Become Better Photographer: Freeze Frame with David Bergman

*For more information visit AdoramaTV YT page, and of course you can keep up with David on Instagram and Twitter @DavidBergman. LATEST UPDATE: David opened up new IGTV episodes where you can ask him questions live! find out more at http://www.AskDavidBergman.com

Today we’re going to talk about freezing action with flash. Our favorite New York based photographer David Bergman is going to explain how he makes freeze frames, while shooting his muse of the set – dancer Shari.

David shares: “I’m going to have her jump in the air, and don’t want any blur at all in the image, even though she’s moving pretty quickly, you probably know that you want to use fast shutter speeds, like maybe 1,000th of a second or more, to freeze most action. But when you use flash, your fastest shutter speed is limited by your camera’s sync speed. Which is usually around 200th of a second.”

“That might not seem like it’s fast enough to freeze her in midair. You might be able to use a function called high-speed sync, but let’s put that aside for now. Even without high speed sync, there’s another element at play here, that can really help us out. The flash looks just like an immediate burst of light to our eyes, but the truth is the light is still turning on and off for a period of time, it just happens really fast. The actual amount of time that the light is on is called the flash duration.”

“The good news is that it’s faster than your shutter speed, because the entire duration of the light from on to off, has to happen while your shutter is completely open. So even though my shutter speed is only 200th’s of a second, the amount of time that the flash is on, is really much shorter. The flash duration on this particular strobe the ORLIT RoveLight RT 610, ranges from an 800ths of a second to 8,000th of a second. It even has a special freeze mode, to go all the way to a crazy fast 19,000th of a second. “

“As a general rule the more you turn the power down on your flash, the faster the duration. Now that’s not true with all flashes, so make sure you do the research on your particular unit. But that means that as long as we don’t have any ambient lighting affecting our exposure, the faster flash durations will still freeze our subject. Even at relatively slow shutter speeds. To finish this off, I’m going to add a couple of powered-down lights behind Sherry, to create some separation from the background, and we’ve got ourselves a cool action shot with everything frozen, using only our fast flash duration. “

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Become Better Photographer: How to Use a Reflector for Portrait Photography

*For more information visit AdoramaTV YT page, and of course you can keep up with Vanessa on Instagram @VanessaJoy

In today’s episode with Vanessa Joy from AdoramaTV we are going to learn photographer’s favorite reflectors and various styles/techniques for its application.

Vanessa shares: “Number one reflector that I have here is the lastolite tri grip and the reason I like this one is because it’s a great reflector that you can hand hold all by yourself. I have the silver and white [side] I think it might come in different skins but this is what I’ve got and you can hand hold it while photographing wherever you’re gonna photograph so let’s take some shots. I’m specifically backlighting her because I wanted to have a white background.”

“This one’s really great when you’re by yourself you have to hold the light. Let’s go to my second favorite – lasolite halo. This one is it’s so compact. I travel a lot for the photography work, and bringing a round reflector is kind of annoying. Another nice thing about this is you can have one yellow frame and then you can have multiple skins. This one’s silver and white but there are a lot of other options. It is super light, so you can just hand hold it yourself it is round so it’s a little bit different of a shape obviously than the Tri grip and again you can get different skins for it. The other thing that’s great is that it’s really really tight. You could practically bounce beans off of this, so you don’t have to worry about it rolling up in any way it’s really gonna maintain the circular form. “

“Now let’s go to my absolute favorite third reflector that I love and really use anytime I can. This is the glow 5 in 1 reflector and this is my go to, what I use on every wedding, every shoot. As long as I can and as long as I have an assistant that is the caveat with this one but it can do so much. “

Check out our WORKSHOPS in Los Angeles that teach you hands-on how to make great photos!

Watch the full episode with Vanessa Joy and Adorama TV:

Portraits by Levi Walker

Extremely bright, swimming in white, these portraits are sharp, soft and fun. The photo on the sinking baby grand piano is a hands down money shot.

Follow:

Photographer Levi Walker http://www.leviwalkerstudios.com
@leviwalkerphoto

Brunette – white sweater/red dress: @lawelchie

Brunette – yellow pants @maci_arms

Man: @jeremystolle

Assistant: @badgerbanker

gear: @paulcbuffinc, @nikon z6

At the location:

NY Studio 1 known as “White Floor” studio has a few distinct features you will not find in any other stages. Facing the west side this stage gets lots of natural light in the afternoon and has amazing lighting conditions during the golden hour. Among included props are industrial white platform. And the bed. The bed that comes with clean sheets (fees apply) and photogenic look, ready for always anticipated, the “bed scene” Besides, Studio 1 comes equipped with black, white and grey backdrops already installed and three strobe lights included in the hourly rate. Have a look at New York Studio 1 on our website information, prices and availability.

YaFranny Nunez’s Natural Beauty Shoot

A group shoot took place in stage F where four beautiful girls were captured against nice cocoa background, reinforcing the harmony between front and background.

About the shoot:

Hello my name is YaFranny Nunez, this shoot was bought up because I wanted girls like me to embrace their natural selves.

Follow:

Model: yaya_nunez
Photographer instagram: kevridgemms

At the location:

StageF was used for this team’s creative session. The studio is the smallest space we currently offer for our clients. Yet it is one of the most brightest stages with the tremendous amount of natural light coming from North West. It has gained a nickname – “light box” by some of our regulars and it truly fulfills it at any time of the day from dawn until dusk. This studio also features two section laminate floor of white and dark color for your creative needs. As with any of our stages, Studio F comes with 3 strobe lights already included in the hourly rate and backdrop seamless paper installed. Take a closer look HERE.

Dance Photography by Phil Ray Mahabeer

A Ballet, Dance & Portrait Photographer based in NYC – Phil Ray Mahabeer does artistic and portfolio shoots.

About the photographer:

My approach to photography is simple to take images worth taking. This means a more critical workflow, scrutinizing the lighting, colors, composition and most important- feeling. I demand as much from my clients as I do myself. When we come to work we’re going to do the work and get superior results. I rather have 5 great images than 50 mediocre photos. If you’re ready to put the effort in, I’m right there with you, ready to go. Jay Maisel summarizes it best, “If it (the photo) doesn’t excite you, then why the hell would it excite me?” I specialize in Dance, Fitness and, Fashion portraiture, and am open to creative projects of all types.

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Photographic Artist: Phil Ray Mahabeer @philrayphotos www.philmahabeer.com

Dancer: Lola Johnson

About this location:

Our Blackout & RGB enforced studio 4 with “Action Painting” wall is on a high demand. This blackout stage was designed to provide complete control over the strobe light. As with any our other stages a standard package of three basic backdrops and three lights is available within the stage already. Find out more about our new NY Studio 4’s pricing and availability by visiting our website!

Aaliyah Jay in FD Photostudio

A NY/NJ based Photographer/Videographer PJ works closely with brands and influencers. His model of this shoot was famous YT vlogger/ influencer Aaliyah Jay.

Follow:

Instagram/YouTube Star @AaliyahJay

Photographer: PJ (@ShotByP)

About this location:

Portraits Shot By Myko

About the shoot:

Really had fun shooting here and planning to come here in the future. I took these to add to my portrait portfolio and this studio did an amazing job helping me out.

Follow:

My Instagram is www.instagram.com/myko_ig

My website is www.shotbymyko.com

The stage:

Simply described as “Morning light studio with rough exposed wall and metal door” NY Studio 6 is all you need for the vast majority of fashion/lifestyle/beauty photoshoots. Minimalistic and industrial, white and bright stage will give an abundant amount for natural light to play with. Find out more about our new NY Studio 6 “Exposed Block”! ‘s pricing and availability by visiting our website!

Lilly Evans by Dion Bagaporo

A product/brand photography mixed with a sexy lingerie theme is what the photographer Dion Bagaporo had fun with while shooting his muse of the set – Lilly Evans.

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Photographer: Dion Bagaporo

Model: @lovelillyevans

Products: @jungleboys @luxxlighting

About the stage:

Stage Art 4, used for this shoot, is notorious for the high-key white industrial design. It has also been recently adorned with wooden floor section and a wall veneer as well as portable blinds, made of dark wood slats. The latest upgrade the stage received was a nice looking cozy egg like chair and a STAR illuminating across its shape! As any of our stages, Art 4 comes equipped with 3 strobe lights and modifiers as well as backdrop paper of black, white and grey color. Take a look at Stage Art 4 HERE for its availability and pricing!

Fitness/Lingerie Shoot by Wayne Shepherd

Nice and quick photoshoot made by a photographer Wayne Shepherd was dedicated to capture athleticism and sexiness of the model.

Follow:

Photographer Wayne Shepherd | @waynedits

At the location:

Stage Art 1 was a choice of location for this session. Adorned with features like white grand piano and three step podium this stage is a tool of versatility, provider of great natural light, benchmark of industrial Downtown minimalistic design. This space has its windows facing South and West and gets beautiful direct light during the PM hours, and great open-shaded light in the morning. Using strobes? No worries, we include 3 strobe lights in the hourly rate along with black, white and grey background available. Take a look at Stage Art 1 HERE to see what equipment is included in the hourly rate, as well as its availability and pricing.