Yesterday was our workshop for photographers. We met at the Tangier in Akron Ohio and it was the PERFECT place for what I wanted to accomplish with the participants. With many different areas for different lighting techniques, I wanted to make sure that the photographers involved understood the importance of a direction of light in their photography, which is sorely missing in most photography today. Creating texture, mood and shadows for a much more interesting image. I also wanted to show how light is light. As long as it’s used correctly ANY light source can be used (see my image of our model Lea where her face is lit with nothing but cell phone lights). I really enjoyed spending time with the photographers involved and talking about photography (DUH!!). Thank you again to all participated and also to our wonderful model, Lea. Let’s go light hunting!!

The image above was lit with nothing more than two cell phone flash lights (light is light).

Direct sunlit images do not have to be over exposed, contrary to today’s trends.

This may look like a straight forward portrait, but the location was not. Lea is standing directly next to a car with a trash dumpster over her left shoulder and a walk in cooler for a background. I wanted to show that by controlling your environment (rather than letting your environment control you) you can get acceptable images anywhere (although we always strive for exceptional, right?)

The image above shows, that with proper technique, you can get an acceptable portrait in even the least hospitable location.

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