OCF Bootcamp

OCF Bootcamp // The Photo's

2010-02-22T14:39:00.001-05:00

On the weekend I held the very first "OCF Bootcamp" at the Riverbend Inn in Niagara on the Lake. The purpose of the class was to give students both the information they needed to learn about Off Camera Flash as well as providing them with real life situations in which it could be used. We started off with a great opportunity to shoot some amazing cars at The Autodream Group in Niagara Falls, then onto some Brides + Grooms, models and some food. I would like to send a special thanks out to our b+g's that got all dolled up for the event (stef + jack & mel & cam) they were awesome. Also a big thanks to Sarah & Laura, as well as my assistant Steve for stepping in and being our models for the second day. To Jay & Adrien from Jay Films, thanks for coming, I can't wait to see the video. Lastly a big thank you to the Riverbend Inn, their staff, owners, and head chef for allowing us to take over the grounds for 2 days. To all the people who attended, thank you so much, with out guys there obviously would not have been a bootcamp. So as promised, here are a few of my favourites, most shot by me, one or two by others on my camera (obviously the ones with me in the photo).

Shot by Rick
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Cheers {} Rick D

Photo Mechanic

2010-02-17T14:27:00.002-05:00

Just thought I would send this along to all you guys before you get down here. I am not going to be touching too much on work-flow during the workshops, however it's obviously going to come up at some point. So, I figured I would start you guys off on what to me is the most important part of my work-flow once it's time to get the cards off the camera and onto the computer. PHOTO MECHANIC is by far the most important aspect to my work-flow. This program is awesome and I suggest if you don't have it already, you download the trial version. Then go check out Zack Arias' Blog as he just posted a screen cast of his work-flow using Photo Mechanic. C U in 3 Days

Riverbend Inn

2010-02-16T16:26:00.002-05:00

Head chef Andreas Gries has so graciously offered to put together a few if his dishes for us to shoot. I had the opportunity to shoot a wedding that the Riverbend Kitchen catered, and let me tell you, the food was awesome. I am sure, knowing the menu at this place, these are gonna be some sweet foodies to shoot.

More to follow shortly

Cool iPhone app

2010-02-12T16:40:00.000-05:00

OK folks, I have only been an iPhone user for about a week now, but one of the coolest app's I have come across in the last week has got to be Strobox. It's an awesome app that lets you create and save diagrams of all your lighting set ups. No more taking out the pen a paper, now we can all look cool saving our lighting diagrams. Seriously, if you have an iPhone or iPod touch, go get this app, it's well worth it.

HIT UP THIS LINK TO CHECK THEM OUT

Cheers {} Rick D

First day of class, first shoot.

2010-02-12T15:58:00.002-05:00

OK guys and girls, as the last week before bootcamp is upon us, I will start to release some of the shoots we will be doing. The main thing for me was to nail down a few real cool shoots for you guys to do, and this first one rocks. I know a few of you had asked about what time we would be starting each day, and me being a guy who likes his sleep said around 9:00am. Well, unfortunately because of our first shoot I am going to have to move that start time even earlier to 8:00am. Why you ask, well because we have a really sick shoot planned for 10:00am in Niagara Falls and I would like everyone to meet at basecamp in NOTL before heading to the shoot. So what is this awesome shoot we have planned, well it's none other than some amazing one off automobiles. The guys at The Autodream Group have so graciously decided to allow us into their showroom and shoot some pretty amazing vehicles.

First on the block is a 1965 Buick Riviera.

Next up, the shop truck "Betsy" a 1949 Chevy Pickup

And last but not least, a 1969 Ford Mustang

These are all custom one off rides that we get to play with (in the photo sense). I've been to the shop, I've seen the work these guys do, trust me we are lucky to be able to have this opportunity. Hopefully that will be enough motivation to get your buts out of bed on Saturday morning. If you are coming from out of town, way out of town, you can feel free to skip the first part of the morning if you want. It will be a meet and great, brain pick, question period, get to know each other hour. If you would like the extra sleep and don't want to get to know me, or anyone else, you can go right to the Autodream Groups shop. I will provide directions at a later date. keep your eyes peeled, more updates to come.

Cheers {} Rick D

OCF Swag

2010-02-12T09:52:00.002-05:00

Hey guys, just one week to go until bootcamp. As promised we have some cool swag coming in for us to play with. Just thought I would take a picture of some of the things that have accumulated nicely in my office over the last week. Some of it has to go back, but some of it gets handed out to you guys, hmmmmm! Anyways, stay in touch, the schedule will be released very shortly.

Cheers {} Rick

Flash Zebra officially on board

2010-01-27T10:38:00.003-05:00

So Lon at Flash Zebra is now officially on board with Bootcamp. He will be sending up some demo products that you all will be able to purchase at bootcamp. Go check out his site for some awesome OCF gear, he makes great stuff.

He will be sending up about a dozen of these hotshoe to PW adapter cables http://www.flashzebra.com/products/0126/index.shtml so if you want to get one let me know in advance and we can add more to the order. I know we already have 4 of them spoken for.

He also makes these http://www.flashzebra.com/8AACellBatteryPacks/index.shtml which are great for flash duration and recycling. The OEM Canon ones retail for $300 and the Nikon ones for $290. That means you could get 4 for the price of one at FlashZebra.com

More news to come, so stay tuned.

Cheers {} Rick

Swag - Awesome stuff

2010-01-20T11:50:00.004-05:00

Just a little heads up

Dave Honl from Honl Photo
http://www.honlphoto.com/servlet/StoreFront
Has donated almost $400 in swag to give away

There are grids, speedstarps, gobo's, snoots, gel's and DVD's in the package he just sent up.

That's awesome, talk about a great guy.

Check out Dave's personal site here
http://www.davidhonlphoto.com/

Cheers {} Rick

What's happening with Camp

2010-01-15T08:56:00.002-05:00

OK, so since my "free" website is limited to only so much space, I figured I would answer a few questions on the blog instead of trying to cram it in somewhere on the site.

Q. Where are we shooting.
A. Bootcamp will be based out of the Riverbend Inn in Niagara on the Lake. Class may start from here, but will not necessarily be here all the time. We will return here for lunch as that is being provided by them each day. You can also book a room there if you like for $129/day.

Q. Refunds
A. You book it you buy it. Bootcamp will be happening no matter what. The only way we will not be shooting is if the place burns down. Because of the short time frame I am pretty sure you should no your schedule, so there shouldn't be any excuses.

Q. What is the course outline
A. In a few words, "Off Camera Flash". In a few more words, as of yet the time table is not set. We will be doing 4-6 shoots depending on time, and one quick class/get together in the morning of the first day and at the end of the second day.

Q. What exactly are we shooting.
A. Well, so far this is what we have temporarily lined up for subjects.
1. Food, from the hotel of course.
2. Bride + Groom for wedding situations (first dance and formals).
3. A Band, not sure if they will be the Beatles or a 60's revival band.
4. Models, both male + female, for typical model shoots.
5. Snowboarding - this will be weather dependant and late at night. Bring your cold weather gear my friends just in case.
6. A Car - again, weather dependant.

See you soon {} Rick D

The First OCF Blog Post

2010-01-13T16:02:00.000-05:00

This is a test of the emergency broadcast system, if this were real.......

.....nah! it's just a few samples of my work to start the blog off.

Cheers {} Rick D