Day one: Lighting techniques, challenges, ‘posing’ and business
On the first day we will begin by focusing on technique. This will include various lighting techniques for natural- as well as studio lighting setups, a walkthrough of various light modifiers and other tools. Then we shift into another gear, and you will learn how to tackle working in small spaces and how to make the most of what you have. In addition, you will learn techniques for ‘posing’ your subject for a portrait. Finally we will talk about the business-end of Portrait Photography, how to get clients, what to charge and how to make money shooting portraits. Here’s the agenda for the day:
Agenda day 1 (Saturday):
| 09:00 – 09:15 | Welcome and Introduction |
| 09:15 – 09:45 | The fundamentals of Portrait Photography |
| 09:45 – 11:00 | Lighting portraits part one: Natural light + Shooting session 1 |
| 11:00 – 11:15 | Short break |
| 11:15 – 12:45 | Lighting portraits part two: Studio lights + Shooting session 2 |
| 12:45 – 13:30 | Lunch |
| 13:30 – 14:15 | Fighting difficult and small working spaces + Shooting session 3 |
| 14:15 – 15:45 | How to ‘pose’ your subject for a portrait + Shooting session 4 |
| 15:45 – 16:15 | Afternoon coffee |
| 16:15 – 17:00 | The business-end of Portrait Photography |
| 17:00 – 17:45 | Review and blind critique of select images shot by workshop participants during the day |
| 17:45 – 18:00 | Round-up and final Q&A for day 1 |
Throughout the day, we will be working with both a male and a female model in two different setups in the studio that are changed several times. I will divide the participants into two groups, and each group of five will be working with a model and a setup at a time, taking turns to be the photographer and assistant, or simply watch and learn. The shooting sessions (eight throughout the workshop) will afford you the opportunity to shoot in a total of 16 different lighting setups with three different models, styled for each of the 8 sessions.
A day, not just with a lot of theory, but also a lot of practical exercises, where the participants will be given the opportunity to work with the lights, and experience first-hand, how simple changes to the lighting setup, can dramatically change the portrait you are trying to make.
There will be plenty of time for questions and answers during the course of the day.
Continue reading about the agenda for day 2, go back to the Introduction, or jump directly to Sign up!