Photo Book Photography; Norman strobe set-up, April 2017 Copyright Douglas Stockdale
While I was working on the printing of my artist book Bluewater Shore with the printing team at Dual Graphics, they offered me an opportunity to tour their facility to observe how they provide front-to-back color management for their book printing processes. This led to the discussion about the back ground on their Fulton printing methodologies that resulted in my recent interview article about this amazing printing capability on the West coast.
While on the facility tour, we stopped at their photo studio to meet up with my buddy Scott Mathews whose the lead photographer for this operation. I would have to say that I am primarily a street/location photographer, not a trained or practicing studio photographer. Mathews studio lighting set up was very impressive and I stated that this is something I probably need to think about at some time for photographing photo book covers and interiors for The PhotoBook Journal. Mathews gave me a look and then stated that they had mothballed a long time ago a Normal lighting rig when they purchased their current studio lighting, would I be interested in a donation of an old studio lighting set up; Norman P2000 power pack and two Normal strobe heads. Wow, would I (although not exactly sure of what I was getting into as I have never worked with studio lights, but sort of frustrated with my current book photography process). Being a non-profit (or as I say, no-income/no-profit), I do not look a gift-horse in the mouth and appreciate all donations!
Dual Graphics also threw in a couple of Bogen light stands with this donation; sweet! So I received a quickie studio lighting lesson from Mathews about what I needed to do for my “new” studio set-up; buy a pair of inexpensive umbrella reflectors and NOT connect a digital camera directly to this old Norman power pack but purchase a pair of PocketWizard Plus wireless transmitters. Done and done.
So after a little bit of experimenting and some lighting coaching from Mathews, I think we are in business. The recent book photographs for the Barbara Peacock book review showing some nice improvements in our book photography process.
So a big thank you Dual Graphics for their support of this journal and we hope you enjoy the revised look!
Cheers!
Douglas
PhotoBook Journal 