Hey, last week I did a seminar at Hong Kong, thanks to everyone! By the way here are summarized some of the topics I have been talking about! It is a long list, so when you have time feel free to check it out!
先日香港行ったときの写真ですよ〜 久しぶりにいっぱい人の前に英語で話しました〜 やっぱり英語と日本語の伝わり方違いますね！
イェーイ！
Feel free to share and ask questions!
A big thanks to our Ambassador Ilko Allexandroff Photography for sharing his #OCF #lighting tips and creativity with us at past Monday's seminar!
Attendee Vming Yan was kind enough to summarize his takeaways for the evening.
很感謝 Cactus 攝影大師 Ilko Allexandroff 於週一晚上分享他的作品和心得! 另外也感謝參加者 Vming Yan 好有心記錄低當晚的領受. (有幾個要點 Ilko 作過修正)
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1. 外拍盡量輕便，攜帶越少器材越好，我多數只帶一機身 + 2支鏡(24/1.4+135/2) + 2-3支機頂閃燈 + 可摺疊柔光箱 + 輕巧燈架，絕少會帶影樓燈及腳架，因為太重了。
1. For outdoor shoots, the less I bring and light-weight the better. I usually only bring one camera body, 2 lenses (24/1.4+135/2), 2 to 3 portable flashes, foldable soft box, and small light stands. Very rarely would I use studio strobes and tripod because they are too heavy.
2. 開始拍攝首要設定快門/光圈及ISO.當拍夜間人像個人習慣用ISO800，有時會用 ISO1250 或更高，F4光圈，夜拍時高ISO會特顯背景層次。
2. Before shooting I first set shutter speed, aperture and ISO. For night portraits I am used to ISO800, sometimes ISO1250 or even higher, aperture at F4. Night portraits can highlight more depth with higher ISO.
3. 個人比較喜歡拍攝前期做好所有效果, 多於後期執相，比如一些特別拍攝時,化裝及準備的時間會最長，但當正式拍攝時很快，有時幾分鐘就完成，間中迫不得已會連燈架拍進畫面，而需用Photoshop 執走。
3. I prefer spending my time on location with my team, rather than editing at home alone after that! This is especially the case for some interesting hair and make projects it takes more time for the hair / makeup preparations, which takes up most of the time, and the actual shoot is very quick - all done in a few minutes. At
times when it can't be helped I would need to shoot with the light stands and soft box in the image and photoshop it afterwards.
4. 嫌一支燈不夠 power 時，我會把幾支燈綑綁一起使用，效果不比影樓燈差，或者在 soft box 下方再加多一支燈。
4. When one portalbe flash is underpowered, I will tie a few units together and use them as one unit - it is not far from a studio strobe. Or sometimes when I am using a soft box or other modifiers I would add another flash.
5. 個人喜歡使用softbox 多過柔光傘/反光傘，因 softbox 加上網格會令光線有方向性，這是我個人喜愛的，softbox亦可收納於攝影包包內。
5. I like to use soft box more than studio umbrella because when I add a grid to a soft box the light is more directional. This is what I like. Plus, the soft box can be easily packed into my camera bag.
6. 拍攝時多和model交流，令 model 清楚明白攝影師 idea，或可說說笑話，令氣氛緩和，絕對不要說負面說話，這樣會對 model 構成壓力，對拍攝毫無幫助的。 所以,不要因為你的錯誤而令到使模特兒不好受!
6. When you shoot spend more time communicating, this will let the model clearly understands photographer's ideas for the shoot. You may also jokes with the model which will create a calm atmosphere. Never say negative things as this will give your model pressure, which doesn't help with the photoshoot. So don't make the model feel bad for the mistakes you might be taking!
7. 應熟習你的器材，記得每一顆按制的位置，能夠不用看著器材而可以改變設定，從而令拍攝更流暢，可多點時間面向model 作溝通或構圖。
7. Familiarize with your gears and remember the placement of every knob. If you can make adjustments of your gear without looking it will streamline your shoot. You will also be able to spend more time facing the model for communication and work on framing your shot.
8. 細心觀察每一個可拍攝的位置，找到別人沒有的角度。
8. Observe carefully on any possible spots and agnles in a shoot. Find one that no one else has.
9. 利用單燈已經可以做到很多效果，即使用一支燈也不代表只得一個光源，還有太陽光或其他光源(街燈或者飲品售賣機)。
9. Using a single flash can create many lighting effects; one light does not mean only one light source. There is always the sun and other sources, such as street lamps and vending machines.
10. 光圈和 ISO 主要影響閃光燈，快門對環境光影響。
10. Aperture and ISO affects on artifical light while shutter speed on ambient light.
11. 利用不同顏色 colour gel，從而改變使用閃燈拍攝時背景的色溫，而又不影響主體的顏色。
11. Use various colour gels to change colour temperature in the background without affecting the colour of the subject.
12. 很多作品利用長曝慢快門 + 後簾閃光營造特別效果，特別是帶星空的夜景或棉化的流水。
12. Many of my works use long exposures with rear curtain flash to create a special effect, especially for night portraits with stars or a flowing stream.
13. 正側光或從後側打光線，戲劇性效果通常很高。
13. Lighting directly from the side or slightly from behind usually adds drama to the picture.
14. 通常自己一個人外影，沒有助手的情況下燈架容易被風吹倒，自己會選用平腳的燈架，這樣可以放上攝影包包固定，或者去家品店購買有彈性的單車固定帶，把攝影包掛在燈架上，從而令重心改變，令燈架不易被吹倒。
14. I usually shoot alone for outdoor shoots, and as you can image without assistants light stands fall easily by the wind, so I select a flat feet light stand so I can place bags over them to stabilize the stand. Or sometimes I would use an elastic rope from local home hardware store and use it to hang my bag as a stabilizer. It is a great tool as it changes the centre of gravity and it can withstand wind much better.
15. 個人對光分5個 layer
15. My personal understanding of lights in 5 layers
Layer0: 光源在相機正上方(機頂燈)
Layer0: Light from right above the camera (on-camera flash)
Layer1: 離機燈～光源在 model 前方近距離位置
Layer1: Off-camera flash in front of model
Layer2: 離機燈～光源在 model 後方近距離位置
Layer2: Off-camera flash behind the model
Layer3: 離機燈～光源在 model 正後方位置
Layer3: Off-camera flash directly behind the model
Layer4: 利用背景不同色塊或其他光線混合營造的效果
Layer4: Use of different colours and tones in the background to create a mix of lighting effects
Layer1 和 Layer2 的組合: Cross Lighting (天然或人為光然相對效果)
Combination of Layer1 and Layer2: Cross Lighting (mix of natural and artifical lighting)
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再次多謝各位攝影愛好者的參與. 盼望再次同大家見面!
Thank you again to all the photography enthusiasts for participating and we look forward to meeting with you again!
購買Cactus無線引閃器,閃光燈和禮品店獨家商品請到:
Shop Cactus wireless flash triggers, portable flashes and exclusive store items at:
http://store.cactus-image.com/
