We'll combine the magic of painting with light with the grace of female curves and create very expressive nude images. Each participant sketches their own vision and, guided by the lecturer, brings it all the way to the camera sensor. Only 6 participants.
What awaits you
The nude is a demanding photographic discipline even for experienced photographers. In this course we raise the bar – we combine it with light painting, which has its own unforgiving specifics. The result is images that call for a large print in a proper frame.
Light painting works with long exposures: during the exposure, light sources leave trails that create magical and always unique effects. First we'll introduce the types of sources – point, area and light wands – and then combine them: flash and brush, two brushes, brush and continuous light. For each we'll explain what it's good for: emphasising the figure, capturing emotion or expressing dynamics in a still photograph.
Course topics
- Exposure in light paintingcamera settings for long exposures and why everything is different here.
- Basics of nude lightinghow to sculpt curves with light and give the figure depth.
- Light sourcespoint, area, light wands – how to light and draw with them.
- Working with the modelhow to stay sharp and avoid unwanted blur during a long exposure.
- Posing for nudesnatural poses, communication and respect on set.
- Post-productionwe'll develop, clean up and finish a selected shot.
Course flow
TheoryThe essential basics and a refresher, testing light sources and set-ups.
Practice with the modelEach participant lights the scene themselves and shoots their own vision.
Post-productionTogether we'll bring a selected shot to perfection.
What to bring
- Camera with manual mode
- A tripod – long exposures can't do without it
- An empty memory card and a charged battery
- A remote shutter release, if you have one
Can I handle it?
The course suits beginners and advanced photographers. You just need to know your camera and where to set shutter speed, aperture and ISO – Galina will show you everything else step by step.
Lecturer
Galina Gordeeva
Light painting · creative photography
A photographer, lecturer and author of photography courses. She has been dedicated to photography since 2004, is editor-in-chief of Digitální foto magazine, writes articles about creative photography and runs a photo club. She can't do without experimenting, so she increasingly focuses on experimental techniques – especially light painting. She is respected in the Czech and international light-painting community and her images regularly win prizes in international competitions.
Participant reviews
You know those events you're not particularly looking forward to, which you go to more out of curiosity, and which turn out to be almost the best thing you've experienced lately? That's what this course was for me. Since the start of the week I'd been thinking it would be nice to do something with a camera at the weekend – but you know how it is, the weather's awful and nobody around you wants to shoot.. I was already resigning myself to the worst when this workshop popped up in my browser. I'm not exactly a nude photographer and I'd never thought much about light painting either, so I thought, why not try it and broaden my horizons..
There were two catches for me at the start. The first was my (lack of) gear. The workshop uses wide lenses (in our group 24 and 35 mm) and the "best" I had was a kit lens. To my surprise, when Tonda called me with additional information on the day I signed up, he offered to lend me one of his own lenses – I'm really grateful for that! In the end it turned out the workshop isn't that demanding on gear and my worries were pretty unnecessary. You just need a camera, a tripod and a wide lens (and given that I never went below f/4 during the whole workshop, I can imagine it would be manageable with a decent kit lens too).
The second catch was my (lack of) knowledge. The workshop is recommended for the slightly advanced and I just didn't trust myself enough, especially in disciplines I don't primarily do. And this is where Gali – the lecturer – comes in. She guides you the whole time, so the only knowledge you really need is how to set up your gear. On top of that there were only 3 participants on our date, which showed not just in the overall atmosphere but also in the individual approach to each of us. In other words, you're not just thrown into unknown waters without help.
As for the course itself – I appreciate that the most fun part gets the most time. Don't expect long boring theory or sitting for ages in front of Lightroom. Some introduction is needed at the start – but don't expect any pointless waffle – here you learn what gear is used and exactly how the different types of photos were taken (e.g. the ones in the samples here). We tried almost all the technical techniques from the theory in practice, and it was no problem to try new ideas or spend longer on whatever interested us at the moment. Most of the time is devoted to shooting itself, and you leave the workshop with lots of interesting photos.
Speaking of shooting, the main centre of attention was two models. No stiff posers, but women who know what to do, know how they look good and suggest themselves how to enrich the scene. On our run each model had her own distinct style and it was definitely never boring with them.
Downsides.. actually I can't think of any right now. So I hope you can tell I enjoyed the workshop and I'm looking forward to the next one!
Translated from Czech
Gali Gordeeva manages to pass on a maximum of experience in light painting, nude photography and using different light sources on her courses. You'll definitely make use of wider focal lengths and a remote release, and a tripod is a must – but even though I had none of that except the tripod on my first course, I left thrilled with lots of great shots. For me, Gali's courses are highly recommended – they'll move you a long way in perceiving light and painting, and it's always a lovely experience in a relaxed atmosphere! 🙂
Translated from Czech
I love going to the workshops of Ateliér v továrně. They have always met or even exceeded my expectations. I leave not only with new knowledge but above all with enthusiasm, energy and a desire to experiment. The courses are superbly run, the lecturers can explain technique clearly, encourage you and create a friendly atmosphere. The models are great too, professional and creative. Whether it was the course with Barbora Biňovcová, lighting with one light with Tonda Lavrenčík or nude and light painting with Gali Gordeeva, I always took away lots of inspiration and practical skills. I'm so glad I came across Ateliér v továrně at the start of my photography journey. Thanks to that I'm building on good foundations and enjoying discovering different photographic techniques.
I'm so glad I finally plucked up the courage to come to the light painting course. I was afraid it would be too advanced for me, but Gali can explain and show everything clearly. I'm looking forward to trying some of the techniques myself – light painting is fun and addictive.
Translated from Czech
Painting with light was one big wow! I was thrilled and surprised from start to finish. On top of that, the lecturer's energy was literally captivating, and it would be unfair to forget the lovely and skilled model. Highly recommended.
Translated from Czech
The workshops of Ateliér v továrně are close to my heart. Whether it was Water and Emotion with František Konopa or the stylised portrait with Irena Horáková; the ones with Tonda Lavrenčík – magic with one light and a reflector and above all the polished Lighting the Figure and Space – were great too. I mustn't forget the beautiful and in many ways inspiring Nude and Light Painting workshop with Gali Gordeeva. After it I'm considering the two-day course in Šumava, where there will surely be more room for practice and above all you meet lots of equally passionate people on both sides of the lens. I simply love coming back to the workshops of Ateliér v továrně, which always teach you something new, and above all in a relaxed atmosphere.
Translated from Czech
More information
You'll find the cancellation terms in our terms and conditions. A gift voucher can be redeemed for any course and is valid for one year. Have a question? Call +420 734 328 742.
