As you can see in this behind the scenes shot we had two alien bees that we used to light our subject. Our model stood still throughout the 30 second exposure. When shooting in darkness you can vary your shutter speed without affecting the overall exposure.on the model.

This is the resulting image you get from the set-up pictured above.

The light painting technique offers a great variation to your normal backdrops as the models seem to be engulfed in light.

Sometimes, by using this technique, you get some interesting results.

We started at a plant nursery that we found off from highway 72 in Traverse City. It was closed for the day so it gave us the perfect opportunity to shoot without worrying about spectators. I had Amy sit near some plants that matched the pattern in her dress and I place the flowers all around her for effect.

Amy’s eyes are naturally blue. I asked if she wore contacts and she said she did but that they were clear and added no color. This photo was taken out on the Old Mission Peninsula. It was incredibly windy and I had a difficult time setting up the lighting. I positioned the softbox to Amy’s side pointing away from the wind to keep it from blowing over. We also had to hurry. We got to the location just as the sun was setting on the horizon. You can see from Amy’s hair that the wind was blowing pretty hard. She had a difficult time keeping her hair tame and out of her face.

The sun is almost gone but it still gave me enough of a kick to make the shot.

Here you can see the effect of putting the lighting with the softbox off to the side. I like the effect that it creates in that position. Sometimes what seems like a challenge is actually an opportunity.

This series of photos represents the main reason we did the shoot. I wanted to try lighting at night with the bokeh in the background. Amy and I had fun on our photo adventure. The photos were coming out so nice it was difficult to stop shooting.

All photos ©2010 Todd L Church

Bevin and I were chatting on Facebook when we decided to host another photography workshop. This time the workshop was located at the barns in the former State Hospital Grounds in Traverse City. We didn’t have too much time to plan. We gave ourselves less than a week. We invited people through Facebook and word spread. The turnout was HUGE. I’m not sure exactly how many people, models and photographers, showed up but everyone seemed to have a great time. We were honored to also have a former National Geographic Photographer attend. How cool is that?

Bruce Dale approached me during the workshop and handed me his card. I never met him before and didn’t recognize the name. We talked casually about the workshops and how they operate. Generally people just show up and start shooting. I believe that the only way to improve is by doing. It helps to compare your photographs with the photos of others and to talk about technique and share ideas. My own learning process is by trial and error.

Bruce was with me when I was talking to one of the moms about our model release forms. I told her that the photographers who attend the workshops normally use the photos for portfolio and not for selling. Just then Bruce piped up and said that he has 2,000 images in the National Geographic and was there to test a prototype Panasonic camera. I later discovered it was a Lumix GH2. He said he was going to use the images at the Photokina fair in Germany. My jaw dropped. Wow! That’s impressive! Bruce has too many accomplishments to list here. It’s probably best to hear it in his own words.

30 Years of BAD Pictures from Bruce Dale on Vimeo.

I am glad he came to our workshop and I can’t wait to see the resulting video and images. As I said. We had several very talented photographers and models who attended. I love to see all the creativity that comes from getting people together with a common interest and artistic goal in mind. It’s the main reason I do these workshops. (update: The local newspaper did a story about this. You can read it by CLICKING  HERE.)

Lindsy Laway and Kent Wicksell. These two didn’t know each other but they look like they do.

Lindsy Laway came all the way from Charlevoix.

Katie Withrow

Katie is a student at Michigan State University.

Michigan State has some of the prettiest girls. (I may be a little biased because of my alumni status)

Charlotte Morgan has been wanting to come to a workshop for a long time. She finally made it.

These two are sisters. Can you tell? Amy and Leslie Sevenski. I’ve worked with Leslie before. This is Amy’s first time.

Amy has the look of a great model.

Arielle LaHaye

I had Arielle look at me from under a sunflower. I love the effect of the color reflecting on her face.

Michelle Michael and I went to the corn field to try and get a good shot.
It was difficult holding the reflector with one hand and the camera in the other.

Bevin and I are planning more workshops in the future. We love getting together with people and exercising our creativity. Besides, you never know who might show up to a workshop. Maybe next time it will be Annie Leibovitz.

Walking on the dunes with all our camera gear in 80 degree heat is no easy task but we were able to manage.

The Sleeping Bear Dunes is a perfect setting for photography workshops. The water is warm and inviting and the views are spectacular. If I would have had my swim trunks I would have taken a dip.

Brian Harwood.

Bevin and Sarah

This is me talking to Sarah and Ashley about exposure and camera settings (photo by Brian Harwood).

We met Bree on the beach. She was visiting the dunes on her way to California and she was nice enough to model for us.

The girls practicing the hair whip.

Bevin and I are hosting another workshop tomorrow, August 8th,  at the State Hospital in Traverse City.  We have 27 people signed up so far on Facebook and another 25 who said they might come. That should be lots of fun. Photography is a fun way to meet people and interact.  I always enjoy getting together and talking about photography.

We also were invited by Rob Diegel to come into his store, Eyes-4U to have Ashlyn model some glasses. Rob was a great guy and we had a lot of fun shooting in his store. We also met the cutest little bulldog named Dorothy Parker.