Hey Friends,
In the last year, many of you have messaged me about workshops, classes, or DVDs. I’m happy to announce that I’m doing two 2-day workshops next month in Los Angeles on February 25th and 26th. Unlike most workshops, I’m not going to just recite technical information at you. I believe the best way to learn is through experience and the best way to teach is through guidance. This is an advanced class in which you will learn every step that goes into a commercial grade composite photograph by actually creating one with your own camera and computer.
Day One. Shooting.
After brainstorming location ideas, we will start by shooting our background assets (the road, sky, buildings, smoke…). After a lunch break, we will discuss lighting rudiments, perspective and shooting for compositing in studio. Finally, we will all photograph our model. Model, styling, makeup, professional lighting equipment, beer, notes, dinner and friendship will be provided. Shooting with your own camera is recommended, but a 5d Mark ii will be provided if needed.
Day Two. Post.
We will go through all the post process in Photoshop together. We will start by creating a perfect selection (down to the last strand of hair) of our model, then we will make our background from the assets shot the day before.
After lunch, we will merge everything together and spend the next few hours perfecting with some essential final touches. At the end of the weekend, you will have a robust understanding of lighting and compositing in a realistic and/or entertaining way.
Synopsis
1st day – Shooting Assets:
1. Perfective
2. Depth
3. Bracket Bracket Bracket
Lighting:
1. Watch your shadow placement. Study the painters.
2. Learn Rembrandt and Butterfly style key lights
3. Fill light – never use fill or shadow/highlight in Photoshop again!
4. Rim, background and separation light
5. Lighting with “intention”
Direction:
1. Tips and tricks to connect with your model and avoid looking too posey.
2. The importance of styling and makeup.
3. Adding elements of chaos for realism
Shooting:
1. Backgrounds
2. Model in studio
3. Dust, smoke, steam, fire, hair and other assets
2nd Day – Post Process/Photoshop:
1. Effective image selection
2. Effective asset selection
3. Perspective and perspective shift
4. Selection and masking
5. Absolutely perfect hair “cut out” without using lame plugins (this is how the pros do it).
6. Non-destructive retouching (clone, healing brush, multiply, clone, and skin)
7. Accurate Shadow placement
8. Smoke, dust, fire and wind.
9. Depth mattes
10. Gradient Effects
11. Depth haze and depth of field
12. Tyndall effect and smoke
13. Final touches (depth mattes and real flares created in studio with strobes)
Details:
Los Angeles Workshop
February 25th-26th, 10am-7pm
Trumbo+Flynn Studio
Downtown LA
937 East Pico Blvd
Los Angeles Ca, 90021
Cost: This extensive 2 day class is $450. Each class is limited to 10 people so I can focus with everyone one on one. Spots fill up quickly! To sign up, message me or call me at 916 742 8009. ONLY 4 SPOTS LEFT (as of feb 1st 2011)
Please note: This is an advanced class, so knowledge of Photoshop (levels, multiply and screen layers, selection tools and layer masks), studio lighting and an understanding of camera mechanics (iso, shutter speed and aperture) are required.
Looking forward to seeing you at our next workshop!
Thanks so much!
Rian
This is the image we will be creating in Los Angeles (the Nashville workshop will have a downtown Nashville theme)
Here it is right out of camera:
Here is some student work using the information learned from my past workshops:
by Matt Leitholt
by Casey Moore
