Archive for March, 2010
Tomer Jacobson: Dream Light Modifier
Posted by Amber McCoy in Halo and Apollo on March 31st, 2010
Our dream light modifier is compact, small in your lighting bag but big enough in front of your subject, it can produce wonderful reflected light and most importantly: It allows you to control light spill and enables you to light what you want and only what you want.
The Westcott 28″ Apollo is just that. It opens and closes like a standard umbrella and reflects the light evenly across your subject without leaving any hotspots whatsoever. But the real magic lies in its amazing light spill control. When lighting our model, Moran, I wanted to light only her. I instinctively took out the Apollo from my bag and gave it to Alex, one of the students in my lighting class. I asked him to place the Apollo right above her (camera left) and even though we shot in a very narrow corridor, we managed to control the light perfectly. The light hit our model only, leaving the walls around her dark. Since there was no room to place another light for fill we placed a small reflector to her right to brighten up her left side slightly. That little addition created this result:
Feel as if you need a large space to shoot in? False – look at the space we were able to work with:
Here is an example of the setup:
As you can see, the only thing that is lit in the photo is our model. The ability to control the light in a small space is the main reason I just love my Westcott 28″ Apollo – It gives me what every photographer is constantly seeking for: total control.
For more information on this post or the images, please contact Tomer Jacobson at www.thetomer.com.
Contest: NEW Background Line
Posted by Amber McCoy in Backgrounds, Contest, Westcott Update on March 26th, 2010
TODAY IS THE FINAL DAY!! Westcott is going classy – with the backgrounds! We have been hard at work this month and we are ready to release some new backgrounds. However, we have not named the line – this is where you come in!
What is the final contest?
We need the NEW Background Line named. This is the final contest. If you submit a name for the background line that we choose in 2 weeks, you will win a complete set of all the new backgrounds! It doesn’t get any better than that!
MOST IMPORTANT: Please submit your ideas through the Comment Box below!
We look forward to seeing what you come up with! We will be contacting you in the next 2 weeks if you are the winner!
So, without hesitation, here is the NEW Background Line for Westcott:
Contest: NEW Background #5
Posted by Amber McCoy in Backgrounds, Contest, Westcott Update on March 25th, 2010
Westcott is going classy – with the backgrounds! We have been hard at work this month and we are ready to release some new backgrounds. However, we have not named them – this is where you come in!
What is the contest?
We need names for our new backgrounds as well as the line. This is the final background that will be shown. If you submit a name for the background that we choose in 2 weeks, you will receive that background FREE! On Friday (3/26) we will be posting an image of all the backgrounds and you will have the opportunity to name the entire line. If we choose yours, you will win a complete set of all the new backgrounds! It doesn’t get any better than that!
MOST IMPORTANT: Please submit your ideas through the Comment Box below!
We look forward to seeing what you come up with! We will be contacting you in the next 2 weeks if you are the winner!
So, without hesitation, here is IMAGE #5:
Contest: NEW Background #4
Posted by Amber McCoy in Backgrounds, Contest, Westcott Update on March 24th, 2010
Westcott is going classy – with the backgrounds! We have been hard at work this month and we are ready to release some new backgrounds. However, we have not named them – this is where you come in!
What is the contest?
We need names for our new backgrounds as well as the line. There will be one new background released for the next 2 business days through Facebook and Twitter (3/24-3/25). If you submit a name for the background that we choose in 2 weeks, you will receive that background FREE! On Friday (3/26) we will be posting an image of all the backgrounds and you will have the opportunity to name the entire line. If we choose yours, you will win a complete set of all the new backgrounds! It doesn’t get any better than that!
MOST IMPORTANT: Please submit your ideas through the Comment Box below!
We look forward to seeing what you come up with! We will be contacting you in the next 2 weeks if you are the winner!
So, without hesitation, here is IMAGE #4:
Contest: NEW Background #3
Posted by Amber McCoy in Backgrounds, Contest, Westcott Update on March 23rd, 2010
Westcott is going classy – with the backgrounds! We have been hard at work this month and we are ready to release some new backgrounds. However, we have not named them – this is where you come in!
What is the contest?
We need names for our new backgrounds as well as the line. There will be one new background released for the next 3 business days through Facebook and Twitter (3/23-3/25). If you submit a name for the background that we choose in 2 weeks, you will receive that background FREE! On Friday (3/26) we will be posting an image of all the backgrounds and you will have the opportunity to name the entire line. If we choose yours, you will win a complete set of all the new backgrounds! It doesn’t get any better than that!
MOST IMPORTANT: Please submit your ideas through the Comment Box below!
We look forward to seeing what you come up with! We will be contacting you in the next 2 weeks if you are the winner!
So, without hesitation, here is IMAGE #3:
Contest: NEW Background #2
Posted by Amber McCoy in Backgrounds, Contest, Westcott Update on March 22nd, 2010
Westcott is going classy – with the backgrounds! We have been hard at work this month and we are ready to release some new backgrounds. However, we have not named them – this is where you come in!
What is the contest?
We need names for our new backgrounds as well as the line. There will be one new background released for the next 4 business days through Facebook and Twitter (3/22-3/25). If you submit a name for the background that we choose in 2 weeks, you will receive that background FREE! On Friday (3/26) we will be posting an image of all the backgrounds and you will have the opportunity to name the entire line. If we choose yours, you will win a complete set of all the new backgrounds! It doesn’t get any better than that!
MOST IMPORTANT: Please submit your ideas through the Comment Box below!
We look forward to seeing what you come up with! We will be contacting you in the next 2 weeks if you are the winner!
So, without hesitation, here is IMAGE #2:
Contest: NEW Background #1
Posted by Amber McCoy in Backgrounds on March 19th, 2010
Westcott is going classy – with the backgrounds! We have been hard at work this month and we are ready to release some new backgrounds. However, we have not named them – this is where you come in!
What is the contest?
We need names for our new backgrounds as well as the line. There will be one new background released for the next 5 business days through Facebook and Twitter (3/19-3/25). If you submit a name for the background that we choose in 2 weeks, you will receive that background FREE! On Friday of next week (3/26) we will be posting an image of all the backgrounds and you will have the opportunity to name the entire line. If we choose yours, you will win a complete set of all the new backgrounds! It doesn’t get any better than that!
MOST IMPORTANT: Please submit your ideas through the Comment Box below!
We look forward to seeing what you come up with! We will be contacting you in the next 2 weeks if you are the winner!
So, without hesitation, here is IMAGE #1:
Joao Carlos: How I Shoot Fashion
Posted by Amber McCoy in Halo and Apollo, Reflectors, Spiderlites on March 19th, 2010
This image is from an editorial that was shot for Six Degrees Magazine. The title of my fairy tale is “Drama Queens”. It’s about 2 princesses who are a handful and when they don’t get their way they throw tantrums.
I was inspired by the location, the Casa do Alentejo in Lisbon,Portugal which is rich in social history, and wanted to take advantage of the full creative freedom that I was given. I decided to use the 18th century furniture in a unpredictable way by stacking all of the dining tables and chairs. The tables hold the weight of the model in the background and give the chairs a hidden structure .
Drama Queen Final Image
I tried to take advantage of the amazing Portuguese natural light streaming through huge windows and multiple doors by using a Westcott Scrim Jim defuser. Even with the elaborate candelabra completely lit, it was still too dark. I decided the best way to add a soft, natural light was to use my two Westcott Spiderlite TD3 lights with two studio strobes and the Westcott 45in Round Halo Mono.
Joao Carlos - Setup Diagram
For more information on Joao Carlos, please visit his website: www.joaocarlosphoto.com
WPPI 2010: What a show!
Posted by Amber McCoy in Conferences, Spiderlites on March 16th, 2010
This year’s Wedding & Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) was held in Las Vegas, NV at the MGM Grand Hotel from March 4 through March 11. It truly was a success for Westcott! We had the privilege of meeting numerous photographers with amazing talent who use Westcott products. We also had the pleasure of introducing new photographers to many Westcott lighting kits – especially our Spiderlite TD5s, which they immediately became a fan of.
Before we give you a recap of the show, we wanted to first thank everyone for taking the time to stop by our booth! Without you, WPPI would have not been a success! Second, we want to extend our appreciation to the photographers who donated their time to speak at our booth as well! You all did an amazing job! The following individuals spoke at our booth: James Schmelzer, David Ziser, Zach and Jody Gray (Gray Photography) and George DeLoache.
RECAP of WPPI 2010:
Day 1: Monday March 8, 2010
When they opened the gates for the WPPI Expo to begin, we knew it was going to be a good one! We had an immediate rush that continued until after the show had come to a close on Day 1. Our biggest hit for Day 1 had to be our Green Screen products. Photo Basics by Westcott recently launched a handful of items featuring Green Screen technology. The following products were featured at the show: 9′x10′ Chroma Key Blue and Green Screens, Green Screen Digital Photo Kit, uLite Green Screen Video Lighting Kit and the uLite Green Screen Photo Lighting Kit. On a Pro level, our biggest featured product had to be our 6-in-1 Reflector Kit.
Day 2: Tuesday March 9, 2010
As the second day began, it was definitely a day of interest in our Spiderlite TD5s. With the wave of constant light becoming more and more utilized in the industry, everyone wanted to know how to utilize these lights. The TD5s allow photographers to create a light source that according to Scott Kelby is “almost like cheating”. Since Westcott offers many kits (biggest value) featuring the TD5s, the demo on the product was ‘enlighting’ – no pun intended.
Day 3: Wednesday March 10, 2010
The last day was nothing to be reckoned with! The traffic through our booth was almost mind-boggling! The Westcott 28” Apollo softbox was a product not to be overlooked – this had to be the product of the day for Westcott. With more and more photographers focusing on the option of using their products for both studio use as well as on-location, the Apollo had everything to offer! It creates an avenue for travel photographers to have the performance of a softbox with the portability of an umbrella. This product is truly a photographers’ dream! And as the day continued, the traffic remained even up until the conference had closed.
Closing of WPPI 2010
This year was truly fantastic and it is always a pleasure to see familiar faces! So in the meantime, keep your eyes and ears peeled – 2010 is going to be a BIG year for Westcott – who knows what is up our sleeves!
Don’t forget – Order your FREE 2010 Westcott & Photo Basics Catalogs now! Click here to order!
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Keith Ibsen – Complete Concepts Photography
Posted by Amber McCoy in Backgrounds, Spiderlites, TD5, softbox on March 15th, 2010
Keith Ibsen is a Co-founder of Complete Concepts Photography, located in East Northport, NY. Keith and his associate, Joel Lucks, started collaborating in the spring of 2009, combining their photographic talents. Keith’s background is in illustration and design and Joel’s, as a professional writer, made them a perfect match. The company is divided into two divisions – commercial and consumer. Their job assignments have taken them from the underwater world to corporate offices, from the studio to locations around Long Island, New York and the country. Between them, they have over 40 years of photographic experience.
Keith is a long-time Nikon photographer, while Joel is a Canon photographer. However, when it comes to studio lighting they both agree Westcott Studio Lighting is the best choice. In early 2009, Keith attended a lighting seminar facilitated by Westcott’s representative, Dave Piazza, and was introduced to the Westcott TD5 constant light source and was sold immediately on their system. Soon thereafter, the first light was added to the studio. So impressed by its performance, the studio now has a total of three TD5s, along with Westcott’s soft boxes and accessories. In December 2009, Complete Concepts Photography also added two Westcott Strobelite PLUS lights. With this winning combination, and a backdrop rented from Westcott (www.rentscenicbackgrounds.com), Keith produced the images featured here.
Photo #1
Photo #1, Svetlana, was taken with a Nikon D3 set on manual using a Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 lens. Lighting was produced with a pair of Westcott TD5s: One in a Westcott 36” x 48” Shallow Softbox and one in a Westcott 12” x 36” Strip Bank. The exposure was 1/100th at f/5.6. The ISO was set at 400 and the portrait Expo Disc was used to take the custom white balance. All shooting was done tethered to a MacBook Pro 15” Laptop. (See Below)
Setup Shot
Photo #2
Photo #2, was taken with (2) Strobelite PLUS lights, one with barn door with a blue gel and one with a snoot. Svetlana was photographed about 3 feet in front of a white background. As with the first photograph, the primary light source was the TD5. Again the Nikon D3 in manual mode was used along with the 24-70mm lens. The custom white balance remained the same, as did the ISO. Exposure was 1/80th at f/7.1
Photographing with this light source is almost like cheating.
For more information visit www.completeconceptsphotography.com and check out Phototoons at www.prestigiousillustrations.net.