Description
Fstoppers Clay Cook Fashion and Editorial Portrait Photography | 17.8 GB
“Fashion and Editorial Portrait Photography” with Clay Cook, produced by Fstoppers, is an 11.5-hour long comprehensive video tutorial that delves into the art of high-end fashion and editorial photography. Clay Cook, who began his career by mastering artificial lighting setups in his living room, has since evolved into a renowned international photographer specializing in fashion and editorial work. This tutorial offers a deep dive into his process, from lighting techniques to post-production, with detailed insights on the business side of editorial photography.
Background on Clay Cook’s Unique Lighting Approach
Unlike most photographers who begin by learning to shoot with natural light, Clay Cook started his journey using exclusively artificial light. This approach gave him a distinctive advantage, allowing him to master how to sculpt and control light to achieve specific moods and effects. Later in his career, he integrated natural light into his work, but his firm understanding of artificial lighting allowed him to create unique images regardless of the conditions. This foundational knowledge forms the core of his photography, enabling him to transform any scene into a beautifully lit masterpiece, whether in a studio or on location.
Overview of the Tutorial
This 11.5-hour tutorial is designed for photographers at all skill levels, from those just stepping into editorial photography to seasoned professionals looking to refine their techniques. Clay breaks down the progression of his lessons from simple to complex lighting setups, making the content easy to follow while still packed with advanced concepts.
The tutorial covers every aspect of editorial photography, including:
Lighting Techniques: Clay walks viewers through various lighting setups, from basic to intricate. These lessons provide a range of solutions for both studio and on-location shoots, teaching how to shape, modify, and balance light to achieve the desired results.
Gear and Equipment: A detailed guide to all the gear that Clay uses in his studio and on location is included. From cameras and lenses to lighting and modifiers, Clay discusses how each piece of equipment contributes to his final images.
On-Location Shooting Lessons: There are 18 on-location lessons, where Clay demonstrates real-world shooting techniques. These sessions provide insights into how to deal with different lighting challenges and how to execute flawless compositions while shooting high-end fashion.
Post-Processing with Jordan Hartley: After the shooting sessions, Clay collaborates with his high-end retoucher, Jordan Hartley, to demonstrate the complete retouching process. Each lesson comes with the corresponding image files, allowing viewers to follow along as they walk through the editing workflow. The tutorial offers both technical Photoshop techniques and artistic choices behind retouching.
Business and Marketing Insights
Clay also offers an in-depth look into the business side of editorial and fashion photography. This part of the tutorial is especially valuable for photographers looking to transition from hobbyist or small-time jobs into landing commercial and high-end editorial gigs. In the business and marketing chapters, Clay covers topics like:
Tethering and Portable Workstation Setup: Clay explains how to set up a portable workstation that allows for seamless workflow on location. He also discusses how tethering can improve efficiency and client communication during shoots.
Marketing and Branding: A large part of success in the photography world comes down to building a brand and marketing yourself effectively. Clay shares strategies for promoting yourself, landing gigs, and growing your reputation in the industry.
Estimates and Invoices: As part of the package, the tutorial includes five sample estimates and invoices, giving photographers an inside look into how to price their work and communicate with clients about budgets and deliverables.
What’s Included in the Package?
The tutorial offers more than just the video content. With your purchase, you receive access to various additional resources that enrich the learning experience:
11.5 Hours of Video Content: The total runtime of the tutorial is 11.5 hours, providing thorough coverage of every topic. These 1080p videos are available for download in high-quality mp4 files.
Studio Gear Guide: A comprehensive guide to Clay’s studio gear is included, offering insights into the tools he uses daily to produce his stunning images.
On-Location Lessons: There are 18 on-location lessons with detailed shooting and studio post-processing workflows. Each lesson focuses on different lighting and composition challenges that Clay resolves in real-time.
Raw and JPEG Files: To further assist in learning, the tutorial includes 19 RAW and JPEG files from the shooting lessons. These files allow you to practice the editing techniques taught in the course on the same images Clay uses.
Access to Private Mentorship: Purchasing the tutorial grants access to Clay Cook’s private Facebook group, where you can receive additional mentorship, ask questions, and interact with other photographers.
Conclusion
Clay Cook’s “Fashion and Editorial Portrait Photography” tutorial offers an all-encompassing look at the world of high-end fashion and editorial photography. From technical lighting skills to post-processing workflows and business insights, this 11.5-hour course provides a detailed blueprint for photographers who want to excel in the industry.
Whether you’re just starting out or already have a foothold in editorial photography, Clay’s approach offers valuable lessons and real-world insights that will help you elevate your work and career. To explore more and start learning from Clay Cook’s tutorial, visit the official page on Fstoppers.
