Learning to light a Hawaiian Dancer with sunset

by Stanley LearyPhotography

Photographing Island Breeze Dancer Victoria Taimane Kaopua while showing the class at Youth With A Mission Photo School 1 how to use off-camera strobe. [Nikon D5, Sigma 24-105mm ƒ/4, ISO 400, ƒ/5.6, 1/1600 – 2 Godox V860IIN + Godox X1NT with CTO +1 gel]

Last night I worked with Island Breeze dancer/singer Victoria Taimane Kaopua at the Old Kona Airport along the beach. I am teaching lighting this week at the University of the Nations-Kona, School of Photography I.

Last night I was teaching them off-camera flash and mixing it with daylight.

[Fuji X-E3, 10-24mm, ISO 200, ƒ/4, 1/350] photo by Dorie Griggs

You are seeing three flashes on the left 2 Godox V860IIN and Flashpoint XPLOR 600 HSS TTL Battery-Powered Monolight with Built-in R2 2.4GHz Radio Remote System – Bowens Mount (AD600 TTL). Both systems work together using the Godox X1NT. They make this so these will work with Sony, Nikon, Canon, and Fuji. When you buy them just get the one for your system.

In the first photo, the only flashes firing are the smaller speed lights and not the larger studio strobe.

Silhouette

I start with a photo of the dancer with out flash and then I add the light.

Reveal

My friend Dave Black likes to call this the Silhouette and Reveal.

[Fuji X-E3, 10-24mm, ISO 200, ƒ/4, 1/420] photo by Dorie Griggs

I would show the students some of the shots as I was working.

[Fuji X-E3, 10-24mm, ISO 200, ƒ/4, 1/170] photo by Dorie Griggs

I also was showing the model dancer the photos.

Today we will go over the photos in our class and I will see how many students paid attention to the conversations I had with the dancer and when I showed her photos. I will ask them why I did this. Do you know why?

The dancer and I were working together to make the photo. I was able to show her what I was getting hoping to get her more excited about the shoot and engage her more in the process.

Photographing Island Breeze Dancer Victoria Taimane Kaopua while showing the class at Youth With A Mission Photo School 1 how to use off camera strobe. [Nikon D5, Sigma 24-105mm ƒ/4, ISO 400, ƒ/5.6, 1/800 – 2 Godox V860IIN + Godox X1NT with CTO +1 gel]

We will talk about composition today as well as the lighting.

[Fuji X-E3, 10-24mm, ISO 500, ƒ/4, 1/100] photo by Dorie Griggs

We are also going to talk about VALS today. That is a Voice Activated Light Stand, which is having someone hold your flash and adjust it when you ask.

Besides it helping you it also gets people involved and creates excitement for everyone because they are now helping you and are a part of the process.

If you want to do this with me give me a call and we can organize a photo shoot with your friends in your hometown.