Complete Concepts Photography

FJ Westcott 26 State Lighting Tour.

2010-08-28T09:10:00.000-07:00

FJ Westcott will be kicking off their 26 State Lighting Workshops on Sept. 12 in Teaneck, NJ and Sept 13 in Hauppauge, NY. Renowned photographer Rick Sammon with professional model Laurence Yang will be presenting at the Teaneck Marriot . Professional Photographer and head of B&H photo's research and development dept. Joey Quintero along with professional model Bea Carranza will be presenting at the Hyatt Regency in Hauppauge.

New Products

2010-08-21T17:12:00.000-07:00

1Dot Line RPS Studio Speedlite Accessory Kit
If you're looking to expand the abilities of your camera-mounted speedlite, you should have a look at this new studio speedlite accessory kit.
2Pearstone Polycarbonate LCD Protectors
Pearstone has introduced a new line of heavy-duty, polycarbonate LCD screen protectors to use on a variety of DSLRs and smaller digital cameras.
3Three New Zooms and a Fast "85" from Nikon
Now available for Pre-Order! Three new zooms—a 24-120mm f/4G ED VR, a 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, a 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR and an update of Nikon's classic portrait lens, the AF-S Nikkor 85 f/1.4G.
4Nikon D3100 Features 1080p HD Video with Full-Time Autofocus
Pre-Order Now! Nikon has announced the new entry-level D3100, a 14.2-megapixel CMOS sensor DSLR with Full 1080p HD video capture at 24 fps with full-time autofocus.

To Purchase or pre-order the above items click on their links Here: Dot Line RPS, Pearstone, Nikon 85MM lens, Nikon D3100 camera

Custom designed comp cards available

2010-08-21T14:20:00.000-07:00

I just finished designing a new comp card for professional model Laurence Yang.drop us a line if you need promotional or business cards designed.

Simple Sets with Simple Lighting

2010-08-13T21:23:00.000-07:00

The above images were taken at a recent B&H Photo and Nikon Workshop on Nikons Lighting System Presented by Paul Van Allen, Nikon's National Training Specialist.
Photography By Keith Ibsen

Phototoon 0810

2010-08-06T20:35:00.000-07:00

Social Networking

2010-08-05T07:34:00.000-07:00

I just attended an excellent seminar on Social Networking facilitated by Lindsay Adler and Rosh Sillars, sponsored by B&H Photo. Rosh gave an overview of the entire social network. Lindsay stepped in to embellish the details.
It’s easy to see why these two are so successful. Not only are they accomplished photographers, but they also have a grasp on how to keep clients happy while promoting their work. Lindsay expounded on the effective ways to use everything from websites, to blogs, to Twitter, to Facebook. She opened my eyes and made me realize I was using perhaps 20% of the Internet’s social networking capabilities. I strongly suggest you take time to check out Lindsay’s schedule to see when she is presenting in your area. As for me, I’m going to twitter my blog and announce I’m doing it on facebook, while posting to flicker and producing a video for U-Tube.

2010-07-27T11:19:00.000-07:00

PRODUCT REVIEW

Fastest camera in the East, West, Wherever

You don’t want to have a shoot-out with someone packing this quick-draw strap. Available in single or dual configuration, you are up and ready to shoot in a flash – or with a flash.
I am referring to the “R” strap by Back Rapid. While the “R” strap has been available for a while, I am amazed at how many photographers are not aware of its presence. As I travel or attend photo workshops, other photographers are always approaching me and asking about the “R” strap. I look at these individuals, hunched over with neck and back pain and say, “It’s your cure. Wear one and you’ll be healed, Brother.” Remove that camera neck strap and stand up straight. It’s no miracle, just an effective and simple design of removing the strain from the neck and distributing the weight across the body, while giving the photographer quick access to the camera (or cameras).
It will take only one shooting session before you wonder how you ever did without it. Neck and back pain from the conventional camera strap will be a thing of the past. The camera will be quickly available and just as quickly out of the way.
The “R” strap is available in several designs and even a dual camera configuration. They all offer the same comfort and quick access feature, making them a favorite among so many top photographers. There’s even one especially designed for women – the RS-W1. Follow the link in this article to purchase the “R” strap that works best for you.

Kelby NY City Photo Walk

2010-07-24T09:37:00.001-07:00

On Sunday, July 18th I had the opportunity to Join Scott Kelby, 23 other photographers and professional model Laurence Yang for a photo walk in NY City. The event started in Washington Park moving up town form there to Union Sq and completing at 18th street.

Upon completion of the photo walk we ended up in Adorama's meeting room where Scott presented a class on post production and organizing your images. Scott Kelby is the person behind NAPP ( National Association of Photoshop Professionals,Kelby Training) and the largest sell author on all things Adobe. Laurence did an excellent job adding to the beautiful scenery.

Joel Lucks Leaves for Venice, Louisiana, 7/26/2010 to Shoot an Oil Spill Documentary...

2010-07-20T10:46:00.000-07:00

Joel, with his roots in the Outdoor Industry, has been assigned by the NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION, in conjunction with OUTDOOR LIFE magazine, to fly to Venice, Louisiana, next week, July 26th, to photograph 4 documentary galleries on the BP oil spill disaster.

Having just been there last year in September, 2009, and fished what he called, "were the pristine Mississippi Delta waters, clean and clear breeder-grounds marshlands and emerald green waters out in the Gulf," reports now from the area say the region looks more like a war zone than the "Sportfishing Capitol of the Gulf."

Marina parking lots are filled with trailers to support the clean-up crews, trailers that house reporters and their equipment and the news media, at large, have pretty much taken over Venice.
Visit this blog on regular updates in the weeks ahead.

2010-07-12T08:48:00.000-07:00

Keith and Joel photograph Laurence Yang for Latvies FHM magazine. Equipment used: Nikon D3, Canon 5D Markll, Nikon and Canon 70-200 and 24-70 mm lens. Westcott TD 5 Spider lites.

Bamboo, Babe and Bikini

2010-07-10T14:35:00.001-07:00

Location, location, location, can be just as important in photography as it is in retail. This bamboo garden, in Long Island, NY
was the perfect setting to do several images of Laurence Yang. The equipment used to capture the images consisted of: Nikon D3 with a 70-200 mm Nikon f2.8 lens. Two Nikon SB 900 Flash, one in remote mode mounted on a tripod and inclosed in a Westcott Apollo softbox. The second SB 900 was mounted on the camera and set in commander mode. The SB 900 on the camera had no effect on the flash exposure, but controlled the second units power and setting.

How Important is Make-up?

2010-02-14T10:09:00.001-08:00

Make-up is an extremely important element to good fashion photography, especially with headshots and especially when you're up close and personal.

Very often, and we don't always "see" this in the make-up stage, lights, especially constant lighting can "wash out" make-up. Therefore, when working with a MUA, or when instructing the model, make sure you tell her to go a little heavier than usual.

Here, we actually touched up Beatriz's make-up in Photoshop, but clearly you can see the "Before" and "After" effects and the difference it makes. Also see the lighting set up used to take this image in the upper right.

Before the touch-up...

After the touch-up...

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Visit Beatriz Carranza at www.ModelMayhem.com MM# 1339239

Where to start with studio lighting?

2009-12-18T18:28:00.001-08:00

Start almost anywhere! Many photographers advise that you start with one key light and work up from there. Co-Founder of Complete Concepts Photography, Keith Ibsen, illustrates a couple of ideas for getting started.

Visit www.CompleteConceptsPhotography.com for more information.

National Geographic Snorkeler Becomes Client of Complete Concepts...

2009-11-26T07:59:00.000-08:00

Complete Concepts Photography (East Northport, NY) is proud to announce that National Geographic Snorkeler is their most recent client. With the new branding of "National Geographic" snorkeling equipment, a new catalog was recently produced to announce their new brand. With the exception of the location shots, all products and models were photographed by Complete Concept Photography in their studio in East Northport, NY. Joel Lucks and Keith Ibsen, co-founders of Complete Concepts Photography are proud to add them to their prestigious list of clients.
See their website for more information.

Westcott Studio Lights - The Spiderlite TD5

2009-11-15T15:21:00.000-08:00

From Joel at Complete Concepts: "We have two Spiderlite TD5's in Complete Concepts Studio. They are an indispensable addition in our ability to light different sets. For one, they are constant lighting and they don't heat up. Basically, when they're on, what you see is what you get.
Secondly, no strobes going off, and with the highest power on, you can still get a strong depth of field. We would never be without them!"
For more information, contact Dave Piazza, Westcott's Sales Rep, at David@MyRep.com.

Spiderlite TD5

The Spiderlite TD5 set the standard as the first constant light using either daylight balanced fluorescent lamps, Tungsten Halogen lamps or studio strobe. Whether shooting still photography or video, you can insure you are prepared for whatever lighting situation gets thrown your way. No second guessing with meters and slaves.
http://www.fjwestcott.com/

Bringing Substance to Workshops...

2009-11-14T10:39:00.000-08:00

Rick Sammon, world-famous fashion, travel, wedding, and commercial photographer (Rick's "specialty is not specializing") presented an exciting and animated workshop last week at the B & H classroom in New York City on 9th Avenue. In the afternoon, John Williamson presented a sizzling workshop on wedding photography. Both presented great tips and ideas.
Sponsored by Dave Piazza, Sales Rep for Westcott Lighting, the tips and lighting ideas shared by Dave, Rick, and John were exciting and "enlightening." Followed by an outdoor workshop in Central Park the next day, over 100 photographers attended to take those classroom tips out into the field.
The models were provided by Complete Concepts Photography Studio.
For more information contact:
Rick Sammon (www.ricksammon.com)
Dave Piaza (www.fjwestcott.com)
Kieth Ibsen or Joel Lucks (www.CompleteConceptPhotography)
Models: Beatriz Carranza (http://www.modelmayhem.com/bea007), Veronica Rosa (http://www.modelmayhem.com/VeronicaLRosa), and Laurence Yang, (http://www.modelmayhem.com/LaurenceYang).

Look for the Angle...

2009-11-14T08:23:00.000-08:00

As professional photographers, we see things that the average Point & Shoot photographer doesn't "see." Look for patterns, shapes, and angles in your photography and create artwork that you'll be proud to hang on your wall.
(The stairwell of the Municipal Manhattan Building: ISO 800, f/4, 1/15 shutter speed, 24mm)
www.CompleteConceptsPhotography.com