With SCAD’s senior fashion show right around the corner, The Connector decided to reach out to Shan Shi, a recent SCAD photography M.F.A. graduate, for some insight into fashion photography. Shi is from China but has been living in New York since 2020 as a professional photographer.  

How would you describe your photography style? 

“As an artist, I’ve had the privilege of exploring various styles and techniques in my photography. My educational background includes a degree in commercial photography, and my graduate studies were focused on fine art photography. However, my true passion lies in fashion photography. Through 8 years of professional experience, I’ve honed my skills and have become adaptable to various environments. I thrive on pushing the boundaries and am constantly seeking out new challenges. For me, creativity is about exploring new avenues and avoiding the monotony of repetition.” 

How would you describe your fashion photography collaboration process?

“When collaborating on a fashion project, my process begins with establishing the desired style and conducting thorough research. I then create a mood board, paying special attention to the location where the shoot will take place. I always visit the location beforehand to ensure it fits the vision.

After that, I identify a stylist who can source appropriate clothing and a makeup artist who understands my vision. Finally, I select models who fit the theme and will bring the vision to life.

For designers who wish to collaborate with me, I review their designs and concepts and create a mood board to ensure alignment with the overall vision. In addition, I carefully consider makeup and model options to complement and enhance the designs.”

If you had to choose 3 ‘holy grail’ tips for photographers when collaborating on a fashion photography project, what would they be? 

1. “Do the research! You need to do enough research to determine the style, lighting, location, makeup, hair, and accessories. It’s important to have a clear concept in mind before starting the project and to communicate it effectively with the designer to ensure everyone is on the same page.”
2. “Manage the team. As a photographer, you need to be on set early and to make sure the makeup, styling and lighting are what you want.”
3. “You need to focus on all the details and make sure everything is correct. If you made a big mistake the first time you worked with the designer, there won’t be a second time.”

Shi will be at the Savannah campus from April 13 – 15 as an alumni mentor to teach workshops and share what she has learned at SCAD and through her own professional career.  Follow Shi on Instagram to see more of her work.

The Sony World Photography Awards 2023 has just announced its overall winners at a special gala ceremony in London. 

The Photographer of the Year title was awarded to Edgar Martins (Portugal) for his moving series, ‘Our War’, paying homage to his friend, photojournalist Anton Hammerl, who was killed during the Libyan Civil War in 2011. 

With over 200 prints and digital displays from winning and shortlisted photographers, the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition opens at Somerset House, London from today (14 April) until 1 May 2023, showcasing incredible talent from all around the world. 

But if you can’t make it to the exhibit, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with a photo gallery of the major winners and the incredible stories behind their images. 

Get ready to be transported to a world of beauty and wonder, from breathtaking aerial shots of frozen Polish lakes to adorable black bear cubs in North Carolina.

Photographer of the Year: Edgar Martins (Portugal)

The Photographer of the Year title has been awarded to the acclaimed photographer Edgar Martins (Portugal) for his series ‘Our War’.

‘Our War’ is an original and nuanced tribute to the photographer’s late friend the photojournalist Anton Hammerl, who was abducted and killed on 5 April 2011 by government militia, during the Libyan Civil War.

Frustrated by unsuccessful attempts to ascertain the whereabouts of his friend’s last mortal remains, Martins took matters into his own hands and travelled to Libya. He was brought in covertly by a petrol smuggler and was immediately faced with enormous challenges working in such a volatile environment.

Realising that he would not be able to carry out a thorough and independent investigation, Martins instead chose to reflect on the question: ‘How does one tell a story when there is no witness, no testimony, no evidence, no subject?’

Creative winner: Lee-Ann Olwage (South Africa)

Architecture and Design winner: Fan Li (China Mainland)

Documentary Projects winner: Hugh Kinsella Cunningham (United Kingdom)

The photo project by Hugh Kinsella Cunningham highlights the role of women in promoting peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has been marred by conflict and violence for almost two decades.

It features portraits and in-depth stories of female activists who work to create dialogue between armed actors and communities, track human rights violations, and plead with rebel leaders to stop attacks. 

Environment winner: Marisol Mendez (Bolivia) & Federico Kaplan (Argentina)

Miruku is a photo project that explores the water shortage experienced by the Wayuus, an indigenous population from La Guajira, Colombia’s coastal desert. 

The project, commissioned by 1854/British Journal of Photography and WaterAid, examines how climate change and human negligence have contributed to the problem. 

Landscape winner: Kacper Kowalski (Poland)

Portfolio winner: James Deavin (United Kingdom)

Sport winner: Al Bello (United States) ]

The photograph series by Al Bello captures Kelsie Whitmore, the first female professional baseball player to play in an all-male pro league. 

She plays outfield and pitches for the Staten Island Ferryhawks in the Atlantic League of professional baseball. 

These photos are a testament to Kelsie’s trailblazing efforts in breaking down barriers and paving the way for future generations of female baseball players. 

Still life winner: Kechun Zhang (China Mainland)

Wildlife and nature winner: Corey Arnold (United States)

If you are a beginner photographer, filmmaker, or content creator in the process of learning about and investing on lighting, quality should be alongside affordability and ease of use. The Nanlite FS-60B might be something worth considering.

Continuous lighting has been getting more and more popular in recent years mainly because of the fact that LED lights are becoming more cost-effective, more portable, and for most photographers and videographers, the result becomes instantaneous. Continuous lighting offers a great way for beginning photographers to get a good and clear grasp of how the light changes and how it affects the photograph depending on intensity, distance, quality, and how they blend with any existing ambient light.

An entry-level-friendly option, whether in cameras, support gear, or lighting, would always be one that is relatively more affordable but also not necessarily the cheapest among all options. A good budget option would be able to give good quality light, consistent output and colors, but would often fall short on some ergonomic or efficiency features. This way, it can be a good starting point that would give the user the full experience of using the tool and any upgrade would, later on, be about making it easier to use one way or another. What an entry-level option should not be is something that would compromise quality and be counterproductive for the user.

The Nanlite FS-60B

The Nanlite FS line of lighting fixtures is generally bigger than the Forza line however the FS-60B has little difference from the Forza counterparts when compared to the difference in sizes of the higher power models. The FS-60B is 5.2 x 3.4 inches (13.2 x 8.6 cm) with a length of 9.7 inches (24.6 cm). This is longer (more rectangular) than the Forza 60 primarily because the power input cable goes straight onto the fixture which is kept as one piece instead of having a separate power adapter. While it isn’t the most portable option, it still is one that can be carried inside a bag and carried with multiple lights and accessories.

The Nanlite FS fixtures pack a CSP (Chip Scale Package) module compared to the COB (Chip on board) chip found on the Forza versions. COBs are known to have a higher light intensity which means that the FS lights will be less in terms of output, but CSP modules can also offer softer and more pleasant light quality and less propensity for hotspots in terms of output. Nonetheless, this module has a rating of 96 on the color rendering index (CRI) and 97 on the Television lighting consistency index (TLCI). The FS 60B has a mini Bowens mount in front for modifiers and has no ports for umbrella attachments however, included in the box is a Bowens mount adapter with its own umbrella attachment. The package also includes a thin tubular reflector attachment that offers a way to soften and shape the light to a fair extent compared to using it as a bare light source.

Controls and User Interface

The FS-60B basically has three main modes and three controls made up of a mode switcher button and two knobs. On the main CCT mode, the knob on the left controls the power or dim while the knob on the right controls the color temperature. By pressing the mode button you can then switch to the effects mode where the knob on the left switches between the different effects modes, such as CCT (color temperature) loop, INT (brightness) loop, pulse, flash, TV, storm, explosion, and paparazzi effects. The knob on the right allows you to switch between different parameters of the effects such as the rate of the pulses of flashes of light, the time intervals, and the range of brightness and/or color temperatures that it would change and loop within. The third mode is simply a channel selector mode for connecting with radio frequency controllers and synchronizing with other lighting fixtures.

All of that said, the most significant convenience factor of the FS-60B is the Bluetooth connection to the Nanlink smartphone app. Through the app you can set and group together multiple lighting fixtures and control them individually or simultaneously depending on their individual capabilities. This app is compatible with most of the Forza and FS bi-color fixtures and the newer Pavotube lights.

Through the app, you can access and remotely select all the available modes of each fixture and set the parameters applicable to each selected mode without having to touch the physical buttons and knobs. This is especially convenient for when the lights are placed on tall stands or when used inside modifiers that require the entire fixture to be placed inside like a reflective umbrella or softbox. This becomes extremely convenient when shooting videos with specific effect modes and would save to operator so much time by being able to change the modes and the parameters remotely and by group. The app also allows for certain presets that can be created early on, saved, and easily accessed by tapping the preset on the app for more efficiently replicating lighting setups that have been done previously.

Application

The Nanlite FS-60B is a highly convenient first light for anyone who is just starting out and learning how to use artificial light as well as for someone who uses multiple lighting fixtures in more advanced setups.

For a beginning photographer, whether for shooting portraits, products, food, or even interior spaces, the instant result that can be seen while setting up the light can make it easier to visualize and adjust than strobes. Of course, studio strobes often have much more power than a 60-watt continuous light but for the majority of situations that don’t require high-speed shooting or intense power output, especially if shooting single subjects, this light can be more than enough.

At the same time, independent video content creators and YouTubers, especially those who shoot in small controlled spaces or even home studio setups, can benefit from the full range of output while enjoying the convenient user experience whether from the rear panel or through the app. The FS-60B when used properly and with the right modifier can be perfect for talking head videos in sets with existing ambient light or with the use of reflectors or fills. Of course, there can be so much more applications when multiple lighting fixtures and modifiers are available depending on the capability of the user to work with more complex lighting setups.

What I Liked:

• Affordable, good color neutrality
• Relatively portable
• Convenient controls and remote options

What Can Be Improved:

• Umbrella attachment on the adapter instead of on the fixture
• No included carrying case; uses styrofoam packaging

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by Parish of Christ the Redeemer. The Pelham Examiner publishes press releases in the form received as a service to the community

APRIL 2023 HOAG HALL ART, Parish of Christ the Redeemer: CARLEEN MURDOCH, ARTIST

A reception will be held SUNDAY, APRIL 16, from 11:30-1:00 PM.

Carleen’s Scandinavian heritage along with growing up in the garden valley of Oregon gave her a rich backdrop for creativity. Teaching school in the high Cascade Mountains and then within the deep design culture of Misawa and Tokyo, Japan added to the breadth and inspiration for a life of creative expression. Carleen has traveled to eighty countries on seven continents which has enriched and emboldened her life in many ways!

This month’s show features Carleen’s work which is a representational relating to nature and world cultures preserved throughout her lifetime passion for photography.

Carleen resides in City Island, New York.

Art is available to be viewed/bought Sundays from 8 am till noon or by appointment. Twenty percent of the proceeds of the sale of the art work will be donated to the Parish of Christ the Redeemer.  If you or someone you know would like to display/purchase art work in Hoag Hall, please contact Patrice Fitzpatrick at [email protected] or 914-393-1885.