#Tog Tuesday: Scrim
Posted by Amber McCoy in Reflectors, educational on August 31st, 2010
Scrim: A scrim is a translucent material that may be fastened onto a frame, and used outdoors to reduce the intensity of, and soften harsh light. A scrim can be used when harsh midday sun would otherwise cause people to squint, or “blow out” hotspots on people’s skin, such as cheeks, foreheads and shoulders. The scrim is placed close to the subject, diffusing and reducing the intensity of light, which is much more flattering, especially for portraits.
For Example: Scrims are very common in the video industry to help break the light behind announcers to make them more prominent. In the photography industry, typically scrims are used on shoots with strong sunlight (such as on beaches & swimsuit shoots) or in studios that utilize the natural sunlight through windows.
Scrim Light Example
You could make the 2011 Catalog!
Posted by Amber McCoy in Contest on August 25th, 2010
CAN YOU SEE IT NOW?!?!
Your image in the 2011 Westcott Catalog
- this could be YOU!
#Tog Tuesday: Short Light
Posted by Amber McCoy in Photo Basics, Spiderlites, educational on August 24th, 2010
Westcott Softbox w/ TD5
Short Light is a style of lighting used in portrait photography where the main light is illuminating your subject’s face which is further from the camera. When looking at an image – highlights project while shadows recede. So your attention is naturally drawn to the brightest part of the image. So, if your attention is drawn to a smaller portion of your subject you are reducing their perceived size.
TIP: This is a perfect lighting style for individuals with a round face.
Below are some Westcott and Photo Basics products that can help you achieve this lighting style.
Westcott Spiderlite TD5 Large Daylight Kit PLUS
Photo Basics Home Studio Lighting Kit (Using Only 1 Light)
B.O.W. Contest #2 Winners
Posted by Amber McCoy in Contest on August 23rd, 2010
First, we want to thank everyone for participating in our 2nd ever BOW Contest!! We received some great feedback from everyone and we are very excited to review it! But as always – please keep feedback on products coming!
So, now the moment everyone has been waiting all day for – the WINNERS!!
Joshua – Manchester, UK
Nicholas – Huntsville, AL
Sandy – Allen, TX
Braden – Villanueva, CA
Fran – Amelia Island, FL
Rob – New York, NY
*Please note: The names above have been contact by email that was used during the entry to this contest. If you are in question if you were the winner, please email Amber McCoy.
Thank you again for everyone who entered in our contest! This was a huge success!
AND…
If you are a winner, please be sure to comment back or blog on what item you receive! We’d love to hear what you got!
B.O.W. Contest #2
Posted by Amber McCoy in Contest on August 23rd, 2010
This Contest Has Ended.
Winners announced shortly.
As the saying goes, “Someone has a case of the Monday’s!” – Westcott is prepared to change that!
Today, we are offering a B.O.W. (BOW) Contest that everyone can compete in! So what is a BOW? A BOW is a Bag Of Westcott! This can include anything such as Westcott products or something random. (As our last contest winners discovered – Chocolate, DVD’s, Green Screen Kit, Books and other random items!) You never know what could be in a BOW!
So what are the next steps? Below are a list of questions. Please answer them through the comment box. (DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS – 4:30pm ET) We will then randomly choose winners at the end of business day today (5:00pm ET). Good luck and ‘may the BOW be with you!’
QUESTIONS (all must be answered to qualify in the contest):
1. First Name:
2. City & State
3. If Westcott could make an improvement on 1 item, what would it be? OR If Westcott could make a new product, what would you want it to be?
We look forward to seeing everyone’s input – and GOOD LUCK!
Westcott Photo Shootout at PSW Vegas!
Posted by Amber McCoy in Contest, Promotions, Spiderlites, TD5, Westcott Update on August 19th, 2010
COME Fashion, Punk, Pin Up, Products and more!
BRING YOUR CAMERA and get ready for an event that will spice up your skills and portfolio! Four uniquely themed shootout bays will feature professional models, reknowned instructors, commercial product set ups and more!
Where: PhotoShop World Convention Mandalay Bay Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada
When: Sept. 1st – 3rd
#Tog Tuesday Feature: It’s all about the Light!
Posted by Amber McCoy in Spiderlites on August 17th, 2010
Original post on August 16, 2010
Posted by Terry White on his blog
As a photographer I certainly value having a set of GREAT DSLR bodies and a wide range of lenses to choose from. However, the question always comes up, “do I have to have a top of the line camera to get a great shot?” Any photographer will tell you NO! It’s about having an “eye”, a great subject and GREAT LIGHTING! So after seeing a video over at the FStoppers site, I wanted to put this theory to the test. Here’s my video shot using the Westcott Spiderlite TD5s and the end results may surprise you! Although I start off the shoot with my Nikon D700 and 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII lens, I finish it with my iPhone 4.
#Tog Tuesday: Rim Light
Posted by Amber McCoy in educational, softbox on August 10th, 2010
Rim Light (created with: Sylights.com)
Rim Light is used to create separation from your subject and the background. It is placed behind your subject, opposite from the Main Light.
TIP: You don’t want the light to wrap around onto your subject. It will create a thin line of light outlining your subject.
Westcott Top Pro: Erik Valind feat. in “Studio222 Photography” blog
Posted by Amber McCoy in Halo and Apollo on August 4th, 2010
Original Post Date by Becka on August 3rd, 2010 on the Studio222 Photography Blog.
Tuesdays with Nate | How to Light like a Boss (or a Pro)
(Editors note: On facebook I promised to post a wedding today. But after reading this post that Nate prepared, I decided that it rocked and so I bumped my wedding post till tomorrow. Enjoy your Tuesday with Nate…)
Hello everyone! I’m so happy to be back on the blog writing a Tuesdays with Nate post. Time for honesty with Nate. Every time I think I’ve gotten on top of my game, like I finally know what i’m doing, like I can finally be comfortable with my skills as a photographer, I’m quickly brought back down to earth and reminded how little I know and how much really goes into mastering the art of photography, namely the art of lighting.
#Tog Tuesday Feature: Seshu
Posted by Amber McCoy in Testimonial on August 3rd, 2010
Today is Westcott’s first ever #Tog Tuesday Feature! What is a #Tog Tuesday Feature you may ask – it is a Photographer of the month that we feature! This month’s choice is Seshu.
NOTE: If you are interested in being one of our monthly #Tog Tuesday Feature Photographer – please leave us a comment and we will be in touch!