Strobist Course: Learn How to Flash Properly…
by gavin on May.08, 2012, under Courses, Strobist, Tips
On the 19th May, 2012 I’ll be running my Strobist Photography Course at my Surrey Studio. If you’d like to learn how to make images like the ones on this page using speedlights rather than studio flash, read on. Alternatively, you can jump straight to teh course page on my workshop here: http://workshops.thelightmatters.com/events/60687642/
Strobist Beauty/Jewellery Shoot
Strobist On-Location - Abandoned Church
Several years ago I came across the work and techniques of Mr. David Hobby aka The Strobist. It completely blew my mind away. Some of the images he was creating with nothing more than a speedlight flashgun and a brolly were simply stunning.
The best part was that I had almost all of the equipment I needed to try it for myself so after investing in a light stand and a brolly I set out to play with light. The first few results were terrible but I persevered, learned and adapted until I started to get the results I wanted. I now use strobist techniques as part of my everyday image capture whenever I need it.
Strobist Portrait
It adds something to an image that you simply don’t get with natural light and reflectors.
It’s fast – much more so than studio lights
It’s also very, very portable – a three light studio packs away into two bags that I can easily take it on public transport or carry on a hike through the countryside.
If you’d like to find out more and learn how to create images like these, check out my course page, here: http://workshops.thelightmatters.com/events/60687642/
Strobist Portrait - On Location, Surrey
The beauty about strobist work lies in it’s portability. Unlike studio flash you can take it almost anywhere. But that’s is Achiles heel too: because it’s lightweight it doesn’t pack the same punch as mains powered lights. On a bright, sunny day, four little AA batteries are simply not going to overpower the sun. It’s not a deficiency, it’s a fact and it lends itselt to making a striking image by balancing flash with ambient light. (continue reading…)
Possible Photoshoot Location – Gunpowder Mill
by gavin on Apr.17, 2012, under Things I'd like to shoot
It’s always good to scout a new location for a photoshoot and this one is absolutely amazing. It’s the remains of a disused gunpowder mill in the Surrey Hills and has a huge amount of potential for some really great images. I only had a couple of minutes as I had to dash off to another appointment so these were the only two shots I made. Apologies for the quality but camera phones aren’t great.
If you really fancy coming on a model shoot with me to this location, pop over to my workshops.
http://workshops.theLightMatters.com
I’m pretty sure I’ll be using it several times. There is also a really good pub in the vicinity and it would be very rude not to pay the landlord a visit.
Please note that this site is disused so I very much doubt that there is any gunpowder remaining. There is also a public footpath and stream running through the location, and several spots with picnic tables. I’ll probably be taking the family there for a walk in the countryside at some point in the near future to properly scout the location. From what I have seen so far it has a huge amount of potential but I’m certain it has a lot more to offer for nature, architectural and fashion/portrait photographers.
It’s also very accessible too being just outside a village with a station and bus stop just down the road.
On location – Fallen Angel
by gavin on Apr.15, 2012, under Photoshoot
On May 9th I’ll be running a group photo-shoot at an abandoned church a few miles outside of Petworth. The theme will be Fallen Angel and the goal is to tell the story of an angel who has been cast out of heaven having had her winds severed from her body.
It’ll be at the same location that I made these images (see link)
http://gavinthorn.com/news/amy-woodland-spirits/
My goal for this shoot is to do better. The images will be full of emotion and ambiance and if we do a good job, very moving and evocative too. The inspiration for the shoot comes from this image (first link) and I have more shots of the location on my blog (second link):
http://www.123rf.com/photo_501843_fallen-angel.html
http://thelightmatters.com/inspiration/things-id-like-to-shoot/possible-location-shoot-abandoned-church/
We’ll be working on location with off camera flash and ultra lightweight studio equipment. I shoot Canon so anyone with a Nikon or other manufacturer’s camera will need to bring their own speedlites to use on the day.
Interested?
Head on over to the workshop page to find out more. http://workshops.thelightmatters.com/events/59668672/
Announcing theLightMatters Photography Training and Workshops
by gavin on Apr.14, 2012, under Back to Basics, Courses, Strobist, Studio, theLightMatters, Tips
I’m really excited to announce the launch of my new photography training, photography workshops photo-shoot experience days through theLightMatters Workshops.
It’s not just a photography workshop though. It’s the foundation of a local photography community, centred around Guildford, Surrey. My vision is to create a lively and exciting group with a varied repertoire of subject matter. We’ll be shooting in the studio and on location. We’ll be using many different kinds of light from pure, natural light to speedlites to studio flash and mixing them up a bit too. Oh yes, and we’ll be making some great images along the way.
My goal is to run a mixture of group shoots and workshops, photography training and photo experience days aimed at amateur, enthusiast and semi-pro photographers. They’ll help every member (including myself) to learn, practice and improve. But, it’ll only happen if you get involved.
So, if you’re serious about taking your photography to the next level, whether that be simply gaining the confidence to take the camera off fully automatic mode or learning advanced studio lighting techniques, this is the group for you.
If you’d like to find out what it’s all about, pop over to http://workshops.theLightMatters.com/, join the community and come along to one of the sessions. I’d love to see you there. Go on, you know you want to 
http://workshops.theLightMatters.com
PS Don’t worry if you’re new to all this. We all have to start somewhere and if you think about it every good photographer used to be a bad photographer at some point.
Best regards,
Gavin
Founding member of ‘the’ photo community in Surrey
The On-line Lighting Diagram Creator
by gavin on Apr.08, 2012, under Tips
The On-line Lighting Diagram Creator, brought to you by QH Photography. It’s a great tool and very easy to use too.
Check out http://www.lightingdiagrams.com/ for more information.
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Welcome to theLightMatters
Welcome to my Blog, theLightMatters. I've created this site as a medium to capture my thoughts and document my journey and exploration into professional photography. Hope you enjoy the posts and if you have any suggestions, please feel free to post a comment. Best regards, Gavin
