Tag Archives: Honl Photo

Building a studio portrait

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Michael Willems

A “standard” studio portrait is very simple to build if you have three or four flashes; and it is entirely repeatable, that is its beauty. Here’s how you do it in six easy steps: ONE set the camera to settings … Continue reading →

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Shampooey Goodness™

Posted on March 23, 2013 by Michael Willems

You have heard the term “hair light”? It’s the Shampooey Goodness™ look that makes hair look alive and wonderful. That is why we use it in portraits. In yesterday’s flash course, I shot a few images of one of the … Continue reading →

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Wednesday Possibilities

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Michael Willems

Today, some shots to get your imagination going – shots that show how much is possible with little effort, and quickly. Shots I took in and between classes in mere seconds, to demonstrate specific points. Like this quick demonstration shot … Continue reading →

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Another Softbox Tip

Posted on November 3, 2012 by Michael Willems

Tonight, I shot my model with her new short hairdo using the simplest of means. And yet, they look like studio shots. With the minimum of post work done, the images look like this – and this was an hour or … 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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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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What’s in YOUR bag?

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Michael Willems

My flash/lighting bag as it is today: It contains, from top left: Two rolls of Honl Photo gels Flashzebra Cables to connect Pocketwizards to speedlights Six pocketwizards Light meter (and spare battery) Three Honl Photo grids (2×1/4″ and 1×1/8″) Cables … Continue reading →

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Quick portrait

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Michael Willems

Prior to a class the other day, I decided to do a very quick self portrait or two. Let me share, and explain how. How? This is how: A 1D camera with a 580EX flash on it – with that … Continue reading →

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Studio tip

Posted on November 12, 2011 by Michael Willems

In a studio setup, we usually use strobes – big, outlet-powered lights. Like the two main lights here, with softbox and umbrella: Fired by a pocketwizrds: you can see one on the left. But if you look carefully, you will … Continue reading →

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Consider a splash…

Posted on November 11, 2011 by Michael Willems

…of colour for visual interest? Take this off-camera flash picture, for example (taken with speedlites, of course): Good, because it is using off-camera flash. But you might try to add some colour by using gels. I use the excellent HonlPhoto gels, part … Continue reading →

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Posted in Gear, Light | Tagged , , | 2 Comments