Marc Silber's Blog, page 14
March 29, 2018
Quick Rembrandt Lighting Setup
Man, Fletch Murray is a video making machine! In his newest video, Fletch discusses Rembrandt lighting, what it is, how to set it up, and how to use it. As it turns out, lighting your scene or shoot the same way as legendary Dutch painters isn’t all that difficult. All you need is a north facing window, fabric (Black Velon Taffeta and Old Master Brown Background) and , and a model. Not too complicated right? You might need to bust out a compass (or compass app), but the entire AYP family has confidence that you can follow Fletch’s tips and create beautiful lighting.
Want More Rembrandt Or Fletch?
Well you’re in luck! Click here to see his first video, where he shares some general tips for light, and shows some behind the scenes in recreating the famous Vermeer painting, Girl With a Pearl Earring. Watch this video to get some insight how the amazing, Academy Award winning cinematographer Roger Deakins sets his shots, plus a challenge from Fletch to test your creative skills. Enjoy!
Fletch’s advice in action! Watch and learn how he’s able to get such beautiful light.
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March 25, 2018
Light and Location- New Videos from Fletch Murray and Denice Duff
The de-lightful Fletch Murray is back with another great video. This time, our resident master filmmaker presents us with a challenge: try to set up a scene lit like a Roger Deakins film. Deakins, for those who don’t know, is a legendary cinematographer known for working on masterpiece films such as Skyfall, The Shawshank Redemption, and No Country For Old Men, as well as Sicario and Blade Runner 2049. His characteristic lighting stands out by creating the most amount of “drama” with the least amount of light- which leads us right to Fletch’s test. Can you light a scene with only one light?
Behind The Scenes With Denice Duff
The amazing Denice Duff is BACK with another quick video. Here at AYP, we’ve interviewed many photographers, who have done shoots in a variety of exotic locations. But this one is….a little new. In her video, Denice explains why shooting in freeway underpasses is actually a perfect spot for portrait shoots. The minimal color palette and lack of direct, overhead light provides an ideal setting for taking pictures of people, apparently. All you need is your camera, model, and a reflector. Try it out sometime (just try to watch out for the buskers)!
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March 13, 2018
7 Fast Tips For Flash Photography
Here at AYP, we love alliteration, but sometimes our camera’s flash gets a little less love. Well no more! Jessica Sterling is here to help! Our very own lighting legend gives out her favorite tips and tricks for using on-camera flash. Her fantastic flash advice includes showing you how to bounce light in ideal ways, great angles for great light, and even a DIY fix that gives you that “professional” look.
Check Out Jessica’s Gear:
Nikon SB 800 Speedlight- https://bhpho.to/2FHHiag
LumiQuest Quik Bounce- https://bhpho.to/2FAn5ap
Nikon D810- https://bhpho.to/2FxucQx
Cardstock- https://www.staples.com/Staples-Card-Stock-8-1-2-x-11-White-250-Pack/product_490887
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March 11, 2018
Lighting & Portrait Tips From Denice Duff
New video feat. Denice Duff
Hey, folks. Did you miss our videos? Because we did! So we’re BACK with a great, brand new one. We didn’t let the New York snow stop this one. I sat down with the multi talented Denice Duff to talk about portrait photography and her favorite tricks for getting the best lighting without breaking the bank. And trust me, with her experience both in front of and behind the camera (as a fantastic model/actress and amazing photographer and director), she has a lot to say! Denice will also be joining the AYP family as a coach, bringing more great content to the channel. Lucky you!
Learn more:
Equipment she mentioned:
Canon 70-200 mm lens https://bhpho.to/2DhUf8D
Foam core board https://bhpho.to/2Dlf9DB or on Amazon http://amzn.to/2p9TCZs
Fabric by the yard http://amzn.to/2FskD5y
Gaffer’s tape https://bhpho.to/2GglJyt
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March 2, 2018
The Secrets to Taking Amazing Photos: 83 Instant Composition Tools from the Masters
PRE-ORDER HERE TO GET YOUR BONUS NOW! We’ll also add you to our newsletter
Fill out the form below, receive our AYP Basic Photography Shoot Checklist, and enter to win a cool bag from ThinkTank
Pre-Order Now at only $19.95 and get a chance to win a ThinkTank StreetWalker of $229.75 value!
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The Secrets to taking amazing photos
ORDER HERE TO GET YOUR BONUS NOW! Now fill out the form below and get your free copy of Marc’s eBook Focus on Beauty! AND The AYP Shoot Checklist!
Order Now and fill out the form below and you’ll receive Marc’s eBook Focus on Beauty free! (we’ll add you to our newsletter too.)
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March 1, 2018
Composition Tips from the Masters!
Preorder now on Amazon
After months of hard work, my new book, The Secrets To Taking Amazing Photos, is almost here! We’re excited to give you guys an early look into some of the awesome content that will be inside. This new photography handbook includes tips from contemporary photographers to the great master painters of old. If you’ve ever struggled with composition (and we all have), or want new ways to set the tone for your photos (and we all do), this guide provides 83 tools or “recipes” for how to do just that. Here’s some little teasers for what’s in store for when the book drops!
Use “mood lines” to convey certain feelings in your pictures
Surfer at Steamer Lane, Santa Cruz, CA
Concave lines meeting with downward pressure creates a tone of instability. For action shots in precarious situations, try to create these to enhance your shot!
Exploring a tree at sunset, Carmel Beach, CA
Rising lines give off an optimistic, joyful feeling. If you’re taking sunny photos at the beach, or if you’re just in a happy mood and want to share it on Instagram, capture lines like these.
The old masters have composition lessons to share
Portrait of a Couple, Rembrandt van Rijn, c. 1665 – c. 1669 Courtesy Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.
Rembrandt, da Vincci and many other artists often used the “Triangle Composition” format. I drew from many of the past masters to illustrate their compositional techniques to help you expand your creative eye!
Every form of art needs two things: light (to make and view it), and composition to tell your visual story. The Secrets To Taking Amazing Photos draws from the experience of both photographers and painters to show what’s needed to compose a beautiful image.
Pre Order Now!
Excited? We are too! The Secrets To Taking Amazing Photos is now available for preorder on Amazon. Click here to reserve your copy and make sure you get it right away on April 15!
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February 16, 2018
Lighting Tips for Photography and Filmmaking from Fletcher Murray
from Emmy Award Winning Filmmaker Fletcher Murray
Watch here.
“Finding my own way and setting up my self as an entrepreneur and production company, I could expand as a director and then a producer who could close clients with big budgets– that’s where I want everyone to be.”
Fletcher Murray is a force to be reckoned with in the filmmaker industry. Yet- after 30 years in the business, he is humble and eager to share his knowledge with aspiring filmmakers. And for that, we are grateful!
Fletcher is the next coach to join our AYP Show team! Check out his first episode about lighting tips for film and photography.
“Three-point lighting is the worst possible lighting you can do, unless your trying to emulate 60 minutes.”
Lighting Tips:
Study the masters: Rembrandt, Caravaggio, Vermeer
Find your main light source, position your subject so you can see a ‘Rembrandt Patch’ on their cheek and your mostly home.
“Most beginning filmmakers over light their scene.”_ Murray
Remove the fill light by lowering the light levels and darkening the shot.
Black out all the windows and shape the light the way they want it.
The secrets are so simple. I think people just over complex-ify the process and you lose of what am I trying to achieve as a filmmaker.
If you know how to light, you can shoot with anything!
Fletchers’ Lighting Kit Recommendations:
5×4 Flex-fill – $57
Battery LED – $29
China Ball – $6
BONUS VIDEO
Tips for creating your photography portfolio
Watch here.
Jessica Sterling is back with some more tips to get off your butt and get your work out there!
Keep it simple.
People just need to see samples of what it that they’re going to get.
Keep you shots impactful (Bam!)
Put yourself in your client’s shoes. What is it that they want to see?
Name drop. Keep your pictures cool. If there is anything that you can show off, do it.
Get your portfolio up this weekend. Now. Go. Seriously. You can always tweak it later.
GOOD LUCK!
Check out Jessica’s website: http://www.jessicasterling.com
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February 9, 2018
Portrait and Career Advice for Photographers
from the funny and talented Jessica Sterling
Watch Video.
Some photographers take themselves very seriously. Jessica Sterling is not one of them. And we mean that in the BEST way possible. For this episode of AYP Show, we got to sit down with the amazing, talented, funny Jessica Sterling. Her take on photography is refreshing and inspiring. She shares here knowledge and tips on taking portraits of some of the biggest names in Hollywood. Like Ashton Kutcher, Hugh Jackman and Steven Spielberg.
“I love people and photographing people. I love being invited into their world.”
She gave us her hard won advice for helping people relax and feel comfortable on camera, use of speed lights, and “developing” a shot to get the final image and other valuable tips. She then talked about her passion of helping other photographers advance in their careers. Jessica brings her engaging blend of energy, humor and a very refreshing outlook to AYP, joining us as a coach sharing her experience and expertise to help you advance your photography to the next level.
You can watch her video here!
Quick Bio:
Jessica Sterling is a successful portrait and business photographer — in the very competitive Los Angles arena.
She’s photographed celebrities like Ashton Kutcher, Hugh Jackman and Steven Spielberg.
Her work has appeared in MTV, CNN and the Wall Street Journal
-She’s photographed for brands like DIRECTV, ATT, T Mobile, Avon, and the LA Dodgers.
Check out her website.
Quick Tips:
Biggest challenges is getting people to feel comfortable.
Talk to people as you photograph them.
Encourage them- tell them how awesome they look!
It’s impossible for them to know how they look- so it’s important to stay positive.
Big fan of speed lights– mobile and fast.
“You are not the judge of whether your work is good enough… That’s an impossible scale!”
Cut the negativity.
You have to talk about your work! You don’t have to talk about yourself.
The more you can disassociate yourself from the product that you’re making– you’ll be successful.
If you’re passionate about what you do– get off your butt–and know that it’s your duty to share your passion with the world!
Final thoughts…
When you’re photographing people, talk to them and direct them. If the shot doesn’t look great, don’t be afraid to move the subject around.
Work the shot until it works.
Shoot more. Then shoot even more.
Be comfortable with your equipment so you can move quickly and keep the clients happy!
You can follow Jessica on Instagram @jessicasterlingphoto and see more of her work on her website,
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February 3, 2018
Filmmaking Tips from the Award-Winning “Dream Team Directors”
from the Award-Winning Dream Team Directors
Award-winning writers, directors, and creators Daniel Lir and Bayou Bennet are here to teach you everything they’ve learned about filmmaking and photography–from working with amazing celebrities such as Mark Ruffalo, Anthony Mackie, and Coldplay, as well as famous brands like Adidas, MTV and MAC. They are now coming onboard to AYP as coaches, with weekly videos to help inspire you to find your voice! They are super excited to hear from you and help take your filmmaking to the next level.
We took down some of our favorite tips & advice from our interview with the extremely talented duo! Check it out below. They are a welcome breath of fresh air and inspiration. We hope you enjoy. And be sure to comment on the YT video with your own photo and film questions— so they can answer them in the next video.
Film + Photo Tips:
“You can make a living at it!”_Bayou Bennet.
Be professional in every thing you do.
To be a great filmmaker, you have know everything: from the boom mic, to framing a shot, to camera settings, to editing.
Because you know how to make this grand picture— it puts you in control.
Lens choice + angles are important!
Don’t just shoot straight…tilt down and pan off.
Discover your subject through cinematography.
“As long as there is camera movement, I think it’s cool.”_Daniel Lir
You want to see the world in your own way — achieve that with angles and lenses.
Ask yourself, ‘How is the cinematography and the camera showcasing the story?’
‘How is this going to help the story develop?
Example: If it’s a story told from a child’s perspective, the camera should be shooting up to make the audience feel smaller.
Know the equipment
Know what you want to say– above all else.
Be original.
Talk to the talent before shooting.
Let them see the shot so they are not so nervous.
As a filmmaker you need to know how to sell your self, and it’s NOT BRAGGING!
Apply foundations of photography to cinematography, especially composition.
Develop your own unique voice. Focus on what makes your voice and your vision unique.
“They’ve dreamt about things no one else has dreamt about. That makes you unique.”_Daniel Lir
Thank you so much to the Dream Team Directors for the refreshing and inspiring advice. We can already feel our creative juices flowing. If this first video with Daniel & Bayou is any indication of the amazing advice they have in store– stay tuned! Be sure to leave your comments and questions in the comment section on Youtube.
You can find more of the Dream Team Directors work on their website or on Instagram @dreamteamdirectors.
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