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Advanced Flash Course
Advanced Flash Course
I don’t usually attend the classes offered by Henry’s Camera in Toronto. Not for any particular reason, as photography is a never ending learning experience. It’s just a bit of a drive to get there from Oakville, so it usually takes something extra to get my interest.
Well, something interesting turned up. A fellow Oakville photographer, Michael Willems, teaches classes there and he mentioned on Facebook that he would be having a Match 19th class with David Honl. David Honl, is the creator of a very ingenious (and successful) line of light modifiers for small flashes. Companies have attempted to duplicate his ideas by releasing slightly modified versions, but David’s products just keep innovating and holding a significant lead. I use David products and drop by his website fairly often, as well as maintaining a facebook friendship (Is that a usable term now?).
So, off I went to Henry’s in downtown Toronto (119 Church Street). Their training facilities are within the store itself, but in a separate room and quite nice. There is a shooting area in the back and presentation area in the front. I’m told they have other training facilities there, but this is the only one I have experienced. This was also in the professional area of the store, there was a smorgasbord of temptation, just outside the room. I only avoided an expensive shopping spree, but the demands of my dinner guest for food.
The course itself was very well done. Micheal is an excellent presenter and the slides flowed well with the concepts he was trying to express. This was an advanced course, but I didn’t get the feeling that any of the students were overwhelmed or felt out of their depth with the material. Some attendees had traveled from as far as Ottawa for this course. I rather enjoyed the course and liked that the technical aspects we explained, so we could understand them and then go one to actually taking pictures. It’s very similar to how I teach my courses.
The course flowed through the basic technical information into ideas for implementing it within your photography. At the end, both Micheal and David Honl shot a couple of lucky victims from the audience while explaining the logic and creativity behind how they were using the lighting. I thought it had a powerful impact as it really showed how some impressive work can be created without a lot of complexity or getting in the way of the creativity.
I really enjoyed my time on Saturday in the course and will be keeping my eye open for some more of Micheal’s advanced courses.
You can see more of his work on his website here on www.michaelwillems.ca.
His various courses and seminars are described here on www.cameratraining.ca.
His blog of all things photographic is here on www.speedlighter.ca.
David Honl’s personal website is here on www.davidhol.photoshelter.com
His fantastic light modifiers, which I highly recommend (I own quite a few of them) are available here at www.honlphoto.com and most quality photographic stores.
The details of the Advanced Flash course I took are available here at henrys.ca, along with a variety of other classes. Henrys, of course, is one of my favorite photo stores in Canada and always a pleasure to visit.
Michael Willems and David Honl Demo some advanced flash work. There are four flashes in play here, including the one that David is operating as the voice-activated boom.
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……and here is the end result. Pretty impressive, no?
Tagged course, David Honl, education, flash, learning, Michael Willems, speed lights
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BBC WildLife Magazine
BBC Wildlife Magazine
BBC WildLife Magazine is giving away PDFs of its Photography Master Class articles. This is 21 excellent articles about wildlife photography in wide range of scenario. Here is the complete list below. It’s a fine collection of photographic advice and the price is quite affordable (Did I mention free?).
Click the image above or you can find the PDFs here
Welcome to the complete collection of our Photo Masterclasses. Just click on the images below to download a PDF of each masterclass and your photography skills will soon improve with our experts’ advice.
Wild Places
Issue 280, March 2006
Welcome to the first of our exclusive 12-part series on the art of wildlife and nature photography. This month, we show you how to take better photographs of landscapes.
Mammal Portraits
Issue 281, April 2006
In our second masterclass, we’re tackling mammal portraits – one of the trickier subjects for the amateur (and expert) wildlife photographer.
Plant Portraits
Issue 282, May 2006
You might think that plants make relatively easy photographic subjects, but there are many things you need to consider to bring out the best in
your floral pictures.
From Dusk to Dawn
Issue 283, June 2006
A sunrise or sunset can transform an ordinary setting or subject into something really magical, but how do you take advantage of this beautiful light?
Underwater Photography
Issue 284, July 2006
This issue, we plunge into a completely different element – water. The sea is one of the most challenging places to get great photos, but don’t be put off.
Invertebrate Portraits
Issue 285, August 2006
Many budding wildlife photographers make the simple error of ignoring 99.9 per cent of potential subjects – our invertebrates.
Birds in Flight
Issue 286, September 2006
Just as you’re mastering the art of taking well-composed images of wildlife, we’re presenting you with an even greater challenge: capturing moving targets.
Animals in their Environment
Issue 287, Autumn 2006
Pulling back from your subject and revealing the world in which it lives enables you to imbue the image with tension and drama.
Bird Portraits
Issue 288, October 2006
A beautiful close-up photograph of a bird can offer a multitude of pleasures – character, composition and colour, to name but three.
Reptiles and Amphibians
Issue 289, November 2006
Don’t ignore reptiles and amphibians – they can be the most rewarding photographic subjects you’ll ever encounter.
Creative Visions of Nature
Issue 290, December 2007
It’s time to free your mind to take truly unforgettable photographs. The aim is to use your imagination to create an inspirational vision.
Wet Weather Wildlife
Issue 291, January 2007
It’s a mistake to assume that you need good weather to take good photos – sometimes the opposite is true.
Cold Weather Wildlife
Issue 292, February 2007
Frost, ice and snow not only change the appearance of the world around us, but also the way animals behave.
Black and White Photography
Issue 293, March 2007
Strip away the colour and a well-composed photograph will often increase in power. The very best black and white photos have a pure graphic quality that oozes emotion and energy.
Urban and Garden Wildlife
Issue 294, April 2007
Many photographers assume that you have to travel into the ‘wilds’ to take great pictures of wildlife. Not true!
Zoo Photography
Issue 295, May 2007
The best way to photograph exotic animals – without the expense or carbon emissions of a trip abroad – is to visit a zoo.
Bird Behaviour
Issue 296, June 2007
Watching the birdie is not as simple as it sounds. Solid fieldcraft, endless patience, lightning-fast reflexes and a deep understanding of your subjects’ lifestyles and habits are vital.
Mammal Behaviour
Issue 297, July 2007
Though there are plenty of subjects to choose from, actually photographing mammals in action is a very exacting skill.
Extreme Close-Up
Issue 298, August 2007
If you can get really close to your subject, you can enter a new world of wildlife photography. It’s a place of great beauty, seldom visited by most other people.
Innovative Wildlife Photography
Issue 300, September 2007
Trying out new methods and techniques allows you to step back from subject-led wildlife images and expand your photographic repertoire.
The World in our Hands
Issue 301, October 2007
Global warming, habitat destruction and exploitation of rare animals… Photography can highlight a crisis, document the damage it’s causing and inspire us all to do something about it.
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Also posted in british, master
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Final day of Imaging USA
Well, Tuesday was the final day of the conference. Since I can take carry-on back to Canada I went shopping at think tank bags for some gear.
I am a huge fan of the think tank bag equipment and intend to have some mote detailed reviews here in the future. The only problem with their equipment is deciding on what to get. The think tank booth was connected with Drurys who are local to Nashville, but very well known.
One item was sold out, but Drurys is going to ship it to me for free. One more example of good customer service being the real reason to do business with a company.
My last two seminars were two excellent events. The first was how to use social networking in your business and the second was a discussion of the retail art market. I found them both educational and entertaining. I think one of the real values of attending Imaging USA is the seminars. To be able to see an impressive series of presenters in a venue that is both pleasant and isolated from the work and life distractions is well worth the effort of traveling. I tend to view Imaging USA as part work and part vacation, as I also take the time during the event to consider where things are going in my career/life/etc and to consider what changes or ideas I can implement to improve things.
So, I will close this both with my Positive and Negative list (in no particular order of priority):
Negative
- Having the Toronto airport decide to not allow carry0on luggage, forcing me to pack my camera gear
- Having United loose my luggage and force to calculate just how big an insurance claim I might need.
- The food prices at the Gaylord hotel, which definitely took advantage of the difficulty in leaving for somewhere else.
- Having the seminar schedule changed so no seminars happened while the vendor booths were open (If I wanted to just shop, I would go to the mall).
- Having Seminars start at 7:30am and finish at 7pm is a mistake.
Positive
- Seeing a series of impressive seminars by some very talented photographers.
- Afternoon naps to deal with the huge gap between seminars
- Enjoying the impressive facilities at the Gaylord Hotel. It is a totally enclosed environment, which means ignoring the -2C weather outside.
- Meeting some great new friends and seeing some old ones.
- Going back to my room for money to buy beer tickets and having the doorman had me one as I entered again.
- Being met at the airport after a long trip.
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