TriCoast Behind the Scenes

[Mike Fulton]

We believe in simple yet effective lighting, NEVER use softboxes they simply are too bulky and really do nothing but kill the light. We feel more that if you control the light, know where the shadows and light will be placed you do not need anything special in equipment to make great shots.

Here are a few examples:

Here is a pullback of the SIMPLE set up with our video crew recording the session. Note the wireless flash on the front right, Cody, the other half of TriCoast bent over the coffee table shooting the bride at the window.

Setup:
http://www.tricoastphoto.com/Post_Pics/pullbacks/A-PB-001.jpg

Final Product:
http://tricoastphoto.com/Post_Pics/ashley/A-013.jpg


Another setup using a video light:

Here I am sitting outside a vent lighting up the bride on the other side of the wall
http://www.tricoastphoto.com/Post_Pics/pullbacks/pullback-001.jpg

Here is the other side of the wall with the bride almost out of the picture, with our video guy on the left and Cody, the other half of TriCoast on the right
http://www.tricoastphoto.com/Post_Pics/pullbacks/pullback-002.jpg

Closer up of this session set up
http://www.tricoastphoto.com/Post_Pics/pullbacks/pullback-003.jpg

And in this one you can see me outside through the vent holding the video light
http://www.tricoastphoto.com/Post_Pics/pullbacks/pullback-004.jpg

Some final products from this set up:
http://tricoastphoto.com/Post_Pics/ashley/A-006.jpg

http://tricoastphoto.com/Post_Pics/ashley/A-023.jpg


Remember simple is better almost EVERYTIME when it comes to location shooting and for use it is simply wireless flash units and videolights.

Simple yet works great!

[lil_miss]

I completely agree with you there :) Those photos are fantastic :)

[shuttermom]

Thanks for posting this. I loved your series of this bride. I'm totally digging your style, especially how easy it is on the wallet ;) . It's great to see all these different techniques and the outcomes.

[JaertX]

wow...you all really don't hold back on looking for locations! And heck, I get nervous asking a couple to walk down a busy street!

[th3r0m]

Nice shots! Just out of curiosity, what is the second location? Looks like some kind of ventilation shaft.

[LeesaB]

you know, I am enjoying these behind the scene shots and I hope to see more of them...It does help to see sometimes how you get the shots you do...that lighting through the vent is awesome....I am not sure I could talk too many brides into that...wow

[Mike Fulton]

WE shoot wedding around the world, we turn away more clients than we accept so normally the clients we work with will do just about anything we want them to do. However this bride is a non-traditional lady and willing to do anything we wanted so we had a blast finding places from a presidental suite of the largest hotel in Houston to a dingy cement shaft in a parking garage 4 stories underground.

It all starts with the pre-interview with your clients and then goes from there. Do not be scared to ask questions cause most of the time they bride is just as excited about the images and TRUSTS YOU to capture them.

Remember less is more, we capture full sun at 12 noon shots with wireless flash and it looks amazing. We do everything on the roll, no set up no wires and no extra power needed. Learn to see the light and the shadows and simple is so much better and works for us here in Texas, in the U.S. and stores in the overhead bins when we travel overseas to Europe or the Far East.

[jessiper]

Thanks for sharing this! How creative. Again, great shots. :)

[mizuno]

WE shoot wedding around the world

Shoot many in Australia, Mike?

I'd love to see you guys in action!

[italianfemmy]

Yay... someone in the USA!! Mike, will you be my mentor and teach me a small portion of what you know? I won't carry your gear or be your slave but I will learn everything I possibly can and give credit where credit is due :-) :-) *bats eyelashes*

[Mike Fulton]

Shoot many in Australia, Mike?

I'd love to see you guys in action!
Sadly no, you boys and girls downunder are AMAZING with the cameras!

I have a friend in New Zeland I am trying to get over and visit but besides that never been to your part of the world. We hit Europe more and of course all over Mexico and Northern South America.

[jbstudios]

What do you use for your flash

jb

[picturecrazy]

I like your simple setup. I don't use video lights, but I use regular flashes as slaves too. I find the results to be quite pleasing too! One of my goals is to have my entire wedding kit fit into one bag. As much as you travel, I assume you have somewhat of a similar mindset in selecting your gear?

[CyberPet]

Mike, what video lights are you using and how do you power them? Do you have the transmitter for the flash, or do you have an 550 or 580EX on the body as well?

[Mike Fulton]

One of my goals is to have my entire wedding kit fit into one bag. As much as you travel, I assume you have somewhat of a similar mindset in selecting your gear?
You got it, this mindset is what pushed Cody and I to learn wireless flash and other man made light sources. Small, poweful and easy to move from one location to the next. There is NOTHING I can not do with my flash units that I can do with the heavy "portable" studio lighting system. Sure it takes some more effort in knowing where the light is going to be placed instead of blasting the entire area with light but to us thats the fun in the entire process!

When we go overseas or around the U.S. we have everything in a LowePro backpack or Think Tank Airport Security Rolling Bag.

[Mike Fulton]

Mike, what video lights are you using and how do you power them? Do you have the transmitter for the flash, or do you have an 550 or 580EX on the body as well?
The Video light is a cheapy from B and H Photo Video, 50 watt system that is powered by the battery belt which is at my feet in the image above. Again completely portable and easy to move from one location to the next.

We NEVER use the transmitter to us it makes no sense, the 580ex can be set to where only the information is sent out to the "slave" unit so it acts as a wireless transmitter HOWEVER I always have the option of a on camera flash also which the transmitter simply does not give you.

[jbstudios]

i am looking for something like this. Its nice that it is portable and for those times you need more light. Plus you can have someone like you filling in like the sun =) make the best situation. Mind telling what you have? Do you use it on most shots? what do you guys do for formals inside a church? this is an issue for me as i normally love outside and can never get the right lighting in the inside. I dont want to bring in my huge lighting system, but when its -30 outside the alter is where most of the pictures are being taken with the lighting system. I know everyone is different, but its nice to see your work in progress.

thanks

jb

[dave.richards]

Mike, do you use Pocketwizards or just the built in wireless on the 580EX?

[Mike Fulton]

i am looking for something like this. Its nice that it is portable and for those times you need more light. Plus you can have someone like you filling in like the sun =) make the best situation. Mind telling what you have? Do you use it on most shots? what do you guys do for formals inside a church? this is an issue for me as i normally love outside and can never get the right lighting in the inside. I dont want to bring in my huge lighting system, but when its -30 outside the alter is where most of the pictures are being taken with the lighting system. I know everyone is different, but its nice to see your work in progress.

thanks

jb
JB
We use wireless flash on EVERYTHING, seriously almost 100% of our images has some sort of fill flash or wireless flash in it, and yes for formals we ONLY USE wireless flash systems. I have two complete portable studio kits with dust on them, they are simply not needed. This is what we teach our workshops on and what we show in all our work, it works, our business growth has proved it.

[Mike Fulton]

Mike, do you use Pocketwizards or just the built in wireless on the 580EX?
90% of the time we use the good ol' Canon flash units and the built in system. Most of the time when someone has a problem with the system it is lack of knowledge or lower battery power in the flash unit. However on those situations where we are outside and too far away we have some pocket wizards which we use to assist us, but those cases are few and far between!

[picturecrazy]

When we go overseas or around the U.S. we have everything in a LowePro backpack or Think Tank Airport Security Rolling Bag.

BINGO! We sure DO think alike. I also roll with the Airport Security bag. It's quite an awesome piece DESIGNED for us photographers, as long as you can get over the price. Man, if you ever come to Canada, I'd love to 3rd 4th or 5th shoot for you.

[_Jo_]

perfect!! I like the flexibility of travelling light. I have my camera bag nearby and a dress jacket/top with spare battery in one pocket and memory card in the other. All you see is me and my camera! I move all over the show and could think of nothing worse then dragging an entire set around with me. I also like spontaneity - and want to keep it "real" for the couple. Of course I do stage many formal shots - but the majority are as it rolls.

[jbstudios]

mike are you coming back to minneapolis? i cant believe i missed it. i live so close and so could have went. what a bummer. please come back. I couldnt find a current schedule??? i would really like one. lighting is something i really need hands on.

jb

[Mike Fulton]

Man, if you ever come to Canada, I'd love to 3rd 4th or 5th shoot for you.

DEAL, I would love to get North of the Border since most of our work is done South of the Border, it would be a fun change!

[Mike Fulton]

mike are you coming back to minneapolis? i cant believe i missed it. i live so close and so could have went. what a bummer. please come back. I couldnt find a current schedule??? i would really like one. lighting is something i really need hands on.

jb
We will be there from time to time, Jen Hillenga my workshop partner, and Kodak Photographer to Watch this year is from there so I am up that way often, visiting, teaching and just enjoying the downtown food and amazing photo areas!

[CyberPet]

Mike, well you know I'll buff your lenses, bring you candy and beverages if you ever come to Sweden. :D

[jbstudios]

mike can you put a post for when you have something scheduled? that would be great!! where exactly is she from?

jb

[Mike Fulton]

mike can you put a post for when you have something scheduled? that would be great!! where exactly is she from?

jb
I sure will JB, Jen is from the Twin City's actually her studio is in Savage, MN.

[Mike Fulton]

Mike, well you know I'll buff your lenses, bring you candy and beverages if you ever come to Sweden. :D
Hush girl you know if I am every on your side of the pond in your area we all will be hanging out and having fun, don't worry about the assistant part we will shoot together! You got good skills girl!

[jbstudios]

that is so exciting! i am just over an hour away from the cities. I am so looking forward to this.

jb

[mmahoney]

Perfect .. shots capture the personality of the bride. That is a lot easier to do when using a unobtrusive but very effective lighting system such as your wireless strobes.

I'd imagine most brides would freeze up when presented with softboxes & heavy lighting and the shots would look wooden and lifeless, or at the very best "posed".
Great work,
Mike

[bazair2air]

Wow! I’m really glad that I read this thread. If I can achieve those results with my current flash units, I’ll be the happiest guy you ever met.

I am studying Photoshop 24/7 right now also. It would be great to be able to learn your techniques while I’m going through this stage.

I doubt your coming to Denver and I know I’m not going back to MN anytime soon. I would really like to learn. Can you hook me up?

Have Fun!