Atherton & District Amateur Photographic Society

My latest blog post - 'Learning from Damien Lovegrove'

http://www.pauljones.org/?p=754


“If photography is complicated you’re not doing it right.”

Words imparted to his audience by master portrait and boudoir photographer Damien Lovegrove, when I attended his ‘Concept to Print’ masterclass last Tuesday night. And over the next three hours I sat enthralled as he demonstrated his very uncomplicated approach to image making.

Working with professional model Carla Monaco, Lovegrove covered various lighting setups from using one light, two lights then three lights. He took us through the benefits of hard light and soft light. He showed his Hollywood lighting setups. He explored working with a model and which poses work best. And covered how to add more interest to the background.

For the last part of the evening Damien took us through the way he processes images in Lightroom (very minimally) and then printed out his favourite images from the night onto fine art portfolio paper. The prints were stunning! I left the session feeling deeply inspired.


Here's a cameraphone snap of me with Damien...


Read more .... http://www.pauljones.org/?p=754

Looks like you really enjoyed this Paul. As an beginner/enthusiast I am always willing to learn and take advice, and when members of the club are willing to share their knowledge as they do, I come home with the same feeling.

Jan

There are all sorts of seminars and workshops around and it would be great to join in with some. I did a great day with Damian McGillicuddy once at Warrington - that's recommended too!

I've been practicing photography for 15 years now and I consider I'm still far off from where I want to be.

I have a great thirst for knowledge and am always on the lookout for learning opportunities, so when Isaw the Lovegrove masterclass advertised on his blog I booked it right away. If you're interested, Damien has posted some of the photos from Tuesday night onto his site - http://www.prophotonut.com/2013/11/07/c ... technique/

That's excellent stuff Paul, many thanks for the link.

One thing that comes up constantly is the creative use of lighting, not only on the model but on the background too.

John wrote:That's excellent stuff Paul, many thanks for the link.

One thing that comes up constantly is the creative use of lighting, not only on the model but on the background too.

The pattern on the background in the first two shots was the result of him shining a soft light through a pot plant. Genius!

He used to be a lighting designer for the BBC.

Hi Paul

WOW - cracking images and all taken whilst giving a seminar. Truly inspirational.

Tracey

Paul wrote

The pattern on the background in the first two shots was the result of him shining a soft light through a pot plant.

The 'gobo' - purpose built to attach to the front of a light to create pattern. Shine a light through an object - a plant, a Venetian blind; or project a transparency onto the background and/or model; or even modulate the light by the hands of an assistant - or even those of a fellow student at night class ...

W

Hi Paul

It looks like a real opportunity to learn. I've put my name down for the next class within a reasonable distance.

Mel

Walter Brooks wrote: The 'gobo'....

Yes, indeed, Walter. Lovegrove was also demonstrating his own 'Scatter Gels' - printed pattern gobos - fitted onto his Lupo lights.
http://www.lovegroveconsulting.com/love ... _gels.aspx

melbarnes wrote: It looks like a real opportunity to learn. I've put my name down for the next class within a reasonable distance.

You'll enjoy it Mel. I would definitely go to other Lovegrove workshops.

If I could get 3 other people interested who will pay £300 each we could organise a full day training session.
http://www.passionphotographyexperience ... grove.aspx

I've emailed Damien re a repeat of the seminar you went to Paul; apparently they will be repeating it with additional items, but the location has not yet been decided. Those interested can put their names forward to him, and he has asked "what distance are you prepared to travel", I put down 50 miles. If enough are interested at ADAPS, perhaps we could drag him up to sunny Atherton....?

The fee will be increased to £25 per head to reflect the additional items.

Cheers, Mel B

melbarnes wrote: I've emailed Damien re a repeat of the seminar you went to Paul; apparently they will be repeating it with additional items, but the location has not yet been decided.

The fee will be increased to £25 per head to reflect the additional items.

Still a bargain. I'd go to see him again anytime.

melbarnes wrote: I've emailed Damien re a repeat of the seminar you went to Paul; apparently they will be repeating it with additional items, but the location has not yet been decided.

The dates for the next Lovegrove 'From Concept to Print' workshops have now been confirmed.

http://www.lovegroveconsulting.com/trai ... print.aspx

Glasgow: Wednesday 19th February
Newcastle: Friday 21st February
St Albans: Thursday 27th February
Exeter: Friday 14th March
Winchester: Friday 21st March

Tickets are £18

I'm just letting you know that Damien Lovegrove has this week released two new photography training DVDs.
http://www.lovegroveconsulting.com/trai ... loads.aspx


CONCEPT TO PRINT
If you weren't able to attend his 'Concept to Print' workshops you can now sit back and watch an 80 minutes film of it in your own home.

Price £18
Link http://www.lovegroveconsulting.com/vide ... video.aspx


ILLUMINATION
2 hours, 19 chapters dedicated to lighting portraits on location.

Special Offer Price £45 (it is going up to £65 after 11th July)
Link http://www.lovegroveconsulting.com/vide ... ation.aspx