If you’re out shooting in the field a lot, you know that changing lenses can be a hassle, especially when you use a heavy backpack that you have to take off and on repeatedly. My solution for this is to shoot with no camera bag at all. Instead, I use the Modular belt-based storage system, by ThinkTank Photo. I’ve been using ThinkTank products for years and I absolutely love them. The Modular System is a series of lens and accessory pouches that attach to a special belt. This system makes changing lenses a breeze and makes my gear much easier to manage.
In an earlier video, I detailed the general setup I like to use and I’m posting an update to show how I’ve changed my setup in the video shown below.
FYI: It looks like ThinkTank has renamed their belt-based product line from Modulus to Modular.
Check out the components to the Modular System HERE
For the Tamrac Filter Pouch I use with the Modular System, click HERE
For the suspender/harness system I’m now using, click HERE.
Watch the original video on the Modular System HERE.
Receive a free ThinkTank item on my Equipment Discounts page HERE.
This week I’m spending my time in Los Osos, CA teaching a Digital Fine Art Nudes class. Today we looked at many example images, discussed a few general concepts and did a lot of light painting. Above and below are two of the images I created today. The image above is lit with only a flashlight, while the image below was lit was a green glowstick that was suspended from a string. Our model "Sam" was a great sport since we had her flinging around Christmas tree lights and holding still for quite some time while she had no idea what the end results would bare.
I have a Digital Fine Art Nudes class coming up at the Lepp Institute on May 12-16. This will be a great combination of theory (how to think about capturing a 3D subject in a 2D medium), shooting (both studio, outdoors, under natural and artificial lighting) and Photoshop (how to enhance your results to bring them to the next level). You’ll learn how to interact with the models, how to make sure the lighting is flattering, how to pose them for dramatic effect and special techniques for making sure you end up with an image worth framing. I’m really excited about the class since this has been a passion of mine since I started college.
We need a few more signups to make this class a reality, so please let anyone you know that is interested in the subject matter know about the class (I’d really appreciate it). You can see some examples of my nudes after the jump (if you’re offended by nudity, please don’t click). I have many other examples that I am not allowed to show on-line since the women pictured don’t want to be able to be recognized. This class is about fine art nudes, not anything raunchy.
If you ever plan to visit South Dakota, be sure to visit the Dakotagaph web site before you leave. This is the web site of Chad Coppess who has been the senior photographer for the South Dakota Department of Tourism since 1993. His web site describes the best time of year to shoot different subject matter and gives you all sorts of useful tips for shooting in South Dakota. Go take a look… I think you’ll be impressed by the depth of his posts.
I met Chad when he took one of my workshops last year.
Here’s another before/after example. The image above is my final version that is ready to be printed large while the photo below is the original version I posted on this blog.
FYI: The techniques I used to create this type of image are covered in my HDR DVD.
