Simon Caplan reveals torch-lit, Renaissance-inspired still life techniques using DIY torches, long exposures and dramatic light painting.
What if you could paint with light? Simon Caplan LRPS — a former journalist turned still-life photographer — does just that in Out of the Dark. Armed with nothing fancier than a handheld torch and long exposures, he sculpts everyday objects into moody, painterly images that owe as much to Caravaggio as to modern light-painting.
Simon will guide you through still life’s journey from classical painting to today’s studio setups, sharing easy-build lighting rigs, composition tricks and layering techniques for deep shadows and rich highlights. Along the way, he’ll reveal real-world tips on subject selection, DIY stands, avoiding overexposed hotspots and preserving tonal depth in post-processing.
Whether you’re just dipping your toes into studio work or looking to discover new creative approaches, this session will equip you with the vision and technical know-how to transform everyday objects into dramatic, painterly photographs.
The fifth and final competition of the season. There are two sections in this competition, PDI and prints.
This season, members will be allowed to re-enter a previously entered PDI as a Print but will not be allowed to re-enter a previously entered Print from the first Open competition, nor to re-enter a PDI from a previous competition.
Subject to the judge’s agreement, prints will be accepted on the night of the competition but must be delivered before 7:15pm.
There is no theme, any image on any subject is an acceptable entry, subject to general competition rules.
The judge will be Steve Hitchen, EPAGB, AFIAP, BPE5.
Good luck!
Our Annual General Meeting. We need your participation to set things up for next season.