Events
An Illuminating Look at Lighting: Renovance.tv's 'Power of Light' Workshop
By Susan Centineo
May 5, 2008

Renovance.tv's Reality Training Delivers Again

The Power of Light Workshop takes place for two days in New York City with Claudio Basso

All images © Claudio Basso 2008

The meaning of the word photography is derived from the Greek language, and literally means "drawing with light." According to Claudio Basso, legendary fashion photography master and RTV guru, a photographer must understand light in the same way that a surgeon needs to understand anatomy. This analogy marks the cornerstone of the rock-solid foundation that a Reality Training attendee will walk away with—at the very least—after two jam-packed days with Claudio Basso.

The Power of Light workshop proved to be an understatement of sorts, as even the most successful and savvy among us came away being much more aware of photographic lighting. Consider it a methodical (yet anything but boring), crash course on the ultimate secrets of studio lighting, with a twist: it’s real. Forget books, handouts, rote or drone, and get ready for a dramatic and, yes, illuminating, hands-on ride. You haven’t experienced anything in photographic continuing education until you’ve experienced Claudio Basso's RTV revolutionary Reality Training format. This was the feeling of every student who attended RTV’s Fashion Photography—The Real Story last September, which I wrote about in detail in the January issue of Studio Photography & Design. I anticipated another fabulous experience, but some part of me expected it to be not quite as amazing, akin to seeing a movie after reading the book.

I was wrong. While the subject matter was different, the highs were just as high and the knowledge and understanding of the subject matter were just as deep. Claudio showed the workshop attendees how to "draw with the light," with the same passion, emotion, excitement, and clarity that is every bit as much a part of his signature as his own lighting style is. This Reality Training course may in fact have even eclipsed the first one with its precise technical blueprints on a very precise subject.

A Stimulating Agenda
The Power of Light, like other RTV offerings, came with a simple daily agenda
presented to the students via website, and not so much a single sheet of paper in handouts. Consequently, we wrote frantically—thus reinforcing everything we learned by default. But with or without notes, the material was exciting, and we all learn best when we are stimulated. Claudio began the workshop with the definition of photography, and an almost sensual exposition on light, how it defines what we see, our personal style, and the many factors that impact it. Ever wonder why you see one thing, but your photograph looks different? Let’s take it a step further: How do two people in the same room using the same lighting and the same camera take images that look entirely different?

The answer is because not only is the quality of the light changed by such things as slight movements, minute changes in distance from the subject, and of course the obvious—like camera settings. It is also affected by the personality and the very soul of the photographer. Claudio explained that we bring ourselves to the shoot, not just the sum total of the environmental factors in the studio. Right off the bat, we received a current of good information, which was presented beautifully and without a trace of superficiality.

We segued into a very thorough instruction of all lighting types, a discussion of color versus black-and-white, and other purely technical information and definitions. But again, it came packaged in the colorful wrapping of Claudio’s passion for the subject, punctuated with pearls of straightforward, succinct wisdom. “The passive approach to photography is the approach most photographers take: Set it up, shoot, and hope for the best. The better approach is to go from 200 shots to only 50, with all of them superior to your usual results. This can only be achieved if you have total control over every element of your image.”

Then we began the real meat of this Reality Training program. Taking fewer, more superior images always begins with careful thought, planning and setup of the studio environment. Claudio talked about the different tools, such as a softbox, umbrellas, and beauty dish to name a few, with a full explanation and demonstration of each light. He then divulged a very important secret, instrumental in creating photographic works of art: “The number one tool for creating something wonderful; the most powerful tool is shadow.” One of Claudio's uniquely original concepts is the “depth event," in which we were treated to something fresh and different that changed the way we look at photography. “Depth events” are created with degrees of light and shadow, and carry us into a three-dimensional image, one that's not “flat and plastic-looking," which he disdains. Every tool, including the strategic use of the depth event, was demonstrated in the studio from start to finish. By lunchtime on the first day, he had masterfully covered all lighting basics, terminology, tools, and "tech time," which was coverage of the actual equipment on the set. The foundation was laid, our appetites whetted, and the energy was buzzing in the room. After a beautifully catered lunch, the hands-on fun began.

There were six shooting slots that took place over the remainder of that day and the following one. For each slot, we observed the actual set-up, the actual shoot, and then had a chance to shoot ourselves. Each slot analyzed a specific light quality, such as brilliance, softness, or contrast. And each slot demonstrated the use of a specific tool, such as the soft box, the beauty dish, or the silver umbrella. Claudio demonstrated “the perfect white background," a virtually foolproof way to shoot studio fashion and portraiture with a stunning 3-D look and exceptional brilliance. A professional, high-end model from an New York City agency was the subject of that slot, and here, we were treated to a superb slice of bonus reality: She was made up, styled, and dressed right in the studio by a professional creative team of makeup artists and stylists, further illustrating the process beyond lighting. It wasn’t just theoretical talk or bookish fantasy; it was real.

Being able to shoot at the end of each slot was the creme de la creme of photographic experiences, and each of us had plenty of time to do so, delighting us once again with RTV’s exceptional production quality and hands-on approach. What better way to reinforce everything that you just learned? "Black Drama" and "Controlled High Key" were particular favorites of mine, and I went home with jaw-dropping images that impressed my partners and definitely surpassed anything I had that I shot before. No pun intended—it was like the proverbial light bulb had been turned on.

Six slots and four models later, we were rejuvenated, stimulated, and enlightened. Besides the professional model, RTV provided a well-balanced retinue of subjects carefully chosen by Claudio to provide a pertinent challenge in each shooting slot. We went straight from the elegant young woman to to an older man with a face full of shadows and contrasts of thick white hair and bushy black brows. This man was the famous painter, Santo Bruno, a friend of Claudio’s and a perfect choice for that particular slot. Besides the contrasts of light and dark, there was an almost childlike innocence in his eyes, contrasted with the lifelines of experience and maturity in his face.

The other three models included a celebrity hairdresser, a Mr. Clean-looking chap, bald, barefoot, and wearing one of his barber capes, billowed out by a fan; and two of the RTV photographers, rounding out our subjects. We had male and female subjects, white, black, Asian, young and old. This was important, too, because different models with varying features must also be considered in lighting. We weren’t only learning about light itself, we were learning how to use it to convey emotion, mood, and at times, even a glimpse into the soul of the subject (particularly with Santo Bruno.)

Throughout the two days we had unlimited opportunities to ask questions and seek clarification on any point. Claudio is very approachable and very generous with his knowledge. We’ve all had the experience of asking a question only to be left more confused than ever. Not so with Claudio. In fact, in recalling the entire experience I have tried to think of any stone, however small, that may have been left unturned, but I truly cannot. We were treated to Reality Training, which left us in a better-educated and better-equipped condition after just two days than many photographers ever find themselves. And we enjoyed ourselves, to boot!

The Wrap
With Reality Training, there is no wrap. Unlike many seminars and workshops, where you leave either half asleep or overwhelmed with sheer informational overload, we left full of anticipation to get back to our own studios and duplicate the setup and results as quickly as possible. We had truly learned something that wasn’t going to be lost in the 80% of information that students notoriously forget after instruction. More than likely this ratio was reversed—we would remember 80%, and even better, put it to good use.


The power of Reality Training combined with the knowledge and passion of Claudio Basso made all the difference.

-Susan Centineo



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