I'm a couple of days late on this, so I apologize. Life has just been super busy for me these last few months. Between helping with Wu's Feet Links, running Soles of Silk, shooting new sets, my full time job, and the extra work I get on the side for my job (advertising & graphic design work), I've been kept very busy. I hope everyone understands.
Anyhow, this month's Columns Blog entry is something I've wanted to do for a while as I'm often asked about the locations I shoot my models. Yes, there are some people who look past the pretty feet and female in the photos and like the settings too. Strange, I know!
Again, I thank you all for your patience. I hope this blog helps out some of my fellow photographers no matter what their skill level or devotion to the craft. For others, this will just be an insight into some of what I do running Soles of Silk. Either way, I hope you find some value from this piece.
Thanks, Patrick
Posted by solefull00 (Member # 44401) on :
Thank you for this
Posted by Mr. Manny (Member # 6895) on :
Don't sweat it man. I know you have been juggling chainsaws lately and you are doing a great job. Please don't work yourself to death! Posted by Rocky TSM (Member # 28971) on :
Great article. It was nice to have some more insight to some of your shoots and work.
I should start using Google Maps more. The dumb feeling is setting in knowing I hadn't thought of this yet.
Posted by Patrick (Member # 1169) on :
Thanks everyone. And speaking of being busy, it was brought to my attention that Phil from BHE hasn't been getting back to people the last few days. I told them to just wait as he's got a lot on his plate too. Now I see he hasn't updated the main page with this blog update and the contributions haven't gone up. Anyone been in touch with Phil recently or someone from BHE? Hope things are okay.
Patrick
Posted by oscarthemonkey (Member # 1692) on :
That was great ,Patrick- how about one on inside lighting?
Posted by Patrick (Member # 1169) on :
Inside lighting is certainly not my strong suit. I'd feel like so many other photographers (Adam of Feet Fair) would be so much better at sharing information like that. His lighting and colors for indoor sets are top notch.
Patrick
Posted by NorcalfeetStudios (Member # 732) on :
quote:Originally posted by Patrick: Thanks everyone. And speaking of being busy, it was brought to my attention that Phil from BHE hasn't been getting back to people the last few days. I told them to just wait as he's got a lot on his plate too. Now I see he hasn't updated the main page with this blog update and the contributions haven't gone up. Anyone been in touch with Phil recently or someone from BHE? Hope things are okay.
Patrick
Phil had been in the hospital for a blood clot in his leg, Mike from BHE said he would fully recover shortly and not to worry. I was withholding this info until someone asked, and if it was supposed to be private please delete this message.
Posted by Patrick (Member # 1169) on :
Phil contacted me the other day too and says he's doing better. I told him to take whatever time he needed to do whatever he needed. I just got a little paranoid with what happened to Wu and wanted to make sure everyone was in good health and doing okay. Glad to see/hear he's recovering now.
Patrick
Posted by Robotron2084 (Member # 33263) on :
Patrick I will join the chorus on thanking you for this. I have some experience with this, but your tips are spot on.
For those wanting to learn inside lighting, you should observe light itself. Natural or otherwise, it behaves the same.
Also, although the majority of the clips aren't dedicated to foot photography, Youtube offers numerous clips on the subject. I subscribe to numerous channels Posted by Inspector General (Member # 48095) on :
quote:Originally posted by Patrick: Inside lighting is certainly not my strong suit. I'd feel like so many other photographers (Adam of Feet Fair) would be so much better at sharing information like that. His lighting and colors for indoor sets are top notch.
Patrick
I've always wondered about this too why so many foot photographers that have been selling pictures for years never work on improving their bad lighting? Would Feetfair really reveal his proprietary lighting techniques though? Mr Adam please shed some light on this.
Posted by NorcalfeetStudios (Member # 732) on :
lol @ Proprietary, that word doesn't exist in Photography...I would think any indoor studio photographer of a medium/professional caliber can set up lights. Mostly it's personal taste where to set your main and auxiliary based on what works in the confines of your space.
Posted by Inspector General (Member # 48095) on :
Feetfair certainly has a unique style that is not seen on other websites whatever lighting he is using. Sites like norcalfeet soulsofsilk futpunktz dicksonjoe akwardfootguy evenpepper national lampoon and many other regulars here could benefit from a lighting course by Adam. For example you would never see a picture this dark and out of focus in a magazine http://www.imagebam.com/image/1d2e92410008497 Posted by NorcalfeetStudios (Member # 732) on :
quote:Originally posted by Inspector General: Feetfair certainly has a unique style that is not seen on other websites whatever lighting he is using. Sites like norcalfeet soulsofsilk futpunktz dicksonjoe akwardfootguy evenpepper national lampoon and many other regulars here could benefit from a lighting course by Adam. For example you would never see a picture this dark and out of focus in a magazine http://www.imagebam.com/image/1d2e92410008497
It's called natural light, it is totally different than studio lighting. Nothing about any producer's lighting is proprietary nor is it profoundly special. And considering that link is an edited copy that YOU are hosting on your own Imagebam page, you can take credit for darkening, blurring and altering it from the original.
[ May 17, 2015, 02:25 AM: Message edited by: NorcalfeetStudios ]
Posted by Inspector General (Member # 48095) on :
Having grown up in that area myself I have always appreciated the great sites you've used for your shoots. Kudos on going the extra mile and the great photos you achieve.
Posted by NorcalfeetStudios (Member # 732) on :
That's the beauty of having real girls like Gigi come over to your house and spent the night with 2 hours notice while your gear is packed up for a morning shoot the next day, watch TV with you and let you worship her feet while taking candid photos with your phone.I felt the onboard flash would look too much like a club selfie pic with red eyes and hot spots and less professional. I expressly noted that in the description and everyone approved of the variance in style for a change. They weren't supposed to be "professional" at all but give a candid look into something I didn't have to share with the public but did anyway.I am sure Adam and Patrick have done this with their models at some point but never went out on a limb to document. Perhaps someone with 15 total posts and a layman's opinion can enlighten us pros with some of his own creations on how to pimp feet better in a real world, non professional studio atmosphere? Any advice?
[ May 17, 2015, 09:35 AM: Message edited by: NorcalfeetStudios ]
Posted by NorcalfeetStudios (Member # 732) on :
There's also these examples which were left out for examples of my own blend of quality studio lighting early on in my history (resume) to contrast my candid home grown encounters of late. A true professional is flexible, diverse and adapts to his/her environment with the available equipment. Another aspect is I am always shooting in different locations indoor and outdoor whereas other "strictly studio" photographers never really move their lights off the bases, just move around furniture since their lights are always set the same. I prefer a challenge and like to learn new things myself.
It's not really the quality of lights per se, since these were only shot with 2-3 Alien Bees w/ bases and flash slaves and a couple softboxes. Nothing special and roughly less than $1,000 worth of lighting equipment in total.
Yep, that was just a long window facing towards a light source earlier on. Posted by Patrick (Member # 1169) on :
I don't want this thread to turn into an attack on one site's work over another's. I mentioned Adam as an example of good lighting, but he isn't the only one. However, my likings aren't always to that of a studio look, and neither are everyone else's. It's just like my point in my column that many people probably don't give a crap about all the locations I like to shoot. Everyone has a preference.
Patrick
Posted by Rocky TSM (Member # 28971) on :
Indoor lighting is hard without spending a lot of time and money. I prefer shooting outdoors, but you work with what you can. I've seen many pictures that are from indoor shoots and have better lighting than an outdoor shoot.
As for the scenery, I take a liking to the background of pictures. The scenery doesn't matter as much as the subject, but I still pay attention to it.
Posted by Feetosopher (Member # 45909) on :
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