Wedding shooters tend to be as discerning about their gear as a bride is about her gown and wedding details. Capturing once-in-a-lifetime moments requires an image maker to have a seamless connection to the functionality of his or her camera, lenses, and lighting. Introduce the steady pace of new and improved products hitting the market, and the possibilities can make one's head spin.
Above photograph © Shawn C. Steiner
To help shooters test their skills and learn about the latest equipment offerings, B&H Photo is collaborating with WPPI for the second consecutive year, to offer #WPPIStudios in Booth 183 of Mandalay Bay's Bayside C conference hall.
"Customers like having choices," explains B&H travel marketing team manager Rebecca Perlman. "They like being able to take two cameras and compare them side by side. That's what we bring to the table with WPPI Studios."
During Expo hours from Monday, February 26, through Wednesday, February 28, WPPI attendees can select from a menu of the latest cameras and lenses by Canon, Fujifilm, Hasselblad, Leica, Nikon, Sony, Sigma, and Tamron, for free short-term gear rentals customized to individual needs.
"We've tried to showcase the newest stuff, because most people might have a Canon 5D Mark III, but may not have had the opportunity to try the 5D Mark IV yet, or they might have the camera, but not the newest lenses," Perlman tells us. "You can use your own camera and borrow a lens. Everything is à la carte."
Once the rental gear is assembled into a Holdfast Gear Moneymaker strap system, attendees are given a 32GB SanDisk SD memory card and invited to circulate through a multifaceted studio space consisting of five lighting bays with live models, with shooting assistance and instruction provided by B&H staff and dedicated lighting professionals.
According to Perlman, designing the initial studio concept was a big process. "We've been involved with other events that have this approach, so we were able to combine certain elements we liked from different places," she says. "Our goal was to provide attendees with a fun experience, and to have people come back the next day. We decided to change up the lighting setups daily, adding complexity to make it a valuable learning experience."
Since 2017 was an inaugural effort, most attendees heard about last year's event through word of mouth. "On the first day, people didn't quite understand what it was, but on day two there was a line as soon as the doors opened," says Perlman. Attendance was estimated at 80 to 100 people a day, with many attendees returning for the second or third day of the event.
"Technically, six people could be shooting in the bays at the same time," she points out. "We also had different models every day, so it wasn't the same look each time someone visited."
Explains Madeleine Budd, a member of B&H's travel marketing team heading up this year's #WPPIStudios effort, "Every time you're in the studio with someone else you always learn something new," she says. "It changes the whole game."
Bryan "Boomer" Kaisk, of K6 Studios, appreciated the chance to learn new studio tricks from the lighting pros on hand, as well as B&H's technical staff. "It was nothing short of fantastic," he says. "In addition, it gave photographers the opportunity to rent some of the latest in photo gear and shoot live with talented models—all for FREE. I had been wanting to test out the Nikon 105mm f/1.4F lens, and this gave me the perfect opportunity," he adds. "There were no expectations, nor any hassles, just borrow and shoot. It doesn't get much better than that."
This type of shooting and learning experience is especially well suited to portrait and still-life work. Says Perlman, "This wouldn't be the right environment for outdoor photographers, but wedding and portrait photography is a more formal process that fits well within a studio setting. The customers all loved it," she adds. "We encouraged them to share on social media and a lot of people did."
According to Utah-based portrait photographer Erin Holmstead, "The staff was super friendly in helping me understand the lighting setups and what settings would be best. My roommates and I had a great time, and we wanted to go through again. I can't wait to see what they have going on at the show this year."
In 2018, a variety of lighting options offer attendees the chance to try a multitude of lighting styles in individual bays, sponsored by the manufacturers Profoto and Westcott, as well as bays shared by Elinchrom and Light & Motion from MAC Group, Hasselblad and Broncolor, and the brands Angler, Bolt, Impact, Genaray, Luxli, Vello, and Watson.
In a single bay, you can learn about clamshell lighting for headshots on Day One, compare the effects of a beauty dish to an octa softbox on Day Two, and try out a variety of LED's on Day Three. Move down the line and you'll experiment with parabolic reflectors on Monday, discover the best secret weapon for low-key portraits on Tuesday, and explore how to use light shapers for on-location portraits on Wednesday—in addition to taking in many other tools and techniques.
"The goal is for attendees to come and have fun, try out some new gear, and learn about lighting. So, the takeaway is really nice," Perlman sums up.
Following on the heels of WPPI, B&H is organizing a similar studio and workflow experience as part of "Depth of Field," a comprehensive conference for portrait, wedding, and event shooters. This free, two-day event will be held at the Penn Plaza Pavilion in Manhattan on April 24 and 25.
Six professional studios will be outfitted with an array of today's best lighting options, pro camera, and lens loaners. "Each studio will have models in elaborate sets and lighting pros on hand to help you craft gorgeous images," says conference director David Brommer. "Attendees will be able to learn about the gear, shoot with it and then perfect their images in our workflow area, walking out with professional-quality prints to be used for self-promotion."
Other components to "Depth of Field" will include appearances by industry leaders Lindsay Adler and Jerry Ghionis, presentations by the next generation of trendsetting photographers such as Laurent Martin and the Colagrossis, a vibrant trade show with an emphasis on interaction and exposure to the latest pro gear, and discounts on the equipment you need to achieve your vision.
What's more, the Pavilion's first floor will feature a special video track run by Love Stories TV, with the latest wedding video trends and techniques being showcased among winners of the 2018 Wedding Film Awards.
Onsite attendees will benefit from free prints, contests, and a dinner party in the B&H SuperStore, while those outside the New York area can participate from afar through Livestreamed events. Yet, perhaps the best part about "Depth of Field" is that registration and attendance is free. To learn more and register to be there in-person or to watch online, visit www.bhdepthoffield.com.
Did you visit B&H's #WPPIStudios setups during WPPI? If so, we'd love to hear about it. Please share your experiences in the Comments section, below.
