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Lighting the Nude - Raleigh

A Billy Monday Workshop

In many ways, the nude figure is the most challenging subject for an art photographer. The technical challenges of studio lighting, the many variables when working with complicated surfaces, and the psychological test of working with a live subject; all combine to give the artist a difficult but rewarding task. Please join me and two classically beautiful models at my first workshop in the Raleigh, North Carolina area on Saturday, February 18 for a study of light, lighting, and the nude figure.

who:

Edith J (MM#2021532) is a model with an extraordinary sense of art and the human figure. A quick look at her portfolio will show you a model who creates graceful, intimate and expressive poses without fail. She is in every sense an artist, yet is very down-to-earth. This is a rare opportunity to work with this phenomenal model from Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Many artists in North Carolina are already familiar with Sadie M (MM#1861497). Sadie has modeled for my workshops before, and I'm excited to have this creative, enthusiastic soul back again for my event in Raleigh. Sadie's love for modeling shows in her dynamic, powerful poses. Her laid-back and professional attitude is refreshing, her beauty is refined and classical, and the results when working with her are always satisfying.

what:

This workshop will be strictly limited to six photographers. After an extended discussion of lights and lighting, we will begin work using soft, continuous lights. This first session will focus on:

• Chiaroscuro - what is our goal when lighting the figure?
• Light intensity and exposure control
• The inverse square law
• The use of ratios in controlling shadows and diffused light
• Hardness vs softness when lighting a nude figure

After a short break, we'll break out the studio's strobe units and begin to light with those. We'll discuss:

• Proper metering of strobe lights
• Differences between strobes and continuous lights
• Using light modifiers, such as soft boxes, reflectors, snoots and grids
• Color temperature and white balance

The workshop includes substantial printed notes with examples, demonstrations, and resources to which you can turn if you develop "lighter's block." Each photographer will leave the workshop with an enhanced understanding of lighting, contacts with new artists and models, and (of course) a great collection of wonderful fine-art nude photos.

where:

The workshop will be held at The Veritas Studio in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. The Veritas Studio is a full-service photography studio available for you to rent.

when:

Saturday, February 18, 2012. 11am 'till approximately 6pm.

why:

While glamor photography workshops abound, there are few group opportunities to work with figure models, and even fewer which take a serious approach to learning. Our event will focus on developing both skills and relationships which will last a lifetime. Emphasizing a fine art approach to nude photography, I hope to encourage both exceptional image making and also networking to build an extended community of artists and models in the region.

how much:

$220 includes all studio fees, model's fees and a signed release (excluding use on websites requiring Federal record-keeping). This price will substantially increase for my next workshop in North Carolina.

If you have any comments or questions, please don't hesitate to contact me. I hope to see you there!