I’m starting a new workshop for those interested to learn studio work. Learn how to use studio equipment and communicate with your subject. You’ll get to practice on location too, which is useful if you just have a simple setup. A flash, umbrella, light stand and a sync chord or remote trigger will be all you need. It’s not going to cost you as much studio lights and your photography will improve by leaps and bounds.
To learn more about the workshop, please visit the Studio Photography Workshop page.
Yesterday was a start to the series of shoots involving athletes from various sports. The images will be used to publicize and introduce the Games to the public in a few months time. We started with gymnastics, in my opinion, one of the most challenging sports to shoot. I remember having such a hard time when shooting in the SEA Games. The speed of the athlete coupled with the low lighting sent shivers down my spine.
The good thing was yesterday’s shoot was not in a competition environment and we could direct the gymnasts to repeat certain routines. But the speed was also a challenge. I wish I could ask them to stop in mid air but defying gravity is not one of their strengths. So we encountered all sorts of tech issues but the most tricky ones were the most basic. Logistics. The gym was fully occupied, both with gymnasts and equipment and power sockets were at the walls far away from the action. Mental note: bring plenty of extension cords. Halfway through the shoot, we had to move because our power cord was lying on the runway for the vault. And we had to figure out how to wire up the lights again. This and other problems took a lot of time to resolve.
Getting ready for the shoot
Continue reading 'YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES SHOOT 1'»
I need some help in the Youth Olympic Games project I’m working on these few weeks. The project involves shooting athletes of various disciplines at their training location. It’s a good mix of sports and studio photography. Because of the nature of the shoot, assistants will only be informed at the very last minute due to the availability of the athletes and venues. Hence, a few are required.
Experience with studio equipment will be an advantage although not compulsory. Training will be provided of course. Great opportunity to learn since each location and each discipline presents a different challenge.
If you are interested or know any who might be, please let me know. I can be contacted at 97616405 or eulee@photographybyeulee.com. Thanks!
For some information on what the shoot is like, please refer to the post on Youth Olympic Games Shoot 1.
The star of the day was Darius. It was his birthday and what better way to celebrate than to have portraits taken with family. Darius is also Desiree’s brother. We originally planned the shoot outdoors but changed venue to their house, since it was easier to celebrate his birthday after the shoot. Good thing too since the weather turned bad in the evening. I brought along my lights and decided to use a white wall in the house as a backdrop. I started shooting with a ladder/chair as a prop. Little did I know that sitting there unaided was the first time for Darius and I must say he handled himself very well. Desiree had a go after seeing her brother enjoy himself.
It was playtime towards the end and as the whole family gathered in the playroom, I pulled over one of my lights and started firing away. Totally unplanned but I learned to expect the unexpected when dealing with kids at Darius’ and Desiree’s age. Makes the whole shoot so enjoyable by keeping the photographer on his toes 
The first time for Darius. Well done!
Desiree and her 'Bear-siree'
Continue reading 'DARIUS AND FAMILY'»
Goodbye 2009. Hello 2010! After a season of festivities, everyone’s back to work with, I hope, a fresh perspective to work, life and perhaps a zest, zeal and enthusiasm to make this year count. But take a moment to have some reflection on the past year, and use that as a guide for this.
For myself, this blog was started as a kind of social experiment and i must say I am hooked on it. I started in May 2009, after many years of deliberation and fears that I will not get pass my first post. I eventually discovered a love for writing. I can’t say I’m very good at it but at last I don’t dread it. So my first post was on packing for an overseas shoot in a reply to curious questions on what I always bring on my shoot. At that point of time I was already overseas and that was the perfect moment to talk about it. From then my blogging went on to discuss techniques, equipment, workshops, current work, book reviews and now with my new iPhone, a bit on apps and its camera. After the first post, ideas start popping up and since then, I’ve logged 140 posts! I try to go for higher value content and not just one-liners so I think I’ve done decently looking at my workload.
Continue reading 'A YEAR IN RETROSPECT'»
Baby Photography, Event, Family Photography, Kids Photography, Musings, Overseas shoot, Personal, Portrait Photography, Pre-Wedding Photography, Pregnancy Photography, Product Photography, ROM Photography, Sports Photography, Tips, Understanding, Wedding Photography
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book review, camera, iPhone, Kids Photography, learning, Photography, Portrait, Pre-Wedding Photography, product, studio, technique, travel, Wedding Photography, workshop
Ok so Cathay Photo had this incredible deal for their BX500Ri Elinchrom lights, a deal I was unable to resist. I had plans for other gadgets that’ll keep me busy this Christmas but instead, what do I get? A set of lights. But man, what an awesome set. So maybe I’m trying to console myself but the packaging reminds of any Apple product which would’ve been in my hands. I raved and ranted about the size and weight in my previous post and here’s a picture to compare. Mind you my Bowens set is more than 5 years old so this is more like a comparison between technology of old and current.
The old and the new
I think the greatest difference besides the size and weight is the EL-Skyport transmitter’s remote function. This is one function I’ll enjoy using the most, although a learning curve is required. It’s kind of like the Canon’s ST-E2 transmitter which can control 2 groups of lights but way more advanced because you have a lot more control, hence the learning curve. You can even determine the increments for the light output so you can have a refined adjustment for products and a faster adjustment for portraits. Very useful if the lights are inaccessible or you just don’t want to keep walking to manually adjust them. And you can have your assistant concentrate on other things. Or better still, work alone.
Continue reading 'BOWENS VS ELINCHROM: BATTLE OF THE LIGHTS II'»
Here’s what I did with 3 X 580EX flashes, and no money for a model. Wanted to practice to get more consistent results for location portrait shoot so I rigged this setup. Key light comes from one flash on camera right shooting through an umbrella. Other 2 flashes at 45 deg and 135 deg behind ‘model’ to get the sharp rim light. Here’s what the setup looks like.
Lighting diagram
Took a shot without the key light to see the effect of the two lights behind. I adjusted the EVs and zooms to get the effect I wanted. When setting up lights for a complicated setup, you can fire one at a time to check what each light is doing, independent of the rest. Kind of ‘building’ the set. When satisfied, then fire them all. So here’s what the image without the key light:
Effect of back lights
I like.
Ok then, let ‘em rip.
Continue reading 'WHAT TO DO WITH 3 FLASHES'»
Remember the Matrix scene where Neo was doing this movement to dodge bullets? Well here’s my version, just for kicks. I tried this experiment after meeting the creative team that’s going to pitch this idea to the client. After brainstorming, we came out with a few ways to do this and this was one of the ideas. To show a flow and a few static images for the subject to be seen.
Doing the Matrix
The technical details of this image:
ISO 100
Aperture: F22
Shutter Speed: 10s
Continue reading 'DOING THE MATRIX'»
You can do your part! Calling all photographers, make-up artists, assistants, everyone who think they can be a part of this movement. Join us and be a part of a growing worldwide community.
Help Portrait is all about giving back to the community. Ever encountered a less fortunate person who would like to have his portrait taken but cannot afford a professional photographer? Well, it’s time we give them an opportunity.
Help Portrait is the brainchild of Jeremy Cowart, and you can read more about its mission in the blog. All around the world, people are participating and putting in their time and skills to do something for the less fortunate. Join us and sign up in this link. Look for Singapore and you’ll see us there.
I’m opening this up to anyone who would like to assist me when we start doing this. It’s totally FREE and you’ll have a chance to learn about studio photography. Learn valuable tips on lighting and posing people and also play a part in this movement. You can contact me on this blog:
email: eulee@photographybyeulee.com
hp: 97616405
twitter: twitter.com/tweetbyeulee
Come on guys, let’s do something for the community and bring a smile to someone else this Christmas!
I’m not usually a gear junkie but I must admit that the Elinchrom system is getting to me. I’ve been using the Bowens 500W lights for maybe 5 years now. While hardy and problem free, they’re not exactly the most convenient to bring around for location shoot. Especially if there’re loads of equipment to haul around.
Someone was selling an old Elinchrom system and I tested it a few days back. I was so impressed with the size, ease of use and the design of the lights and softbox. The thing that hit me most was the size and weight of the lights. For the same output, one light weigh almost half that of the Bowens (2kg vs 3.5kg), and is even nearly half the size (260mm vs 410mm). Perfect for location shoot. Pack two of these lights, umbrellas and stands in a bag and I can just sling it over the shoulder. That’s it, a mobile studio kit. You may not feel the difference when just carrying one light but you will when you have a few of them.
Bowen Gemini 500W - Image from Bowens
Elinchrome BX 500 Ri - Image from Elinchrom
I received a request to conduct a course on portrait photography so if anyone is interested to learn more about this, please let me know. I can start a class once there is a minimum of 4 participants. This will be a more advanced class and will encompass both studio and outdoor photography. Participants will also learn to use studio lights and light modifiers to get the desired effect.
Please contact eulee at:
Mobile: 97616405
Email: eulee@photographybyeulee.com
for more details
I was doing a bit of research earlier on high speed photography since I may be using this technique to shoot athletes in action and I came across Chase Jarvis’ blog on high speed photography. It completely changed my concept of it. My idea was to use a fast shutter speed to capture action. However, with the fastest sync speed at 1/250th of a second, this is hardly ideal to capture the moment. Chase mentioned that in his shoot, strobes are used to freeze the action and not the shutter! Continue reading 'HIGH SPEED PHOTOGRAPHY'»
After the first shoot of the cups, an additional shoot was required for both the cups and the coffee sachet to be more in focus. Sometimes shooting the same thing twice gives an opportunity to try and explore a new approach. The layout of props was similar to the previous one so changes were made to the lighting setup. I still used the ST-E2, Speedlite 580EX and an umbrella. This time I used a styrofoam board as a reflector. Continue reading 'Shooting products with a lifestyle twist: Reloaded'»
Ever since my last post on light modifiers [here], I’ve been asked about the beauty dish. I’ve a few pictures to demonstrate the use of this when my friend Kevin popped by my studio to have a few headshots taken today. Here’s what the beauty dish looks like and one of the pictures from the shoot. It’s fashioned after a parabolic reflector to distribute light and it gives a unique characteristic. Notice the shadows or light fall-off on the face….it wraps the face, Continue reading 'Light Modifiers: Beauty Dish'»
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