Monthly Archives: March 2012

Light direction

Posted on March 31, 2012 by Michael Willems

When you use a simple bounced flash, always ask this: “Where should the light be coming from?”. And then that is where you point your flash. So if during a custom workshop at Seneca College I want to light up … Continue reading →

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More “simple light”.

Posted on March 30, 2012 by Michael Willems

Here’s student Brittney, in a Seneca College workshop I did the other night: Again: simple light: one off camera flash. From yesterday’s post you will remember that I first thought about the background, then about the flash. In this case … Continue reading →

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Who does the work?

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Michael Willems

First question I always ask myself when taking a flash picture is: “who does the work?”. What I mean is: is the light in the image just from the flash? Or just from ambient? Or from both? Clearly : When … Continue reading →

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A simple chiaroscuro portrait or two

Posted on March 28, 2012 by Michael Willems

In the last few days I took two people’s portraits using just one off camera flash. Here’s Michelle and Adnan, respectively: How did I take those? First, I set the camera so that the ambient light looks dark. The room … Continue reading →

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Portrait reminder

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Michael Willems

You can use any lens for portrats: from super wide to super long. But when you are making a headshot, as opposed to an environmental porytrat, the face is large. And in that case you do not want to use … Continue reading →

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Challenges… and solutions: Low Light.

Posted on March 26, 2012 by Michael Willems

I shot a classical concert the other day (Mahler’s second symphony). Performance in a church, by Masterworks of Oakville. The church had the worst light: dark, with bright back light. Ugh! Terrible. So what can I do? Not use flash, … Continue reading →

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Posted in Light, Technique | 5 Comments

Point of view

Posted on March 25, 2012 by Michael Willems

Changing your point of view often helps simplify your picture. Here’s an example. A group shot a few hours ago of my Sheridan College students on a field trip in Oakville; And here it is again, but now with me on an object to … Continue reading →

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Outside direct flash technique

Posted on March 24, 2012 by Michael Willems

You can use a flash outside on the camera for some pretty cool shots, like this one I took yesterday of talented model Kim: You do this as follows: Position the subject away from direct light (see the back light … Continue reading →

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Exposure Triangle

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Michael Willems

Every photographer needs to learn the “exposure triangle” of ISO – Aperture – Shutter. For a brighter picture you can do any of three things: Higher ISO Lower “F-number” Slower shutter speed For a darker picture you can do the … Continue reading →

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Shot of the day

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Michael Willems

..taken by my student Nick, on a sunny day – super sunny in Ontario – at mid-day: Here’s Nick, showing how it is done: Exposure is set to create a dark background. 1/200th second (sync speed!) and f/11 at 100 … Continue reading →

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