L U C I M A will be hosting a fashion/beauty lighting and retouching workshop on July 31-August 1 at L U C I M A Studio.

When: July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2010. 9AM to 5PM.

Where:
L U C I M A Studio
2620 Concord Ave. Unit 120
Alhambra, CA 91803
+1 (626) 674-2858

Why: I feel like this is the most important question. There are so many workshops out there, why come to mine? While structured, I will tailor this workshop for each individual participant. My goal is your personal growth as a photographer, but every photographer comes in at different levels with different goals. At the beginning of the workshop I will create a personalized goal with each participant. Throughout the workshop I will work with you to achieve those specific goals regardless of the challenge. With all the personalized attention this should feel like a 1-on-1 workshop. You're not coming to watch me shoot. Instead I'm there to ensure your growth as a photographer. Additionally, there will be plenty of time to cover any questions/topics and I'll show you all my camera settings, lighting setups, etc. I'll hold nothing back!

Day 1
Day 1 covers a wider range of topics from "the approach" to lighting to retouching.

My Approach to Excellent Captures: In a short introduction I will empower you with the vision and critical thinking that will elevate your "batting average" for getting incredible shots. I'll go over my philosophical approach to pre-production to execution.

Lighting 1: This was the #1 requested topic for the workshop and I will dedicate the majority of the workshop time towards this topic. Consistent with my approach, I'll show you the techniques I use when creating a lighting setup including my "one light" demonstrations.

Makeup-to-Retouch: This segment will feature MUA Kathleen Ty and her tips for photographers on how makeup interacts with lighting and how to achieve that extra "pop" in your images. I will follow up on tips for retouching and what to look for throughout the shoot.

Hands-on Experimentation: I'm a huge fan of "trail by fire" and learning-on-the-job. Throughout day 1 we will have plenty of time to work through "challenges" and situational opportunities.

Day 2
Day 2 really focuses on experimentation and working with models on set with 1-on-1 coaching during the shoot. Day 2 has less structure and allows photographers to test their knowledge and skills on set.

Lighting 2: Expanding upon Lighting 1, I want to introduce the idea of fill/bounce via white walls. I'll demonstrate how to effectively use my set walls to achieve certain lighting results.

Retouching 1: Detailed workflow of my retouching practices.

General Notes
-Good models are paramount to getting "the shot". The workshop will provide experienced agency-represented models for you to work with.

-I'm not a big fan of memorization, formulas, rules, structure even. I'm going to teach you "how to fish" so you can eat for a lifetime.

-Photographers will be learning/shooting on-the-fly. I'm not a fan of lectures but rather a constant dialogue and sharing of knowledge. That also means, you're not paying to watch me shoot... you'll be doing all the shooting!

-One of the things I enjoy most is keeping the workshop small for more one-on-one attention. I will cap the attendance at 10-12.

-One-on-one time with models is critical to the learning process. At the workshop you'll have plenty of time to work with models.

-You'll be shooting with all the studio gear including the AlienBees system with all the light modifiers and the RadioPopper JrX system. Studio is privately owned, indoors with A/C, plenty of white wall space and portable set walls, and plenty of parking.

-Lunch is included for both days.

Cost $395 for Day 1 // $695 for both days. Register by July 16th for 25% off! Payment in-full is required prior to workshop. Please message or email me [email protected] for registration.

Let me know if you have any questions!

I was thinking about this earlier. There are so many workshops out there. There's so much information available online. Why should anyone come to my workshop?

You'll learn a systematic approach to improving your photography. You'll learn the basic "building blocks" for analyzing and improving your images.

What the hell does that mean?

First let me tell you what it doesn't mean. It doesn't mean you'll just copy what I do. It doesn't mean you'll follow rote procedures and use my exact camera settings. It doesn't mean you'll memorize formulas or lighting setups. It doesn't mean you'll be a mirror image of me.

Perhaps unlike other workshops and photographers, I believe that you have a unique perspective and photographic style. You have something to offer the photographic world and I want you to develop that perspective and take that style to another level. I want you to learn how to fish so you can eat for a lifetime.

What the hell does that mean?

It means that when you're presented with a problem/challenge/opportunity, that you can recognize the elements that comprise the problem and manipulate them to improve your shot. Recognizing what and how the problem/challenge/opportunity works is the key to improving your "photographic eye" and taking your images to another level. And this is what I want to show you.

As an example, when I first started shooting I had no idea what I was doing and my images lacked a certain "pop" that they generally have now. But for a long time I'd ask myself "Why do my images suck?" and for a long time I had no answers and kept producing sucky images. It wasn't until I started asking myself questions like, "Why do my images look flatly lit with 3 strobes?" that I finally started resolve the "suckiness" of my images. This question forced me to examine my lighting ratios (power level on each strobe), the angles I was lighting my images, the concept of "spill", along with my post-processing. I suddenly realized I was asking the wrong question all along. There are no answers to "Why does this suck?" because "suck" is subjective! Everyone will have a different answer and some might even disagree with the question itself. I remember answering the question in my head, "They suck because you suck". LOL! Umm, now where does that leave me?

Having a systematic approach is about having the right mindset and the right "tools" for resolving problems/challenges/opportunities. First, it's the mindset that every problem is a challenge rather than a problem and therefore an opportunity to do something differently as well as  an opportunity to improve your image/photography . Second, it's about having the right mental tools; being able to close your eyes and see light, understanding how light interacts with your subject (along with its environment), understanding the technical nature of how our cameras operate in the "presentation" of light, etc. So I'm not talking about getting the latest and great gear, although new gear is always nice. Instead I'm referring to cultivating the best tool in the world, your brain/mind, in order to create better images.

You'll learn the basic "building blocks" for analyzing and improving your images.

My goal is to equip you with these skills so that you walk out of this workshop with a better "photographic eye". Throughout the process I'll show you how I approach challenges and together we'll examine new challenges so you can exercise your own critical thinking and ultimately, develop your own creative approach to lighting. We'll look at lighting setups and modify them based upon creating specific looks. In the end, I want you to walk out of this workshop with more confidence that you can capture and create better images. That you understand light and the presentation of light. That you can resolve problems/challenges/opportunities yourself.

That's why you should come to my workshop.

I'm there!! Love your work!!!

Ill be there

Wow its a pretty sweet deal for any photographer who wants to invest in there future. Good luck to you.

Thanks for the compliment ;P

See you all at the workshop!

Amazing photographer! Take FULL advantage of this. The guy is a master at what he does.

KL

LOL Thanks Kala ;P

I intend on taking FULL advantage of this guy!!!

You take advantage of me everytime we meet LOL! I'm telling Kala.

I kind of love you, and your work!

what the hell does that mean?

that EVERYONE who sees this should attend your workshop! FOREAL :0)

LOL! Thanks Jen, I suppose we only make a super incredible team together! Like the avatar?

Up to the top!

GO TO THIS!!! ITS WORTH IT!!

LOL! Thanks Ren

Bump



....I wish I were going to be in town for this:( Take pictures! ;P

Wish you were here too ;P you could totally model the workshop!

ooooh!
Sounds like this is going to be BAD ASS!

Wo0t!!! I got front row seats!!

I wont be in cali good work though dood

Here we go!

Hi I'm Natalie, just called you about the workshop on Sunday,excited and looking forward to practice with you soon.

Hi Natalie! Looking forward to seeing you! Here we go!

LUCIMA....that was one hell of a workshop.  The workshop was very relaxed with plenty of time to freeshoot with a talented photographer at your side to offer tips and tricks that he has learned.  He also pulled together an awesome team including the model and makeup artist.  Glad I didn't miss this workshop.  Definately coming to the next workshop. LD