Tag: grid

Adding a little edge…?

 Gavin   Behind the scenes, Equipment, Fashion, Strobist, Studio, Techniques, Tips

I was asked to do a portfolio shoot for Helga (featured here) the other day, but to produce something a little edgier and with some striking black and white images. As to whether I achievedit or not, I’ll let you be the judge.

We were going to be working in a office over in Docklands, not too far from the Excell Centre, and thankfully we were also going to be inside. Given the extreme weather we have been having of late, this was very welcome.

After a quick scout around the building we settled on the breakout room on th groundfloor as our makeshift studio. It was nothing special, just a semi-large room with a few chairs a couple of tables and a pool table. This at first appeared to present a few possibilities as we were going to be doing lingerie but the biggest advantage was the empty room opposite we could use as an impromptu salon.

The problems to solve were that the white painted walls were not very interesting and full length shots were going to be difficult owing to the nasty grey carpet. This shoot was going to be controlled by the lighting if it was going to offer up any images of note. When we first started out, it had all the hallmarks of being an outright failure. Continue reading Adding a little edge…? »

Jimi McDonald, Drummer

 Gavin   Band, Black and White, Strobist, Techniques, Tips
Jimi McDonald
Jimi McDonald

In keeping with the band theme I’ve been doing recently, this was a shoot I did for Jimi McDonald in the grounds of Guildford Castle. This was also another shoot in sub-zero temperatures ad thankfully the castle offered some shelter from the elements as well as providing some really cool locations for us to use.

I wanted to makesome really great shots, different from some of the other band shots I’d done, and something really creative too. Continue reading Jimi McDonald, Drummer »

Overthrow Band…

 Gavin   Available Light, Band, Photoshoot, Strobist, Techniques
Overthrow Band
Overthrow Band

I’ve been doing a lot of band shoots recently. Makes a nice change from photographing female models and has really helped to come up with fresh ideas and styles of image.

The first group was the Overthrow Band, depicted here. These images were made on that bitterly cold weekend just before we had our first dump of snow for the season. It was -5degC when we made these images and between shots the lads were running in rings around me, literaly, in order to keep warm. Continue reading Overthrow Band… »

SpeedGrid – A little spot of light

 Gavin   Equipment, Fashion, Photoshoot, Strobist, Techniques
Shapes and Shadows

I wrote a few posts a little while ago, On the grid… and On the grid… Part 2 about the SpeedGrid grid spots, what they are and what they do. I’ve used them from time to time on my shoots, and the more I do, the more I am starting to relish in the incredible qualities of ths pencil thin beam of light from a speedlight.

They’re brilliant at adding drama and edginess to a shot as in the one at the top of this post or Continue reading SpeedGrid – A little spot of light »

Low key…

 Gavin   Black and White, Low Light, Photoshoot, Strobist, Techniques
image
Low key, edgy portrait

I’ve wanted to try my hand at making this shot for a while now but have been unable to make it happen until my recent shoot with Tumi.

It was actually far more straightforward than I had imagined too.

Tumi was actually sitting on a bench in the street for this shot. If as night though which helped a lot. She was lit by a single 580exII with a grid (1/8″ Honl SpeedGrid) and I’d feathered the light to just kiss the side of her face. She had to sit really still for this shot. The light from the speedgrid is pencil thin and the slightest movement could ruin the shot. Nevertheless, she carried it off very well.

The speedgrid is definitely a must have for any strobist. They’re versatile, quick and very simple to use.