I'm literally parked at Jo-Ann fabrics and was about to buy a bolt of black fabric as backdrop for a self-portrait series I wanted to do. So glad I saw this video, as I have several different gray backdrops that will work just fine. Thank you so much for such an easy-to-follow tutorial.
Gavin, I don't know if you see these comments, but I really enjoy your teaching style. I am a subscriber and when I see a new video from you I watch it immediately. I don't shoot nearly as much with strobes as you do, being more into wildlife, landscape, and sports, but I still learn something each time. The best part of watching your videos is coming away feeling good: Gavin is my positive pill for the day;0)
Gavin, love your videos! Not only showing different finished looks, but also the way you build up the final look, step by step, is incredibly useful! I'm studying to become a teacher, and one of the most valuable things that I've learnt (and that I feel that you do in your videos) is that to teach what something is, it's not enough to only show what is IS, but you also have to show what it IS NOT. Thank you so much for all this valuable content! Love from Sweden
Love your videos. It never gets old. I appreciate. I've just purchased a gray paper,I hope I can get those same effects from it. Savage Widetone Seamless Focus Gray
Wow. It’s incredible what you can learn just by watching other people work for a few minutes. This was so informative and helpful. Thank you for sharing this!
Gray is by far the most versatile background out there. I use it quite often. However, I do love having some white seamless so I don't have to work as hard to make a background go white (same goes for having a black background). Great video as always, Gavin!
excellent easy to follow, understand, and implement video instruction from Gavin.. Additionally, the model (Beth) is just amazingly beautiful... great posing skills (nothing looks forced.. just natural)
Really liked ur description..i was thinking what colour background to use.. and yuppp .. u cleared my doubts... i am going grey.. thanks. love from INDIA❤️
First saw you doing this in 2010 on your own channel -- your daughter was the model in that one. I was so impressed at the video that I bought a grey background. I've been using it ever since! Always interesting videos. Thank you!
Gavin, I really enjoy your videos. The various techinques and gear are so well explained and demonstrated. Plus, you have a wonderful and friendly nature as well. Very informative and enjoyable at the same time. Stunning model by the way!
Dear Gavin (and Adorama), even this is from 2016, your videos are the most informative and best to follow. And I love the way you talk, explain, interact with the models, besides the photography related core information also spreading super positive vibes. In other words: I just love all of your videos.
Always a pleasure to watch these video's. The one light video's did it for me. I have my first profesional shoot coming up for a kids hairdresser. Due to these video's and practice i know how to do it.
I loove youre tutorials Gavin! Theyre so simple and easy to follow. I am learning soo much. Plus your style of photography (dark backgrounds) is similiar to a style I am trying to achieve so that makes it even faster to learn. Thank you so muuuch!!!
Its so interesting I was just at the store the other day and I was trying to decide whether to get a black backdrop or a grey. I ended up choosing black. I wish I had seen this video first
Thank you for this video. As a event photographer I mostly use grey seamless paper for my events. Usually when I show up at a hall, the planner has not saved me an location to setup. I'm force to use a small space. Seeing your setup really has open my minds to working in a small space and still get different look with the paper i'm using. Best tutorial yet!! Will use i my setup arsenal. #raymartinez #raymartinezphotography #grey #smallspace #ray #eventphotography #eventphotographer
Another great tutorial by Gavin! :) Your photos for this shoot looked very high-end. I'm loving those Streaklights; their quality of light, accessory range and cost are very appealing. Guess I'll have to nab one (or three!!)
I love the super happy fun time music playing in the background ;). That along with your teaching style put me in a great mood to learn ^_^. Thanks for that Gavin!
Thanks, +Gavin Hoey, I always enjoy your videos and learn something from them. I had decided that, perhaps, white was the best background, as I can make it gray or black or use the white, but gray looks like a smart choice, too! Agree with +John D and would like to see some BTS on how you are recording your videos in your studio, as I'm beginning my own series. Thanks!
Gavin could I make one suggestion. When you changed the stop for the second "gel" shot it would have been nice to have seen the comparison side by side. Instead I had to rewind the video and then fast forward again. A small pain but maybe could be integrated into further shots. I really enjoy your videos and thanks for taking the time out to share your knowledge & experience with us.
Thank you! I'd love to take an entire flash course from you. I don't understand using a light meter or flash yet :(, but I'd love to set up a small home studio to capture my children before they are grown!!!
Hi Gavin. Your videos are excellent, thank you. You’ve used black, white and grey backgrounds in your studio portraits but when would you use green or blue? I bought a grey background and it’s blue on the reverse and I’ve seen green too. Hope this is an idea for another video. Thanks.
I watched this when it first came out, now I only travel with my grey backdrop and a set of gels. One thing I’ve learned though, when working with linen and gels is to leave space between your subject and the background. I’ve noticed you can pick up the texture of the linen with a strange grey tint to it if your subject is too close to it, especially if, like me, you work with small still life subjects.
Hi Gavin, as always very instructive and a master class video. I see you use an Olympus E-M5ii again and I wanted to ask if you have definitely replaced your Canon for this camera. Thank you for your time
Gavin Hoey is by far the best photographer I have ever seen.
I'm literally parked at Jo-Ann fabrics and was about to buy a bolt of black fabric as backdrop for a self-portrait series I wanted to do. So glad I saw this video, as I have several different gray backdrops that will work just fine. Thank you so much for such an easy-to-follow tutorial.
Love the soft box grid reflection in the shades ❤
Gavin, I don't know if you see these comments, but I really enjoy your teaching style. I am a subscriber and when I see a new video from you I watch it immediately. I don't shoot nearly as much with strobes as you do, being more into wildlife, landscape, and sports, but I still learn something each time. The best part of watching your videos is coming away feeling good: Gavin is my positive pill for the day;0)
+Ron Paulk Thanks Ron, I do see the comments and I really appreciate all the kind words :)
+Ron Paulk I'm just going to second this because I couldn't have said it better myself! Well done as always, Gavin!
+Ron Paulk I will Third that, Gavin is a great teacher and always a pleasure to watch, more please Adorama!
You took the words straight out of my mouth. Every home should have a Gavin in it!
Is it harder to get a black background with an umbrella since it spreads the light out so much?
Great tutorial Gavin. Happy New Year!
Thank God we have you Gavin.. cheers!
it's always a great pleasure to watch your videos. Thank you .
Beautiful pictures of a beautiful model. Thanks Gavin.
Gavin, you are the most informative (and under rated) photography teacher on youtube
Gavin, love your videos! Not only showing different finished looks, but also the way you build up the final look, step by step, is incredibly useful!
I'm studying to become a teacher, and one of the most valuable things that I've learnt (and that I feel that you do in your videos) is that to teach what something is, it's not enough to only show what is IS, but you also have to show what it IS NOT.
Thank you so much for all this valuable content!
Love from Sweden
WOW!!! One of the best videos I have seen 😱
I saw only 2 videos and learnt lots of things. Thanks sir.
Simple, amazing, good results in such a small space! Thanks!
Wow man, the end result is like a magic.
Fantastic teaching and videos. This stands out from other videos on Adorama and youtube.
Love your videos. It never gets old. I appreciate. I've just purchased a gray paper,I hope I can get those same effects from it. Savage Widetone Seamless Focus Gray
Wow. It’s incredible what you can learn just by watching other people work for a few minutes. This was so informative and helpful. Thank you for sharing this!
Gray is by far the most versatile background out there. I use it quite often. However, I do love having some white seamless so I don't have to work as hard to make a background go white (same goes for having a black background).
Great video as always, Gavin!
So much useful info in that short video. Thanks Gav!
As always: enjoyable, informative and practical. Thanks.
excellent easy to follow, understand, and implement video instruction from Gavin.. Additionally, the model (Beth) is just amazingly beautiful... great posing skills (nothing looks forced.. just natural)
Loved the photo with the rid reflection in the glasses, thanks for your easy to understand video!
Purple is a great color for Beth! Thanks for the video, very cool!
3:09 I didn't see the rest of the video, because my eyes were melted by the beauty of these shots.
Really liked ur description..i was thinking what colour background to use.. and yuppp .. u cleared my doubts... i am going grey.. thanks. love from INDIA❤️
Great video as always Gavin! Thank you
First saw you doing this in 2010 on your own channel -- your daughter was the model in that one. I was so impressed at the video that I bought a grey background. I've been using it ever since! Always interesting videos. Thank you!
You bring it bether, Gavin ... !
greatings from Germany
Gavin, thumbs up from Germany. Your videos are great, your models are outstandingm Thank you
Gavin, I really enjoy your videos. The various techinques and gear are so well explained and demonstrated. Plus, you have a wonderful and friendly nature as well. Very informative and enjoyable at the same time. Stunning model by the way!
i love this guy !!!!
Nice explanation on using grey backdrop and light setup....Thank you:)
Hi Gavin - what a great set of simple and useful techniques!
Many thanks!
As I always say Gavin. Well done Mate. Another great, simple to follow and understand video. I have learned a ton of stuff from watching your videos
Dear Gavin (and Adorama), even this is from 2016, your videos are the most informative and best to follow. And I love the way you talk, explain, interact with the models, besides the photography related core information also spreading super positive vibes. In other words: I just love all of your videos.
Very nice video Gavin! Lots of really good information. Thanks! (Pretty lady too...)
beautiful model and beautiful photos
Awesome, my favorite presenter, by far!
I wish I was an intern for this guy, he is awesome
Brilliant… copy the tips! Thanks for sharing this simple yet enlightening explanation.
Very good tutorial. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the great informative video Gavin. I'm going to give this a try today.
Always a pleasure to watch these video's. The one light video's did it for me. I have my first profesional shoot coming up for a kids hairdresser. Due to these video's and practice i know how to do it.
+aponcapone Excellent! You must be psyched! :)
+pscully1969 i am. Next saturday is the first of a three days session. Im gonna make a modelbook for a kids hairdress saloon.
Hello Gavin: Great work! And gorgeous model! Wow ...
I watch this channel just because Gavin Hoey, he's the best TH-cam presenter.
So simple and nice .. great as always Gavin :)
Your videos are been really helpful.
I subscribed to Adorama just because of Gavin Hoey. :)
Incredibly helpful Gavin. Thanks.
Great Tip, will get Gray! Thanks!
I'm sold! I'm looking forward to the prop video your planning. I'll be subscribing just for that one.
Great and beautiful model.
Thanks Gavin, really useful video!
Damnnn Garvin, back at it again....
love your show for always!!
Gavin, great tip for portrait photography in tight spaces.
As always, a very informative and enjoyable video...
Not enough praise for Beth....Great work Beth!
Great video, gorgeous model!
great as always.
I loove youre tutorials Gavin! Theyre so simple and easy to follow. I am learning soo much. Plus your style of photography (dark backgrounds) is similiar to a style I am trying to achieve so that makes it even faster to learn. Thank you so muuuch!!!
Your best video is quite a while, IMHO. Thank you. Gavin, your series in one of the two pest that Adorama pays for. Thanks for your effort(s.)
Another excellent one, Gavin. Thank you!
Awesome as usual!
Always excellent tips...
Great video Gavin! Well done as always!
Very nice model and interesting video.
Thank's Gavin, great video for showing how the inverse square law works.
Absolutely wonderful tutorial, thank you so much!
bura. k bey
Great video as usual. Thank you!
Gavin, you're great !!!
Its so interesting I was just at the store the other day and I was trying to decide whether to get a black backdrop or a grey. I ended up choosing black. I wish I had seen this video first
appreciate you Gavin! you've taught me a lot. i look forward to your videos.
Wow this was so helpful. I just ordered a Savage sky gray background. I can't wait to try out these tips.
as usual i have learnt a lot,thanks,great vids explained in simple terms.
Thank you for this video. As a event photographer I mostly use grey seamless paper for my events. Usually when I show up at a hall, the planner has not saved me an location to setup. I'm force to use a small space. Seeing your setup really has open my minds to working in a small space and still get different look with the paper i'm using. Best tutorial yet!! Will use i my setup arsenal. #raymartinez #raymartinezphotography #grey #smallspace #ray #eventphotography #eventphotographer
Another great tutorial by Gavin! :) Your photos for this shoot looked very high-end. I'm loving those Streaklights; their quality of light, accessory range and cost are very appealing. Guess I'll have to nab one (or three!!)
I think this has to be the most helpfull video ever
I love the super happy fun time music playing in the background ;). That along with your teaching style put me in a great mood to learn ^_^. Thanks for that Gavin!
+Write Lighting That's brilliant. It's the little things that take the most time... like choosing the right background music :)
Gavin is that savage seamless paper? If so, can you share which gray color that is? They have so many to choose from. Thank you.
This was amazing & so insightful ! Should prayerfully save me some money, although those flash point devices seem expensive!
Thanks, +Gavin Hoey, I always enjoy your videos and learn something from them. I had decided that, perhaps, white was the best background, as I can make it gray or black or use the white, but gray looks like a smart choice, too!
Agree with +John D and would like to see some BTS on how you are recording your videos in your studio, as I'm beginning my own series. Thanks!
Beautiful video 📹
Thank you so much for this help.
Ive just found a grey background is awesome for applying textures to that you can take anywhere out and about.
Gavin could I make one suggestion. When you changed the stop for the second "gel" shot it would have been nice to have seen the comparison side by side. Instead I had to rewind the video and then fast forward again. A small pain but maybe could be integrated into further shots.
I really enjoy your videos and thanks for taking the time out to share your knowledge & experience with us.
Thank you! I'd love to take an entire flash course from you. I don't understand using a light meter or flash yet :(, but I'd love to set up a small home studio to capture my children before they are grown!!!
Dang. That was really cool. I had no clue grey was so versatile! Also, he's a great photographer.
awesome vid!
learned alot thank u
Quality instruction as always.
Gavin great video as usual...This one really inspires me....Could I use my speedlites and get close to the same results?
+Gary Parton Yes you can. Grey to white is the hardest to with speedlights but it is possible :)
Hi Gavin. Your videos are excellent, thank you. You’ve used black, white and grey backgrounds in your studio portraits but when would you use green or blue? I bought a grey background and it’s blue on the reverse and I’ve seen green too. Hope this is an idea for another video. Thanks.
Gavin u inspire me, I'm gonna call u my Guru ☺
you're the best Gavin
so 8 years ago and Gavin was just as crackin' as he is now!
I watched this when it first came out, now I only travel with my grey backdrop and a set of gels. One thing I’ve learned though, when working with linen and gels is to leave space between your subject and the background. I’ve noticed you can pick up the texture of the linen with a strange grey tint to it if your subject is too close to it, especially if, like me, you work with small still life subjects.
Should have watch this before buying the black background
Fantastic as always :)
I learned so much, thank youu
Hi Gavin, as always very instructive and a master class video. I see you use an Olympus E-M5ii again and I wanted to ask if you have definitely replaced your Canon for this camera. Thank you for your time
+Dani Malaga I still have my Canon gear Dani but it's not getting used. The camera I use may have changed but my photography hasn't ;)