Lighting is one of the most important characteristics that can make or break a photograph. In a market flooded with images, skillful lighting can take your images to the next level and get you noticed!

This course is designed to deepen your understanding of how light works, both from a technical as well as a creative approach.

Through professional shooting assignments you will refine your skills and eye for important details. Frequent reviews and group discussions will provide valuable feedback.

From products and reflective surfaces to working creatively with professional models, this course will give you the tools you need to advance your lighting and photography.

VPW prides itself on the selection, quality and amount of lighting equipment made available to our students. Learn using equipment that is actually being used in the industry today. Along with regular lighting sources we also have specialty pro equipment like ring-flashes, high powered battery strobes, 7 foot Octabanks, etc.

What is more, our new studio facilities provide an unparalleled commercial photography space for our students to shoot in. Our main studio offers 2500 square feet with 20 foot high ceilings along with an additional 2500 square feet of make-up, kitchen, and lounge space.

As we are a commercial production studio and a teaching facility we are able to provide a top of the line experience for students.

Session 1 :

Course and assignment overview.
Review of basic studio lighting principles. Discussion around best practices for equipment handling. Light modifier overview, from standard reflectors to 7 foot Octabanks and more. (VPW uses the latest Profoto, Dynalite and Elinchrome lighting gear.)

Session 2 :

Advanced product shoot demo.
Small set contrast control (selecting highlight and shadow transfer) advanced metering techniques. Demonstration of lighting ratios, inverse square law, and angle of incidence principles.

Session 3 :

Hands-on product shoot.
Students must bring tear sheets and suitable objects to photograph. Working on assignment in small groups; taking turns photographing and assisting fellow class mates.

Session 4:

Reflective product shoot demo and hands-on shoot. Students must bring suitable products to shoot; tear sheets are encouraged.

Session 5 :

Review and critique of product photography assignments.

Session 6 :

Studio shooting session with professional models.
Creative lighting exercises including use of motion (shutter drag), low key, high key, glamour, and rim lighting.

Session 7 :

Studio shooting session with professional models continued: painting with light, mixing various light sources, using color gels.

Session 8 :

On-location shooting session with professional models: using various strobe equipment, both battery and AC powered. Key-shifting exercise for creative effects.

Session 9 :

Open studio time: a great opportunity to work on the portfolio assignment.
Students to discuss and sign-up for studio time with the instructor prior to this session.
Full VPW resources and lighting equipment will be available for this exciting session.

Session 10:

Final review and critique of student work created throughout the course.

Level:

Intermediate/Advanced. Must have taken the Practical Studio Lighting 10 Week Course or have equivalent intermediate lighting knowledge. This course is not suitable for beginners.

Enrollment:

Maximum 14 participants.

Equipment Needed:

Bring your camera (must have manual controls) and at least 1 lens.
Optional: additional lenses, camera flash and tripod.

We Provide:

Detailed course notes in binder.
All lighting equipment and professional models when shooting in a professional studio setting as part of this course.

Early-Bird Discount:

Most of our courses and workshops offer a 10% discount is applied automatically if you register before the Early-Bird Discount deadline date listed in the registration table below.

Some courses and workshops offer a discount if you're among the first 3 people who register. This discount will replace the 'standard' Early Bird Discount mentioned above, and will be applied automatically during the online registration process (as long as it is available). Check the course/workshop listing page for more details.

Group Discount:

A 5% discount will be appplied if 3 or more people register at the same time for the same workshop. (All 3 tuitions must be paid for by one credit card to be considered a group registration.) Please follow the instructions on the online registration page.

In order to provide the best learning environment possible VPW keeps class and tour sizes limited to 10-15 people (depending on the workshop). This is but one reason that we count on you to attend your chosen class or tour, once you have registered for it.

If you must withdraw for any reason please be aware of our refund policy as follows:

For our Local Lectures, Seminars, and Workshops valued at or under $100, VPW is unable to provide a cash refund. Transfers are limited to one transfer to either the same event at a later date, or a different event of equal value. VPW requires 48 hours written notice in order to make such a transfer (email notice is acceptable). The event you are transferring to must occur within 6 months of the original event you registered for. A $15 fee will be applied to all transfers.

For our Local Workshops, 1 to 5 days in length and our Local 4 to 10 Week Courses, VPW requires 30 days written notice (before the event start date) of your withdrawal in order to provide a refund. (Email notice is acceptable.)

For our Master Photographer Series workshops, 1 to 5 days in length, VPW requires 60 days written notice (before the workshop start date) of your withdrawal in order to provide a refund. VPW may retain 15% of fees paid or $150 minimum in processing your refund. If the tuition is less than $500 the minimum fee drops to $75.

Within 45 days of the Master Photographer Series workshop date all fees paid are non-refundable.

For our Photo Tours (national and international), the following charges will apply:

• If you cancel up to 3 months before the tour start date and we can fill your space, your reservation (or deposit) fee will be refunded
• There is no additional cancellation fee up to 8 weeks before the start of your tour
• From 8 weeks to 4 weeks before the tour: 25% of your balance
• From 4 weeks to 1 week before the tour: 50% of your balance
• From 1 week to 72 hours before the tour: 75% of your balance
• If you cancel within 72 hours of the start of the trip, no refund can be paid
• Transaction charges incurred on accepting and refunding payments will be deducted from the refund amount
• In the (unlikely) event that we cancel the Photo Tour, all monies paid will be refunded in full

We highly recommend that you take out travel insurance to guard yourself against monies lost due to unavoidable cancellation by either party.

Transfers (for all events over $100): If you wish to transfer to a different workshop date, VPW requires a minimum of 30 days written (email) notice. All transfers are based on availaibility, and subject to approval by VPW staff. For courses/workshops with tuition above $101, the transfer fee is $35.

Transfer Fees as based on event pricing:
Tuition of $100 and below, the transfer fee is $15
Tuition of $101 and above, the transfer fee is $35

VPW can give no refunds:

If you registered for any event valued at or under $100
If you do not show up for your registered course.
If you register for a course beyond or below your skill or ability level.

Refunds for all events valued at $101 and above (excluding Master Series Workshops):
If a student wishes to cancel their registration for any of VPW's events, and has provided written notice within the appropriate timeframe, a refund less a $50 administration fee will be provided.

Course Cancellation:

Occasionally, we may have to cancel a course due to low enrollment. In this case, we will issue a full refund of all monies paid to VPW up to that time.

Instructor Replacement:

In the event that a listed instructor is unable to participate because of a change in his or her professional schedule, we will replace the instructor with someone of equal or similar credentials. If we cannot find a replacement in due time before the course is about to start, a particular class may have to be rescheduled.

Liability

In the event that we cancel your course, for any reason, the extent of VPW's liability is limited to the return of all monies paid. We will do everything we can to register you in another equivalent course. VPW will not be responsible for reimbursement of travel expenses of any kind.

Please note: An administration charge of $50 applies to all refunds

Read complete refund and liability policy

The Advanced Lighting Techniques: 10 Week Course is taught by the following instructor:

Read Kaj's Biography

Please choose your instructor and course date from the registration table below.