What’s your definition of a photo studio? Is it a room with a white seamless backdrop or a cyc wall? Maybe it’s simply anywhere you’re in control of the lighting. In a perfect world, where every day is a breezy 72 degrees with partial cloud coverage, we would all have a 5,000-square-foot studio–and the entire catalog of B&H™ in our equipment lockups. But the reality is that you may have an outdated DSLR with two decent lenses (which took you several years to save up for), and all you have at your disposal is an unfinished basement, your garage, or the empty conference room at your office. That’s where Studio Anywhere comes in. With photographer Nick Fancher as your guide, you’ll learn how to get portfolio-ready photos while working in some of the most problematic scenarios imaginable. Whether shooting a corporate portrait, a test shoot with a model, or a promo shoot with a band, you’ll discover that most of the time, there’s no need for an expensive studio–you just have to get creative. Studio Anywhere is a resource for photographers to learn through behind-the-scenes photos and lighting diagrams from a range of photo shoots–but it doesn’t stop there. Because directing a photo shoot involves more than simply knowing how to wield a camera or process a raw file, Nick also lets you in on the aesthetic decisions he makes in his signature photos, inspiring you to develop your own vision. And, finally, he describes his Lightroom and Photoshop workflow so you can learn how to deftly navigate post-processing. Shows how to create images with minimal equipment that is within reach of anyone’s budget Takes you through the entire shoot, from concept to lighting to exposure to post-processing in Lightroom and Photoshop Teaches how to build a portfolio without a dedicated studio space

The concept for Studio Anywhere came from photographer Nick Fancher's experience trying to build model shots for his portfolio. As a young professional photographer with a family, he didn't have the money to rent out a studio, and he wasn't familiar with all the areas around some of his models' locations (when he was traveling, for example). So he started shooting in the models' living spaces. Each place was different-a penthouse here, a dark art space there-and they all forced him to think a bit outside the box and seek out photographic opportunities. He also had to carry little gear, traveling light.All this gave him the idea for this book, which highlights what one can do with a bit of portable gear, a grasp of photographic basics, and a lot of imagination in order to see the possibilities in any given situation. In Studio Anywhere: A Photographer's Guide to Shooting in Unconventional Locations, Nick will cover different "studios" that can be created anywhere, from a basement to a street, from an office to a park, from a living room to a backyard. And he will do all this with just the following gear: 1-3 Speedlites, a foam core board, a grid for the flash, an umbrella, an ND filter, and gaffer tape. And because his photos have a unique "look" to them, Nick will also include his post-processing in Lightroom, with occasional "pro tips" as he jumps over to Photoshop for just a bit of heavier lifting in the digital darkroom.Nick will also have a "Deconstruct this photo" thread running throughout the book (one for each studio section), which will help students be able to better read photos (how many lights were used? what kind of modifier was used? where was the light placed?) in order to "reverse engineer" them, so that they can recreate similar lighting scenarios themselves. After reading Studio Anywhere, students will be inspired to get out and shoot in more "unconventional" locations, and will be equipped with the knowledge and know-how to do so.

In Studio Anywhere 2: Hard Light, photographer and author Nick Fancher builds on the success of his previous book (Studio Anywhere: A Photographer’s Guide to Shooting in Unconventional Locations) as he continues to offer candid, practical, and valuable lessons on how to create successful and fresh photographs armed with only minimal gear, a resourceful mind, and a creative spirit. The heart and soul of Studio Anywhere 2: Hard Light resemble its predecessor, but this time Nick focuses his approach on hard light, demonstrating how to use it in innovative and flattering ways, working with subjects ranging from products to people. You’ll learn: • How to work with both available light (e.g., the sun) and manufactured light (such as inexpensive small flash) • How to shape, bounce, and manipulate your unmodified flash to get the results you want • The importance of proper light placement and ambient balance • How to create dramatic, intentional photographs with hard light • DIY techniques for making your own gobos and photo hacks (such as with a reflector) • How to incorporate colored gels into your work to create expressive and innovative imagery • Post-processing tricks and techniques that Nick uses to achieve the final look of the image Included in the book are behind-the-scenes photos, lighting diagrams, and Lightroom settings for every scenario, so the reader can follow along from idea through the shoot and on to the final edit. There is also a feature throughout the book called “Making a Scene” where, upon being presented with an “empty” scene, you’re challenged to figure out where you might place your subject and your light(s) in order to achieve a specific effect or result. At the back of the book, Nick shows you how he chose to tackle each scenario. The goal is to train yourself to look at the everyday, commonplace locations and scenarios you encounter and begin to see them full of photographic potential.

EDUCATION / Arts in Education

Beloved children's entertainer Emily Arrow's first picture book, perfect for (little) makers everywhere: a story about finding a space to create! A young bunny makes the rounds of a studio building, taking in all the different artists in their habitats. Making, thinking, sharing, performing . . . but can our bunny find the perfect space to let imagination shine? In this charming ode to creativity, noted children's singer and entertainer Emily Arrow introduces readers to the concept of the studio: a place for painters, dancers, singers, actors, sculptors, printmakers . . . and you! Whether it's a purpose-made space with big windows, a room filled with equipment, or the corner of a bedroom, your studio can be anywhere--you just have to find it!

Seventy-five ways to embrace a spirit of adventure—around the world or around the corner. Ask the next person you meet where his/her favorite street is. Go there. Write down what you like about this city on a small piece of paper. Leave it where someone else will find it later. If you can see a shop from where you are, step inside it. A creative travel guide for anywhere, this handy book includes seventy-five inspirations for exploration. With a unique mix of concrete actions and whimsical prompts, the Anywhere Travel Guide takes you on a journey that encourages you to see things differently, to discover both new and familiar places—and to bring a new spirit of adventure to your life.