Monday 24 May 2010

A Hobby with a passion

On Saturday I was lucky enough to attend a workshop by my good friend David Hobby which was organised by Alex Ray of 'The Flash Centre'

David gave a real insight into his style of lighting and his undeclared maxim that 'Less is more' and perhaps 'Even less is even more' if you get what I mean.

His ability to construct a lighting setup in no time at all which looks like it uses all the lights in the world when often it is no more than three SB800 speedlight's has to be seen to be believed

As ever in this eternal learning game we call photography I learned a lot, and particularly his use of on camera flash as fill was a very useful eye opener

During his presentation in the first half of the day two of the images which he showed just leaped off the screen at me.

One was THE most sublime portrait of his children in winter light.

It was quite beautiful, rather like an Old Masters painting don't you think?




The other was this beautiful fast portrait of his son Ben, you can read the post of how he did it here




You really can tell when a photographer is shooting with a depth and a passion

At the end of the day during the question and answer session a member of the audience asked him to repost a 'how to' on high speed photography

He used the opportunity to speak of how though technique and theory was all well and good, that the most important thing is to apply the theory to your passion, and shoot something that will make a difference.

I'm pleased he made the point, there can be a tendency by photographers to just stress about the equipment and technique and not considering WHAT we are photographing


A man who know his stuff, bloody good photographer too

If you can beg steal or borrow a spare ticket to his roadshow in the UK, do so as you will learn more from him than 'just' lighting

9 comments:

Paulo Rodrigues said...

Ive been to two of his workshops and own the DVD. This time I though I would be getting diminishing returns by going again and you go and write this to make me regret not going :)

Unknown said...

Hi Paulo

Good to hear from you again!

Yes, I feel that in addition to sharing his lighting talents,David is encouraging us to consider what we are shooting more carefully

Cheers

Drew

David Hobby said...

You are too kind, friend -- I was both pleased and intimidated to have you there.

We were, of curse, fresh out of nymphs and water buffalos, so did the best we could making subjects out of the attendees.

I t was great to see you, and to meet Lucinda as well. See you when I return to London,
D

Anonymous said...

I am so hoping to attend one of his seminars one day. I have learned much from David's tutorials and insightful and entertaining blogsite but nothing like hearing and experiencing someone in person especially one who is so passionate.

Thanks for the update!

Arpad

Sean McCormack said...

This was my second seminar and it wasn't anything like diminishing returns. While there was some early stuff that was the same as before, most of it was new material.

Good to see you there too Drew. I think I was as impressed as you with the 'last supper' lighting.


I think you did miss out Paulo!

Unknown said...

Thanks for the comments Guys

I have been watching David at work now for 3 or 4 years (how time flies!)

But what I would say is that anyone who does go to one of his 2010 classes will get so much more out of it than 'just' lighting

He is growing in many new directions

Cheers

drew

Anonymous said...

A very interesting workshop and definitely good value for money. If it encourages me to take less junk with me on location shoots it has to be a good thing! No smoke, though ... :-)

Unknown said...

Hi Andy

Yes, I'm most definitely takingthe 'less is more' path at the moment too. A valuable lesson from David.
Don't give up smoking :)


Cheers

Drew

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