PracticeShoots

MODELS and PHOTOGRAPHERS: Add to your portfolio. Experiment with new ideas. Talk with an expert. Free. Open to all experience levels.

In April, 2022 I thought we could restart our large events. However, the Omicron surge started. In August I contracted COVID and damaged my heart. The current surge started in October, about the time I came out of quarantine. In December, my heart operation to repair the COVID damage was aborted midway because of COVID lung damage. I will have another operation in February. So, in 2023, I will be extra cautious.

Robert will hold moderate sized events.

I will hold workshops for groups of 4 photographers. By keeping the group small, holding the events outdoors, and making sure everyone is fully boosted, tested, and symptom-free I should be OK.

Please volunteer if you would like to become an organizer for a large event. Using Zoom, I can step you through the process. It is very simple. I just feel afraid to attend.
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PracticeShoots is a group of models and photographers who collaborate to improve their knowledge and skills based on the teachings of several well-respected contemporary portrait photographers. The events are free to all participants—beginners, experts, amateurs, and professionals. Attendees may participate in multiple roles taking turns as models, grips, and photographers. Models receive images from multiple photographers within days of each event.
WHEN. We meet at locations around the San Francisco Bay Area on the FIRST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH from NOON to 4:00 PM. Note: At 12:00 PM we leave the meeting point to walk the area. We may be hard to find, so don’t be late.
EVENTS. We walk neighborhoods, find settings, and practice shoots. We learn to work with varied lighting conditions to create great portraits. Handouts range from topical cheat sheets to extensive notes, referencing specific sections in the study materials.
When we find an interesting location, we discuss the light in detail, form teams, and coach each other through a shoot. Each team has a photographer, model, and up to three grips; one to add light, one to subtract light, and one to add highlights. Depending on the circumstances we may focus on composition, lighting, or posing.
Then, we scout for a new location and repeat the process. We stop at 4:00 PM. At any time, a team may leave the group and work independently.
CURRENT EXPERT PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHERS
ROBERTO VALENZUELA. Portrait and wedding photographer in Hollywood. Published several books that teach lighting and posing techniques. We use his books "Picture Perfect Lighting" and "Picture Perfect Posing", which are available through online sellers. Many of his books are used as texts in schools.
FELIX KUNZE. Adds special lighting techniques to enhance skin tone and texture.
SUE BRYCE. Teaches a more glamor oriented portrait style, with some special flow-posing techniques.
VINCENT VERSACE. Portrait photographer for the stars, as well as San Francisco Presidio photographer who teaches subject emphasis using blur and color to guide the viewer’s focus.
EQUIPMENT
PHOTOGRAPHERS: Please bring a 40" reflector, a 30" reflector, and an incident light meter. Optionally, bring a 40" diffuser, a ColorChecker Passport Photo 2, and a smartphone with PhotoPills installed. None of these are required. There will be plenty to share. Please do not bring flashes, soft boxes, umbrellas, other lighting modifiers, light stands, or tripods, unless requested for a specific event. Bring at least a "normal" lens (Full Frame: 50mm, APS-C: 35mm, Micro 4/3: 25mm). If you only have a kit lens, it covers the normal focal length for your camera. For head shots, or if there is sufficient space, you may choose a short telephoto (Full Frame: 85mm, APS-C: 58mm, Micro 4/3: 42.5mm) or a little longer.
MODELS: Please bring
1. dark, form-fitting pants, jeans, tights, or a skirt so the curves in your legs show well
2. a dark, form-fitting top that shows light between your arms and body and exposes your collarbone
3. flats.
Avoid white, small patterns, glamour makeup, and large jewelry. If you have long hair, wear it down. Within these guidelines, anything will work -- a little black dress, tights and a tank top, business slacks and a blouse, or anything in between. You may want to download and read JandJFAQ.pdf at http://jeffspublicdrive.com > Photography.
ZOOM REVIEWS. About the middle of each month, on a Wednesday evening, we hold a review Event. Recordings of the Event can be downloaded at [jeffspublicdrive.com](http://jeffspublicfrive.com) > Photography > Zoom Reviews.
INFORMATION. You may find all the study materials at http://jeffspublicdrive.com > Photography : handouts, notes, PDFs of books, and lots of videos. To see specifics on gear, see the Amazon Wishlist at https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2MGMT7ZZ65HE5 .
If you have questions about your equipment or want to discuss anything about photography, message Jeff through Meetup. We can talk about camera basics, equipment, lighting, posing, white balance and ColorCheckerPassport, model releases, wardrobe, jewelry, makeup, critiques, portfolios... If you have questions about your gear, have your manual handy.
LINKS
Jeff: http://www.jeffrulifson.com/ & https://www.instagram.com/jeff.rulifson/
ROBERTO VALENZUELA. https://www.robertovalenzuela.com
FELIX KUNZE. https://www.felixkunze.com
SUE BRYCE. https://suebryceeducation.com
VINCENT VERSACE. https://versacephotography.com
ColorChecker Passport Photo 2: https://www.xrite.com/categories/calibration-profiling/colorchecker-classic-family/colorchecker-passport-photo-2
PhotoPills: https://www.photopills.com
Thanks, Jeff