Environmental Photography Archives — Westcott University https://westcottu.com/topic/nature-environmental-photography Lighting Education for Photographers and Filmmakers Tue, 21 Mar 2023 20:05:05 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://westcottu.com/wp-content/uploads/icon-university.png Environmental Photography Archives — Westcott University https://westcottu.com/topic/nature-environmental-photography 32 32 How to Create Cross Lighting Like Joel Grimes https://westcottu.com/create-cross-lighting-like-joel-grimes Tue, 21 Aug 2018 14:55:48 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=151196 Renowned photographer and Canon Explorer of Light Joel Grimes is known for creating impeccably clean and stylized lifestyle portraits. His signature style of Rembrandt cross lighting involves feathering two light sources at different brightnesses onto his subject. Joel starts by placing his light sources opposite each other, parallel to his camera access. He then adjusts the […]

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]]> 151196 Creating Lifestyle Portraits with the Rapid Box Switch https://westcottu.com/creating-lifestyle-portraits-with-joel-grimes Thu, 07 Jun 2018 13:15:08 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=150989 Renowned photographer and Canon Explorer of Light Joel Grimes is known for creating impeccably clean and stylized commercial portraits. In this video tutorial, Joel utilizes the new with the and a single speedlite to fill in sunlight for beautiful lifestyle portraits. Typically, Joel shoots with strobes. But in this indoor location, Joel chooses to shoot […]

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]]> 150989 Lighting for Black and White Portraits https://westcottu.com/lighting-for-black-and-white-portraits Thu, 29 Mar 2018 16:55:30 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=150809 This article is courtesy of lifestyle photographer Jay Watson. It first appeared on Rangefinder. Using one big light source created three things for this black and white assignment for Bicycling magazine of road racer Peter Stetina: an evenly lit background, edge light, and contrast due to fall-off. Highlights and shadows give us a range of tones […]

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]]> 150809 Creating Cinematic Sports Photography https://westcottu.com/cinematic-photography-solix Wed, 15 Nov 2017 21:02:38 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=150507 Matt Hernandez began his career as an award-winning graphic artist in his home state of Kentucky. After discovering a passion for photography, Matt combined his experience in design with his appreciate of sports to create an amazing portfolio of cinematic and precise sports images that stand out. Now one of the country’s premier sports photographers, Matt has built a signature style of lighting that turns a standard team photo into an […]

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]]> 150507 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 […]

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]]> https://westcottu.com/photographing-kenya-kole-purdy/feed 1 148824 Environmental Portraiture vs. Location Portraiture https://westcottu.com/environmental-portraiture-vs-location-portraiture Thu, 05 Nov 2015 17:23:08 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=147985 In this informative article and video, New York environmental photographer Benny Migs discusses the differences between environmental portraits and location portraits. Environmental Portraiture I get this question a lot: “What is an environmental portrait”? Environmental portraits are taken of people in an environment that they live, work, rest, or play in. The environment helps tell […]

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]]> 147985 Maximize Your Senior Portrait Session https://westcottu.com/maximize-your-senior-portrait-session Wed, 14 Oct 2015 16:05:16 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=147937 As part of Summit Online‘s team of photography instructors, Westcott Top Pro Matt Hernandez takes a senior portrait session outdoors to offer tips on capturing professional images for your clients. A key to a successful senior portrait session is to maximize your time in each location. By taking a variety of images in each spot, you can […]

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]]> 147937 How to Overpower the Sun with Only 1 Softbox https://westcottu.com/overpower-the-sun-with-the-rapid-box-duo Mon, 14 Sep 2015 17:59:19 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=147875 While shooting on a roof top in Ottawa, Canada, Top Pro lifestyle photographer Justin Van Leeuwen experiments with diffusion and modification options to best overpower the sun to capture the best portraits of his client. First, Justin uses a with a . This method is super simple way to tame harsh sunlight, creating a soft, […]

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]]> 147875 Real Deal Review: Quick Portraits with the Rapid Box Duo https://westcottu.com/real-deal-review-rapid-box-duo Thu, 28 May 2015 18:04:54 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=147499 Chillicothe, Ohio photographer Matt Dat reviews the Westcott Rapid Box Duo speedlite modifier in the latest Real Deal Review. The Rapid Box Duo is an easy-to-use speedlite modifier for photographers that features a fully-adjustable speedlite bracket for up to 2 speedlites. This bracket is mounted to the rear of the softbox, allowing for line-of-site triggering […]

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]]> 147499 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 […]

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]]> 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 […]

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]]> 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 […]

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]]> https://westcottu.com/location-lighting-with-lindsay-adler/feed 1 141624 Creating a Summer Portrait In Studio with Jim Schmelzer https://westcottu.com/summer-portrait-in-studio-with-jim-schmelzer Wed, 03 Sep 2014 03:38:26 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=141617 Have you ever wanted to create a warm, summer portrait in unfavorable weather conditions? Photographers, especially those living in northern climates, often can not go outdoors in all seasons to capture images with beautiful backdrops or sunny lighting. Master Craftsman portrait photographer Jim Schmelzer set out to create a summer-themed portrait in the dead of winter in […]

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]]> 141617 Environmental Portraiture with Andrew Tomasino https://westcottu.com/environmental-portraits-andrew-tomasino Wed, 30 Jul 2014 13:29:44 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=141496 This article is courtesy of Pennsylvanian portrait photographer Andrew Tomasino.   When I’m not photographing I take part in a new passion of mine; Jiu Jitsu. In specific, 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu with some of the nicest, coolest guys that I’m lucky to now call my friends. The person you see below is one of […]

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]]> 141496 Craig Beckta Reviews the 35″ Zeppelin https://westcottu.com/craig-beckta-reviews-35-zeppelin Wed, 23 Jul 2014 19:26:08 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=141458 Halifax portrait photographer Craig Beckta reviews the Westcott Zeppelin Deep Parabolic softbox and the Zeppelin Speedring Bracket for an outdoor portrait session. The Zeppelin softbox is available in 35 (shown here), 47, and 59 inch models. All feature a deep parabolic construction which creates stunning even, wrap-around light output. Each Zeppelin Para Softbox is equipped with high-quality construction and […]

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]]> 141458 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 […]

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]]> 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 […]

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]]> 141252 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 […]

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]]> 139964 Painting with Light https://westcottu.com/painting-with-light Tue, 11 Jun 2013 19:01:08 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=133283 Adobe Creative Director, Russell Brown, shows us how he produced a beautiful image in Death Valley painting with light and using only the . Painting with light is one of many applications you can use the Ice Light for in photography or video. Throughout the video, Russell also mentions some of the best settings to […]

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]]> 133283 Bruce Dorn: Portraits with Speedlites (Part 5) https://westcottu.com/bruce-dorn-on-speedlites-5 Tue, 23 Oct 2012 09:05:16 +0000 http://fjwestcott.com/?p=123669 Explorer of Light and Westcott Top Pro Elite Bruce Dorn has been teaching Speedlite techniques around the country for years through Canon Live Learning and his own workshops. With the Canon Digital Learning Center’s exclusive tutorials series on Environmental Portraits with Speedlites, now an even larger amount of photographers can watch and learn. The series was designed […]

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]]> 123669 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. […]

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]]> 123537 The Art of Portrait Photography: Part 4 https://westcottu.com/the-art-of-portrait-photography-part-4 Tue, 25 Sep 2012 09:25:55 +0000 http://fjwestcott.com/?p=123255 Environmental Portraits Posing singer Melissa Phillippe in front of her piano adds context and helps create a portrait that reflects her passions. Shooting form a position above the subject has a slimming effect on the face, neck and body and can be a very flattering option when photographing women. Notice how her body is angled […]

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]]> 123255 Diffuse Light and Alter Light using the Scrim Jim https://westcottu.com/diffuse-light-and-alter-light-using-the-scrim-jim Wed, 29 Aug 2012 14:16:30 +0000 http://fjwestcott.com/?p=123164 Erik Valind, Professional Photographer and Westcott Top Pro, talks about his favorite product—the Westcott Scrim Jim. He walks you through how he uses each of the Scrim Jim panels to diffuse light and alter light in his shoots. The Scrim Jim allows photographers to use diffusion panels, reflectors, black blocks and even black netting to […]

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]]> 123164 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 […]

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]]> 121888 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 […]

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