Things I've Learned from my Photograhy Mentor: Basic Flash and Studio Lighting

This post took me almost 2 years before posting so sorry for the long delay XD

Last January 22, I was the first one to arrive at the studio this time since I went straight to Sir Jo's Studio in Annapolis street. We had a small chit-chat while waiting for the others to arrive as well. By 2:00pm, Sir Jo started his lecture on Basic Flash and Studio Lighting. This is one topic I must learn perfectly so I could get better photo. 

Since I was the first one to arrive in the studio that day, I got a free autographed Canon 2011 Calaendar signed by no other than Jo Avila himself. I'll make sure to keep it as a souvenir after using it for this year. XD

Anyway, here are some things I've learned about Basic Flash Photography and Studio Lighting. I'd share 15 of them. If you want to learn more, you may check his facebook page. Sorry guys if it took me almost two years to post this =P

1. Observe how sunlight moves.
2. To modify quality of light, it should be diffused.
3. The sun at high noon is a point-light source (harsh).
4. Crumpled silver surface will scatter reflected light.
5. Don't shoot at high noon if there are no clouds.
6. Gold surface gives reflected light a warm glow.
7. Windows are your best friends when shooting indoors.
8. Light meter doesn't trigger the light.
9. Kelvin is used in color photography
10. Master the use of one light as if it looks like several light sources.
11. Learn to appreciate the quality of light than the quantity.
12.An umbrella and a softbox works differently.
13. The main light is not necessarily the brightest source.
14. Always worry about the distance of the light to the subject.
15. To master portrait lighting, learn to use window light.

There you go. Wanna learn more? Then I suggest to enroll at his basic photography classes. XD

Things I've Learned from my Photograhy Mentor: Composition

Note: This took me around 18 months to complete this XD

I was supposed to be the first one to arrive at his studio on the 15 of January (2011) but since it wasn't yet 2:00pm, I went to Yogurbud to have a quick bite. When I got inside his studio, I was the third one to arrived and waited for the rest of our classmates to come in before our second lecture starts.

But before Sir Jo started his lecture on composition, we submitted our assignments and have it critiqued by him and the entire class as well. My shot was the 3rd to the last that was critiqued.

Initially, I thought I did well on my assignment but I was wrong. There were some parts of the picture that needs improvement as well as with my composition. I guess that how my shot got critiqued by one of the best photographers in the country today plus I kinda noticed it just after Sir Jo gave his comments on my photo.

After the critique session, he gave us a lecture on Composition. I agree that to be a better photographer, you must gain ample experience for you to develop your vision as a photographer. To learn composition, there are no shortcuts to it and you only learn it through experience. 

Sir Jo gave us five simple rules. First is A cow eating grass isn't a pretty picture. This would be the time when you take a picture no one understands. The picture should be able to communicate with the viewer and it should have its story. Second is Fill the frame with your subject. This eliminates visual clutter in the picture which may cause distraction to the viewer. You may use your feet or your zoom lens when moving closer or away from your subject. Third is Get lucky. When you take a few shots, chances are that you may get only a few decent photos or worse, you won't get any decent photos at all. Try take more than one picture but try to vary your position from the subject and shoot from different perspective. Don't forget to check your pictures to check for any improvements. The more you shoot, the more chances you get lucky but don't overdo it. Fourth is The middle is often boring. Most beginners do fall for this thinking that every object placed in the middle would create a good image. Though this would be true for some, but for most images putting it in the middle makes it boring. Trust me, I've been criticized much because of this. You could put your subject above or below the center or to the right or to the left from the center to make the image more interesting. And Fifth is Never fall in love with the sidekick. What would probably insult any photographer is that the viewer would look at everything else on your photo except your main subject (the hero). The sidekick gives support for the hero to make the photograph more presentable. If the viewer cannot recognize the subject, the image would simply be wasted regardless of how much effort produced. 

Light is also important when taking a photograph as this is the most basic element in a photograph. This may make or break a photograph depending on your intention. But at times, available light can be ugly so good lighting should be recognized to produce good photograph. 

Visual elements was also discussed like color, shape, pattern, texture and form. But I'd leave the researching to you guys as this may lengthen my post if I include it as well =P. 

Anyway, here are 10 things I've learned for the day.

1. Take time to study wasted shots.

2. If its not good enough, you're not close enough. - Robert Capa

3. The quality of light is much more important than quantity.

4. Try shooting the same scene horizontally and vertically to see which is better.

5. Use active angles to your advantage

6. Never ask your subjects to say "cheese". Instead, have them say "A".

7. By getting the lighting right first, problems with composition will be solved.

8. Learn to look at the frame as a whole

9. Learn to recognize decisive moments

10. Always have a camera with you.

Want to learn more, enroll at his class. XD

Part 3 coming soon (I hope XD)