2010 Workshop Price Increase
Hello fellow inLIGHTin’ed Ones,
Man, I never expected my workshops to go so well last year. The feedback has been so great and I got to meet a ton of amazing up and coming photographers. It is always great being able to share knowledge with others and I know that I have learned so much since 2009 and how I can better “inLIGHTin” future students of mine.
The only downside is that these workshops have really had me booked solid without any breathing room. My workshops and my photo business (www.ParamourPhoto.com) made it so that I really had no free time with my wife and child. I still love doing what I do but the photo business is my main priority. The only way to really make things work is for me to raise my workshop prices for 2010. Prices last year were VERY affordable and you got years of knowledge in a 6 hour seminar. Now, prices will remain on the affordable side, unlike other workshops, with only a $100 price increase for my one-on-one workshops.
I would really like to do more group workshops. This will be another way for me to get you all the most bang for your buck. I can keep prices lower when multiple people attend and I can reach more people in one day as opposed to individual sessions so it is a big win-win situation.
I also want to branch out past Buffalo, NY so if you aren’t a Buffalo native and would like to host a workshop in your town then be sure to get in touch with me and to set something up. Those who host a workshop get a lot of perks such as a free admission, complimentary phone consultation and other special goodies.
Thank you all for such a great 2009. I wish you all a happy and prosperous 2010 and hope to see you all very soon at one of my workshops.
~Michael
FREE inLIGHTin Webinar July 5th @ 7pm EST
Download Skype:
Mac: http://www.skype.com/download/skype/windows/
PC: http://www.skype.com/download/skype/macosx/
For more information on how to use Skype click here:
Got Skype on the inLIGHTin Forum
This is a FREE webinar! Register quick because it is limited to only 25 seats.
I will be available from 7pm (till whenever) Eastern Time to talk with you all, answer any questions you may have. I plan on talking a tiny bit about photography and how to take your photos to the next level no matter if you just picked up a camera or if you have your own studio and do this for a living.
The conference call is limited to 25 people so first come first serve. Email me at mike@inlightinworkshop.com and pre-register for the webinar.
Once again, thank you for your support and I hope to see you there!
Michael
To Pose, or Not to Pose…
To pose, or not to pose: That is the question. A question all modern day wedding photographers have to face. Today’s bride is all about “photo journalism.” It’s getting to the point where they turn their head anytime someone mentions the word “pose”. However, do they really know what this term means or did they just see that buzz word in a bridal magazine?
Photojournalism, documentary, and lifestyle photography are all synonyms. They all mean that the photographer will be unobtrusive and capture those special, candid moments as they unfold. But what does a photographer do when these special moments are few and far in-between? What do you do when the story unfolding in front of you is the bride’s father not approving of his future son-in-law, or when the groom is having second thoughts or when the couple is getting married for all the wrong reasons? This may seem far-fetched but I can guarantee that it’s happened before.
A true “photo journalistic” photographer should be capturing these fights and lack of love in each other’s eyes the same way true photo journalists do when in the heart of war zones. However, do you think the bride will be happy to see these moments in her wedding album? Me either. So what do we do as photo journalistic wedding photographers? We’re damned if we do and we’re damned if we don’t.
If we don’t hang that shingle out there saying we shoot in a photo journalistic style then we won’t get many bookings. Brides want what the magazines tell them because posed photos are old fashioned and dated. However, if they see their true wedding then they may not like what they see. No one wants a wedding album with a spread of the groom sweating bullets and getting ready to flee to Mexico minutes before the ceremony or the couple just going through the movements without any love in either of their eyes.
My solution is to create a happy medium between the two.
First, I think it is absolutely essential to educate the couple when you meet with them. All of this can be very new to them and most of their information comes from recently married friends of theirs or from magazines. I’ve seen brides asking for photo journalism one minute, yet taking out their plan book and showing me a handful of images that are nothing of the sort. The photos she takes out have been posed shots brides on gondolas in Venice or on a secluded beach in Hawaii. Yes they look amazing but they were most likely taken by a fashion photographer and are very farfetched from the norm. This just goes to show you how no matter what, every bride wants to look like a princess and they want their day to be like it was out of a fairy tale. Educating the bride will let them know how weddings typically run and to let them know that powerful images like the one’s she is showing require a large amount of pre-planning. It probably isn’t in their budget to fly everyone down to Venice or Hawaii but amazing photos can be taken really quite anywhere. It just takes a lot of grunt work, scouting and planning to find a place that is elegant and unique.
Secondly, I tell them how I photograph a wedding. This is where I mention how I “coach” the couples to create these memorable photos. I tell the couple how I offer them tips and pointers throughout the day to make the best images possible. This could mean telling them to sit by a tree together and just talk and be cuddly or even to just tell them to keep doing what they are doing, just a couple steps over so they can be in better light.
Lastly, I strongly recommend that they book my engagement portrait session. Here, I explain that it is a learning experience for both of us. I am seeing what works and what doesn’t and I get to know the best ways to photograph the two of them. On the same token, they get a chance to warm up in front of the camera and to get comfortable with it so that it will all be second nature on their big day.
When it comes to the shoot, I do exactly the things I mentioned to them and really try to keep them engaged and involved in the whole process. I treat things more like an experience than anything. I want them to feel just like they left an amusement park when I am done with them.
This coaching technique can lead one to “machine gun shooting” if you aren’t careful. Over time however, you begin to hone in on your technique and you begin to anticipate the moment that is essentially just how a photojournalist would… The only difference is that our photos will be taken in better light.
Top 10 Tips for Better Landscape Photography
Top 10 Tips for Better Landscape Photos:
1.) Use a tripod. I think that one is self-explanatory. Tripods stabilize your camera and ensure that your shots will be sharp. A lot of photography techniques, such as blurring waterfalls, requires a steady camera and a long shutter speed so we need that camera to be steady. I also should point out that you should look into also using a remote shutter release to also prevent any unnecessary camera movement. If you wanted the benefit of this on the cheap or if you forgot to bring your shutter release with you then you could always use the timer feature of your camera. Set it to 2 or 5 second delay and that will ensure that the camera isn’t affected by you pressing the shutter.
Using a tripod allowed me to take this 16.5 minute star trail in Joshua Tree National Park. Good luck hand holding your camera that long!
2.)Use Mirror Up Mode. I am not sure if every camera has this feature but it further prevents any camera movement at time of capture. With this setting enabled, you press the shutter once to snap the mirror up and then the second photo simply takes the exposure without any internal mirror snapping. Anything to reduce movement on the camera.
3.) Do your Research. If you are planning a trip somewhere or are ready to go out and shoot then be sure that you know when the sunup/sunset times are, what the weather is like (and dress appropriately) and where the best setup locations will be. “Chance favors the prepared mind” so the more prepared you are going into the shoot, the better your images will be. A GPS is also your friend and is a great tool for landscape photographers.
4.) Invest in Filters. Certain filters are essential to taking amazing images in camera. Sure we could take multiple shots and HDR them but I am talking about technique here. Many have the “I’ll fix it in Photoshop” approach to photography which I am trying to break one person at a time here. If you are just starting out then HDR your heart out until you can save up for decent filters. Call me old fashioned but I want to see an amazing image on the back of my camera in order for me to feel good about an image. Many times, this requires the use of filters. I would recommend circular polarizer filters (reduce glare and gives images more of a color pop in-camera.), ND filters (Come in various levels of intensity. These darken the overall exposure and allow you to shoot at slower shutter speeds), graduated ND filters (these are gradients that go from dark to clear. Their purpose is to darken the sky and even out the overall exposure of a landscape) and filter holders (such as the Cokin Z-Pro).
5.) Be Unique. There is only so many ways someone can take a photograph. If you are visiting a popular location frequented by photographers year round then chances are you will be taking a photo that looks just like theirs. Be unique and come up with different ideas. Maybe shoot details around the area, use tighter crops, try panoramas or use obscure things in the foreground. Just be different.
6.) The Early Bird Gets the Worm. Be willing to venture out early enough to catch sunsets. This means waking up well ahead of time, getting a good breakfast and get out to your location wit your camera ready to go just before sunset. Remember “chance favors the prepared mind.” If you are a late riser then there is always sunsets to look forward to. The reason for this is that the sun isn’t at an extreme such as high noon and the light is essentially fanning across the landscape. The colors in the sky are also the most impressive during these times.
7.) Composition is Key. Remember the basics such as the Rule of Thirds, the Golden Ratio, triangles, figure eights, leading lines and other compositional rules. Always strive for a foreground, mid and background to give a sense of depth and dimension. If you want to portray size then try to always have something in the photograph to serve as a reference. This could be a person hiking while you capture a majestic mountain. As always, rules are meant to be broken so if it looks good to you then chances are you have yourself a winner. “There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs.” – Ansel Adams
This tree is offset on the rule of thirds and the use of empty space helps to convey a sense of isolation.
8.) Bracket Your Shots. I’ve had it happen to me where you get so caught up in the moment or things are a rush so you may forget to check your settings or your exposures on the back of your camera. By bracketing your shots, you can ensure that you will at least have a couple usable images from the set. On that note, always run through your camera settings to ensure they are set to what you want. For landscapes, I recommend using the largest RAW file in Adobe RGB. This will give you larger files but they will have more data and contain the most color. Film was expensive but memory card real estate is cheap so use up those memory cards. It only will cost you more time behind the computer when going through them all.
9.) Travel. Life is short. Go out and see the world. Unless Yosemite or Yellowstone is in your backyard then chances are you will have to travel some to get great images. Sure you can look for some gems in your backyard and search for local getaways but the real magic comes when you do a little traveling. I know I get burned out living in the same spot with the same things to photograph… Traveling to a new location is an eye opener and serves as a much needed revitalization. I find a whole new level of inspiration when in a new state or county. Take the wife and kids or go on a photo safari by yourself. Exotic animals and unique landscapes will not be ringing your doorbell so you have to go out and search for them. Just be safe and take a guide with you if you are unsure of your surroundings or what you will be getting into.
Not everyone has one of these in their backyard! Photo taken in Chichen-Itza, Mexico.
10) Get To Know the Area. Camp out and become a part of what you are photographing. The moods and feeling you get should be the fuel for your photographs. When you understand what you are photographing then you will be able to truly capture it’s essence.
This photo tells a story to me. I shot this image after proposing to my wife in Allegheny State Park. Don’t tell me that it didn’t have an effect on my feelings. I find this image to be very calming, mysterious and pleasing to the eyes. I could go on for hours about this one since I think it is my favorite image to date.
Ansel Adams said the following quotes that should really hit home:
“A great photograph is one that fully expresses what one feels, in the deepest sense, about what is being photographed. ”
“Simply look with perceptive eyes at the world about you, and trust to your own reactions and convictions. Ask yourself: “Does this subject move me to feel, think and dream? Can I visualize a print – my own personal statement of what I feel and want to convey – from the subject before me?”
“You don’t take a photograph, you make it.”
I hope this helps in your quest for better photographs.
——————————————————
Here is a YouTube video I put together a while back that talks more about tips for better landscape photography. Much of the information I talked about above is also stressed in the video as well.
Enjoy!
*
Member of the Month: Matthew Bailly | Feb. 2009
I met Matthew in Albany around March-April of 2008. We were at a big New York photographer get together and we immediately hit it off… Matt and his wife were real likable and we talked about everything. We kept in touch ever since then and I am lucky enough to be considered his friend. His dedication to the forum has made Matthew the first ever inLIGHTin Member of the Month!
|
What’s one word that describes yourself? Matthew Bailly: Enthusiastic What’s your businesses primary area of photography? When did you start Bailly Photography? |
|
| > What first sparked your interest in photography? MB: The best way to avoid getting your photo taken, was to be the one taking them! What made you decide to pursue a career in photography? How would you best describe yourself and your photographic style? What do you feel separates yourself from other photographers in your same profession? What other photographer or photographers have been a big inspiration to you? What else motivates and inspires you? What does a typical day of yours involve? How often do you travel for assignments? What was the coolest assignment/location that you have ever shot and why? What is your absolute favorite photo that you have ever taken and why?  MB: The day my daughter was born, First time my wife held her. What advice can you offer other pros out there to take their business to the next level? Where can we see some more of your work? What camera equipment are you currently shooting with? What’s your lens of choice? What item can’t you leave the house without? What equipment can’t you wait for to come out and why? |
||
Thank you Matthew for taking the time out for the interview and also for also being a great friend!
*
Join The inLIGHTin Workshop on Facebook
Join our Facebook community HERE: The inLIGHTin Workshop Facebook Page
If you haven’t signed up for Facebook then you don’t know what you and your business are missing out on. Join the inLIGHTin Workshop Forum today and see why Facebook is where it’s at! The Forum
Add me as a buddy while you’re at it!
Join our Flickr Group
Check it out, tell your friends, join the group and post your little hearts out.
CLICK HERE TO CHECK IT OUT!
I plan on making this Flickr group the perfect compliment to the inLIGHTin Workshops and forum. I will have some contests running on the site and please post any particular photo questions that you may have on the Flickr group.
I look forward to seeing your work on there!
Mike
The inLIGHTin Forum is Live!
As the title states, the inLIGHTin Forum is set up and live.
Check it out by clicking on and bookmarking the following link: www.inlightinworkshop.com/forum
We are offering an early bird special to those who want to be the first to join in. The price for a 6 month membership is only $30 and a year membership is only $50. On top of that, you will be the first to receive coupons and discounts towards all the inLIGHTin merch and workshops. Hurry up because this special offer will last only until September 30th.
There is also a free membership but it is limited to being able to view only a couple sections of the forum.
Here is what the paid membership gets you besides some sick bragging rights:
- An all access pass to the entire inLIGHTin Forum
- Discounts and promotions towards merch and upcomming workshop
- First dibs to register for workshops
- Behind the scenes tips and tricks with myself
- Special guest photographers (interviews and tips)
- much, much more…
Registration is free. Give it a try and upgrade to a paid subscription whenever you are ready for some learning. Go to your User CP > Miscellaneous > Paid Subscriptions to choose the one that is right for you.
I am off to the forum right now and I hope to see you all there.
Thanks!
Michael
Welcome to the inLIGHTin Workshop!
Hello everyone!
I have some tips and tutorials to post on here so I will make this one short and sweet.
Thank you very much for visiting. If you are a photographer then I would highly recommend bookmarking this site and checking back often. It will be well worth it!
Add a Comment...