Picture Palace Portrait Challenge: Take and Make Great Photography with Gavin Hoey

[@martynphillips6646]

It is comforting to see a pro having to work the room, us mere mortals can feel a little more comfortable with our struggles and failures. Isn't Fern simply wonderful and soooo patient.

[@reynaldomercado]

You're truly amazing. The people of Adorama are really good choosing the photographers for this videos. Everything is so organic and easy to learn. Thank you!

[@eeddiew45]

This looks like a great challenge. You handled it well. What an interesting place to shoot. Thanks, Gavin.

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Ed, it was a worthy challenge :)

[@paulwhitton957]

You are a real inspiration Gavin - will done Mrs Hoey too.

[@SreelakshmiPrabhakar]

You make such awesome creative photos. It's always nice to view your videos. Happy New Year to you.

[@AnOpenAdventure]

Another photo project to add to my list. A cinema shoot. Love the image right at 9:14.

[@martynphillips6646]

Just brilliant this what we are all faced with on most shoots, Fern stunning as always. Seeing Gavin under a wee bit of pressure like us amateurs

[@tonyjames5444]

Great video, no mention of cameras just a talented photographer striving to create an image and taking us through the process as he does.

[@tonyhawthorne3502]

Nice one, Gavin! It’s great to see some of the everyday issues we photographers face in small spaces and showing the building up the shot instead of the already in-place setup is a realistic reflection of the everyday challenges portrait photographers face when dealing with small spaces. Thanks for that!

[@lulo1843]

First time I see Gavin struggle on a set. It was fun to watch him a bit vulnerable but nonetheless killing it as always. Always enjoy your videos Gavin. I've learned a great deal from just watching you.

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Luis. Everyone struggles but the joys (or flaws) of videos is usually you don't see it.

[@jimtipton8888]

Always enjoy Gavin and his videos! Great tutorials!

[@FlyingNikon]

Fantastic as always, I always learn something from your videos. My personal favorite was the low angle shot, truly looked like she was sitting near the projector.

[@neklamp2431]

Very nice photos!

[@MarcelinoNogueiro]

Very nice. Beautiful model and awesome location. You sure made the best out of a tough location!

[@patricksmyth2023]

Loved watching you work through the challenges of the venue, Gavin! Best to Fern and Sam! Enjoyed the lesson! Happy New Year.

[@tracyedwards2746]

Always enjoy your videos Gavin. This one was no exception 😊

[@rajeshmishraphotography7684]

Hey Gavin...! That was just WaOw....!

[@andrewgonzalez6208]

He made that look really easy. Great shots.

[@San13692]

That's some beautiful settings....classic background..

[@petermaraga2930]

Gavin You always make it look so easy.. awesome

[@GavinHoey]

The magic of editing... We had around 90 minutes shoot time so plenty of head scratching went on ;)

[@raypoole2394]

Behind every successful man is a smart and creative woman. The scene and model was spot on Gavin, I'm excited to see how the shoot turned out. I am enjoying these secret portrait challenges because they show how a professional photographer overcomes the less than optimal setting and create beautiful portraits.

[@BillBooz]

Another great and entertaining one, Gavin! Love such videos where we get to observe you troubleshoot. Thanks.

[@TNrick]

Great instructional and enjoyable video (as always). The best part was your approach to problem solving. Thanks for talking your way through the problems and your ideas for solving them.

[@besisikaphotography3061]

I like this series. I thought that I am the only one who panics when dealing with unknown in short period of time. Thanks for sharing. You seem to come up with great idea faster than me. Like it!

[@GavinHoey]

So often problem solving is just as important as camera skills. Every photographer panics a little at times. Some can hide it with their confidence, I hide it with video editing ;)

[@GirlArmy21]

My favourite photo tutorial guy ever!!!! I am a media student and find your videos so amazing. I also prefer the photoshop edits at end of each shoot along with finished shot

[@LifeSurfingDude]

it's so good to see how challenging certain conditions can be for professional photographers. Trial and error. Awesome photo shoot. thank you!

[@carlosfernandes4108]

Please more. I am a big fan of your photo challenge. Thank you.

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Carlos. More secret challenges are planned for 2019 but for obvious reasons I've absolutely no idea what they are :)

[@gentlegnt]

Absolutely LOVED this challenge!! OMG!! I did a similar one a month ago. Theme: 40's lady lounge singer. Black gloves, moody lighting, pearls, etc. Watching you work magic and seeing your laptop screen as you worked was very rewarding. Thank you SO much for this...please keep them coming! Loyal fan, Huie (Oakland, Ca. USA)

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks for the positive feedback Huie. I'm loving these secret shoots and I'm sure Sam will arrange a couple more in 2019. I hope your 40's themed shoot went well too :)

[@Jimmy_Cavallo]

💥 Oh yes I enjoyed this and you are a lucky guy. She is so full of class and beauty and is perfect for this shoot. Just gorgeous and as always… great work on your part. 🤟🏼

[@RalfWeyer]

Another brilliant video Gavin 👍. Very creative and as always so much fun to watch 🙂

[@ChrisShepherdPhotos]

Really interesting to see you building up the image and solving problems Gavin.

[@GavinHoey]

There were lots of problems Chris. The photography was almost the easy bit, shooting decent video in there was TOUGH!

[@honda86tb]

Awesome. Such a tiny place to shoot.

[@georgecharpentier6043]

It was a challenge, but it also looked like a lot of fun!

[@singhanagat]

Great shoot in such a small space. 👍👍

[@OwenLloyd]

So love these secret portrait challenge videos Gavin: this is both the fun and the anxiety of any shoot on location for me and it's encouraging to see you go through the problem solving process of a) what can I shoot in terms of angles, fov etc; what would make sense in the setting, and then the logistics of getting the lights in the right place, the direction, containment and colour right, and then deal with the flare, reflections, wierd shadows.. Great results and what a team: Gavin the director, Sam the producer, and a stellar cast in the shape of Fern - who makes that outfit look good :) (the hair over one side of the face - awesome and every inch the 1930's/40's aloof socialite :D )

[@donbodat]

Outstanding as usual. Thanks Gavin

[@paulburwood8231]

It was great to see how even you were challenged in this particular location, but still managed to end up with some classics! :-)

[@pixelpefekt]

Another great vid. Bring back the photoshop talk through too. We love that!

[@TheRichMaxwellChannel]

Love the video. Great explanations at every step in taking those shots and loved the setting.

[@bionno78]

Nice Gavin .. the BEST .. !!!

[@PsychicWorldTV]

Thanks Gavin excellent as always

[@rui-uh5ib]

Gavin you're the best!

[@grier6300]

Fantastic work as always.

[@60secondmediauk]

great video as usual Gavin, the shots at 8.37 and 9.06 are stunning, as is the model.

[@pdjbarber]

Such a gorgeous location, so unique. such a brilliant job with the model

[@alexbiserchich8853]

Gavin what a great concept! You got some great images! Keep up the great work!

[@IslandFilmMaker]

Nostalgic location well done! For the size of most theaters this small is a bit ridiculous.

[@GavinHoey]

It looked small when I first got in and then we filled it with flash and video gear and it became tiny... I felt right at home :)

[@theresarice7289]

Always imaginative and fun

[@MikeJamesMedia]

Thanks, Gavin and Fern! Pretty results, challenge met! (Respectfully... I found myself captivated with Sam's face and beautiful smile, during the intro.)

[@dawnmist2259]

Brilliant as always Gav💕

[@giannitherock]

What a wonderful location! after some uncertainties you got the good ones. I wonder how to exploit the more the ambient light.....

[@GavinHoey]

To record more ambient light (which there was very little of) I could have lengthened my shutter speed ;)

[@ToreHansen]

Very inspiring, great done by the whole team!

[@stephenreed7769]

Great job Gavin and actually I found the video most instructive 👍 Thanks!

[@rickvestuto]

Your so Lucky to have that awesome setting What an awesome tutorial Thanks, Gavin regards, Rick

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Rick :)

[@ronaldchampion6920]

Great as always Gavin....Do you ever visit Australia?? PLEASE let me know if you are planning a trip "Down Under"

[@dpmelson]

Hi Gavin, I wanted to say that your tutorials are great. I watch them a L the times. This one in particular was great. Thanks

[@mrskarshsphotos]

Thanks very much...always inspirational!

[@winni223]

Both interesting and challenging location

[@cliveholland4829]

Thanks Gavin . Really enjoyable , educational and inspiring video. .

[@promokator]

It was fantastic ❤

[@thodorissiorikis8791]

perfect!!!!!

[@theharbinger9400]

Thank you for sharing your tips for small spaces. I find myself thinking a lot, “This would be a great shot if I only had more room.” I guess I just need to get a little more creative. You were able to get amazing shots. :)

[@coolgiga]

Great work! 👌📸

[@craigschray4486]

I love the room!

[@alanvandever9683]

I spent my first 10 years in the business as a press photographer. We never had any idea what we were getting into when we went to unfamiliar locations so I can Empathize with you.

[@wilhinds8144]

Nicely done!!!

[@KosherBeycon]

Good job.

[@teleking58]

Looks great especially considering the tight space you had to work with.

[@rogernilsson2254]

Really nice!

[@simongentry]

i was expecting the Tardis kinda inside! HUGE !!!

[@frankzayas3103]

Anybody else reminded of Jessica Rabbit in these shots? Great video Gavin! It was interesting to watch you working out how to pull this off.

[@MikeGuyWithCamera]

Frank, it did remind me of Jessica Rabbit in these shots :). Well done Gavin and Mrs. Hoey

[@dkzlslx7690]

Youre right on the cash

[@ronspeer]

The other Adorama presenter, Daniel Norton, did a video using Savage adjustable light stands. Although you got the shots you wanted, I think they would have helped minimize the time in the set up. Great video as always! Cheers!

[@JonesGermanni]

Amazing video!

[@martinorkg]

Greeat as always! thank you Gavin!!!

[@jaibabyphotography]

My Hero..... l love u'r totorial

[@robpante9545]

woow the quality is crisp and clean. What camera and lens were used, to shoot this video? excellent challenge!

[@slade-runner6773]

Hey Gavin, I live in Seattle and 3/4 of the year is cloudy (similar to the UK) and I want to take advantage of them and find ways to make them pop or give more to the background behind my subjects. could you do a video on how to do dramatic clouds?

[@BSK-y1h]

very good job! nice!

[@b991228]

Is the a movie screen behind you? Bounce the light off the screen or reflector.

[@niallboylephotography]

Loved this video. Brilliant to see so many difficulties of a real shoot. A wide angle lens used for portraits! Problems with light and space and all verbally described by Gavin. Also, great to see the bad results before seeing the excellent ones. One question, how much time did you have?

[@JPYvideos]

How did you turn on the focus assist beam? I use Canon 70D and did enabled it in the custom settings but it doesn't always light up when I'm in low lights situations using speed lights? Is there another setting to enable as well? Thnx and great stuff Gavin!

[@markmondaini4088]

Bravo !!!!

[@jasonlacey5979]

Just rediscovered this excellent tutorial.. How about one with Sam in that 'Little Black Dress' ??

[@darrylc8107]

Fern Dack having red hair, great choice of location and thinking ahead.

[@GavinHoey]

Fern rocked this look :)

[@stewsview5164]

AS ALWAYS you are Freak'n Awesome! I love watching you build the shot and layer stuff in. =) Can you do a quick BTS on the retouch and editing your favorites from this?

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks Stew. The layering of technique was me figuring it out as I went along and this time it worked out rather well :) Post processing was less then you'd imaging the biggest difference was a colour shift using Nik Analogue Effects

[@niteline42]

The way you fight the tether cable, makes me wonder why you don't use the Tether Tools Case Air for wireless tethering instead? Cool little product, fairly fast transfers, and no cable to trip over or fuss with. Love mine.. You only need a a small JPG transfer to check exposure/framing on a bigger screen, as you were doing in the video. It will transfer RAW files too if prefer, just slower transfer times. The app has many options on transferring, for what you need at the time. Great vid.. as always. Looking forward to your next upload.. ;)

[@GavinHoey]

I tend to always turn in one direction with the inevitable consequence of tying feet up with an orange Tether Tools cable! I've had mixed results with wireless transfer but to be fair I've never tried the Tether Tools Case Air.

[@HandyKacaribu]

Thank you

[@anzaeria]

I really enjoyed the theme of this particular photo challenge. Attractive location and a beautiful model who looked great in that period clothing. The resulting images looked very classy. By the way, that was an enormously long fake cigarette she was holding!

[@simmers100]

Great video but what is that music called?

[@MichaelKantormusic]

If Gavin is challenged don’t even try …. Great video Gavin !

[@maofangjushi4711]

Hi Gavin, love your work. Question: did you use grey card in this lighting condition? Would you suggest we use grey card to set WB in similar condition?

[@craigl.mcallester9610]

Galvin, how much time do you suppose you have in the theater?

[@GavinHoey]

Sam hired the location for 3 hours. By the time I got in, got over the surprise and set up all the gear (video gear takes a lot longer to set up the you realise) I had about 90 minutes or shooting before I had to pack everything away!

[@driesenmphotography8858]

Cool photoshoot but can you explain me how to get the picture directly to the laptop

[@GavinHoey]

Thanks. The orange Tether Tools USB cable was attached to my camera and laptop. Using Olympus Capture software the images were copied from my camera to my laptop and popped right up on my screen for instant review :)

[@KenCheng]

Is smoke machine same as haze machine? I recently did a shoot with a rented fog machine and it didn't really do what I wanted to do. Unfortunately, no one locally rent out haze machines so I might have to just but one.

[@martinwerge9245]

Bravo, Sam 👏 Gavin, excellent challenge!

[@GavinHoey]

Spot on. Sam and Fern deserved most of the praise here :)

[@GUTOMOFFICIAL]

Gavin Hoey!

[@dunnymonster]

And I'm here in my small home studio....err I mean my small home theater 😂😁 Awesome as always 😊

[@GavinHoey]

Amazing that Sam found somewhere even smaller then my studio... but not small enough to stop me (this time)

[@midhunpatel]

Good video.

[@alexmat65]

The model is so beautiful. Her look is like Jessica Rabbit!!!

[@josea.justiniano3329]

Gavin the Olympus you use is a full frame camera?

[@llg4958]

crop sensor.

[@GavinHoey]

Hi Jose. Not full frame in fact a long way from it. It's a Micro FourThirds sensor (about 1/4 the size of a full frame sensor) but don't let size fool you. Your subject, lighting and artistic skills often count for more then sensor size.