Author Topic: YACF portrait workshop at my studio - 29th November 2015 (Read 9022 times)

Charlotte · « **on:** 04 November, 2015, 11:41:06 pm »

Speaking with Clarion last week, we mooted the possibility of my running a YACF beginners portrait workshop at some point. I've got a little rented studio in Perivale near where we live and I could probably manage to work with a group of 4-6 people to show some basic techniques, a bit of off-camera lighting and so on.

Not looking to charge for this, just for fun. Anyone interested?

[EDIT]

It's definitely on the 29th November. People confirmed as coming:

Andrij
Gerald
Jaded
Wombat
Clarion
Zipperhead

Wombat · « **Reply #1 on:** 05 November, 2015, 08:57:18 am »

Yes.

Your last two Instagram ones particularly impressed me, and I just thought, that Charlotte has got "it", whatever "it" is... Not about equipment, although the right equipment is obviously necessary.

For me, my weak points are about managing lighting, usually off camera "normal" flashguns, and actually posing and interacting with the model, which in my case is usually just a friend who happens to strike a pose I like, inspiring me to photograph it. There are several people I know that I'd like to take portrraits of because they are interesting, but I need a bit more confidence to carry it off.

My normal equipment is a Sony A77 (APS-C) and a couple of Metz flashguns including a dear old 45CLI, but I rarely use the flash because I'm not good with them.

Locatino is achievable, although I don't actually know where Perivale is. Timing, well I can always take a day off work, but I don't work Fridays anyway.

geraldc · « **Reply #2 on:** 05 November, 2015, 11:47:09 am »

Interested!

clarion · « **Reply #3 on:** 05 November, 2015, 04:53:46 pm »

Still interested!

Charlotte · « **Reply #4 on:** 05 November, 2015, 09:56:56 pm »

Quote from: Wombat on 05 November, 2015, 08:57:18 am

Your last two Instagram ones particularly impressed me, and I just thought, that Charlotte has got "it", whatever "it" is...

Persistence and luck, generally

Quote from: Wombat on 05 November, 2015, 08:57:18 am

Timing, well I can always take a day off work, but I don't work Fridays anyway.

Fridays would probably be good for me as Iris is in Nursery, but I think a weekend might suit Clarion and Gerald better. What say you guys?

Andrij · « **Reply #5 on:** 05 November, 2015, 10:03:32 pm »

Interested. Weekends if possible, please.

geraldc · « **Reply #6 on:** 05 November, 2015, 10:03:55 pm »

Weekend please, or weekday evening?

Jaded · « **Reply #7 on:** 05 November, 2015, 10:33:49 pm »

I'm shit at portraits. If the date suited I could come and be shit.

drossall · « **Reply #8 on:** 05 November, 2015, 10:51:08 pm »

Sounds interesting, depending on date. I'm slightly worse than Jaded. Weekday evenings can be tricky, but maybe Fridays.

Charlotte · « **Reply #9 on:** 05 November, 2015, 11:48:07 pm »

Sounds like we have enough people to make a go of it. I'm going to pitch a date and see what happens.

Sunday 29th November. Kick off at a civilised 11am, finishing up by 5pm?

Andrij · « **Reply #10 on:** 06 November, 2015, 08:14:14 am »

Sounds reasonable. Plus it gives me incentive to get home at a sensible time the night before.

I'm in.

geraldc · « **Reply #11 on:** 06 November, 2015, 10:05:44 am »

29th is good for me

mike · « **Reply #12 on:** 06 November, 2015, 10:33:32 am »

i think I'm away that weekend

if plans change and I can make it, I'd love to join in the fun. Will keep you posted, Charlotte.

davelodwig · « **Reply #13 on:** 06 November, 2015, 10:44:16 am »

Sorry to derail, but while portraits would be fun it's not something I find myself doing very often but if someone could what I'd really like is some help getting my brain around using the manual mode on my cameras I'm hopeless and I'm sure some sort of group session would sort this out once and for all. I'm sure there must be a handful of us on the forum in a similar position.

Just a suggestion, pretty please?

D.

Polar Bear · « **Reply #14 on:** 06 November, 2015, 11:08:10 am »

Quote from: davelodwig on 06 November, 2015, 10:44:16 am

Sorry to derail, but while portraits would be fun it's not something I find myself doing very often but if someone could what I'd really like is some help getting my brain around using the manual mode on my cameras I'm hopeless and I'm sure some sort of group session would sort this out once and for all. I'm sure there must be a handful of us on the forum in a similar position.

Just a suggestion, pretty please?

D.

A skillshare perhaps?

Ham · « **Reply #15 on:** 06 November, 2015, 11:25:29 am »

Knowing (?) your lighting setup uses a lot of flash I'd be fascinated to see how that works, I've only ever used lightboxen. Not sure I can make it over, even if I can, if there are too many I'll drop.

benborp · « **Reply #16 on:** 06 November, 2015, 02:43:43 pm »

I'm not sure if this is useful but I have three Bowens 500 heads, two soft boxes and some reflectors sitting unused in a storage unit in south London. I'd be happy for them to be used for the greater good while they are out of my reach. Depending on available space and how much equipment you already have available it might make more time available for shooting.

LEE · « **Reply #17 on:** 06 November, 2015, 02:47:28 pm »

Would love to but can't make it.

Maybe Session #2 in 2016???

Love the portraits in your portfolio (linked via your footer) Charlotte.

At some point I'll grab a really cheap umbrella/Soft-box setup from Ebay, plus another Yongnuo & Trigger. Just so I can grab some "proper" shots of friends and family over Christmas.

My conservatory has great light (if uncontrollable) so maybe I could even get away with a backdrop.

That would be a great topic for me (and other I bet) "Making the most of natural light for portraits"

clarion · « **Reply #18 on:** 06 November, 2015, 03:05:54 pm »

Quote from: Charlotte on 05 November, 2015, 11:48:07 pm

Sounds like we have enough people to make a go of it. I'm going to pitch a date and see what happens.

Sunday 29th November. Kick off at a civilised 11am, finishing up by 5pm?

In the diary. Important Qs:

1. Is there a cafe nearby?
2. Can The Little Duck come & play with your bairn?
3. Tea-making facilities at the studio?

Slightly more seriously (more serious than tea?!), following up on Lee's point, is there natural light at the studio? Or a chance to go outside, perhaps (maybe save that for a warmer day)? And would there be a chance (depends on numbers, I suppose) to have a go with our own basic gear to see how to make the best use of a simple set up?

Polar Bear · « **Reply #19 on:** 06 November, 2015, 03:30:10 pm »

Quote from: LEE on 06 November, 2015, 02:47:28 pm

Would love to but can't make it.

Maybe Session #2 in 2016???

See Long Itch 2016, September skillshare. See you there, perhaps?

Zipperhead · « **Reply #20 on:** 06 November, 2015, 03:40:54 pm »

Is there space for me to come along? I could stop off at the cake shop on the way*

* (with a view to bringing some, not eating them all**)

**((I'm not sure quite how well they would travel though***))

***(((still, if it looks like they are not good travellers, I could put them out of my misery)))

Aunt Maud · « **Reply #21 on:** 06 November, 2015, 03:43:10 pm »

Quote from: davelodwig on 06 November, 2015, 10:44:16 am

Sorry to derail, but while portraits would be fun it's not something I find myself doing very often but if someone could what I'd really like is some help getting my brain around using the manual mode on my cameras I'm hopeless and I'm sure some sort of group session would sort this out once and for all. I'm sure there must be a handful of us on the forum in a similar position.

Just a suggestion, pretty please?

D.

Well that's easy.

I use manual all the time, as I started off with a 5x4 Sinar and a spot meter.

I'd be happy to help and answer Q's, if you wish.

I'll start a thread.

davelodwig · « **Reply #22 on:** 06 November, 2015, 03:49:57 pm »

Quote from: Aunt Maud on 06 November, 2015, 03:43:10 pm

Quote from: davelodwig on 06 November, 2015, 10:44:16 am
Sorry to derail, but while portraits would be fun it's not something I find myself doing very often but if someone could what I'd really like is some help getting my brain around using the manual mode on my cameras I'm hopeless and I'm sure some sort of group session would sort this out once and for all. I'm sure there must be a handful of us on the forum in a similar position.

Just a suggestion, pretty please?

D.

Well that's easy.

I use manual all the time, as I started off with a 5x4 Sinar and a spot meter.

I'd be happy to help and answer Q's, if you wish.

I'll start a thread.

That's cool I'd probably find it easier in a workshop type thing to begin with because I just don't know where to start really, I'll have another play this weekend and try and work out what I want to ask.

D.

Aunt Maud · « **Reply #23 on:** 06 November, 2015, 05:05:47 pm »

Quote from: davelodwig on 06 November, 2015, 03:49:57 pm

That's cool I'd probably find it easier in a workshop type thing to begin with because I just don't know where to start really, I'll have another play this weekend and try and work out what I want to ask.

D.

https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=94115.0

Otto · « **Reply #24 on:** 06 November, 2015, 05:11:35 pm »

I'd be up for this if I can get a pass out from the Mrs