Month

December 2016

Build a DIY Gaffer Grid: Flash neutral density filter for under a dollar!

Above: This is one of the most genius and cheap MacGyver hacks I’ve ever seen. The credit goes to one of my assistants (thanks Maté!). Have you ever wanted to shoot with studio strobes and a fast lens but found your lights were too powerful? Yeah, me too! The work around is to use a neutral density filter on the camera or neutral density film on the light to knock back the exposure. The downside of this technique is those little suckers are very expensive and they often add a colour cast to the image. When I was first shown this technique I was amazed at just how simple, cheap and effective this little hack is, and best of all, it involves my favourite MacGyver staple – gaffer tape! This cheap little hack is almost neutral with very little colour cast, my reading above registered a shift of approx 50...

Ep 108 Must-have habits to boost your skills and creativity – and best listener pics of 2016

Do you want to boost your photographic skills and unleash your own creativity? It’s not hard. Like anything, you just need practice. And the easiest way to do this is to incorporate these simple habits into your routine. In this episode, Gina and Valerie discuss must-have habits that you need to adopt in order to become a photographic genius. These habits don’t take much extra time and will help to skyrocket your creativity and keep you brimming with ideas. In addition, the habits will improve your photography skills and help you become more efficient. #ginachallenge #thinklessdomore Click play to listen to the podcast or find it on iTunes here. If you don’t use iTunes you can get the feed here, or listen to us on Stitcher radio. Show notes Shout outs Thanks to everyone who shared their images in 2016 We have seen listeners taking the plunge: Shooting raw Mastering...

How to nail an awesome portrait every time you shoot, or “The Great Wall” protocol

Above: I photographed Tegan Higginbotham for a promo shoot for Foxtel Australia’s new show “Whose Line Is It Anyway” using a beauty dish and white reflector. “A man can eat an elephant if need be, one bite at a time.” – Chinese proverb Have you ever wondered how the guy who got the contract to build The Great Wall of China must have felt when he first found out he got the gig? I imagine he was sitting at home on a Wednesday night watching Real Housewives of New York when he got the message (handwritten on a beautiful gold embossed scroll). Dear Dave, Your quote to build The Great Wall has been approved, please report to work on 21st April, 770 BC. Regards, Tony Great Wall Inc. Or something along those lines… Now Dave could easily have been overwhelmed by this task. There are approximately 3,873,000,000 bricks in The...

Ep 107 Photography trends for 2017 and how to achieve them

It’s been a big year so far but we’re predicting an even bigger one for 2017. And there are some clear trends emerging in photography styles and imagery. In this episode, Gina and Valerie discuss the big trends for the coming year and what you need to do if you want to stay relevant and on point. From “authentic” images to echoes of nostalgia – and everything in between, you’ll discover the steps you can take to ensure your style stays unique to you – but can also adapt to what the market is looking for if you need to. Click play to listen to the podcast or find it on iTunes here. If you don’t use iTunes you can get the feed here, or listen to us on Stitcher radio. Show notes Shout outs Kristi Louise Herd‎ I was in London at the weekend when I passed a Vietnamese...

Ep 106 How to create high end looking portraits using cheap lighting

If you’re just starting out or don’t have a big budget then you might not have fancy lighting options. But that doesn’t matter. Because you can create high-end looking portraits by using cheap lighting! In this episode, Gina and Valerie discuss what you need to so that you can achieve awesome looks by using everyday lighting options that you can find in your home. They also discuss what cheap entry level lighting will work best if you’re just getting started and suggest useful accessories that can make a big difference to your photography. Click play to listen to the podcast or find it on iTunes here. If you don’t use iTunes you can get the feed here, or listen to us on Stitcher radio. Show notes Useful link Via Ian Hulme Thieves busted with $30K of stolen Nutella What is the definition of high-end lighting? All light behaves in the...

Basic Photoshop beauty retouch using frequency separation, burning and dodging

Learn the Photoshop technique Gina uses for all her cover shoots, advertising and editorial retouching.

Quote: What’s your “why”?

Above: Lanterns, Seminyak, Bali photographed using Canon 5DMK111, 24-105mm lens @95mm F 4 @ 1/125th second ISO 5000. “I told the universe (and anyone who would listen) that I was committed to living a creative life not in order to save the world, not as an act of protest, not to become famous, not to gain entrance to the canon, not to challenge the system, not to show the bastards, not to prove to my family that I was worthy, not as a form of deep therapeutic emotional catharsis … but simply because I liked it.” – Elizabeth Gilbert

You miss 100% of the shots you never take and why opportunity only calls when you have paint in your hair.

Above: My ducks finally lined up! Bali. Photographed using the canon 5DMK111, ISO 100 F 5.6 @ 1/100th sec using the 24-105mm lens @ 105mm. When I was starting out as a photographer, I had a night job working as a cook in an Italian restaurant. One night a regular customer, Jonathan, who was an Art Director at an advertising agency, asked me if I would be interested in shooting some products for him. His regular guy was away, and Jonathan knew I was an emerging photographer and wanted to give me an opportunity. “It’s a simple pack shot, seven soft drink bottles on a white background. You’ve shot this sort of stuff before right?” At the time my experience was limited to shooting actors’ headshots and models’ portfolios, and I worked mostly with daylight because I found flash a little bit too stressful. The answer in my head was...

How to pose and direct a headshot

Capturing a great headshot is much more than nailing your lighting and exposure.

Ep 105 What are the best ways to scout locations?

What are the best ways to scout locations? When you get to a venue, landscape, building or wedding, what is a systematic way for you to scout the best locations for your shots? In this episode, Gina and Valerie discuss what you need to do so that you make the best use of time, can perform under pressure and come up with creative and inspirational locations for your pics. Click play to listen to the podcast or find it on iTunes here. If you don’t use iTunes you can get the feed here, or listen to us on Stitcher radio. Show notes This episode was inspired by a documentary on photographer Ken Duncan Chasing the light Fitting out studios Spend a day getting to know your space Document the changing light Notice the position of the sun Experiment with camera position proximity to light Pay respect to land Time of day...
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How to direct and pose like a pro

About Gina

About Gina

Gina Milicia is one of the most widely known and respected photographers in Australia. She is the master of capturing that ‘magical moment’... READ MORE

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