April 29, 2022

6

f164, PPS Photography Tips, special effects, technique

Why you should Photograph Shadow, Not light!

It took me 20 years to find this because no one taught it until now.

In this primer on shadow hacking I’m going to share was I found. If you follow my work you have seen me shift focus to shadow over light. Not to say ignore light, but that there so much focusing on the light has only caused us to learn half of what makes great photos.

Not signed up for my Shadow-Hackers LIVE class? Sign up it here.

Should you lift or drop shadows? Push or pull exposure. How do we bend the shadow in new ways and why doe sit matter. Today I’ll show you some examples and if you attend my Shadow Hackers hackers class you’ll be ahead of the curve for watching this.

Look for where your shadows are broken and stop photographing light.

I hope this is coming across. I promise that if you start looking to photograph shadow, it’s going to change how you use to light your camera and what kind of results you get. Try this and see for yourself.

Gavin Seim

Things I used to edit with today…
My new Elegance Speed Masks… seimeffects.com/elegance
Filmist, get my free presets… seimeffects.com/filmist/
Lumist actions… seimeffects.com/lumist
BlackRoom actions… seimeffects.com/blackroom
Natural HDR4… seimeffects.com/dynamic

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March 13, 2019

0

inspire, workshop

3 videos to make you a better photographer.

Facebook and Instagram, went down today and I was like, “my site is still up”. So I thought I’d share these 3 videos of varying lengths on 3 different topics to boost our creativity and understanding of photography in everything from light to our roots. I Hope you guys find something useful here. If you do share it on Facebook.. oh wait…

 

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April 26, 2017

0

video

Getting Better Photos in Flat and Boring Light!

As photographers, we learn fast that harsh Sunny light is… hard!

But ultra flat light can be hard too so if you had to choose, which would you pick?

The perspective we have of “beautiful” light is often too narrow; soft sunsets or giant glowing softboxes from the heavens. Those are amazing. But to really master light I think we need to learn to value every type of light and find the unique beauty we can shape from it.

Flat light can be hard with landscapes and environmental scenes and if I’m struggling with that I’ll often try longer exposures to add interest and then do a bit of burn and dodge in post to bring out more subtle contrast points. With portraits, flat light is usually nice. But too flat light is reiterating and feels dull. Remember there’s always a direction with light, so you can use that on the face for a nice soft portrait. But if you need some extra pop juts add little artificial fill light in on the same side as the natural light, adding a bit more lighting ratio on your subject.

In this video, we go out and find some flat light, take some images and then head back to finish up with some post-production to see what we can do with it.

If you enjoy also sub my YouTube channel. — Gav

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August 20, 2015

8

inspire, tips

Become a Better Photographer in 3 Minutes! — 21 Tips.

90-seconds3Improved 09/28/15: Getting it right in camera is easier than fixing it later. I hate it when I get in a hurry and overlook these simple principles and it comes up a lot in my workshops. I’ve learned there’s always something we can improve if we set aside ego, be honest and focus on craft.

The rules of art are universal to any style or any experience level. Rules can be broken, but they act as guides to help us stay on track; we should break them only for with reason. Here’s some powerful tips I’ve learned over many years. I’m also adding related links to a LOT of FREE content and videos that go more in depth. These powerful reminders will only take a few minutes, but will leave you with proven ideas that last a lifetime.

  • Have ONE primary subject. Everything else should be supporting cast.
  • Omit needless objects. If they don’t add to a photo, kick them out.
  • Light & Tone are king. Understand exposure, tones and zones (video)
  • Use SPACE. I see so many images that would be great not so crowded by the frame.
  • Think of light as liquid. Watch where it goes; know how it flows (more).
  • What surrounds a tone changes how to see it. Regardless of it’s actual value.

better-in-3

  • SHARPNESS is only as far away as a tripod, good focus and good planning (more).
  • There’s only 3 ways to get great light. Take it, make it, or wait for it! (video)
  • In portraits set the pose. Then watch those EYES to capture the soul.
  • Exposure is simple as 2+2, doubles & halves. Understand the STOP (more).
  • When harsh sun is a problem. Wait for the light, or find that golden shade.
  • Think about the shadows; without shadow, we don’t see light. (video).
  • You can’t fake it! Use that sunrise/sunset magic hour whenever you can.
  • LINES lead the eye. Pay attention to where they go and how they intersect.

Terrace Symphony
All I need is that one image that conveys everything I want to say. To I take the time to get it right.

  • Flat light is usually boring. Look for ratios and 3 dimensional light.
  • Take time to LOOK AGAIN at your subject BEFORE releasing the shutter.
  • Study history. Photography has 150+ years of it to make you a better artist.
  • Getting it right in camera is always easier than fixing it in post.
  • Change how you see making exposures LONG. Don’t forget an ND filter & tripod.
  • If you can’t something something wrong in your best photo. Look again & learn.
  • Just stop… Slow down, refine, simplify and visualize (video).

 

Taking my time to examine the pose, the eye contact and the details of a portrait may give me less frames, but always gives me better results.
Taking my time to examine the pose, the eye contact and the details of a portrait may give me less frames, but always gives me better results.

If you want to take it further subscribe to our newsletter below and check out the workshops tab above. Take the time to learn it right and you will improve faster than you ever imagined. — Gav

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May 21, 2015

0

Free Effects & Goodies, video

You Just MISSED the Shot!

Being a great photographer does not always mean getting the perfect shot. Knowing what you need and sticking to your plan is just as important. Even if it means having to come back later. The best photographers have something to prove in their images and they don’t settle for second best.

Timing is everything and knowing when and where to be is key, no matter what type of image your making. This time of Photographic school I share some tough lessons in getting and NOT getting the shot that serve as a reminder to be prepared when the light moves.

— Seim

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