DVD Suggestions

[PEC]

Looks like business is picking up... which translated means, I will be spending a lot of time in airplanes the next several weeks.

I am looking for good dvds i can load up on my iPad and watch while flying.

Focus: Portraiture, posing & lighting for singles, couples or families.

Suggestions?

[PEC]

no suggestions? :( I have the strobist set, but i'd like to listen to another voice besides David's... I really like them but would like some on posing etc... as well as the technical part of speedlights off camera.

Thanks!

[groovyone]

People may be confused with this in the showcase section. I'll move it to equipment talk and it may get more views.

I have the McNally DVDs also and liked them. Many say the Arias One-Light series is the way to go. I still need to check that one out myself.

[Sonny]

Zack Arias's OneLight DVD is a must watch!

OneLight DVD • Photography By Zack Arias


Then I would also suggest:

David Hobby - Strobist Lighting Seminar DVD Box Set

Joey L - Sessions With Joey L


If you have access to WiFi then Kelby Training is a good way to go also.

Calvin Hollywood - Edgy Photography: From Photo Shoot to Photoshop
Jeremy Cowart - On Location Photography with Jeremy Cowart Part 1 & Part 2
Frank Doorhof - Freeze Motion Photography & Why Fake It When You Can Create It
Joe McNally - Setup and Shoot: Location Lighting for Challenging Situations & Lighting for Environmental Portraits

These are just a few Kelby suggestions.

[groovyone]

Sonny, is it best to buy that one direct or can we get it through Amazon/B&H/Adorama?

Still need to watch my Hobby ones more.

[KenJulio]

Zach Arias One Light DVD is excellent, the first disk he talks about gear and some basic fundamentals. The 2nd he's shooting and explaining while being chased.

[MyKey]

So far all that are mentioned are all wireless flash stuff (like our new TriCoast 2 disk DVD set on TTL wireless as well as mixing TTL and Manual modes together) but if you want portraiture and classic lighting styles check out Don Chick and his DVD sets. While pricey it really hits home with the basics of lighting, posing and how to use studio softboxes.

Don Chick - Portrait Education

Don writes articles on standard but what seems to be lost on the new photographer - basic posing and lighting tips inside the studio for the PPA Magazines on a regular basis. Surely not as exciting as outside running around with wireless flash units but if your going to get into studio stuff posing is so much more important - little things can make or break your portrait from being a snapshot with studio lights to a professional portrait.

[PEC]

Wow, looked at the price of Don's videos. I guess I just thought the Stobist videos were expensive :)

[groovyone]

I have a bunch of posing books to start looking at but haven't gotten to them. I do better seeing stuff in action so I may have to take a look at those Don Chick DVDs.

[David Whatley]

Originally Posted by MyKey

Don writes articles on standard but what seems to be lost on the new photographer - basic posing and lighting tips inside the studio for the PPA Magazines on a regular basis. Surely not as exciting as outside running around with wireless flash units but if your going to get into studio stuff posing is so much more important - little things can make or break your portrait from being a snapshot with studio lights to a professional portrait.

MyKey, just to make sure, are you saying that posing is more important in the studio and not as important on location? Surely you are NOT saying that?
Now I do know that in some instances, like a wedding or journalistic shots you dont have time to pose, but otherwise why wouldnt you take the time to pose someone correctly? And from your work I know you always do take the time, I just want to clarify what you are saying.
Here is an example. This shot was done in the studio but could have been done anywhere. Just the basic person laying on their side. But whose hand is that? Do we have a visitor from the Adams Family? Just an example here of what not to do. I blew it in this one shot and overlooked it, but corrected it for the following shots. So to me, posing is ALWAYS important, no matter where you are shooting.

[MyKey]

No Posing is EVERYTHING then Lighting

What I was trying to say is in the studio posing and lighting are more important since there is nothing else to add to the mix in the photos to take away from the bad posing and lighting with PS effects as so many do outside.

When a photographer that is only or mostly an outside shooting gets into the studio they will find themselves humbled since so many of the little things come into play.

Studio Photography is like playing Golf - it is easy to do but hard to be good at. It takes practice and understanding and paying attention to the little things. The little things in the studio make a HUGE difference in photography just a lot more inside the studio than outside (at least I feel so).

Hope that explains it more David and thanks for the post love the input!

[David Whatley]

LOL, got ya. I thought we agreed, but wanted to double check and also to make sure others didnt mis understand. And yes, your right. On location you may have things that compete for your attention when looking at a photo that keeps you from noticing as quickly or at all, that the posing is off, but not so in the studio.
I had a model one time laughing really hard at me because I can be so anal on posing and lighting, but she let me get the shots I wanted. Then she wanted to do a set where " she moved" using only one light and wanted me to just "shoot away" So we did.
After seeing the proofs, she said she loved the ones with the single light and her "moving" but wanted to do them again, and she would let me "pose her" this time

[PEC]

I ran across Kirk Voclain's dvds and his website Pro4um. Is anyone familiar with this site? He charges an annual fee (not cheap) to be a part of the forum but it includes the videos etc... I just don't know about the value of the site for the dollars. Thoughts?

[MyKey]

Been a member of Pro4Um almost as long as I have here. Great people, very professional and most likely worth it if your in to or wanting to be in to studio portraits and seniors. Though I enjoy this forum more for the sheer enjoyment of photography (thats a personal statement not a mod statement)

Kirk knows his posing VERY WELL and while I have not seen his new DVD yet I am sure it will be worth it, especially if your into seniors. His work is some of the best in the country in this area.

[Tom]

KenJulio sold me lighting in layers a few months ago. It is still on my desk from that day and hasn't been touched, but I am sure it is fantastic.