A seminar arranged through the London Photographic Meetup Group, featuring the Internationally famous photographer and trainer Frank Doorhof, who I had seen earlier this week at Focus on Imaging at the NEC
Arrived early at the Tabernacle for Frank’s show.
The hallway has a fascinating wireframe sculpture of “The Pan Man” a carnival Steel drum player, under a memorial to Claudia Jones the mother of the Notting Hill Carnival. As I’m sitting enjoying a mocha I get to say say good morning to Frank and Anneweik as they go past to set up.
We are asked to wait until 10:15 before going up to the theatre, a very nice space, set up with round tables, and surprisingly comfortable folding chair.
Frank is sitting under a spotlight, on a high chair, somewhat reminiscent of Dave Allen.
The class starts with a reprise of Frank’s theme “Why fake it when you can create it?”
Here are a few notes, points or aphorisms from the talk:
- Emphasis on Knowing how to do it right, as second nature.
- Great bare bulb shots to show that expensive strobes are not required
- The seminar is “PowerPoint” but with a big emphasis on composition and audience interaction.
- Go low for a new viewpoint.
- “Find a stage and the players will come” – Jay Maisell
- Interesting examples of wide angel lens fashion
- Be careful to put in deliberate asymmetry.
- Deliver the picture you are happy with
- Tip try DxO Optics vs Lightroom for lens correction
- Lose colour, and add contrast and noise for interest
- If you have to title a photo it’s possibly not strong enough
Finished up with finally buying Frank’s “Live in Boston” instructional DVD. Get yours here.
It was also good to meet a new people, I expect I’ll try more of these meetups.