Manila and The Wells Fargo Coach

I've just returned for my trip to the Philippines, I was in Manila for a 3 day Small Strobes, Big Results workshop as well as a speaking engagement for Nikon.  Manila is a fascinating place, busy for sure! Traffic jams the likes I've never seen before, and a metro population of about 11 million people.

While in Manila, my host Tony Tan arranged for me to gain access to a roof top of Metro Bank in central Manila (Makati City).  Here are a few city views from that vantage point.

 Check out the Cemetery between the buildings. This the the South Manila Cemetery, strange site.

Here is one of the photo taken during the SSBR workshop.  I photographed Pamela Tan in this really cool old Wells Fargo Stage Coach.  The lighting was pretty straight forward.  2 Speedlights used, the key light was an SB-800 with barndoors attached and the second was straight flash to fill the inside of the coach.

Here is the final version with a bit of post processing.  Nik Color Efex Pro 2.

Shooting In Small Spaces

We all have to shoot in small office spaces from time to time.  A small office does not mean you can't create a photograph that has some mood to it.  I was shooting for a large energy company in Denver several years back and made this photo.

I used 3 lights for this shot. I had 2 lights with grids directed on the walls, one on the left wall and the other near the center of the wall behind my subject.  The third light, the main or key light was a small softbox feathered toward the lens. Feathering the light prevented filling the entire room with light and killing the effect of the grided light on the wall.  DT

Philippines Workshop

I'll be traveling to the Philippines in November for a special 3 day Small Strobes, Big Results workshop.  This workshop will be held at the famous Fernwood Gardens in Quezon City (Manila), Philippines.  This workshop will have plenty of hands on lighting and post production work as well.  The workshop will take place on Nov. 20-22, 2012.  For more information and booking a space, contact Pamela at sansedona@yahoo.com.

I'll also be giving a public presentation in Manila, sponsored by Nikon.  The location has not been announced yet, I'll let you know as soon as I know.  DT

New Mexico, Mentor Series Trek

We have a few more spaces available for this truly wonderful Mentor Series New Mexico Trek.  This 3 day workshop starts on October 5 and will end on the 7th, the weather this time of year in New Mexico is spectacular! We'll be shooting the very famous Balloon Festival with VIP access.  We'll also going to visit the Kasha-Kaluwe Tent Rocks National Monument.  This will truly be a photo opportunity of a lifetime!

Alexa

This past weekend was another SSBR workshop in Denver.  My model was a wonderful young lady named Alexa.  In this photo, I placed Alexa right next to an inside window.  I taped a sheet of ripstop nylon to the outside of the window, and shot my SB-800 through the nylon sheet.  

Here Alexa lit using one SB-800 fitted with a full cut CTO gel on the flash head, simulating late afternoon sunlight.  I projected the flash through a acetate I painted with patterned leafs, this produces a nice dapple effect on the wall.

In this last photo, Alexa put on a football uniform and I did a 4 light sports look.  The key light is a FourSquare™ with one SB-800, 2 SB-800's with grids fitted with a full CTO giving me some warmth on the kicker.  I have one last SB-800 directed on the wall just behind her.  DT

Lauren

Available light can be so beautiful!  My son Chris asked if I could take some photos of his girlfriend for her senior photos.  This is Lauren. I spent a few hours with the two of them shooting in various location close to home.  Her parents wanted a few shots around their home and I had a few locations in mind as well.

I took the above photo of Lauren on an enclosed patio at the Highlands Ranch Mansion which is close to my home.  There was an open arch on camera left and another to the rear and right.  Look like it was studio lit to me, sometimes you get really lucky with a location.

The photo above was shot under threatening skies, periodic showers would interrupt our scheduled shoot by my pond.  I placed an SB-800 back by the fence fitted with a full CTO gel on it to simulate late afternoon light. Lauren is lit by a FourSquare with a few SB-800's inside.

Here I placed Lauren on the shady side of a tree at the H.R. Mansion, Chris is holding the FourSquare on camera right.  My exposure is based on the ambient and then under exposed. The flash is used to pull the subject out of silhouette.

This last photo was taken with available light at her parents house.  An older daughter was photographed in the backyard and Lauren's mother wanted one shot there as well.  This is only the second Senior photo I've taken, both as favors.  I had a wonderful time photographing Lauren, Chris really like it as well.

I have a few more spaces available for my August 18th, Small Strobes, Big Results workshop.  For information in registration follow the following LINK.