Nick Fancher's Blog, page 21

What I Learned During My Year Off Social Media

Last month, I returned to social media exactly one year to the day after leaving behind 60,000 followers on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. I made my exit for a number of reasons, with anxiety playing the largest role. I didnt know where the feeling originated, or much less why, but living with it wasnt worth what social media was offering me in exchange. After I left, many people (myself included) wondered if my photography business could survive the departure. It turns out that not only...

Beauty and Beast-ish

Even when Im doing pretty shoots I like to have an element of darkness or mystery in my images. After all, things arent pretty all the time. This shoot with Rachel is a prime example. I used lace to light through (pretty) as well as shoot through (looks a bit eerie). I shot through different plastic panels, mixing beautiful makeup with jagged shapes and ghostly shadows. I used prismatic window film to light her in pretty pink light, while also using in combination with a slow shutter to...

All Things to All Men

This shoot with Dustin had a bit of something for everyone. I used a projector for most of the scenarios, using it in combination with a range of different camera techniques. I made in-camera multiple exposures, using different blending modes. I explored using slow shutter speeds, both by moving my hands as well as zooming my camera lens. Finally, I fired up a fog machine and projected different images through the smoke. There really are endless ways to use such a simple tool.

Many of these...

Strata VIII

Ive shot with rubber cement half a dozen times now, each time slightly changing not only how I apply the material to the plexiglass but also how I light it and process the images in post. Though Im getting closer to what Im going for in this series, there are still so many variables to explore with this material. Over the past year Ive experimented with shooting through a range of substances and materials to get more painterly or sculptural results, titling the series Strata. You can view...

New Creative Portrait Video Tutorial

Hey friends. Just a heads up that I have a new, 5-part video series that delves deep into how I execute creative portraits in my studio. My entire creative process is broken down, from A to Z. I start off by discussing gear and quickly move into why and when I employ certain techniques based on my concept and subject. Once I begin breaking down a certain technique, my camera and light settings are displayed on the screen along with real-time raw files to make it easy to follow along. I even...

Old Man Gloom

Its always great when I get a chance to reconnect with Jim. We worked through a range of creative scenarios in this shoot. I shot his reflection with a broken mirror. I shot through a distressed air filter. I played with mylar. It was my first time splattering water onto the mylar, and found that the warped nature of the material in addition to the water added a nice graphic novel-look to the images. These techniques are all part of a new video series Im currently working on, titled The...

It's Always Sunny with Sonny

Last week I shot with Sonny and we did all the things. I started with a single, un-gelled “hard” light and then began ratcheting up the complexity. By using a range of different cucoloris (cookies) I created organic-shaped shadows on her face. By adding a cyan-gelled background light I was able to give the feeling of her being outside on a sunny day. We went on to play a range of different shadow-makers and color which worked perfectly with her long braids and flowing outfits.

...

Strata VII

It’s been a while since I’ve explored the Strata series. The reason why I started this experimental series almost a year ago was in an effort to take my portraits into a more painterly realm. Digital can be so hyperreal and “accurate” and I often find it quite boring. I want tactility. Grit. I experimented with shooting through different substances, such as honey or coconut oil. I shot through different types of plastics, using everytinhg from saran wrap and bubble wrap to light panels from...

Zoom Drag

This was a fun, quick session. A simple setup— just one light and a projector— with a dramatic result. I was experimenting with zooming my lens from 35mm to 16mm as I simultaneously panned the camera during the long exposure. The strobe on the background kept her silhouette intact while the projector and camera movement created the wavy, fluid lines.

Santa Fe Photographic Workshops: Chroma 2020

I’m pleased to announce that I will be taking my Chroma lighting course back to the Santa Fe Photographic Workshops again this year. If you’re unfamiliar with SFPW, they are the longest running photo workshop in the US. Many of the best and brightest of the industry have taught there in years past. The format is what makes it especially unique. You’re together from sun up to sun down for five days, just creating, learning, and inspiring each other. Santa Fe is gorgeous, the food is...