photography tips

New Year’s Resolution

By Rick Bern Photography in portrait portraiture studio photography tips flash photography nesop new year's resolutions photography lighting steve ostrowski

As part of my 2013 resolutions I made the decision to get fit, eat right, enjoy lots of dark chocolate and continue to push myself to be the best I can at what I do.  In that spirit I spent over 5 hours this afternoon picking the brain of my former instructor Steve Ostrowski from the New England School of Photography.

Steve is fondly referred to as “The Light Guru” by my wife since he had such a profound effect on me when I was first considering becoming a professional photographer.  Steve completely changed the way I see, understand and create light.  His style of teaching is infamously direct, dry, sarcastic, at times melodic, but underneath it all is a man committed to his students’ efforts at achieveing mastery.  Today was a tune-up along the road to wherever I’m headed, and it felt great.  He helped me step back and move forward all in the same motion.  I was definitely struck several times as we bounced back and forth from my house to the studio, by how far things have progressed in just 6 years.  In the scheme of things, it was really not that long ago I was sitting in his classroom, not entirely certain where this “photography thing” would take me.

So as we close Day 2 of 2013, I am thrilled to say I cannot wait to get back into the studio tomorrow.  Jaimie and I just enjoyed several weeks off in December for a much needed vacation, but it’s time to get to work!

For those who would like to read more on flash photography, here is a link to Steve’s book. Finally, here is one of many shots of Ostrowski from our time together this afternoon.

Happy New Year!

Rick