View allAll Photos Tagged bertstephani
Zaventem (Belgium) lighting test with Erika
I wanted to check out some setups in my ministudio, so I asked my friend/muse/model Erika to pose for me.
PHOTO BY BERT STEPHANI
LIGHTING INFO:
Being supercreative is great but you got to master the classics first. There's nothing extraordinary about this lighting setup: just a medium softbox on a studio strobe to camera right and a snooted SB-24 behind the model as a hairlight. I placed the softbox a bit further away from the model then with the first shots to make the light a bit harder.
Lights triggered with Pocketwizards.
Nothing fancy at all but I'm still pretty new to studio photography and I'm trying to get the details right.
Zaventem (Belgium) lighting test with Erika
I wanted to check out some setups in my ministudio, so I asked my friend/muse/model Erika to pose for me.
PHOTO BY BERT STEPHANI
LIGHTING INFO:
Being supercreative is great but you got to master the classics first. There's nothing extraordinary about this lighting setup: just a medium softbox on a studio strobe to camera right and a snooted SB-24 behind the model as a hairlight. I placed the softbox a bit further away from the model then with the first shots to make the light a bit harder.
Lights triggered with Pocketwizards.
Nothing fancy at all but I'm still pretty new to studio photography and I'm trying to get the details right.
BELGIUM - Zaventem
My son Kobe playing with the new Macbook
PHOTO BY BERT STEPHANI - ALL RIGHT RESERVED
Zaventem (Belgium) lighting test with Erika
I wanted to check out some setups in my ministudio, so I asked my friend/muse/model Erika to pose for me.
PHOTO BY BERT STEPHANI
LIGHTING INFO:
After playing around with the gentle light of the softbox, I wanted to try some shots with hard light. I used the studiolight with just a standard reflector as the main light. To make the model stand out from the background I used a small snooted SB24 speedlight behind her. Triggered by PocketWizzards.
Steenokkerzeel, BELGIUM
I had the great honor and pleasure to photograph the wedding of my neighbours Gert and Sylvia.
Really happy with this shot packed with reflections. I can't really figure out how I did it but it anymore but it was something with two windows and a mirror.
Check out my blog: www.bertstephani.com/blog
and our photography project: www.squeezethelime.com
BELGIUM - Kraainem
A while ago I did a model shoot with the fantastic Kim Van Noten. We didn't have a real plan except for having fun while creating pictures. Ake was my kind assistant for this shoot and she also shot some video.
More info, pics and video's can be found on my blog
PHOTO BY BERT STEPHANI - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Oostende, BELGIUM
I recently did a guerilla shoot together with my friend and fellow photographer Jean. The goal was to test the California Sunbounce Micro Mini reflector with flash attachement. We decided to go on a completely unplanned mission: no location, no make-up, no models, not much gear and no concept. Just shoot what we came up with at the moment.
LIGHTING INFO
I underexposed the background by 2 stops. The Sunbounce with a Vivitar 285HV flash attached (camera left), lights the subject. I think the flash was at 1/2 power.
Here's the YouTube video of this shoot.
Check out my blog:
De Haan, BELGIUM
I strongly (convince myself to) believe that professional photographers should take some time to play every now and then. We played around all the time when we where amateurs and that's what made us good enough to go pro anyway. So to become a better pro, I try to allow some time to play in my tight schedule.
A few months ago I got into a conversation between some like minded photographers and we decided to do some kind of fun shoot together. I actually didn't have the time but I went anyway. And I'm glad I did, because I came back with more energy and motivation.
Model-for-the-day Lien is the queen of the world
Check out my blog:
Steenokkerzeel, Belgium
A cool photographer brought his daughter as a model for a private workshop about mixing flash with ambient. Couldn't resist to take a couple of shots myself.
Overpowering the ambient with one bare SB800 to camera left.
Check out my blog: www.bertstephani.com/blog
BELGIUM - Overijse
The wedding of Liv & Gert.
PHOTO BY BERT STEPHANI - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
LIGHTING INFO:
A bare SB24 on a stand to camera right close to the wall, is overpowering the ambient light. The flash was zoomed in to 85mm. Triggered with PW's.
Steenokkerzeel, BELGIUM
Had a blast during the engagement session of Bart en Marleen.
LIGHTING INFO:
Elinchrom Ranger head to camera right
Check out my blog: www.bertstephani.com/blog
or our photography project: www.squeezethelime.com
BELGIUM - Kraainem
A while ago I did a model shoot with the fantastic Kim Van Noten. We didn't have a real plan except for having fun while creating pictures. Ake was my kind assistant for this shoot and she also shot some video.
PHOTO BY BERT STEPHANI - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
LIGHTING INFO:
The main light is natural light. I added a snooted SB-24 behind the model to create a warm summer feel to the image and separate the model fom the background.
I made a video to show how we did this:
youtube.com/watch?v=sqMI72jsXRQ
More info about this session will be on my brand new blog soon: www.bertstephani.com/blog
Dinant, Belgium
A picture I took on our epic 24-hour mission with the Bounce Squad. 5 photographers went for 24 straight hours shooting all over Belgium. This was part of a video competition (with some amazing prices to win) we've launched at www.squeezethelime.com - Check out the info and the making-of movie of this adventure and start making your own video.
Check out my blog: www.bertstephani.com/blog
BELGIUM - Vilvoorde
After we finished the 'Running in 2020' pictures, we were joined by pro model Sylvianne. We improvised and had a lot of fun. This picture was shot in front a small tunnel under the highway.
LIGHTING INFO:
The soft main light is provided by the ambient light on this overcast grey day. A Vivitar with a black straw grid was placed behind the model as a hair light.
A video of this shoot can be found at:
youtube.com/watch?v=bUOfBY05_K8
More info, will be published soon on my blog:
Oslo, Norway
I'm having a blast teaching a two day workshop in this wonderful city with an equally wonderful group of photographers. Linnea was our model for today. Despite the fact that posing when 25 photographers are watching you is really difficult, she was amazing and unleashed one killer look upon the other.
One flash with shoot through umbrella to camera left. Put the WB to tungsten and corrected the main light (flash) with a CTO gel.
Check out my blog: www.bertstephani.com/blog
or our photography project: www.squeezethelime.com
"the Barn", Steenokkerzeel, BELGIUM
After six months of work, MOTIVATIONAL LIGHT, my instructional video about lighting is finally available.
For more info, trailers, bonus footage and purchasing, visit:
This image was shot for a sequence in which we demonstrate how to create different moods within the same setting by just changing the light.
Also check out my blog: www.bertstephani.com/blog
and our photography project: www.squeezethelime.com
Zaventem, BELGIUM
Some images of a short fall shoot with Yander. I love working with expressive kids.
Check out my blog:
tried to avoid this for a while.... had been tagged before, but always acted as if I didn't notice.... perhaps its time to say something.... my good friend Neaz Ahmed did all the damage.... the following is the consequence of that damage....
1. My Flickr nick was taken from a dialogue in the movie “V for Vendetta”
2. A man with multiple aims; ended up nowhere. Wanted to be a scientist (when at primary), then an astronomer (when at secondary), then a military officer (higher secondary). Failed in business quite early right after coming out of the university, and ended up as a bloody market researcher! The world isn’t perfect!
3. Had a tremendous fascination for reading facts. Never read fiction; as I always believe facts are stranger than fiction. My focus in study was on anything military, especially military strategy; still maintain a sizable library at home on this. Studied multiple other stuff as supplementary, starting from history, to geography, to diplomacy, to what not
4. Used to make fleets of military ships with cardboard, keeping all the practical factors in mind, using all the knowledge gathered through reading. That was my playground for practicing military strategy and tactics. BTW, still fancy my chances with card-boards, tapes and staple pins
5. Got admitted at the university to study English; but somehow ended up studying business
6. Started writing during the second semester at the university; lost interest after my favourite teacher used my writing for one of his newspaper article…. Of course without permission
7. Spent the school days being a good boy; spent the college days playing cricket; spent the university days taking bhaab with girls (u know, bhaabzzzz)
8. Missing the time that I had wasted just by sleeping!! Could’ve done so much!! I’m just a lazy person :(
9. Love cricket. Missing the days when we fled the field after a poor performance batting first, the other team couldn’t catch us as we hid ourselves in the roof of a building! Still like to skip sleep to watch cricket
10. I do not have an icon; I do not follow anyone
11. Not a person who lives to eat
12. Current love is photography; which was born out of travel, work pressure and poor memory
13. My biggest inspiration in photography……. My family; my biggest push behind photography came after I got married
14. Turned into a strobist after getting influenced by Bert Stephani. Strobist rescued my photography life from complete stagnation and helped me to get enrolled into a 52 week project
15. Always had more focus as a travel writer and a blogger; used Flickr as a place where I could meet other photographers
16. I love “wasting” a lotta money behind photography, but don’t like to waste a penny behind anything else!
17. Started as mainly a landscape photographer, then gradually moved into everything; and it took five years for me to discover that people are the most precious subjects
18. Love movies; mainly English. But hardly manage time now-a-days
19. Like music, but never really got deep into it
18. Like cars, but don’t drive. Never been crazy about it
19. Counting my days as an active photographer; counting years; counting age. Making the best use of the coming days is gonna be my biggest challenge
20. Always wanted to live after I die; still do
Bierbeek, BELGIUM (studio)
I was seriously considering not doing weddings anymore next year, in fact the decision was made. But some amazing weddings this year made me recall that decision. Bart and Marleen are two fantastic people who trusted my vision and skills completely and are amongst some other couples that pushed me to go on.
Next year I'm going to do a limited amount of weddings and I'm going to do it my way. I'll focus on quality instead of quantity. I won't guarantee to capture every little moment any more but I will guarantee that I'll capture the mood of the day in less but better pictures.
Check out my blog: www.bertstephani.com/blog
or our photography project: www.squeezethelime.com
BELGIUM
As a personal project, I decided to shoot everything and anything for 50 days with just a 50mm lens (on a full frame body).
Check out my blog for more on the project: www.bertstephani.com/blog
Zaventem (Belgium) lighting test with Erika
I wanted to check out some setups in my ministudio, so I asked my friend/muse/model Erika to pose for me.
PHOTO BY BERT STEPHANI
LIGHTING INFO:
This picture is lit with just a medium softbox on a studio strobe to camera right, about 1 meter behind the model. This kind of light defines shapes very well. I think it workes fine here, but you have to be carefull on who you use it on. Somebody with a less perfect shape might not like it when you put the accent on a boxers nose or something.
Triggered with Pocketwizards. No complicated lighting setup at all but I'm still pretty new to studio photography and I'm trying to get the details right.
De Haan, BELGIUM
I strongly (convince myself to) believe that professional photographers should take some time to play every now and then. We played around all the time when we where amateurs and that's what made us good enough to go pro anyway. So to become a better pro, I try to allow some time to play in my tight schedule.
A few months ago I got into a conversation between some like minded photographers and we decided to do some kind of fun shoot together. I actually didn't have the time but I went anyway. And I'm glad I did, because I came back with more energy and motivation.
Annelien on the beach at sunset
Check out my blog:
Oostende, BELGIUM
I recently did a guerilla shoot together with my friend and fellow photographer Jean. The goal was to test the California Sunbounce Micro Mini reflector with flash attachement. We decided to go on a completely unplanned mission: no location, no make-up, no models, not much gear and no concept. Just shoot what we came up with at the moment.
LIGHTING INFO
I underexposed the background by 2-3 stops. The Sunbounce with a Vivitar 285HV flash attached (camera right), lights the subject. I think the flash was at 1/4 or 1/2 power.
Here's the YouTube video of this shoot.
Check out my blog:
Oslo, NORWAY
Just some impressions of Oslo on a soaking wet day before I did my workshop there.
Check out my blog: www.bertstephani.com/blog
or our photography project: www.squeezethelime.com
Zaventem (Belgium) lighting test with Erika
I wanted to check out some setups in my ministudio, so I asked my friend/muse/model Erika to pose for me.
PHOTO BY BERT STEPHANI
LIGHTING INFO:
This picture is lit with just a medium softbox on a studio strobe to camera left (almost next to the model for hight contrast). Triggered with Pocketwizards.No complicated lighting setup at all but I'm still pretty new to studio photography and I'm trying to get the details right.
Erpe-Mere, BELGIUM
After six months of work, MOTIVATIONAL LIGHT, my instructional video about lighting is finally available.
For more info, trailers, bonus footage and purchasing, visit:
This image was shot for a sequence to show the dramatic look of an underexposed sky in combination with a small flash to light the model.
Also check out my blog: www.bertstephani.com/blog
and our photography project: www.squeezethelime.com
Steenokkerzeel, BELGIUM
I did it, I bought a Hasselblad 500 c/m camera. Not for work, but for fun, learning and taking a dip into the rich history of photography. My lovely wife was so kind to pose for me (I should photograph her more often).
This is shot with natural light and the 80mm lens on f/2.8. I used Ilford HP5 plus (400iso). The scan isn't very good since I used a very old Epson 1240U flatbed scanner. On top of that I couldn't found the MF film holder. Some of the scans are pretty distorted from just laying the film on the (dirty) scanner. But hey, it's a testshoot and I had fun. Played around with the curves a bit and removed some dust in Photoshop.
Check out my blog: www.bertstephani.com/blog
or our photography project: www.squeezethelime.com
Peniche, PORTUGAL
surfing lesson
Olympus E-PL1 + 14-42 kitlens in an onderwater housing
my blog: www.bertstephani.com/blog
Strombeek-Bever, BELGIUM
UPLACE, a fine corportate client, is going to sponsor triathlete Bruno 'Bruce' Clerbout so he can completely focus on his sports carreer as a professional athlete. They asked me to do some promo shots.
This is the unedited version of this picture:
www.flickr.com/photos/98609590@N00/2346902485/
Because it was shot with a fisheye and backlighting it was impossible not to have the flashes in the picture, so it's kind of a setup shot too.
TECHNICAL INFO
The biggest difficulty for this shoot was that it was near freezing and extremely windy. To get some interesting light on this grey day, we had to light every shot with flashes. We also had to work extremely fast to avoid Bruno getting ill.
Bruno is lit by 2 Vivitar 285HV's on 1/2 power on each side, slightly behind him. Another Vivitar was set to camera right in a small softbox to act as fill. It was so windy that every flash had to be held by an assistant.
This is my favorite picture of the series. Probably because the end result looks exactly as I had in in my mind.
www.flickr.com/photos/98609590@N00/2346902485/
Originally I wanted to create motion blur of the background by shooting out of the trunk of a car (and freeze the subject with flash). But the cold gave us so little time to shoot that we had to shoot it statically and add the blur later in post.
Also check out my blog:
Kampenhout, BELGIUM
Christina and I went out for a magic walk/talk/shoot on the longest day of the year.
The weather was pretty bad the whole day but when C arrived, she brought the summer with her. But that didn't mean we couldn't use her umbrella as a prop.
All shot with wonderful available light and the Panasonic GF1 + 20mm pancake lens.
Check out my blog: www.bertstephani.com/blog
and our photography project: www.squeezethelime.com
Strombeek, BELGIUM
A few weeks ago one of my best corporate clients threw a party for their employees, clients, and business relations. I was hired to shoot the event. Now these guys know how to throw a party. In the afternoon two famous Belgian singers performed and at night time there was a show by a Belgian singer who's big all over Europe. The shows were great, especially the last one and the best thing is that I had acces to more or less everywhere I wanted to as long as I didn't sing myself. I'm not allowed to show recognisable pictures of the artists, so you'll have to do with this one.
LIGHTING INFO:
I checked the stage an hour or so before the show and decided to superclamp one single Vivitar 285HV onto the support of the stage lights. I knew I wanted to shoot from the side and the back of the stage so this light would give me a pretty edgy look. The Vivitar was set to 1/4 of the power and that allowed me to shoot at a shutterspeed of at least 1/100 at iso 800. I tried the same without flash and had to shoot at 1/40 at iso 1600. Thanks to the flash every shot was pin sharp and I even had to add noise to the picture.
Check out my blog:
Steenokkerzeel, BELGIUM
Last Saturday my wife was out with her friends and my parents kidnapped my kids, so I unexpectedly ended up home alone. Since I received some new studio lighting equipment last week, I couldn't resist setting up a quick improvised test shoot. I asked on Twitter if anyone wanted to pose for me and Lut, the wife of a fellow photographer, volunteered. Thanks Lut for being so stunning and patient.
Here the main light is a Hensel Expert Pro 500 monobloc with a 150 cm octabox to camera left. A second Hensel monobloc with a softbox was placed on the opposite side. This second light performs two duties: adding light to the brick wall and taking care of some separation.
Check out my blog: www.bertstephani.com/blog
or our photography project: www.squeezethelime.com
Zaventem (Belgium) lighting test with Erika
I wanted to check out some setups in my ministudio, so I asked my friend/muse/model Erika to pose for me.
PHOTO BY BERT STEPHANI
LIGHTING INFO:
This picture is lit with just a medium softbox on a studio strobe to camera left (almost next to the model for hight contrast). Triggered with Pocketwizards.No complicated lighting setup at all but I'm still pretty new to studio photography and I'm trying to get the details right.
BELGIUM - Zaventem
Michael (www.mjm.hk) asked me to do a little one-on-one workshop with him about working Strobist-style (lighting with small flashes). Michael wanted to learn some tricks about lighting and just being creative with the environment.
I asked my friend, muse and fantastic model Erika to be the subject of our experiments.
Just to make it clear, I didn't shoot these images, Michael did.
LIGHTING INFO:
We started out with a really simpel setup. We used just one small flash (Vivitar 285HV) with a shoot trough umbrella to camera right, triggered with Pocketwizards. I think the flash was at 1/16 of the power. Erika was pretty close to the dark grey wall in my office to allow just a little light on the background for a little separation between the hair and the background. For some more separation we added a second Vivitar with a grid spot to camera left and behind the model, pointed towards Erika.
PHOTO BY MICHAEL MILLIGAN- ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
BELGIUM - Zaventem
Michael (www.mjm.hk) asked me to do a little one-on-one workshop with him about working Strobist-style (lighting with small flashes). Michael wanted to learn some tricks about lighting and just being creative with the environment.
I asked my friend, muse and fantastic model Erika to be the subject of our experiments.
Just to make it clear, I didn't shoot these images, Michael did.
LIGHTING INFO:
To make a sunny shot on a rainy dark night, we placed a bare Vivitar 285HV (at half power I think) on my driveway and aimed it towards a dark gray wall in my office through the blinds of the window.
Because it was raining, I put a plastic freezer bag over the flash.
PHOTO BY MICHAEL MILLIGAN- ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Brussels, BELGIUM
I've set up this shoot with my muse and favorite model Erika to explore a few new ideas. I do experiment when photographing clients but I can't go as far as I wish. That's why I need this kind of freewheeling improvisation shoots from time to time.
As usual it was great to have Ake around as an assistant. Frederik, a communications student, shot some making-of footage for us.
In this picture we used the sun as a backlight and placed a Canon 580 EX with shoot through umbrella to camera right.
Check out my blog:
Erpe-Mere, BELGIUM
After six months of work, MOTIVATIONAL LIGHT, my instructional video about lighting is finally available.
For more info, trailers, bonus footage and purchasing, visit:
This image was shot for a sequence in which we explored the power of window light.
Also check out my blog: www.bertstephani.com/blog
and our photography project: www.squeezethelime.com
BELGIUM - Zaventem
After the bad weather outdoor shoot with model Kaatje, we also made some pictures in my office.
Also check out my blog:
De Haan, BELGIUM
I strongly (convince myself to) believe that professional photographers should take some time to play every now and then. We played around all the time when we where amateurs and that's what made us good enough to go pro anyway. So to become a better pro, I try to allow some time to play in my tight schedule.
A few months ago I got into a conversation between some like minded photographers and we decided to do some kind of fun shoot together. I actually didn't have the time but I went anyway. And I'm glad I did, because I came back with more energy and motivation.
Annelien through the lensbaby
Check out my blog:
Oostende, BELGIUM
Fellow photographer and friend Jean's turn to shoot on our guerilla shoot. More pictures in a few weeks.
Check out my blog:
Brussels, BELGIUM
I've set up this shoot with my muse and favorite model Erika to explore a few new ideas. I do experiment when photographing clients but I can't go as far as I wish. That's why I need this kind of freewheeling improvisation shoots from time to time.
As usual it was great to have Ake around as an assistant. Frederik, a communications student, shot some making-of footage for us.
LIGHTING INFO:
natural light only
YouTube video - part II (including this pic)
also check:
Check out my blog:
BELGIUM - Zaventem
Yesterday we bought one of those giant trampolines for the kids. They really love it and showed off the whole day. When I stuck my head into the safety net, I noticed the round shapes, she unusual angle and the nice clouds. It immediately struck me that this would be a perfect situation to photograph with my new 8mm Peleng Fisheye lens. PHOTO BY BERT STEPHANI - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
LIGHTING INFO:
After a few shots with just available light, I wanted to add a strobe to make the background/sky more dramatic while the subjects remained well lit. A visiting friend acted as a human lightstand (camera left) for a single bare Nikon SB-24 (triggered with PW's).
The strobe was at 24mm and full power. Camera was set to 1/250 at f/16.
Steenokkerzeel, BELGIUM
Another shoot I did for LIME a while ago. I photographed Herlinde on her first shoot ever.
For a making-of video and more info, please visit www.squeezethelime.com
Steenokkerzeel, BELGIUM
Went geocaching in the neighbourhood with the two eldest kids on sunday. I'm so happy I moved to this place, eautiful and calm fields to go for a walk or a bike ride.
Didn't try hard to make good shots, just some quick snaps with the point-and-shoot while enjoying the kids having fun.
Check out my blog:
Erpe-Mere, BELGIUM
After six months of work, MOTIVATIONAL LIGHT, my instructional video about lighting is finally available.
For more info, trailers, bonus footage and purchasing, visit:
This image was shot for a sequence in which we explored the power of window light.
Also check out my blog: www.bertstephani.com/blog
and our photography project: www.squeezethelime.com
BELGIUM - Zaventem
I've always been the kind of person who likes to do the opposite of what a sain person would do. So what do I do on a very windy, rainy, cold day with low and uninteresting light, yup, I go outside. Model Kaatje was a trooper in that bad weather.
Also check out my blog:
Zaventem, BELGIUM
Suzanne is an Egyptian beauty who lives in Antwerp. She needed a small portfolio to audition for a part in a videoclip from her favorite Egyptian artist.
Suzanne's great looks, fantastic smile, natural posing skills and fun character made it easy for me. It's hard to believe that she never posed before and was very nervous the first 15 minutes.
LIGHTING INFO:
A Canon 580EXII with shoot through umbrella was placed to camera left for the main light.
Check out my blog:
Haacht, BELGIUM
Shooting families isn't always easy. Different characters, looks, clothes and sometimes clashing ego's. None of these problems on this shoot. This was one of those shoots that I realise that I'm so lucky that I can do this for a living.
LIGHTING INFO:
When you think there's no good background available for a groupshot, look up. Often the sky is a great backdrop. I underexposed the ambient for a nice deep blue sky. To light the group, I used a bare Vivitar 285HV on full power, slightly left of the camera at eye-level of the subjects.
Check out my blog: