A Theatrical Approach to Lighting - taught by Scott Holleman

A workshop review by Robert Guillemette

Every now and then PPGH and its amazing people/photographers put on classes of different topics. I got to attend and help with one of those classes recently. Mr. Scott Holleman has a background in theater lighting and using many different modifiers. He shared his skills in using them with different strobes for different looks in lighting (in this case on a lovely subject) but as he explained the lighting could be used on anything and in any form and that it was up to the photographer to use his or her imagination. He had put the word out this was going to be a very, very hands on class and he did not disappoint. Scott began with explaining the different kinds of modifiers - umbrellas, soft-boxes, snoots, barndoors (no barns were harmed getting them) and more. Explaining the differences and how each lights was very informative. After going over this equipment his lovely model arrived and then he was off to a very hands-on day. He demoed light placement in relation to the subject and the affect the light had, how metering was important, the difference between studio lighting and outdoor lighting, soft lighting, hard lighting, broad (not that kind) and short lighting. As his "students" were learning this Scott would tell them what the light meter read and they got to then use their equipment and see for themselves just how the light did what it did and see what they either did or did not like about the image they took. He demoed how to use "gobos", light patterns, grids and much more. His day ended with an exhausted but much more informed group of photographers that can now use another tool in their quest for that perfect image. If you have any questions about lighting Scott is the person you will want to ask and if he puts on this class again and you are unsure about lighting I would highly recommend attending it.

Behind the Scenes: