Portrait & flash photography - One-day workshops
Objectives:
To teach portrait and flash photography techniques that will help you get great pictures of family and friends; and to have fun!! I show you how to make the best use of natural light and your camera flash, and I provide a model to be your subject. You work in my studio and outside on location, and also learn how to use my professional studio flash set-up.Facilitator:
Graham Meadows: I am a professional photographer and established international author. I currently photograph for the Auckland Zoo, and tutor at the Auckland Zoo Photography Workshops.Details
Workshop location: Workshops are held at my office and studio, and the surrounding buildings, paddocks, gardens and native bush on my rural property at 1559 State Highway 16, Woodhill (between Kumeu and Helensville). Just 30 minutes drive from the Auckland CBD.
Dates: Workshops are run on demand, with a maximum of two photographers. They are usually held on Saturdays or Sundays, but if requested a workshop can be scheduled for a weekday; or run for one photographer. The next workshop is on Sunday 12th February, and one female model will be available to photograph. There is one place left, so if you are interested in attending please contact me.
If you can't make a set date you can register your interest for future workshops.
If you wish to give a gift of a workshop to a friend or relative, you can purchase a voucher that can be redeemed at a suitable date. Please contact me for full details.
Time: Each workshop runs from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm, with a 30-minute break for lunch.
Facilities: The office and studio building is 6m wide x 12m long, so quite compact - hence the restriction on numbers. The studio area is 6m by 6m with seating and bench space/chairs for working on computers. Basic kitchen facilities include hot water, a microwave and fridge. There is a bathroom, and a make-up and changing room for models.
Note: I regret that the studio does not have facilities for those with physical disabilities, and many of the outdoor locations are on uneven ground or steep hillsides. If you have any questions about this please contact me.
Locations for shoots: Studio and outdoor – about 3 hours allocated for studio photography, up to 2 hours for outdoor (outdoor weather-dependent, if unavailable the barn or studio is used).
Number of photographers: Maximum of two.
Models: I work with a group of experienced amateur adult models, and which model is used on the day depends on availability. An experienced young female model and care-giver can be contracted for those who would prefer to work with a model under the age of 18.
Studio poses: These range from head and shoulders to full-body portraiture, posing with or without simple props. The model will pose naturally and can also be directed. The objective is to keep things simple, concentrating on the creation and control of light and shadow.
Studio Lighting: Techniques range from the simplest use of natural light with or without on-camera flash or a reflector, to the use of up to 5 electronic flashes with wireless connection. I teach you how to create, reduce or accentuate shadows, and highlight selected areas of a model's features. If requested we can end the workshop with a fun session using LED and laser lights.
Studio Backdrops and Props: There are 9 different colours of wall-to-floor backdrop (2.7 metre wide x 11 metres long) to choose from, including white and black. There are also two moveable backdrops 2 metres wide and high, onto which various colours of satin, cloth or canvas can be placed. We use a variety of simple studio props.
Outdoor locations: These make use of natural features such as paddocks with long grass and wild flowers, native bush, old buildings, gates, fences, trees or gaps through foliage, with or without props. Shots can cover from head to full-body.
Outdoor lighting: I show you how to use a mixture of natural light, diffusers, reflectors and on-camera flash to create great portraits.
Programme overview: We begin with studio photography using natural light from windows; then photograph outdoors on location using on-camera flash and reflectors; and finish in the studio using various combinations of the studio flash units.
Workshop notes: Basic notes are provided, but participants are advised to make additional notes during the day.
Bring: Camera equipment and any flash gear. USB stick to transfer images. Note pad. Food and drinks for the day - tea, coffee, milk and bottled water are provided. If you have one, you may wish to bring your laptop.
Fee: $299 including GST, payable upon registration. If you wish to give a gift of a workshop to a friend or relative, you may purchase a voucher that can be redeemed at a suitable date. If you want to do a workshop set up for one photographer (with a model supplied) please contact me.
Feedback and Examples
View feedback and some examples of portrait photos taken by past participants.TERMS AND CONDITIONS
By registering for the workshop you will agree to the following Terms and Conditions:- No registration is accepted until the registration fee has been paid.
- Registrations are accepted in order of payment, and any given workshop is closed off once two people have registered.
- If a workshop is cancelled by me the registration fee is refundable. It is not refundable if a registrant later cancels or fails to turn up. The fee paid may be transferred to a later Portrait Workshop on condition that two participants attended the workshop that was missed by the registrant.
- The copyright of each photograph is owned by the photographer who took it.
- Each model and photographer will sign a model release, which includes the terms and conditions listed below.
- Each model may receive copies of her/his photographs as part payment for her/his services.
- Photographs taken of the models may only be used for the photographer’s or model’s personal use and promotion, such as on a web site, Facebook or Flickr. If posted on a web site they must not exceed 700 pixels in width or height, and be clearly identified as being totally restricted for any other use. Do not assign a Creative Commons Licence.
- The photographs may not be used or sold for any commercial purpose, either by the photographer or the model; in the event that such a request eventuates, a new legal agreement and model release must be agreed and signed between the model and the photographer.
Auckland Zoo Photography Workshops
In conjunction with Claire Vial I also tutor three different workshops at the Auckland Zoo: Know Your Camera; Composition; and Photoshop Basics. Full details.Also check out the following web site. Full details.