I write about this tour, I hear Willie Nelson singing "On the Road Again" in the background. It's day twenty-eight for the Bubble Trailer Light Tour. I've lost count how many photographers Suzette and Jonny have met over the last four weeks. If my calculations are right, they're also coming up on six-thousand miles and just about the halfway mark. One of the most fun aspects of the tour has been the images Suzette's been posting and sharing all along the way. They're not only teaching workshops but using a lot of great gear at various stops on the journey. Her shot of the NYC skyline above is spectacular. It was captured with a LUMIX S1R and 24-105 mm lens - f16 @ 15 seconds, ISO 400. Make sure you click on the image to see it enlarged in the lightbox. Nanlites are on the trip with Suzette and Jonny. If you don't know about the product line, they're just a click away. It's time to find out what all the buzz is about. Suzette described the shoot, which was in the salt flats earlier on their trip: "...We used the Forza 300 for the main light and then the Forza 60's for accent lights and for shooting later when we needed less power...and we can shoot with them on location where there is no power! Even the Forza 300 and 500 can be powered with a V Mount Battery, One of the biggest advantages I see with the Nanlites is how they have one point of light instead of a panel of pin-lights. Often, the panel lights show as a freckled light in catchlights and even have a different light falloff than a strobe in a softbox. With the Nanlites, we can use the softboxes and get a perfect portrait quality of light, and that professional edge we have worked years to perfect. It's our leverage as a visible means of setting ourselves apart from the competition!" The image below shows the set up for the shoot. What a kick using great gear that goes virtually anywhere!  Everywhere Suzette, Jonny and Ms. BT go they're meeting more photographers. Here are a couple of the stops they made this past week.  With members of the LUMIX team at Panasonic in New Jersey
 SYNC-Up in Wrightsville, PA It takes great support from the industry to put together a tour like this. Obviously it starts with Suzette and Jonny's love for photography, people, and wanting to drive across the country and back! We all live in an Internet world - what a kick to spend time face to face with so many artists. But, part of that love for imaging and people is fueled by some of the best companies in professional photography:  Where are they now? The Bubble Trailer Light Tour needs to be on your radar. Here's the schedule for next week, occasionally dates and locations are subject to change. The complete itinerary is available with a click on the button below!
  Click to check out the blog post that goes along with this video. It's packed with great information. by Skip Cohen Every Wednesday I take a scroll through WestcottU and then over to the Westcott YouTube channel. Well, this week on Wednesdays with Westcott, you're going to meet an incredibly talented filmmaker, David Geffin. There's so much you can learn watching a seasoned pro in action. I also like the way the BTS video below takes you through the process, but then there's more information on the blog post itself. Westcott never does anything halfway, especially in their support of filmmakers and photographers. On any shoot like this, the clock is ticking. Time isn't slowing down, and neither are the production costs - that means having the right gear! When you click on the shot above, check out the final film at the bottom of the post. It will give you an even better appreciation for David's expertise. And, check out more of David's work with a trip to his website. It's only a click away!  Don't forget - everything you buy from Westcott when you go through the gateway at the right earns 10% of your purchase for Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. NILMDTS is one of the industry's most respected nonprofits with thousands of photographers involved. They're helping families through the most difficult pain any parent can experience. SCU is a Westcott affliate, but we do NOT keep our commission. Instead we'll be cutting a check to NILMDTS at the end of the year.  More inspiration with a click of your mouse!  Click on the groom to read the post. There are two aspects of this industry I love. First, is working with companies who care about the industry like Westcott. Yes, they're a company who needs to sell products, but there's so much extra they do in support of helping photographers become better at their craft. The content on WestcottU and their support of so many of the best educators in our industry is a prime example. Brandon Heiss says it best in the intro video on YouTube, "Westcott is much more than a lighting company!" Second is being surrounded by talented friends who have become the leaders in imaging. Bob Davis is one of those artists blazing a trail of creativity for you to follow. He's always sharing new ideas in "how-to" technique as well as business and marketing. He never slows down on pushing the edge of the envelope and helping other artists.
While it's a chaotic period at every wedding, it's also a time when photographers have some of the very best control. It's your opportunity to capture some stunning moments. Plus, there's a level of anticipation in the air, almost demanding you pay attention and not miss the special moments. Click on the video and play it full screen to fully appreciate Bob's tips, and then click on the "groomal" photograph above to read the complete post, including great suggestions on bridal images. Bob should be on your radar - his website is just a click away!  Don't forget - if you need lighting gear or any of Westcott's great accessories - everything you buy when you enter through the door above to their website earns 10% of what the cost to Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. SCU is a Westcott affiliate, but we do NOT keep the commission, but send it on to one of the most recognized nonprofits in photography. And, if you need a little inspiration - there's a lot waiting for you with a click on WestcottU below!  |
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"Why?"Check out "Why?" one of the most popular features on the SCU Blog. It's a very simple concept - one image, one artist and one short sound bite. Each artist shares what makes the image one of their most favorite. We're over 100 artists featured since the project started. Click on the link above and you can scroll through all of the episodes to date.
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