portraits-ric woods photography 2011.mpg

Portraits are our passion,here is a sideshow of people we have captured (12 min).This collection of portraits shows many different styles of our photography.
Thanks to all our subjects and to Terence Koo for the music from his Lunacy album.
If you are interested in learning photography, contact the studio mgr maree nichols on 0249621066 or send her an email maree@ricwoods.com and she will send you a copy of the 2012 Photography & Lighting Course Booklet(2011 booklet).We conduct courses from beginner to Pro.
www.ricwoods.com

Burlesque-Guns-Girls and Booze-ric woods photography

We had to re post this for a client to view, some how it fell off the web? Voo Doo?
Girls,Guns,Gin and Gambling...thats a formula thats unstable

Passmores Business College Corporate Photography 2011-ric woods photography

ric woods photography enjoys a great relationship with Passmores Business College in Newcastle.This college has an amazing emplyment record for its students, more than 95% success rate.Each year maree and myself are commissioned to capture individual headshots for the students resume' , a group shot of each class,staff and a shot of the whole campus for the future.
We always have a great time with these bright students and very friendly staff.The only real challenge is the struggle to capture the large group in a room that is way too small.

Industrea Mining Equpment Behind the Scenes Photo Shoot-ric woods photog...

Here is maree nichols, studio manager and photographer, for ric woods photography with a behind the scenes look at the photo shoot at Industrea Mining Equipment's Photo shoot late last year- Fantastic Australian made mining equipment

Sarah's Fashion & Photography Party-ric woods photography

It looks like there is too much at Sarah's Fashion & Photography Party to be classified as work.
Maree and Bridie capture this group busting loose.Party enquiries can be had from maree@ricwoods.com or call the studio on ric woods photography 02 4962 1066
ric woods photography, the go to studio for FUN & FASHION & PHOTOGRAPHY PARTIES for girls.

Fine Art Nude Photography Workshop and Lighting Courses-ric woods photog...

"Three hours in one of Ric's courses has been one of the most valuable
investments in my phototography to date. His knack for explaining technical
details in a way that sinks in, and the snippets of information and tips he
gives
throughout the course make the world of difference. I personally
left the course with an enriched enthusiasm and found myself with a whole
new mental approach to my photography. This won't be the last of Ric's
courses I participate in"!

Tony Henderson
Lithium Imagery

maree nichols the studio manager did an amazing job facilitating our recent Fine Art Nude Photography & Lighting Course. All the participants, our subjects Donna & Russell and maree and myself were on an inspirational high after the session. Running the smaller classes created a session where everyone had the opportunity to capture shots of Donna & Russell in solo poses and some wonderful ethereal poses of them both together on a seamless white background.
We discussed how some photographers making images of the human body cross the line by touching the subject without permission, maree and myself shared ways to communicate with the male and female subjects to create trust and move through awkward situations of nudity.


We began with a low light set built from studio props lit with a gridded beauty dish and edge lit with a large soft box finishing with bounced soft boxes and reflectors.Showing participants in practical demonstrations using the theory of the inverse square law of light, how to darken and lighten backgrounds without moving the subject was well received...Its exciting to see subjects faces as they " get it" and proceed to put it into practice.
here is a quick video grab of the session.

Special thanks to our subjects donna and russell and to maree. More information about our courses is available from our 21 page PDF Photography & Lighting Course Booklet
One to Group or One to One tuition is available enquiries@ricwoods.com studio 02 4962 1066

Sophie...Our Tiny Dancer_ric woods photography

Sophie has melted the hearts of all the staff at ric woods photography.
During her portfolio photo shoot she showed all the confidence and poise of a mature adult dancer...and at only 8 years old,she has so much time to polish that presentation.
Sophie and her mum ( who was fantastic with her styling) certainly struggled with her image choice...."so many great shots to choose from". One of my favourite photo shoots of the year thus far.Maree was in heaven applying stage make up to 8year old skin.....

Our Fantastic Girls Fashion & Photography Parties-ric woods photography

How much fun did these girls have at our latest Fashion & Photography Party..

BOOK ONE NOW for more information email maree@ricwoods.com studio 02 4962 1066

Crissy's Pin Up Photo Shoot-ric woods photography

We shot Crissy the other day.We were commissioned to shoot her in the style of a pin up.These retro photo shoots are coming our way often these days and they are lots of fun.The clothes are great and Crissy certainly has great praise for Kat at "Catfight Collections" in Hamilton for their great range of Retro clothing. Maree Nichols applied Crissy's make up and assisted with the photo shoot. Well done Crissy...3 hours without a fade out.....





See some behind the scenes action here..........

ZENER ELECTRIC-ric woods photography

Check out our behind the scenes video grab and I shall show you how to make a black box look beautiful...

ric woods photography fashion and lighting course- behind the scenes video

Turn up the volume and take the jump to the "Behind the Scenes" video of our recent Fashion & Beauty Photography & Lighting Course. At ric woods photography we conduct small classes for better one on one time and the latest course (21 page pdf course booklet download) was a blast....All participants get to shoot and take home fantastic portfolio images.

The studio ( location) was buzzing with enthusiastic and creative people and at 6pm it all took off!

We started with some theory like:

• Camera preparation,lens selection...we talked about shutter speed, aperture , ISO and how to balance or eliminate the ambient studio like.We showed how to get clean perfect exposures straight out of the camera.I shot images tethered to two monitors and showed practical differences with light modifiers. I use equipment that people have in their own kits like umbrella's as well as studio gear like gridded beauty dishes and large soft boxes.
• We instructed people how to engage the models.We explain why we NEVER touch models without asking.Composition and camera point of view are covered.We talked about photographic releases explaining that you MUST have a release for every portrait and every wedding shoot. You get the HERO shot you best have a release before you sell that image on the Commercial Scene, OR it could come back at you and you may need pay many $$$$s to clean up the mess.

Special thanks to;

• Maree Nichols my business partner and production manager for pulling it all together.If you need more information about the courses of booking a shoot at the studio, shoot her an email maree@ricwoods.com.

We gave a couple of students their "shot" in a commercial studio.

• Caitlin Nolan-Jones wants to be a creative director. Caitlin was given free reign to design the theme for the shoot.She sourced the clothing and accessories and enlisted the aide of two friends to be the male and female models.She did a great job and exceeded our expectations.She did the work and was rewarded with a great result.She supplied several looks and did well in the 3 hour course.

My tip for up and comers that want their "shot" . Do the work you want to get paid to do....do the work..do the work.

• Piyanuch "Nuu" Hathaipontaluk was our make up artist and did well to collaborate with Caitlin to pull the vision together.She was showing off her skills, doing male and female make up finishing with a Dramatic look on our female model. Also thanks for her patience in my poor attempts to pronounce her Thai Name.
• Odessa our female model was stunning and brought amazing beauty to the photo shoot.
• Liam was the perfect male model, making light when some participants were finding it difficult to shoot and talk at the same time.
• Thanks to Kristie, Debbie,Peter, Zahra, Kaz and Llynda the participants...great work, good listening.

Finally..........

• Eagle Boys Pizza for delivering ON TIME and making GLUTEN FREE Pizzas...

"Cut Throat Carly" pin up photo shoot-ric woods photography

Carly commissioned us to create her "retro pin up portfolio". She came to the studio armed with a collection of amazing clothes and then her and Amanda her mother/assistant/coach layed out a wardrobe that we could have spent days shooting.

Professional presentation was key word in this shoot ,all the clothes came pressed and on hangers, the shoes we like art pieces. Maree did her make up magic and we were ready to create "Images with an Edge".

The most difficult part of the photo shoot was deciding which outfit was the best...The Sailor Suit...

This Killer "Spanish" influence full skirt with yards of petticote..

..OR...this huge cluster of balloons...

We also created a collection of romantic monochrome portraits at the end of the Photo Shoot...

See the Low Res Behind the Scenes Video below...

FIVE STAR FAMILY DAY CARE a ric woods,ross carroll and little green frog marketing collaboration

Going through my archives TRYING to make a filing system that other humans can understand I came across this TVC ad.This was lots of fun this shoot. Little Green Frog marketing think tank commissioned me to shoot the stills and then got Ross Carroll a very talented and creative friend to drop an animation over the images. Ross has a wonderful creative mind and is so passionate about his work its inspiring.

Jamie Gilmore the owner of Little Green Frog has a mind that sends out a never ending stream of "What if we.......'s". Its so good working with passionate professionals......Oh yeah it sounds like Ross doing the voice overs....but its not

Five Star Family Day Care TVC from Ross Carroll on Vimeo.

metso low head screen-ric woods photography feb 011

Metso minerals australia pty ltd commissioned me to photograph this screen.These fantastic australian made pieces of equipment are designed to "shake their brains out" sifting ore and minerals and NOT to break.The workmanship is a credit to the crew in the Carrington facility.

Ashleigh Grace talented 16yo singer-ric woods photography

Behind the scenes video grab and some of Ashleigh's images.





Ashleigh Grace the talented 16 year old singer hired us to capture images for her website and album.
We were so pleased to be working with Ashleigh, for me its refreshing to see a dedicated young person who is willing to do the work to get the desired outcome. Sadly many "up and coming" think desire is enough and that they are already famous without the perseverance to produce quality work....but not this young lady.

Thanks to Maree Nichols for great makeup for Ashleigh, make up for photography is very different to "street" make up , or what you would wear out or to a wedding etc. The Digital Camera sees the colour spectrum much differently especially the reds.

Thanks to John and Meagen at Castle Media for input with the styling during the session.The shoot was a great success.We achieved several very different looks during the session.

TIP: Its important when shooting images for commercial use to leave room for "text over" and have the subject looking into the text...remembering that there ate left and right hand pages.

You can see Ashleigh YouTube singing here.
Remembering that this clip is about a year old when she was 15...Well done Ashleigh.

SCHOOL FORMALS-ric woods photography

Lucy's Beauty Photoshoot- a great subject

Lucy commissioned us for a photo shoot and we all had a great deal of fun.

The shot list included images in colour and monochrome, images were to include, formals on seamless white, face portraits, some pin up style images and a selection of moody rock chick images. Lucy wanted to keep her natural hair style....I could see maree wanting to push the look a little...

At our studio we are less inclined to push the latest fashion of overworked over saturated images...in saying that we do show clients before and after images that have make up but very little photoshop work.

Maree kept the make up minimal and young.Make up in a photo shoot is very important to present clients at their best, it safeguards against too much shine as the studio strobes produce a great deal of light and the reflection of human skin can blow out high lights.

Air conditioning in the studio was great to keep the skin cool during these very hot days...I'm sure glad that we were not working in a warehouse studio.

We ask clients to come with washed faces with no make up, with a good breakfast to keep the blood sugar up and bring costume changes...we guide clients on clothing depending on the "tone" of the photo shoot and the looks that are requested.

I'm sure that a few of these images will find their way into Lucy's mums house on mothers day.

We provide a complete framing service with all the examples on the wall .Also other products like images on acrylic, leather free standing double or triple portfolios for all the young people that are renting apartments and cannot put frame hangers in the walls.

We run photography and lighting courses for those interested in taking their skills to another level or want to get out of the rut of shooting in the same way.

We also instruct people about digital colour and monochrome photography.

Some images work in colour,some work in monochrome and some can look great in both formats.

The pin up images were fun ...some for public view and some not...

Lucy settled in after an hour and produced some stunning images in colour and black and white...

The corporate world will never look at a blazer in the same way again after this photo shoot

Lucy was able to give me great laughs for images, this is a great deal harder that one thinks...Note how the colour tone changes in Lucy's makeup (especially the lipstick) in the colour image and then check out the monochrome images.I like to have the "tone" of the lips at least as dark as the eyebrows...

My Wedding Proposal Paris 2006...time flys !!

Gambling,Girls and Guns...a mix that often ends badly

What a great mix of talent. Our latest self commissioned photo "shoot" was a "blast".

We compose these shoots because we love making images and it keeps us inspired it also demonstrates to the participants of our photography and lighting courses that fantastic images can be composed in-camera with very little post production Photoshop work.

Jessi and Maree ( right) were the Burlesque show girls in the shoot.Maree, my business partner, let go of her usual roll as studio manager,admin,second photographer and make up artist to be the talent in the shoot.

Jessi bought a great look and vibrance to the session.



Maree and Jimmy were there Friday night...Jimmy seemed on edge and when he is like that his friends know to choose their words carefully...


The usual Friday Night crowd was at the Warehouse

Left: Will,Matt,Brett and Jimmy.


Be careful what you say to these ladies Matt...they hunt in packs.



Friday nights at Brett warehouse are usually start out light hearted...

Usually as the night goes on the mixture of Money, Girls, Booze and Greed ups the stakes ....someone always takes things too far. Matt made a comment about Jimmy's suit....

It only takes a small spark to start a raging fire... Matt didn't see it coming...

The next day it was Mr William O who said to the detectives, Matt said he was going for a long drive.... Matt is still missing....

...thanks to all who helped on the night.
NEWS: If you want to make images like this, sign up for our photography and lighting courses in 2011.**DOWNLOAD 21 page course booklet**

Off camera flash location workshop-ric woods photography