New Semester - MONTE ZUCKER [1]

School has finally started up again.  It was a long break, too long for those that have the itch for learning burning a hole in their brain.

Taking two courses this semester.  Digital Photo II and Black and White Film Photography I.

So This blog might have items that mix and match the courses, or I might start a new one to accommodate the Film course separately, we shall see how it goes.


Monte Zucker:  I do not remember if I had brought his name up previously, but even if I have, he is worthy of a new posting and mention.

http://www.montezucker.com/

I first got exposed to his work and his methods of portraiture almost 8 years ago.  I was attempting to complete course work in NYIP [New York Institute of Photography, a long distance learning group]  They had him as a keynote guest instructor on their videos.  I retook the course and completed it several years later [my first stint was cut short due to medical reasons, a couple of heart surgeries and cancer, but I am alive and doing fairly well these days]

The course was updated with DVD's and some online work, and I got to see Monte work his magic in setting up simple but stunning lighting for a person.  His concept was to evaluate the facial features first.  And decide which side was the better main light side to work from.  Then he would build his lighting from that point.  Most everyone has a better side.

As my skills as evaluating this are still being honed, I tend to shoot from BOTH sides during a shoot, just to cover all the bases.  I do see that his assessment of a singular good side is very true though.  I find very few people have both sides as worthy of final outcomes for use.

The one thing I learned most from Monte is that finding a style and using it to get consistent results is not a bad thing.  It can be limiting some might argue.  And yes I agree that as artist and practicing photographers we should be able to accommodate a variety of styles and schemes.  We are not hurt by the fact we have a specific concept to produce stellar results.  It is a challenge to get such results when the environment is not ideal for our lighting set up.  Using the tools available to get these results is where we can shine as artists and skilled photographers.

We might not have the strobes or speedlights.  Maybe only a window and a reflector or piece of cardboard.  Making due with the things around us.

The key to success is seeing the image, the fall of the shadows on the face.  The positioning of the subject.  These are classic elements to establishing a style that is fruitfully productive in terms of outcome and easily repeatable for us as technicians of our trade.

So my shot out to those reading this, do YOU have a fall back position for lighting that allows you to get great results time after time?  Do you know which way to point a person's face to get their BEST side?

If you do not or want to learn more about how to up your game in this area, then check out MONTE ZUCKER's educational opportunities.  His efforts are continued by his colleagues  He has passed on from our world, but his work continues through these folks.  They came thru STL last year holding a day long hands on seminar.  it was a very good program, well worth the time and money in my opinion.