articles/Fashion/rollingwiththebigdog9-page5

Rolling with the BIG Dog Part 9 - part 5 of 1 2 3 4 5

by Damian McGillicuddy Published 01/02/2011

All of Ms Vex's movement and a little of the Claw's was put in during post production with a little touch of motion blur. Once more pre-visualising the image and shooting to ease the post production pays dividends. Every time I see this image it puts a tiny smile on my lips, it is exactly as was intended and cartoonesque, perhaps even manga in its style.

Our last image is virtually diametrically opposed to the previous image, it's as simple as simple could be and achieved with a real 'bare bones' and minimalistic approach. The 'key' light was just 1/3 of the £49 McGillicuddy Portaflex lighting kit, little money giving major effect. If nothing else I want you to understand that good photography is NEVER dependent on expensive kit, don't have all the gear and no idea, the industry is awash with people of that ilk!

The speedlight used as the 'Key' or main light was fitted with the bare bulb enhancer from the kit and positioned opposite the model to camera left about five feet from her. A second speedlight was fitted with a blue gel behind the model and allowed to 'wash' down the wall offering a good contrast and separation from the subject's prominent orange outfit.

Along with the lighting, an aperture of f4 gives a shallow depth of field on an 85mm lens standing the subject off a busy background, creating separation and isolating her as the primary focal point. A shutter speed of 1/125s gives us control of the level of 'fill' we allow the ambient light to contribute. Simple and very effective yet completed in less than three minutes. It's amazing what knowledge and a meter can achieve in such a short time!

So if you were one of the many without a 'golden ticket' and therefore couldn't descend the depths of London with the Dog, I hope that this month's Rolling has in some small way carried you along with us.

There will never be a substitute for learning your craft, using the right modifiers and measuring light, that's all part of being a professional photographer. If you want to follow in Stuart or Richie's award-winning footsteps or feel that you want to amass as many titles as me, I absolutely guarantee that spending a training day with Team McGillicuddy will put you firmly on the right track. You can check out what we are doing, when and where we are doing it by logging on to www.damianmcgillicuddy.com and browsing the journal or navigating to the workshops page. I'd love to help you to achieve your goals, come visit me soon ;0)

All that remains now is a courteous thank-you to the fantastic Mr & Mrs Jones for facilitating the event, you both have my gratitude!

• Rolling with the BIG Dog Part 9 page 1
  
• Rolling with the BIG Dog Part 9 page 2
  
• Rolling with the BIG Dog Part 9 page 3
  
• Rolling with the BIG Dog Part 9 page 4
  
• Rolling with the BIG Dog Part 9 page 5
  

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