Skies are much bluer when they are not overexposed. Close your shutter down as far as it will go (while still allowing strobe exposure), then increase your light power to a key level that keeps the subject and the environmental exposures balanced.

(Photo taken at PhotoKamp 3. For upcoming dates on PhotoKamp workshops, visit PhotoKamp.com)

The first time I saw pictures on the web of the Ice City in Harbin, I nearly lost my mind. I had never seen so many vivid colors contrasting against the night sky, and I couldn’t believe it was real.

I made my first trip in 2007, and I recently returned from my second visit to photograph the city, this time in 3D. Harbin is a mid-size city (relative to mega-populated Chinese cities, anyway) in northeastern China. Each year, they hold an Ice and Snow Festival which boasts lifesize castles, cathedrals, labyrinths of caves and tunnels, and even a few heated(!) restaurants where you can stop to eat. I was particularly fascinated by the “___ on a stick” cart, because, as I quickly discovered, there is no discernible taste difference between subzero meat on a stick and subzero fruit on a stick, or anything else subzero and on a stick for that matter.

Even if you’re not into frozen meat-sticks, traveling to Harbin still comes with it’s share of adventure. The temperatures hover around minus 25 degrees Centigrade, and each time I removed my gloves to attempt a Twitpic, I found my hands instantly numbed by the cold. Condensation also formed regularly on my camera lenses, making these long exposures even trickier than usual. Here a preview of my trip, though these images can only attempt to convey the sheer scale of the structures. Look for a few tiny people silhouettes in the shots. Enjoy!

PHOTOS:

1-7: Ice City!
8-9: Cold!!!
10: Dragon Fruit!
11: Starbucks lesser-known Chinese counterpart, USABucks.
12: Frozen meat on a stick!

SlickforceGirl Nazanin is a cool cat. So cool, in fact, she might just give you frostbite. But don’t let her seductive looks fool you—cross this stunning superspy and she’ll take you out in your sleep. Either way, we’re just glad she’s on our side…we hope. Stay tuned for more from this blizzard-dwelling beauty at SlickforceGirl.com!

In early December, the SlickforceGirl team reached out to several battalions of deployed U.S. troops overseas to find out what items they needed in the field. Our team put together more than a dozen care packages and shipped them out just before Christmas. Over the last few weeks, we’ve begun to receive confirmations of package arrivals in various destinations—many of them delivered by helicopter to the most remote of locations—including this photo from an undisclosed Air Force base in Afghanistan. It shows Airman Amico and two of his fellow airmen, cheered on by SlickforceGirl Erika.

Our heartfelt thanks goes out to the men and women who risk their lives everyday for others. Your bravery in the most dangerous situations continues to inspire us, and it is a sobering reminder of just how many freedoms we take for granted as civilians. Be safe, and we wish you a speedy journey home.

Get to know your generator. There’s nothing worse than being in the middle of nowhere and realizing you don’t have ample power to get the shot. Most portable generators cannot run at full or unbalanced loads, so be sure to pad a little extra amperage into your calculations.

Stay tuned each Tuesday for more photography and lighting tips right here at NickSaglimbeni.com, and be sure to join me in Germany this August for PhotoKamp!

I only worked with Kimberly Pletz a handful of times, and yet the images she helped me create remain some of my favorites of my career. You only had to meet Kim once to remember her forever. She was a fireball of energy, with a wicked sense of humor that had you either buckling over with laughter or running for cover. Either way, she kept you on your toes.

Kim provided makeup for three of my first fashion shoots of any note: Skid Row Princess, Castle Diva, and a fashion story featuring model Donna Feldman. Each of these shoots produced images that remain in my portfolio to this day. She created wonderfully smoky eyes amidst striking color palettes, and never backed down from a challenge. She was an artist, a visionary, and a friend. Sadly, Kim passed away earlier this week. I hadn’t spoken to her in a few years, and—as life has a way of reminding you—you often don’t get the chance to say good-bye.

So, my goodbye to Kim is a look back at the work we did together. The world has lost an amazing artist, and—perhaps even more rare—an unforgettable personality. Rest in peace, Kimberly Pletz.

Alright guys, this might be my favorite SlickforceGirl video yet. You’ve seen the beautiful Vanessa Veasley in harness training, and she’s walked you through her spaceship set. Now, go backstage with SlickforceGirl Stunt Coordinator Alex Wen as we put it all together and make Vanessa fly. So proud of Vanessa for being a consummate professional and a tough-as-nails trooper on this intense shoot—I can’t even imagine how uncomfortable it is hanging from a string, but she makes it look easy.

This is probably the most fun I’ve ever had on set. My thanks to Alex Wen, the entire SlickforceStudio team, glam squad Gaby Ramos Torell, Al Ingram and Diana Chan, and everyone who made this shoot possible. Up, up and away!

The Kardashian/Jenner machine is a big one indeed, and their team works incredibly hard to insure smooth running. My thanks to everyone on the K/J team who helped make 2012 a record year for SlickforceStudio, including Noelle Keshishian, Liz Killimond, Jennifer Stith, Sydney Hitchcock, Sheiva Ghasemzadeh, super glam team Monica Rose, Mario Dedivanovic, Rob Scheppy, and Clyde Haygood, and of course the family itself—Kris, Kim, Khloé, Kourtney, Kendall, Kylie, Rob, Bruce, Lamar, and Scott.

The SlickforceStudio family is more vibrant than ever, and it is a daily thrill to be able to work amongst such a talented team. Joyce, Kevin, Christian, Scot, Maribel, Kate, Francesca, and Daniel—you are the best!

And last but not least, I want to thank YOU for your support throughout the years. Creating our brand of magic everyday is a dream come true for this team of artists. Happy New Year to all of you, and wishing you a joyous, healthy and prosperous 2013!

Since 2010, I’ve been helping the Kardashian family create their brand of Christmas magic with their annual holiday card. In 2010 and 2011, the family opted for a more dramatic theme, and so I did my best to create that with the lighting, blocking and pose direction. This year, Kim wanted a much happier vibe, something with lots of energy. She also wanted everyone in white.

As any photographer or cinematographer knows, capturing perfect skin tones with white wardrobe usually comes down to a compromise between skin underexposure and protecting white highlights from clipping. However, after years of experimentation, I finally accepted that I just don’t like the way underexposed skin looks, even with exposure levels corrected in Lightroom. When shooting any of my clients, skin glow is almost always my top goal, above even wardrobe.

The three-day mega-shoot spanned the country, beginning in Miami in October and ending in LA just two weeks ago. For my team, that meant tracking detailed setup parameters to insure family members not photographed in Miami could be seamlessly added to the final image.

Most of you who follow my work know that I rarely talk about my lighting setups. This week, however, UK journalist Jon Severs persuaded me to discuss the lighting of the Christmas card, and I went into a surprising amount of detail, more than I ever have before. You can read the interview here.

I’ve attached my actual lighting diagram below, please take a moment to appreciate the fine chicken scrawl. And enjoy these wonderful behind-the-scenes images taken by photographers Joyce Park, Scot Fortino and Kate Garfield for SlickforceStudio.

My thanks to Kris, Kim and the entire Kardashian/Jenner family for allowing me to capture the card & help create such a festive moment in their lives!

CREDITS: Makeup by Mario Dedivanovic and Rob Scheppy. Hair by Clyde Haygood and Scott Cunha. Photographed at Temple House in Miami and at SlickforceStudio in Los Angeles.

Once again, the Kardashian/Jenner/Odom/Disick family generates record buzz with their annual Christmas card. This year, the card was photographed in Miami at the amazing Temple House. Kim wanted a bright and happy all-white theme for this year’s holiday card, in stark contrast to the dramatic images we shot in previous years. Lots more behind-the-scenes on the way.

Which is your favorite? (Go behind-the-scenes on 2010 and 2011 cards.)