Lighting Workshops for Students of Photography

Once in a while a great opportunity comes along that is just too inviting to pass up. That opportunity is just a click away. As a former design engineer for the Vivitar Corp. in the mid-seventies, that's yes, around 1977, the year Star Wars premiered. I had the special opportunity to develop what is now referred to as Off-Camera Flash.

This experience plus 20 years of teaching photography and lighting at the college level, and beginning my career as a lighting gaffer for NBC, have given me a very unique perspective about photographic lighting. It is this opportunity to learn through a hands on approach, that I offer; both in my new book, "Creative OCF Lighting Techniques for Photographers", and through the experiential medium of my Photographic Lighting Workshops.

Whether you want to create a stunning head-shot in an environmental set or pull back to set the scene, the lighting tools I help you define are designed to go anywhere. The example images here will give you a overview of the techniques I teach.

My Lighting Workshops are designed to provide a hands-on set of experiential tutorials, where you learn by doing. See a full description of a typical Lighting Workshop below.

As we continue the adventure of looking through example pull back photos from my Photographic Lighting Workshops, you may notice, that a repeating theme emerges. Three and four point lighting with off-camera flash. This technique is fully explained in my new book, "Creative OCF Lighting Techniques for Photographers", and is available as a beautifully illuminated, Coffee Table Book.

Testimonial by Jeff Tonniges, “Wow is this book worth the money.”
“I almost want to put on white gloves while looking through it. I don't want to smudge anything it is so gorgeous and beautifully done. I will proudly place this on our coffee table as a piece of art, really. It really will spruce up the interior design of the place. And just looking through it quickly so far, I am completely excited to soak up some of your wisdom and inspiration.”

Over five years ago, I created a Meet-Up group, Photographic Lighting Workshops, and have taught 40 plus workshops since 2011. If you would be interested in joining our group of over 600 members, follow this link, Photographic Lighting Workshops, and join us at a Lighting Workshop. You will be sure to learn exciting OCF Lighting Techniques and meet new friends.

The Power of Light - Hands-on Experiential Lighting Workshops

Online Tutorials can instruct and inspire. However, unless you experience setting the lighting, and seeing the results first hand, you will not retain the technique. Join me for a full day of experiential learning and come away with new skills. David Lloyd, CPP

Beginning and seasoned photographers alike are faced with the same challenges when it comes to addressing glare, shadows and full or partial sun.  Learn how to easily tame the environment.

In this hands on Lighting Workshop you will be introduced to the skill set you will need to shoot successfully in any outdoor situation; by providing you with a good working knowledge and understanding of successful lighting techniques.

Special Note: I have recently published a new book on Off Camera Flash. This book contains detailed diagrams and photos, including all of the techniques presented in my workshops and is a great reference manual for off-camera flash.

a brief description of what to expect from a typical workshop day.

The day will be divided into short, practical segments so you can easily apply the tips and techniques during the workshop and when you need them for your own assignments.

You will learn how to work with single and multiple reflectors, diffusers and speed lights, giving you the command to put the lighting where you want it.

You will come away with a clear understanding of the tools and techniques available to you to master any location lighting situation.

You will stretch your imagination to see in a different way and come away with a solid experience base in outdoor lighting.

Such as: How to photograph a beautiful portrait when all you have is direct sun and no shade.

1. Controlling the Light  
Understanding light direction and quality.
Understanding the classical lighting patters of the old world masters.  
Exploring the creative use of shadows.

2. Controlling your Depth of Field  
What lens and what aperture to use.  
Turning the background into out of focus shapes, forms and colors, with a shallow depth of field.

3. Facial positions and posing.  
Sculpting the facial features with light.  
Setting the mood with expression, camera angle and diagonal posing.

4. Natural and Augmented Lighting  
Looking for light direction.   
Looking for light quality.
Creating three directions of light for dimensional lighting.

In this beautiful outdoor setting near Woods Canyon Lake, our model, Gabrielle Arcilla poses for an environmental portrait. The lighting setup is my classical three-point surround. Main light to left or right of the camera position, hair light opposite the main light and the fill light close to the optical viewpoint of the camera. Note: The fill light is set low, so that it will be close to the optical axis of the camera, as I wanted to include the golden Aspen leaves in the portrait, which required a low camera angle. Then I asked Gabrielle to lean forward slightly to compensate for the camera angle.

In the resulting photo, the portrait looks natural and is not over-lit, blending well with the surroundings and the Aspen leaves make for an interesting backdrop. Stay tuned in to my Meetup site and join us for the next OCF Lighting Workshop.