The Class is Coming!

Nikolai

We are in the final stages of nailing down the last logistical details, should be done by the end of the month. However, one big question still remains uncertain - namely, "when". So I thought I'd ask: do *you* have any preference (that is, if you think you will be able to attend at all, provided eveything else is right)?

Some key features:

• Saturday: 8am..5pm (studio) + dinner + optional sunset shoot (outdoors)
• Various lighting setups
• Live experienced models (+ MUA)
• Posing techniques
• Your own time with models (at least two stations)
• Sunday: optional sunrise shoot + 9am..3pm (lab/class)
• Essential scheduling, workflow and postprocessing techniques

Please think, vote and stay tuned! :thumb

DavidTO

Nik, not everyone is going to know what you're talking about.

Qarik

where?

Nikolai

Qarik wrote:

where?

General vicinity of Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

Nikolai

DavidTO wrote:

Nik, not everyone is going to know what you're talking about.

Uhm, David, thanks, you're right, as always!

For the last year and a half I learned a few things about studio lighting and posing/portrature. I also learned how to deal with the pressure of the LA fashion runways and the red carpets of Hollywood. Over the last 9 months alone I worked with more than 50 models from the greater LA/Hollywood area.
I currently operate 11 lights, two cameras, and a little (22'x22'x22') studio.

While I do intend to keep learning I think that I'm ready to share the knowledge that I have already acquired. And while my personal interest lies in modeling/fashion world, the skills and techniques I intend to share are fairly generic and can be applied to any flavor of portrait photography, including (but not limited to ;-):
* initial communications and building a rapport;
* lighting (studio): 1, 2, 3, and more lights setups;
* modifiers and what they do (grids, snoots, barn doors, reflectors, diffusers, umbrealls, softboxes, etc.)
* posing: directing and invoking
* outdoors portraiture (sunrise/sunset): catching the best light of day and putting your subject in front of it
* digital darkroom: selecting the winners; postprocessing tips and tricks; transforming good to great; etc.

Tha class will consist of two days, first (Saturday, full day) covering the shooting aspects and second (Sunday, half day) covering the psotprocessing ones. As a result of the class I intend you to be comfortable of working with multiple lights, indoors or outdoors, know how to pose your subject in the most flattering way, and finally, how to turn the original, often imperfect, captures into the beautiful images quickly and efficiently.

Makes sense now?

Swartzy

And the price is?

Nikolai

Swartzy wrote:

And the price is?

It really depends on the venue, which, as I said, we (me and my executive assistant/manager) are trying to nail down. We have a few options, but still looking for better/cheaper.
That said, I'm striving to get it under $599 for both days (including main meals - two lunches and one dinner - and excluding the transportation and lodging) with an option to attend only one day (I presume some may not be interested in PS CS4-based post-processing on Sunday, or maybe in shooting beautiful girls with Playboy-style lights on Saturday :-)
Once the venue (and naturally date range) is set I'll make it official, with the subscription form, gory details, curriculum and everything else. In the mean time, while it is not set yet, please help yourself by voting for the date that plays out the best for you. I specifically left it multi-choice, so if you open for any of those periods - feel free to mark all you like, and that way we can determine which date range serves us the best.

Nikolai

Got some great news today:
1) pretty much nailed the location for the Day One (Shooting). Awesome place - safe, modern, spacious (35'x45'), super high ceiling (my guestimate is at lease 35'). Day Two (Post-processing)can be held there too, unless we find something even better or cheaper.
2) possibly 50% discount on a room rate in a Best Western hotel nearby, so for those of you folks who's gonna come from afar this should save a pretty penny.
Stay tuned, official announcement is coming soon! :ivar

Flutist

Oh crud this totally something I need, but can't foot the cash. Gosh, anyone do this on the "right" coast?

NateW

Flutist wrote:

Oh crud this totally something I need, but can't foot the cash. Gosh, anyone do this on the "right" coast?

For that matter, on the Third Coast?

(Of course, i really can;t afford it, so i guess that takes my request out...:cry)

dogwood

Flutist wrote:

Gosh, anyone do this on the "right" coast?

Check out Claudio Basso's classes in NYC. I did a workshop with him in the Chicago area couple years back and it was fabulous.

Qarik

ahh..perhaps if it was in Norcal area. I thought maybe you lived in bay area from that shoot of yours.

Cygnus Studios

I wouldn't mind making the trip south for this one. Once the details are clear, I will see if it works.

Qarik wrote:

ahh..perhaps if it was in Norcal area.

Put one together here in the bay area, and I will join in

Nikolai

Qarik wrote:

ahh..perhaps if it was in Norcal area. I thought maybe you lived in bay area from that shoot of yours.

Let me do this one first Lugging all the studio equipment is not fun...

Nikolai

Cygnus Studios wrote:

I wouldn't mind making the trip south for this one. Once the details are clear, I will see if it works.

I hope to be able to make an announcement this weekend.

Nikolai

It's official!
Posing The Light Workshop Registration is open
http://photosocal.wufoo.com/forms/posing-the-light-workshop-registration/
I'll come out with a special page soon, in the mean time feel free to a ask questions here, via PM or via email, or better yet - go ahead and sign up, sitting is very limited!

Nikolai

And I even created the official page:-)
Posing The Light Workshop

Flutist

dogwood wrote:

Check out Claudio Basso's classes in NYC. I did a workshop with him in the Chicago area couple years back and it was fabulous.

I will do that thanks!!

Nikolai

And to get you guys some incentives - nice discount$ for the first three people who sign up :-)