Many people – including me – tends to think that you need expensive studio lighting equipments to learn how to light. I was once supporter of that notion.
My opinion changed when I watched the “One Light” DVD by Zack Arias.
Zack discussed many techniques he uses to produce magnificent photograph using only one light. And that one light is not a fancy studio light, it is just a beat up old Vivitar strobe that costs less than ninety dollar now.
Learning from that video, I set out to try to light with one Nikon SB-600, the only speedlight that I had at that time. The result was (obviously) not as good as Mr. Arias, but it kinda opened my eye. I have since been experimenting with one light source.
Several tips for when you decided to start testing your one light:
1. Invest in a cheap lightstand. Those $15 ones you see in ebay will suffice.
2. Get a shoot through umbrella. It will soften your speedlight significantly. Again, I recommend ebay.
3. If you own Nikon D80 or newer, you don’t need to buy flash trigger (use the commander mode). If you own Canon or the other, invest in one cheap flash trigger. I bought one for $20 from ebay.
4. Set the light above the model’s eyes, facing down around 45 degree. This gives a nice natural even light on the face. Of course, feel free to experiment with the angle and power.
5. Use the sun as backlight, and your flash as fill. I find that even small flashes light speedlights have the capacity to overpower the sun.
6. Experiment in many places. Bedroom, beach, living room, garden, city, bridges, day, night, etc.
7. Always learn and ask guidance from other. I read numerous blogs and forum about lighting that gives me the idea on how to light. You can read good blog (like Strobist by David Hobby) and learn more in a day than to go out and shoot blindly.
After several experiment, you will slowly understand how light travel, how it falls onto your subject, how can you soften it, reflect it, etc.
I have been getting a lot of question lately about the story and origin of my photography. Some of my friends even made wild assumption that I’ve been doing this for more than five years. Thanks for the compliment though
This blog post is just to share the story of how I started. And maybe give you an idea how to start as well.
Pre-Manual
As a teenager, before I went to university, I always liked to take travel photos. It helps that my mom and dad loves to travel. We have visited many countries in Europe and South East Asia. Every-time we are travelling, I am always the one who hold the cameras and snap the photos. We were still using some old compact camera. I’m not sure if we still have it or not.
On our last trip (I believe to China) my parents purchased the Canon Powershot S3 IS, which I will be using for much of the time before DSLR.
My parent’s love of travel just instilled on me. After I come to Australia to continue my higher education, I joined the Monash Photography Club. There I learned much from fellow members and the workshops that the club offer.
I still remember the first trip that I went to with MPC. It was a trip to the Yarra Valley Winery trip. Everybody was carrying some huge Nikon or Canon DSLR. I kinda feel envious, but heck, I dont know how they really work and if they make a difference to the picture that I take.
That was 2007.
I continued to use the compact for the remaining of the year. It has served me well. But I have no idea how to operate the camera on manual control until later in the mid 2008.
At December 2007-second year of university, I bought my first DSLR sponsored by my parents. Thanks again Mom and Dad. Its really great to have parents who support your hobby.
I researched long and hard before deciding which camera to buy. Ended up with the awesome D80. How I research will be on another post.
When I bought the camera, I really have no idea how to use manual controls. I just put the camera to auto and started shooting like how most of us started.
Then at January 2008, one event changed my perspective.
The Evolution
One day when I was visiting my hometown in Indonesia, one of my old friend called me to ask if she can use my car to drive to the beach. Of course I asked her why she wanted to go to the beach for.
People who doesn’t grow up near the beach will have a hard time understanding this, but we Indonesian live on the equator. We have massive natural beaches. We have played at the beach since we were babies. The beach is HOT. The sun ray can burn your skin in matter of minutes. Besides, the ladies in Asia loves their skin to be fair, not tan. So usually they go the the beach wearing some protective clothing. Totally different with the western way of beach loving.
We usually go there only during sunset when the sun is not too strong as to avoid burned skin.
Anyway, back to the story. She told me she was having a photoshoot with her cousin. I was surprised. I didn’t know you can have photoshoot at the beach. At that time, my mind was still imagining photoshoot as the glamour and high-class process that can only be conducted in the studio by professional people. Shows you how amateur I was
I agreed to her request, but in return, I got to go to the shoot with her. It was a mind opening experience.
Model: Febiola - The first model (well, friend) I've ever shot
The photographer at that time (Eric) was also visiting our hometown for the holiday. He was good. He bring a friend to hold a mirror – which acts as the reflector.
I didn’t know what to do, so I just put the camera on auto and started shooting her. Eric then asked me, “What settings are you using?”. I was dumbfounded. I said I have no idea what he is talking about. He asked me, “Are you using auto to shoot this?”. I said yes.
Then he give me a 20 second crash course on how to set the camera to manual and give me his approximate setting, and continued shooting.
My result wasn’t that good. It is not the main point though. I was having fun on my first photoshoot of my life.
From there, my love for modelling and portraiture grows.
Thanks Eric and Febiola.
The Love Drama
Linda @ Tanjung Belandang Beach
Couple of days after the photoshoot, my friend invited me to visit the local school. She was giving a dance class for an upcoming end-of-year school performance. I was getting quite bored at my hometown having nothing to do, so I agreed.
There was some fifteen female students dancing with her. All of them was of teenager, probably fifteen to sixteen years old.
Only one struck my attention. It was the one who becomes my next girlfriend for the next couple of months. The story is for another time
Linda @ Hutan Kota
Fortunately, she loves to pose for the camera. We went to numerous places together for photoshoots. I was practicing, and she was having fun.
I learned a lot of posing and camera setting in that month, more than anything I’ve ever learned.
People said its easy to get from zero to eighty percent, but it takes decades to bring eighty to a hundred. I was having my zero to eighty moment.
Too bad at March 2008 I needed to get back to Australia to study, and she has to stay back there in Indonesia.
Linda @ Tanjung Belandang Beach
Farewell, Linda.
Enter MPC
I mentioned that I joined MPC since 2007 before. It was not until I march 2008 that I started seriously learning photography.
We had some really good workshops going on. My personal favourite was the studio workshop, of course.
It was a tutorial room. We had to move all the chairs and desks to the side. It was my first time working with lightstands, 300w lights, octoboxes, umbrellas, etc.
You can imagine how excited I was.
Again, my photos turned out not that great. But it was still salvageable. Its the experience that matters.
I'm sorry I forgot your name o' beautiful MPC model.
We learned and learned together, we bonded in photography. I made some really great friends in MPC.
Future Photoshoots
Outside MPC, I also organised my own photoshoot with friends. You don’t need to spend money to practice your portraiture.
Had lots of experience with a lot of very nice models. Thanks to you guys I was able to get to where I am now.
Oops, Its already more than thousand words, and I was aiming for mere five-hundreds words only.
The deadline of the competition is May 31st, which is next week.
You can potentially get
$10,000 cash or 1-year FREE living at a $1.2 million apartment at The Edge in New York City A Manhattan Gallery Reception Airfare and shipping to and from New York City for the event International Publicity The public will also cast their vote and the highest rated portfolio will receive the People’s Choice Award: $2,000 in cash A Manhattan Gallery Reception Airfare and shipping to and from New York City for the event
Alex Wise is a young photographer specializing in long exposure dreamscape photography. You can find more of his work in his website or follow him on twitter. Victor: Hi Alex, could you tell us a little bit of your photography background. Did you undergo proper education or just learning by yourself? Al: Hi Victor, I’m [...]
Today I went to the Melbourne Zoo for the first time. We have around thirty something people with varying skill level. Some people have crazy DSLR with 70-200mm with extension tube, some people bring their humble entry levels, some came with compacts, and some come empty handed – they just wanted to enjoy the day. [...]
Photo by ‘csaveanu‘ on flickr Recently, I have several friends of mine asking my advice on their next lens purchase. All of them are beginner DSLR owner with varying skill level that are still not sure what they should specialize into. My advice is always the same. Find the style that you are most passionate [...]
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I didn’t make this. I find this guide at: DIY photography website They have written a very comprehensive article on this. Read it, you won’t regret it.
Yes, that is the question we usually ask our-self. My friend Brandon Eu made a nice reflection post on this. ‘Made to Advance’ Every time there’s a new camera announced by Nikon, I’ve always find myself wanting to buy it. Now unlike Brandon, I didn’t get my info about gears from magazines. Heck, I don’t [...]
