Tag: photography training

Creative ideas at home

With the current restrictions on getting out and about, I reckon it was a good time to share some of Gavin’s creative video’s. Some of the items you may have at home, some things may make you think outside the box to create! Hopefully there’s will give you some hints and a prod to get up and try something new!

If you use any of the tips and ideas, we’d love to see the results! Tag Gavin in on any of his social media pages. Most importantly stay home, stay safe 🙂

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GxRwBxc8-8[/youtube]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AkeFMzn_u8[/youtube]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mXg7-Juvrc[/youtube]

Making A Rustic High Key Background

When Gavin decided he wanted to shoot high key portraits in a very small space he wanted to a background that was a little different for the usual pure white seamless look. So I was tasked with creating a more rustic looking light background and I do love a challenge!

To keep cost down the plan was to re-use Gavin’s favourite grey paper background that had seen better days. I took a sample of the long roll of grey paper and tried out a few methods. Originally I was convinced a chalk coating would be perfect. Well, it looked pretty good but took quite a bit of elbow grease and loads of chalk. But the huge downside was that it smudged and dusted everything in a layer of chalk dust! Not ideal, so back to the drawing board (literally).

I have loads of white paint (most walls are white in the house) so thought a rough coating of paint would be worth a try out. Now, paper and wet paint would not be a great combination, the paper would change shape and be difficult to work with, so I used a dry brushing technique. This is where you dip the paint brush in the paint and then wipe off the excess on kitchen paper towels and then paint what’s left onto the background. This means that it goes on practically dry and doesn’t cause the paper to buckle. Perfecto!

We shot a time lapse, I think it makes me look like I work really quickly and efficiently!! The camera never lies…………
[youtube] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9OBWOy_Eng [/youtube]

The shoot day was brilliant. We worked with Gracie for the first time, she totally got the idea and it all worked like a charm with the background.

Bonnie & Clyde Styled Secret Shoot

This has to be one of my favourite shoots to date!

I arranged this as a secret portrait shoot, so Gavin was only told the date in advance.

It started when Mike, the fantastic car owner, mentioned he had a Ford V8, the same model as Bonnie and Clyde stole and used frequently. 

The models were my next priority. Brian is always amazing, he gets totally in character when we do themed shoots, so he had to be booked for this! I thought Sophie had the right look but wasn’t sure whether character modelling was her thing. Luckily she totally went for it as soon as I asked. The two know each other from previous workshops, so the chemistry was spot on and they both got totally absorbed in their characters!

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jny93xzVOIQ[/youtube]

Although I didn’t want to make guns a big part of this shoot, I felt they needed to be present to add the mood. We were very lucky to be able to use replica guns on loan by Ash, who collects all sorts of amazing military props and costumes. He stayed on hand to ensure we stayed safe at all times.

The location was a source of head scratching for me. I felt we needed a choice of backdrops and plenty of space. We’ve  used The Gatwick Aviation Museum for many shoots and workshops over the years, they were more than happy to accommodate us for this, tick location booked!

I styled this on a budget, boot sale bargains and charity shop buys for the most part. I splurged on a new hat for Brian and a vintage Kodak No. 2 folding Brownie camera (it’s beautiful).

Luckily the day stayed dry, despite the threatened rain in the forecast. In fact it got very sunny and warm. Gavin was thoroughly surprised and recovered enough to capture some awesome photo’s!

Watch out for some extra footage and BTS to come……

GEAR LIST

Olympus E-M1 Mark ii 
Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro 
Glow ParaPop 28″ Softbox
Flashpoint Xplor600 Flash 
CHAUVET Hurricane 1200 Fog Machine 

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]

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]

A 2018 Photo Shoot Round Up

As well as a load of video tutorial photo shoots we’ve also had some great location workshops this year. I have everything crossed that we have some more amazing places to see next year as well as working with the most fantastic bunch of people both sides of the camera!

Here’s just a few highlights of 2018.

Shooting in Gloucester prison was cold but fascinating. Thanks to Olympus UK we got to spend a few hours there with some very willing inmates!

Check out the blog here. https://www.gavtrain.com/?p=6085

We packed up the Faded Circus workshop for the last time in September. It’s been great fun working with our brilliant team on this the last 2 years. I’m sure the props and costumes with be repurposed and upcycled for future shoots as we have rather a lot now!

Take a look at a few images taken on the day by the attendees. https://www.gavtrain.com/?p=5956

Gods Own Junkyard in Walthamstow was a eclectic neon palace! We had a great time here with Olympus and a select bunch of people who were quick enough to bag a place. Working for the first time with the most awesome Meg Biffin who brought her unique look and wicked sense of style to this shoot.

Farewell 2018. Roll on 2019!

The Making Of My Festive, Fine Art Background

Check out the video below where Gavin shares how he made this festive background. If you’re short on time use the one he already created here

We hope you enjoy the video and get the chance to try out the technique with your own spin on it!

If you missed it, here’s the video of the shoot we created this template for.

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.