Apollo and Halo Archives — Westcott University https://westcottu.com/topic/apollo-and-halo Lighting Education for Photographers and Filmmakers Wed, 08 Jan 2025 15:24:26 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://westcottu.com/wp-content/uploads/icon-university.png Apollo and Halo Archives — Westcott University https://westcottu.com/topic/apollo-and-halo 32 32 How to Create an Easy One Light Portrait https://westcottu.com/how-to-create-an-easy-one-light-portrait Wed, 19 Feb 2020 17:11:19 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=152554 Celebrity fashion photographer Ian Spanier began taking photographs at six years old when his parents gave him his first point-and-shoot camera. After majoring in photography in college, Ian worked in publishing as an editor, but making pictures never left him. Since re-entering the photography industry, Ian has mastered portrait lighting. For this setup, Ian wanted […]

The post How to Create an Easy One Light Portrait appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 152554 3 Ways To Use Plexiglass For Creative Portraits https://westcottu.com/3-way-to-take-creative-portraits Tue, 04 Jun 2019 16:30:44 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=151877 As a portrait photographer, it can often be difficult to keep things interesting in the studio. Adding a unique element to your images can help them stand out while also allowing you to have little fun. The unique element that I added for my most recent shoot was just a simple piece of plexiglass. Here […]

The post 3 Ways To Use Plexiglass For Creative Portraits appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 151877 Run-and-Gun Wedding Lighting https://westcottu.com/run-and-gun-wedding-lighting Thu, 19 Apr 2018 20:12:10 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=150872 While shooting on-location in a beautiful cathedral in Ohio, celebrity photographer Bob Davis knew he wanted to make the venue a part of the story. This meant that he’d need to capture his subjects in various locations and do so quickly to get them back to their party. This is called run-and-gun photography for a […]

The post Run-and-Gun Wedding Lighting appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 150872 Affordable 1-Light Interview Setups https://westcottu.com/affordable-1-light-interview-setup Wed, 14 Mar 2018 16:24:33 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=150758 Jem Schofield is a producer, director, DP, and the founder of the educational site theC47. Through his channel, Jem shares his knowledge of practical production techniques and offers insider peeks at the latest and greatest gear in the filmmaking industry. We recently invited Jem to the Westcott Soundstage in northwest Ohio to talk about affordable […]

The post Affordable 1-Light Interview Setups appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 150758 Creative Lighting for Groom Portraits https://westcottu.com/creative-groom-portraits Fri, 23 Feb 2018 19:18:05 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=150704 Brides are often a major focus at a wedding shoot. The bride is typically the hero of the story on their special day. However, experienced photographers know that groom portraits can be equally as fun to create and an important detail for their clients. With decades of experience in the wedding industry, Chicago-based photographer Bob […]

The post Creative Lighting for Groom Portraits appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 150704 Lighting for Modern Wedding Portraits https://westcottu.com/lighting-for-modern-wedding-portraits Tue, 20 Feb 2018 19:12:13 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=150115 Chicago-based celebrity wedding photographer Bob Davis discusses his take on modern wedding portraits in our new wedding photography tutorial series. Traditional wedding portraits can often be bland. For shots of the wedding party, many photographers default to posing their subjects upright and in order of height. While some clients may want a traditional look, many couples these […]

The post Lighting for Modern Wedding Portraits appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 150115 Easy Lighting Setup for Action Sports Photo Shoot https://westcottu.com/lighting-actions-sports-photo-shoot Tue, 30 Jan 2018 15:00:10 +0000 http://fjwestcott.com/?p=125278 Orlando, Florida-based action sports photographer Chris Garrison is a pro at photographing on location. Because he often finds himself shooting in fast-paced environments outdoors, Chris uses quick and compact lighting gear to capture the perfect shot. During this photo shoot with professional wakeboarder Chad Sharpe, Chris uses modular Scrim Jims along with  collapsible Apollo Orb and […]

The post Easy Lighting Setup for Action Sports Photo Shoot appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 125278 Improving Wedding Prep Photography with Portable Lighting https://westcottu.com/wedding-prep-photography-with-portable-lighting Sun, 17 Dec 2017 20:08:50 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=150177 In this two-part tutorial, professional wedding photographer Bob Davis discusses how to improve wedding preparation shots (for both brides and grooms) with surprisingly portable lighting setups. By adding just a couple of speedlites and compact modifiers to your shoot, photographers can save time on post-production editing and offer clients higher quality images. In Bob’s bridal […]

The post Improving Wedding Prep Photography with Portable Lighting appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 150177 Ad Campaign Photography (Part 1) https://westcottu.com/ad-campaign-photography-part-1 Tue, 22 Nov 2016 20:18:04 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=149286 In part 1 of this ad campaign tutorial, talented photographer Lou Freeman discusses the dos and don’ts of a commercial photo shoot. Behind the scenes at Coyote Ugly saloon in Florida, Lou begins her shoot by reviewing the requests from the client. Commercial photography clients will typically give their hired photographer suggestions on mood, styling, […]

The post Ad Campaign Photography (Part 1) appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 149286 Photographing Kenya with Kole Purdy https://westcottu.com/photographing-kenya-kole-purdy https://westcottu.com/photographing-kenya-kole-purdy#comments Fri, 02 Sep 2016 19:12:28 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=148824 This article on photographing Kenya and it’s people is courtesy of 18-year-old travel photographer Kole Purdy.  My Journey to Professional Photography In June of 2014, my Dad quit his 20-year career. In November of 2014, using our life savings, we left the ‘American dream’ to travel and experience the world for a year. I’m from […]

The post Photographing Kenya with Kole Purdy appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> https://westcottu.com/photographing-kenya-kole-purdy/feed 1 148824 How to Perfectly Light Couples with Speedlights https://westcottu.com/perfectly-light-couples-with-speedlights https://westcottu.com/perfectly-light-couples-with-speedlights#comments Thu, 30 Jun 2016 21:15:39 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=148550 In this video from SPTV, Bob Davis demonstrates how to perfectly light a couple during a real-life engagement session. Chicago portrait and wedding photographer Bob Davis is a 25 year veteran of photography, specializing in speedlite shooting. Here, Bob utilizes speedlites modified with the to capture beautiful portraits of his clients. By adding the softened […]

The post How to Perfectly Light Couples with Speedlights appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> https://westcottu.com/perfectly-light-couples-with-speedlights/feed 1 148550 Location Lighting Using The Rapid Box: Share The Light https://westcottu.com/location-lighting-using-the-rapid-box-share-the-light Tue, 29 Dec 2015 21:33:45 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=148096 Lighting can separate you from the pack, using light to define your style and elevate the quality of your work is as important now as it was back in the day when you had to light to capture an image. Today the cameras we use can capture an image in just about any light; they […]

The post Location Lighting Using The Rapid Box: Share The Light appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 148096 Experimental Lighting Setups for Dynamic Band Portraits https://westcottu.com/experimental-lighting-setups-for-dynamic-band-portraits Wed, 20 May 2015 21:42:58 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=147432 I must admit, I’ve never photographed a band before. Especially for something as important as official promo images that’ll be used for almost everything a band can think of (posters, album art, show banners, website). What scared me most is figuring out an interesting way to position multiple people. Luckily the guys from Birthday Boy […]

The post Experimental Lighting Setups for Dynamic Band Portraits appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 147432 Speedlite Setup for Portraiture https://westcottu.com/speedlite-setup-portraiture Sat, 22 Nov 2014 00:36:58 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=142672 To capture this portrait of a musician, photographer Benny Migs utilized a four-speedlite setup. Three of these speedlites were modified by the softbox. These 3 speedlites were mounted on the , allowing Benny to maximize his light output. This bracket mounts onto any standard umbrella shaft, like the framework featured in the Apollo softbox series […]

The post Speedlite Setup for Portraiture appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 142672 Mastering Location Lighting with Lindsay Adler https://westcottu.com/location-lighting-with-lindsay-adler https://westcottu.com/location-lighting-with-lindsay-adler#comments Thu, 04 Sep 2014 13:00:05 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=141624 This article on location lighting for photography is courtesy of renowned beauty photographer Lindsay Adler and SLR Lounge. Here I took my beautiful model on location wearing a dress and headpiece from Dream Shoot Rentals. (Recognize her face? She’s been a contestant on America’s Next Top Model and a model for Project Runway). I took the […]

The post Mastering Location Lighting with Lindsay Adler appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> https://westcottu.com/location-lighting-with-lindsay-adler/feed 1 141624 Choosing the Right Light Modifier with Joel Grimes https://westcottu.com/choosing-the-right-light-modifier https://westcottu.com/choosing-the-right-light-modifier#comments Sun, 24 Aug 2014 15:13:41 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=141599 Both new photographers and experienced professionals often question which light modifier is the best choice for each and every photo shoot. World-renowned commercial photographer Joel Grimes has been working in the industry for nearly thirty years and has an immense understanding of light modification for portraiture. When choosing a light modifier, Joel suggests that photographers first […]

The post Choosing the Right Light Modifier with Joel Grimes appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> https://westcottu.com/choosing-the-right-light-modifier/feed 1 141599 Behind-The-Scenes with Rick Nunn https://westcottu.com/behind-scenes-rick-nunn Mon, 21 Jul 2014 15:00:39 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=141438 The following article is courtesy of English portrait photographer Rick Nunn.  She and I spent a few days at the cabin in the woods over the weekend. In between coffee on the balcony & trips to the beach, we made some time for a few photos. We wanted to do something a little surreal and fairytale-esque. When the sun wasn’t blocked by […]

The post Behind-The-Scenes with Rick Nunn appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 141438 Outdoor Portraiture in Bad Weather https://westcottu.com/portraiture-in-bad-weather Tue, 24 Jun 2014 19:53:16 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=141252 Chicago portrait and wedding photographer Bob Davis is a 25 year veteran of photography, specializing in speedlite shooting. Here, Bob utilizes speedlites modified with the Perfect Portrait Kit to capture beautiful street portraiture in bad weather conditions. By adding the softened flash, Bob is able to highlight features and colors on his subject and balance the […]

The post Outdoor Portraiture in Bad Weather appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 141252 Modern Beauty Photography with Lou Freeman https://westcottu.com/lou-freeman-part-2 Fri, 06 Jun 2014 14:38:14 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=140932 Lou Freeman has practiced the art of fashion, glamour, fine interior and product photography for three decades. Her clients are among the most respected and recognized names in America and Europe. Her work is both powerful and visionary and has been recognized by both the publishing and advertising worlds, winning her the prestigious OBIE and […]

The post Modern Beauty Photography with Lou Freeman appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 140932 Shooting Luke Bryan for Rolling Stone with Drew Gurian https://westcottu.com/drew-gurian-and-luke-bryan Fri, 28 Mar 2014 21:23:59 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=140311 This article is courtesy of celebrity and music photographer Drew Gurian. Rolling Stone just asked me to photograph country star, Luke Bryan, for the new issue of the magazine (with Justin Beiber on the cover). The shoot involved three scenarios- the first of which was to spend some time with Luke crafting a couple of […]

The post Shooting Luke Bryan for Rolling Stone with Drew Gurian appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 140311 Perfecting Maternity Portraits with a Stripbank https://westcottu.com/portraits-with-a-stripbank Fri, 07 Mar 2014 16:12:50 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=140265 As most of you know, I’m kind of obsessed with studio lights. I spent my first 3 years in business as a “natural light snob”, terrified of lights/flash only because I was completely intimidated by its complexity, and worried it would make my work look “flashy” and “unnatural”.  Once I moved into my studio space […]

The post Perfecting Maternity Portraits with a Stripbank appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 140265 Lifestyle Portraits with Chris Lambeth https://westcottu.com/lifestyle-portraits Wed, 26 Feb 2014 16:23:08 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=140230 Beauty and fashion portrait photographer Chris Lambeth uses the Westcott Apollo Orb to capture stunning suburban lifestyle portraits during a wintery day in Washington in this featured behind-the-scenes video. The 43″ Westcott Apollo Orb is an octagonal softbox with a deep profile for maximum light output. It is built on an umbrella-style frame, making it ideal for […]

The post Lifestyle Portraits with Chris Lambeth appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 140230 Newborn Lighting Do’s and Dont’s https://westcottu.com/newborn-lighting-dos-donts https://westcottu.com/newborn-lighting-dos-donts#comments Fri, 21 Feb 2014 18:24:06 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=140205 This article on newborn lighting techniques is courtesy of renowned newborn portrait photographer Amber Scruggs of Little Moon Photography in Virginia. I always aim to feather my light so that I get nice light going down the baby’s body, the shadows help define their tiny little features. My light is always placed about 90 degrees […]

The post Newborn Lighting Do’s and Dont’s appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> https://westcottu.com/newborn-lighting-dos-donts/feed 1 140205 Shooting a Fashion Editorial with the Apollo Orb https://westcottu.com/fashion-editorial-with-the-apollo Fri, 14 Feb 2014 16:36:42 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=140189 Starting fresh with a brand new blog in 2014. Over Christmas, my friend and fantastic model Mike Socozza, who was most recently on Americas Next Top Model cycle 20, and I wanted to collaborate on a shoot. Fortunately, so did a mutual friend Aaron Pierce, who is co-owner of bespoke clothing company; Commonwealth Proper. So a few phone […]

The post Shooting a Fashion Editorial with the Apollo Orb appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 140189 Shooting in Sunlight with Rick Nunn https://westcottu.com/shooting-in-sunlight-with-rick-nunn Fri, 03 Jan 2014 16:55:25 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=139964 This article is courtesy of English photographer and designer Rick Nunn. When you are shooting with the sun, the time of day, location & your positioning are very important. Believe it or not THE SUN IS BRIGHTER THAN YOUR FLASH which can make it very hard to balance, especially since you can only use a limited range […]

The post Shooting in Sunlight with Rick Nunn appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 139964 Stripbank Lighting for Dark, Dramatic Portraits https://westcottu.com/apollo-strips-in-portraits Thu, 02 Jan 2014 15:24:33 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=139942 This article is courtesy of  renowned portrait and architecture photographer Thierry Dehove. Lea Vendetta is this kind of model you dream to capture due to her energy and her personality. I like her very much, so easy to work with. This photo was taken in Delray beach in Florida, my buddy’s house (I love this […]

The post Stripbank Lighting for Dark, Dramatic Portraits appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 139942 Shooting a Nighttime Portrait with a Softbox https://westcottu.com/nighttime-portrait-with-an-apollo Mon, 30 Dec 2013 19:45:32 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=139925 New Hampshire portrait photographer Sid Ceaser previously discussed his preference of Westcott’s Apollo line of softboxes. Sid uses a 28″ Recessed Medium Apollo when shooting one or two subjects and a large when shooting groups. All Apollo softboxes are constructed with an umbrella-style frame, which allows for quick set-up. In this particular shoot, Sid demonstrates his use […]

The post Shooting a Nighttime Portrait with a Softbox appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 139925 Sid Ceaser’s Favorite Modifier: The Westcott Apollo https://westcottu.com/sid-ceaser-and-the-apollo Wed, 18 Dec 2013 16:25:28 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=139879 This review of the Westcott Apollo is courtesy of portrait photographer Sid Ceaser of Ceaser Photography in Nashua, New Hampshire. The Apollo, for those who have never seen one, is a softbox lighting modifier for your off-camera strobes.  They come in two sizes: a 28″, which is great for 1 or 2 subjects, and the […]

The post Sid Ceaser’s Favorite Modifier: The Westcott Apollo appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 139879 Safe Lighting for Newborn Portraits https://westcottu.com/lighting-newborn-portraits https://westcottu.com/lighting-newborn-portraits#comments Wed, 18 Dec 2013 14:12:14 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=139864 This article is courtesy of premier newborn photographer Amber Scruggs of Little Moon Photography in Leesburg, Virginia.  I spent 3 years only shooting natural light, studio lights scared me. Once I got my studio as much as I love the natural light it gets, I do get nervous about really dark winter days around here […]

The post Safe Lighting for Newborn Portraits appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> https://westcottu.com/lighting-newborn-portraits/feed 1 139864 Behind-the-Scenes of Rick Nunn’s Goodbye Gravity Series https://westcottu.com/lighting-creative-portrait-apollo Tue, 17 Dec 2013 19:16:08 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=139845 This article on using the Apollo for creative lighting in a portrait is courtesy of photographer and designer Rick Nunn of Lincoln, England.  Photographer and designer Rick Nunn of Lincoln, England discusses his use of the Westcott 28″ Medium Recessed Apollo within a tight space for this image in his Goodbye Gravity series. It had […]

The post Behind-the-Scenes of Rick Nunn’s Goodbye Gravity Series appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 139845 Real Deal Review: The Apollo Strip https://westcottu.com/real-deal-review-apollo-strip Fri, 22 Nov 2013 14:02:47 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=139427 Roger Ridpath, a commercial and portrait photographer based in Kansas City, made this Real Deal Review after Westcott sent him an Apollo Strip. During this video, Roger illustrates step-by-step how to set up the Apollo Strip. The Westcott Apollo line of softboxes  are built on a umbrella-style frame, making set-up and tear down quick and […]

The post Real Deal Review: The Apollo Strip appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 139427 How to Control Reflection when Shooting Through a Window https://westcottu.com/using-perfect-pair-kit-window Mon, 21 Oct 2013 14:15:27 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=139279 Top Pro Elite Photographer Bob Davis heads to the streets of the big city to get great fashion shots in the rain and through a window. Shooting through a window can be a difficult task due to reflections. Correct lighting is essential. To achieve a great portrait, Bob Davis uses the Bob and Dawn Davis Perfect […]

The post How to Control Reflection when Shooting Through a Window appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 139279 Capturing Action Shots on a Budget https://westcottu.com/using-apollo-orb-create-action-photo Tue, 01 Oct 2013 14:37:03 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=139247 This Photography blog post using the Apollo Orb was originally written by Photographer, Charles Williams of Erudite Photography based in Ottawa, Canada. This photo shoot had to be one of the most inexpensive shoots I have had yet. The only thing I didn’t have, that I had to buy was baby powder for $5. Just […]

The post Capturing Action Shots on a Budget appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 139247 Using Flour and Speedlites for a Warehouse Photo Shoot https://westcottu.com/warehouse-photo-shoot-using-the-apollo-orb Tue, 27 Aug 2013 16:26:12 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=139156 The following lighting diagram and blog is courtesy of  photographer Taryn Truese of Art Factory Studios in Paterson, New Jersey. One of my favorite hobbies in photography is to “test” with new faces from agencies. I love being able to practice my skill and also contribute portraits to models with budding careers. I had just signed […]

The post Using Flour and Speedlites for a Warehouse Photo Shoot appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 139156 Review: Westcott X-Drop Backdrop System https://westcottu.com/review-westcott-x-drop-backdrop-system Fri, 28 Jun 2013 14:29:46 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=135087 White Backgrounds Seamless white backgrounds are a standard request for any portrait photographer. The client needs a clean, distraction free photograph that maybe suits their website or publication – often white. There are many different ways to do this, the standard tends to be seamless white paper, especially useful if you’re shooting full-length body. But […]

The post Review: Westcott X-Drop Backdrop System appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 135087 On-the-Go Lighting for Street Photography https://westcottu.com/lighting-on-the-go-bob-davis Tue, 11 Jun 2013 20:17:16 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=133304 Join Top Pro Elite Photographer Bob Davis as he heads to the streets of the New York City to during a rainy modern fashion photo shoot. Bob Davis uses the Bob and Dawn Davis Perfect Pair Kit by Westcott in this video, showing how versatile off-camera speedlite use can be. Chicago wedding photographer Bob Davis recognized his […]

The post On-the-Go Lighting for Street Photography appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 133304 Studio Lighting Fundamentals using a Mega Apollo https://westcottu.com/jim-schmelzer-studio-lighting Thu, 06 Jun 2013 22:25:51 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=133211 Westcott Top Pro Elite Photographer Jim Schmelzer teaches us different possibilities for Studio Lighting when shooting with the Westcott Mega JS Apollo.  Jim also uses a Westcott 6 in 1 reflector that acts as a fill light. In this video on studio lighting, Jim discusses the advantages of using either umbrellas or a softbox like […]

The post Studio Lighting Fundamentals using a Mega Apollo appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 133211 Real Deal Review: 50″ Mega Apollo Modifier https://westcottu.com/real-deal-review-50-mega-apollo-modifier Thu, 06 Jun 2013 22:04:48 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=133201 Watch Charles E. from New York as he reviews the 50″ Mega JS Apollo for this week’s Real Deal Review. The 50″ Mega Apollo is the largest in the Apollo Series and like the others is built on an umbrella shaft for easy opening and closing. Charles discusses what he likes about the light modifier […]

The post Real Deal Review: 50″ Mega Apollo Modifier appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 133201 Real Deal Review: Perfect Pair Light Modifier Kit https://westcottu.com/real-deal-review-perfect-pair-light-modifier-kit Fri, 08 Mar 2013 10:00:40 +0000 http://fjwestcott.com/?p=125275 Photographer Patrick F. from The Woodlands, TX reviews the Bob and Dawn Davis Perfect Pair Kit in this week’s Real Deal Review. The Perfect Pair Kit includes two lights.  The first light is the Medium Apollo, a light modifier that is built on an umbrella frame making it very easy to setup.  It measures 28″ […]

The post Real Deal Review: Perfect Pair Light Modifier Kit appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 125275 Seven Tips for Shooting with a Speedlite in a Softbox https://westcottu.com/shooting-with-a-speedlite-and-softbox Wed, 14 Nov 2012 08:31:36 +0000 http://fjwestcott.com/?p=124054 This article is courtesy of renowned photograpger and Westcott Top Pro Elite Rick Sammon of Rick Sammon Photography. Got a speedlite? Add a softbox and you are on your way to making some awesome portraits – without making a huge investment in lighting gear. All the photographs in this post were made with just one […]

The post Seven Tips for Shooting with a Speedlite in a Softbox appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 124054 Pet Photography Made Easier with the Apollo Orb https://westcottu.com/taryn-truese-pet-photography-feature-love-thy-pet Wed, 03 Oct 2012 12:50:58 +0000 http://fjwestcott.com/?p=123537 These pictures were taken at Love Thy Pet, a local community pet store in Brooklyn NY. Every year they give back to the community by offering Free Pet Photos.  I started taking pictures for them during their pet adoption days. If a person adopted a cat or dog, they would receive a free photo with their new pet that day. […]

The post Pet Photography Made Easier with the Apollo Orb appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 123537 Review: Westcott’s Medium Apollo with Grid https://westcottu.com/review-medium-apollo-with-grid Tue, 31 Jul 2012 15:40:37 +0000 http://fjwestcott.com/?p=122737 Over at the Kelby Media Group, they have an online show called D-Town TV. D-Town TV is a fresh approach to teaching camera tips and photographic techniques to today’s digital photographers with Rafael “RC” Concepcion and Larry Becker as its hosts. No matter what the skill level or interest, each episode covers a wide variety […]

The post Review: Westcott’s Medium Apollo with Grid appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 122737 Shooting Outdoors: Headshots in the park https://westcottu.com/shooting-outdoors-erik-valind-on-headshots-park Tue, 24 Jul 2012 13:38:09 +0000 http://fjwestcott.com/?p=121888 Shooting Outdoors Rocks When given the choice between shooting in a studio or shooting outdoors in the world, I’ll drag my camera gear and subject out that door any day of the week. The sheer volume of different backgrounds and locations can be overwhelming if you’re just starting out though. Thankfully every city out there […]

The post Shooting Outdoors: Headshots in the park appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 121888 Directing Speedlites for Portraiture https://westcottu.com/portrait-shoot-with-apollo-strip Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:41:19 +0000 http://fjwestcott.com/?p=121697 For this portrait shoot, Bob Davis had two speedlites in Group B manual mode 1/8th power with the flash heads manually zoomed to 200mm. One camera left and one camera right. The main speedlite was in Group A with the flash head manually zoomed to 200mm. The Apollo Strip is a light modifier used in […]

The post Directing Speedlites for Portraiture appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 121697 Using Apollo Orb to Control Light with Speedlites https://westcottu.com/jayce-clarke-using-apollo-orb-to-control-light-with-speedlites Mon, 16 Jul 2012 18:49:04 +0000 http://fjwestcott.com/?p=122394 Levels Aimed At: Simple lighting setup with a little practice. One light source (Key light), setup. Controlling background exposure to render your creative results. Anything I should know? Radio triggers that allow for AutoFP/High Speed Sync are needed. IR setups tend not to work At least 2 or 3 strobes. In Brief In this article […]

The post Using Apollo Orb to Control Light with Speedlites appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 122394 Portrait Shoot using an Apollo and Stripbanks https://westcottu.com/portrait-shoot-using-an-apollo Tue, 19 Jun 2012 13:43:50 +0000 http://fjwestcott.com/?p=121620 This portrait shoot by photographer Erik Valind is set up with a Westcott 50-inch Apollo as the main light source, and two 12″ x 36″ Pro Stripbanks acting as rim lights, coming in from the side. The 50″ Mega Apollo featured in this post is built on an umbrella frame making it very easy to […]

The post Portrait Shoot using an Apollo and Stripbanks appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 121620 Interview with Erik Valind on Environmental Portraits https://westcottu.com/interview-with-erik-valind-on-environmental-portraits Fri, 15 Jun 2012 15:23:48 +0000 http://fjwestcott.com/?p=121489 Commercial, portrait, and lifestyle photographer Erik Valind joins Henry’s TV host Mark Shannon on the Henry’s TV stage at Exposure Spring 2012 to share some tips and tricks on creating better environmental portraits as well as other tips on how to become a better photographer. Erik mentions the versatile Scrim Jim in this video as […]

The post Interview with Erik Valind on Environmental Portraits appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 121489 Outdoor Football Portrait using a Scrim Jim https://westcottu.com/outdoor-football-portrait Mon, 11 Jun 2012 15:56:36 +0000 http://fjwestcott.com/?p=121379 This lighting setup and final image was provided by photographer Jim Schmelzer.  Jim used the Westcott Medium Scrim Jim overhead his subject so that there were no shadows on the football player, and that he could completely control the light that reached his subjects.  Jim then used a 50″ Mega Apollo to fully light the […]

The post Outdoor Football Portrait using a Scrim Jim appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 121379 Behind the Portrait with Strobist Rick Nunn https://westcottu.com/behind-the-portrait-with-strobist-rick-nunn Fri, 25 May 2012 15:52:36 +0000 http://fjwestcott.com/?p=120051 This behind the portrait blog is courtesy of strobist photographer and design Rick Nunn. Last Saturday I headed to Tokyo to do a shoot for a friend. This first set up needed to be super dramatic so I had two on the left, one high one low, and a light behind on to some very […]

The post Behind the Portrait with Strobist Rick Nunn appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 120051 Behind the Scenes: Strobist Portraits in a Warehouse https://westcottu.com/rick-nunn-portrait-shoot-using-apollos Tue, 15 May 2012 14:06:59 +0000 http://fjwestcott.com/?p=119871 This article is courtesy of designer and strobist photographer Rick Nunn of Lincoln, England. It’s been a few weeks since I’ve done a lit portrait, so I text my friend Leah &  arranged something for today. I’ve had this location in mind for a while but hadn’t had the chance to use it. It was a […]

The post Behind the Scenes: Strobist Portraits in a Warehouse appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 119871 Understanding Catchlights https://westcottu.com/catchlights-round-vs-square Tue, 01 May 2012 14:49:11 +0000 http://fjwestcott.com/?p=119564 The specific shapes of light modifiers come into play in how they shape light and how we apply them to our subject or scene. If we zoom into the eyes of our subjects and take note of the shape of the catchlights we are creating, we can begin determining which shape of softbox is the […]

The post Understanding Catchlights appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 119564 Using Shoot-Through Photo Umbrellas https://westcottu.com/tog-tuesday-lighting-spill-differences Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:19:41 +0000 http://fjwestcott.com/?p=3378 Umbrella are a quick and easy - not to mention affordable - way to produce soft light. One of the main differences between an umbrella and a softbox though, is their ability to control where that soft light spills. Or more precisely where the light goes and where it doesn't. Lets walk through a couple different kinds of umbrellas and what kind of spill you can expect when using each.

The post Using Shoot-Through Photo Umbrellas appeared first on Westcott University.

]]> 118173