Last Sunday I was at the workshop, a workshop which Nicolai Brix incurred in Basic flash on location. The day started with that we met at 9.00 with some basic information about the use of aperture size and shutter speed.
After that we just test it in practice on the models Nicolai had taken to date. We were divided into 3 groups and received an assignment which was to underexpose the sky to make it dramatic, and so provide the model with a flash.
Kate Jakobsen, Nicolai Brix workshop
The sky was the day quite boring, gray and without form, but with a little finishing in Lightroom is the sky made a little more dramatic.
Zaid Almayah, Nicolai Brix workshop
After this little task we went to the lyssetuppet. First he told about 45-45 light, ie. lights are on a stand 45 degrees in front of the model, and at a height so the umbrella can also be tilted 45 degrees down against the model.
What Nicolai also emphasized was the actual construction of the lights a candle at a time, and like to spend some time on it - instead of just putting all the equipment up and shoot and move around on the racks. This is clearly something of what I will notice in future, take time to put the light - So is everyone happy.
So we started to put a rack on the right of the model:
Zaid Almayah, Nicolai Brix workshop
Then we added a reflector, we borrowed a California Sunbounce - It was easy and good to work with.
Zaid Almayah, Nicolai Brix workshop
This was to soften the very dark side of the face when only a flash from one side. As you can see it also affects the wall which is approx. 1 meter behind Zayd, it should perhaps be angled so that it only had hit model.
This lighting technology is also known as Rembrandt lighting, read more at wikipedia .
After this exercise, we should learn a second lighting technology, this time Butterfly light technique. There are placed the light in front and above the model, and a reflector just below. Here is a picture of one of the other participants and Nicolai which describes and explains.
Nicolai Brix workshop
And as before, after 10-15 minute overview of the technique we had participants try it yourself, here are some of the pictures that came out of it.
First we start with the light just above the model.
Mia Borg, Nicolai Brix workshop
So you add a reflector underneath.
Mia Borg, Nicolai Brix workshop
And then you bow light, the idea of light that formed a butterfly under the nose. The technique is optimal if the model looks directly into the camera.
Here is Joost Alexander who has just taken a picture, and with Nikon CLS trigger I just after the equipment. Model Mia sits and holds the reflector.
Workshop behind the scenes, Joost Alexander takes a picture of Mia Borg
A little technical information about off-camera flash - I had borrowed a Nikon SB-800 flash of Nicolai, and was quite impressed with how Nikon's CLS does. The picture above has Joost just taken a picture of Mia and because our camera was on the same channel we could use the system simultaneously.
Normally I use Cactus triggers, also known Powerty Wizards to trigger the Canon flash I use - but I will certainly have some Nikon flash.
Here are a few more pictures taken with Butterfly light.
Joost Alexander, Nicolai Brix workshop - One of the participants at the workshop
Michael Nielsen, Nicolai Brix workshop - Here is it me, photographed by Kasper Lind
Michael Nielsen, Nicolai Brix workshop and me again - this time after a good game Lightroom
After some time with this setup, we were shown another technique - This time the light must be on the side of the model, and so the model should turn your upper body slightly. On the other hand, should there be a reflector (can also be a secondary flash), so both sides of the face is illuminated. Here you can see how we were working with light:
The light is located on the side of Mia Borg, Kasper Lind holds a reflector on the opposite side and Joost Alexander takes a picture.
And here's a portrait of Mia with this lyslægning:
Mia Borg, Nicolai Brix workshop
After the basic exercises we ate some lunch and then went out to the Kingdom Lund fort where we could test our techniques.
Here are some selected pictures from the Kingdom Lund fort.
Mia Borg Kong Lund fort
Mia Borg Kong Lund fort
Zaid Alamayah
Kate Jakobsen
16.00, ended the workshop - So all in all a great day, and Nicolai's workshops can be recommended to anyone who wants to learn more about portrait photography.
