Tag: adorama

One Overhead Lighting Set Up

It’s always a challenge to keep things fresh and new in Gavin’s small home studio and sometimes that means taking it back to basics. The difference between just a small movement in the light can be really marked.

The flooring is our old recently replaced decking (up-cycling at it’s best) I think it really adds to the mood for this shoot with the awesome Sophie Daly, model and make up artist extraordinaire.

In this video Gavin changes the softbox and shows the dramatic differences. What’s the best shot? Well, that’s totally up to you.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyRWOk1_BVY[/youtube]

3 Window looks for Portraits

Incorporating windows into your photo’s can look amazing if you know how. In this video Gavin shows three ways to create very different images.

We shot at a beautiful manor house in Rowfant, West Sussex. The location is stunning but on the day we were there (a January winter day) it was icy cold.

Jade Lyon, our wonderful 1920’s style model, was a total star and never complained about the cold. She also styled herself, including her accessories. While Sophie Daly, our fabulous make up artist, and myself were bundled up with coats and scarves, poor Jade and Gavin shared a heater and a hot water bottle between takes!

Check out the video here.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHFRFK2CIqE[/youtube]

Tudor Style Flash to Candle Light

After having a recce at the amazing Rowfant House we knew that a Tudor style theme would work really well.

It also gave me a great excuse to hire a costume from a nearby theatre costume hire place based in the grounds at The Chequer Mead Theatre. The ladies running the place were super helpful and loved the prints I gave them when I returned the outfit.

To make the headpiece I used an off cut of velvet fabric and the cardboard box my kitchen knives came in! Adding the lace and pearls really made it look the part, thank goodness for the glue gun! I also added a length of elastic which helped keep a good shape once it was in place.

As you can see it’s not always glamorous to be a model! The dress was far too large so we adjusted the fit using clamps (a studio must have). Our fabulous model Jade is also carrying a hot water bottle (the gray thing she’s holding) as it was very cold inside the manor house. Jade was a trooper and never complained about the cold, bless her.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1MFgB6D2aQ[/youtube]

Best Position for your Softbox

It’s really easy to get stuck in a rut of setting up exactly the same lighting for every shoot. It’s a comfort, you know what result you get.

Check out Gavin’s video to show the difference a shift in the softbox can make to your images.

It’s good to try something new!

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiDcuKhnao0[/youtube]

Secret Portrait Shoot Picture Palace

Sam here and we’re back with another Secret shoot!!! If you don’t know what that is let me explain. I  arrange a shoot that Gavin knows nothing about, he will just turn up to shoot. No planning, no research, a real challenge, as he is someone who is organised and likes to plan as much as possible beforehand.

I booked a unique cinema in a shepherds hut in Chichester called The Picture Palace

The venue had been recommended to me by one of our photographer workshop attendees Andrew. In fact he helped out on the day, just so happens we both managed to stay mostly out of shot!

I booked Fern as our model, I knew she would be perfect for a sassy vintage screen goddess look. She totally got it straight away. I thoroughly enjoyed getting the outfit together, it’s the little touches that can really matter. By the way that dress is amazing, perks of the job as I wore it Christmas day! (didn’t look quite the same with a pinny on too….)

Gavin had to get his creative mind working fast to bag some awesome shots before our booked time slot was up. The space was very limited and with gear (remember we also have all the video gear too) and the seats in place the challenge was very real. I loved the shots, they were what I had imagined and more.

Check out the video here.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUJvQ54v2z4[/youtube]

2018 Video round up.

This year has sped past at a rapid rate. It’s been an awesome year for photography. We’ve been to some amazing places and worked and met with some fantastic people.
Here’s just a few highlights.

We shot 3 video’s in this series. A from start to finish step by step. The weather was ‘interesting’ on the day, the crew were made of stern stuff and we all enjoyed a proper Italian hot chocolate in the studio after we finished shooting!

    This was a fun shoot with Liam, who we have known forever! Great shots as he got totally in character (and added some comic clips too).

    It’s always a blast when If-E comes to visit. We put the world to rights with copious amounts of tea and shoot some wicked photos!

    Honestly had the hardest job to narrow down the choice to just a few, each video shoot has been a pleasure. Catch all of this years Adorama shoots here https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL821B7D720DEA39FA

    Thanks to everyone that’s been with us and watched and commented. Here’s to an amazing 2019!

    Secret Portrait Shoot

    People often ask Gavin where he gets inspiration or how he stays motivated, a really good question. For my part, I try and come up with ideas and suggestions and this one was something that Gavin really liked the idea of.

    I suggested that I could arrange a shoot that he knows nothing about, he will just turn up to shoot. No planning, no research, a real challenge as he is someone who is organised and likes to plan as much as possible beforehand.

    I have wanted to arrange a shoot at the beautiful Forest Garden at Shovelstrode. Beautiful woodland, a large pond, amazing yurts and cabins, there’s a lot to love here. Lisa and Charles, the owners, were so accommodating and helpful. We were very fortunate to have amazing weather on the day of the shoot, even though it was October!

    Here’s a few behind the scenes photo’s and one of my favourite images from the shoot.

    Here’s a teaser, the full video will be out on AdoramaTV Thursday the 8th of November.

    Hopefully this will be the first of a series of Secret Portrait Shoots.

    [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Wbi79meS5g[/youtube]

    Scary Halloween Basement Shoot

    When Kerry said she was available for a shoot, even though it was only August, we knew it should be a Halloween shoot. Not sure why but most of the models, make up artists and quite a lot of photographers love this theme!

    Despite the scary look, this was such a fun shoot. Also the first time I’ve had to clear up blood drops and splatters from the studio walls and floor, thank goodness all fake!!

    [youtube]https://youtu.be/ScVEJfBzOJ4[/youtube]

    As you’ll see in the video, the blood used was tried out first. The one used for the closest skin contact, especially on the bandages close to Kerry’s eye, was homemade. I used a mix of runny honey, a little cornflour and some red food colour gel. As it was edible and Kerry likes honey!

     

    Make Up, Quick vs Quality

    We started working with make up artists several years ago for our portrait shoots. It really opened our eyes to how much make up can change the look of your shots.

    Some themes and styled shoots can benefit dramatically from the services of a good make up artist. In this video Gavin takes shots firstly with a quick make up coverage and then repeats the shoot after a more stylised make up look has been applied.

    Our model, Beth Smith and make up artist, Sophie Daly help to show the difference achieved. Gavin gives hints and tips on how to get the most from working with a great make up artist.

    [youtube]https://youtu.be/kVFcQ5mGgdY[/youtube]

    Here’s some of the basic coverage make up shots.

    A few of the shots after the more dramatic make up was applied.

     

    Home Studio to Mini Music Venue

    It’s always fun when we get IF-E in the studio and this video was no exception. Gavin likes to push the boundaries and overcome the limitations of working in the same small space and this was another cracking example.

    Some great lighting and obviously the smoke machine provide the right vibe for IF-E to bang out some lyrics and attitude (he’s great at that!).

    The set up started with just one light progressing through to adding further lights for a variety of looks. The addition of smoke gives a different mood to the shots, as the smoke moves and dissipates the look changes.

    Check out the video to see the entire shoot.

    [youtube]https://youtu.be/yTnaLcGhZhg[/youtube]

     

    Here’s a Behind The Scenes of the final set up.

    Here’s a few of my favourites from the set.