David Mecey Adds Some Sparkle....

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When I teach, one of the items I voice time and time again is a need to have ‘sparkle’ in a photograph. It can be from how the light strikes the subject, how it affects the location and background or the final look within the image. But something that makes you feel something in the photograph beyond the ‘look’ in the eye of the model or the image’s composition.

 In many of my images I find this sparkle another layer to enhance the image. One of the ways to achieve this is with flare. It is either induced by allowing light to enter the camera’s lens directly during a shoot or afterward by using a filter inside Photoshop. This image I’m sharing here was done by using both, in the camera flare and Alien Skin Software’s filter suite, Exposure 7.

 I’ve been using Exposure for a few years now and I love all of the variables it offers a photographer. Exposure mostly works to mimic the look and feel of a film type. I, being from a film background, have always felt digital to be a bit too clean, too sanitized for my taste. So when I discovered Exposure I felt I had found an old friend. That being film.

 They’ve taken great pains to look at nearly all the film types that were of the rage back in the days of film and recreate them digitally. From so many of the color print films, to slide and transparency films, even Polaroid films, to a huge array of B&W films, you can find something that can take an image and add something special.

 With this shot I had used some intentional flare in the original photo. Yet I wanted to enhance that even more, so I took it into Exposure and added the tweak of film type and added flare all within Exposure 7. It gave me what I wanted so wonderfully well.

 In closing, unlike so many filters that are out there doing similar effects, Exposure is completely non-destructive to a file which is also very important.  

 So when you’re looking for adding some ‘flare’ to an image, besides thinking about the light you produced or how you’ve posed the model, or propped it, given it great feeling and attitude, try Exposure. 

 David Mecey - David Mecey’s Ultimate Photo Workshop™

Check out David Mecey's upcoming workshop with Hal as a guest instructor this April 10-12 just outside of Las Vegas!

Achieve Great Photos From Your Model

When I'm asked to shoot beauty for a client, be it for a makeup gig, hair product, or simply editorial, the first item of business is to select the right model. Yes, she should be somewhat naturally attractive but more importantly, she must be able to pull off a variety of looks and expressions during the shoot itself.

Most models have the misconception that modeling is all about looking sexy. Giving that pouty, sensual stare and they're good to go. Well, for many editorial needs that is what they want. But for a more fashion-oriented client, or a client whose product needs to reach across to a larger number of people, simply being sexy isn't enough. You must also be able to reveal more looks as well.

From coy, to fun, to playful, even maybe apprehensive or confused, as well as that sexy look. A great model is one who can bring all of those looks to you. Her, along with your guidance and ability to light and capture it all of course.

So please stop and take a moment to consider this when choosing a model, and again when actually doing the shoot itself. Ask her to deliver more than just that sexy stare, but be there in support of her doing that! Which, by the way, is part of your being a good director. You're helping to bring some of that out in a model. Don't just assume these things magically happen, it's a collaboration my friends. You do need to 'be there' as well. 

Just some advice about achieving a variety of looks when working as a photographer of beauty and as a model. 

David Mecey

Tip of the Week: By David Mecey

When working with models, especially doing beauty portraits it is so very important to consider light, but more, a rapport with your model.

To create a successful beauty shot, take the time to find a location that is kind to the skin of your model, ie. no strange colors reflecting off her skin or face, greens, purples, intense reds, etc. This is especially true when shooting available light. Seek out an area where you have a soft glow of fill light to strike the face. Shoot with a wide open aperture to blur the background and take your time. Nothing builds anxiety more than rushing about your model. The more calm and in good spirits you seem to be in the more relaxed she will be. Make her feel special with words of encouragement without being fake. If she is truly looking beautiful, tell her so. Then add to it by sharing the photo on the back of your camera. If it brings out a 'wow, that's me?" reaction, you're golden.

Stay up to date with David's Facebook Page! He will announce the model names very soon among other exciting updates!

Handy Gear Tip from Mark Gvazdinskas

One of the first things I hear from folks new to long exposure work is a bright "magenta" cast they sometimes see towards the middle of their images. More often than not the culprit is "light leak." When going through your checklist for setting up your long exposure shot, make sure (if you're camera has one) to close the viewfinder curtain. This will block any light coming in through the back of your camera body. Of course not every camera has this feature, so a simple solution is to carry a bit of gaffer's tape with you to cover up your viewfinder. You can store a couple strips on your tripod legs, or even on lens hoods or camera grips. Unlike duct tape gaffer's tape won't leave behind any residue. 

LIGHT purchases their gaffers tape in bulk here at Uline.com

Central Coast Photography Workshop Announced!

 Ya just can't keep a good thing down!

Mark and Victoria wanted to extend an alternative workshop opportunity for a small group who are still planning on traveling this way the weekend of October 10-12 this year.

Mark will lead a group around the Central Coast and Victoria has created some great opportunities to take you to photograph a few of her favorite vineyards for sunset and night photography techniques.

Check out our course page here. We hope to see some of you here!

Looking Beyond the Obvious By Rob Sheppard

Earlier this summer, I was up in the Great Basin National Park in Nevada. This is a wonderful park that is one of the quieter national parks because of its location.

While I did photograph some of the beautiful mountains of the park, I also spent time getting down and dirty with the small critters, the insects and spiders, that live there, as well as the great flowers that were in bloom, too. These small things can be as unique to a location as the obvious mountains. Including such macro and close-up photography in your a trip to a great natural location can give you a richer set of photos as well as a deeper experience with the place.

This can require a conscious effort because our tendency is often to focus in on the obvious beauty. By looking beyond the obvious, I will guarantee you will be reqered with unique and special photos that other photographers truly will miss.

A cool thing about close-up and macro work is that you can do it in all sorts of weather and light. The light might just be awful for the distant mountain because of the wrong time of day or the clouds don’t cooperate. Maybe even there is possibility of rain so that you get ugly gray skies.

Up close, none of this matters! You can always find wonderful opportunities for great shots up close. Light in the wrong direction? Move to the right or left and it changes instantly. Terrible skies? No need to show them. Gray conditions? That can give an enveloping light for close-ups that allows you to show off details and colors that might be obscured by brighter, harsher light. Because you are working with such a small area in front of your lens, you don’t have many of the problems of landscape photography or any type of photography that requires you to shoot at a distance.

One thing to always remember, though – when you are up close, camera movement is magnified so that a fast shutter speed becomes a necessity if you want sharp photos handheld. If you are shooting with a 60mm focal length with a Micro Four Thirds system (like the Panasonic GH3 I shoot), for example, your minimum shutter speed should be 1/250 sec. If you are shooting with a 100mm focal length with an APS-C system, for another example, you should also be shooting with a minimum shutter speed of 1/300 sec. If you put that same 100mm focal length on a 35mm-full-frame camera, then you should be shooting with a minimum shutter speed of 1/250 sec.

If you go for more of a telephoto (and telephotos work great with extension tubes for close-up and macro work), your shutter speeds need to get faster. You may need a minimum of 1/1000 sec. Many photographers are not getting the optimum sharpness from their lenses because they are shooting at too slow a shutter speed. I will use a tripod whenever possible because of this, but that is not always possible when you are shooting little critters that move around. Don’t be afraid of using a higher ISO setting to give you the shutter speed you need.

Rob’s blogs are at www.natureandphotography.com and www.mirrorlessnature.com.

CaPhotoFest App Updated!

This is an essential tool as one of our attendees at the festival!

You will have access to our festival maps, entire schedule and notifications of updates, changes and sponsor deals now through the festival. Make sure you allow notifications to push to you so that you can get the information when it happens.

Our new update features an integrating map in each and every festival session that has a published venue.

We are not here to spam you. The sponsors we push every once in a while with the app we hope you find beneficial and of interest. This is about education and sharing knowledge with our students. 

The Festival APP
The festival app is going to be your best friend during the week of the festival as well as the time from now up until the festival week. Because of our heavy attempt to be "greenr", the app will serve as the Festival Booklet. The App will have the festival schedule, instructor bios, chat capabilities and more fun things to help enhance the week for you. MOST IMPORTANTLY: It has your maps and directions! Download here: Apple Users | Android Users

To use the App for info and directions:

a)      Allow the App to give you Push Notifications
a.       The Push notifications during the festival week are going to be important. These will tell you any updates, changes in venues, announcements and sponsor deals going on.
b)      Navigate to the button that says “More”
c)       Scroll to “Festival Map”
d)      Allow the app to use your current location
e)      You can see all of the venues by map or by a list
f)       On the map, tap the venue you want
g)      Choose “Directions”
h)      Press on the upper right hand arrow (iphone only) to get directions from your current location to the venue. This arrow will launch your phone’s Google or iphone map. With Android phones just choose Directions and you will be good to go.
i)        In order to choose a new location you must open the app again since the directions have taken you out of the festival app.

Stephen Burns Shoot to Composite Festival Series

The series of classes with Stephen Burns are designed to take work together to give the student a complete understanding of a workflow that will take you the next level in digital creativity.

 Have you ever taken a series of photographs and was inspired to create a unique vision from them but you were not sure how to begin.  These series of classes with Stephen Burns (author of Photoshop Trickery & FX) will address just that.  They class is designed to take you through the entire creative process from photographing your concepts to creating powerful techniques in Photoshop that will bring your final vision to fruition. 

 The class will be taught in series of 12 parts for you to complete a final art piece by the end of the workshop. 

 We will begin by introducing you the to the foundations of image compositing then engage you in a series of on location photo shoots that will teach you how to record images for the purpose of creating composited artistic scenes.  We will approach the photographic process by allowing our minds to see infinite possibilities. The location of the shoot will be solidified closer to the start of the class but plans to include the vineyards of San Louis Obispo, the coast of Moro Bay, Hearst Castle and more.  We will enter each location with goal of photographing possibilities for your final art piece.

 Closer to the end of the class we will focus on bringing the vision together with powerful techniques in Photoshop.  You will learn some art foundations that will give you stronger insight as to how to make your work more dynamic.

 On the photo shoot you will learn:

 1.    Camera techniques in low and bright light conditions without a tripod

2.    Shooting textures for source material

3.    Composing your subjects from different angles for multiple compositing purposes.

4.    Setting Modes and Custom functions in your camera for to assist your workflow.

5.    Shooting Landscape photography

6.    Shooting Architecture for compositing source material.

7.    Vineyards during harvest time

In the Photoshop class you will learn:

 1.    Creating Custom Perspective to blend multiple images into a single concept.

2.    Working with Layers and Masks for artistic effects

3.    Using Layer styles for artistic techniques.

4.    Understanding and applying Layer blend modes.

5.    Artistic borders

6.    How to apply your brushes creatively as well as how to create your own. 

Festival Instructor Videos!

You have probably noticed that some of our instructors have introduction videos on our instructor page at the festival website!

These video are here so that you can meet our instructors and see what they will be teaching throughout the week. Some are still in the making but will be posted shortly.

I want to thank the instructors for all of their time and effort spent on these videos. It's a lot of work being a festival instructor and I can only tell you that there is a lot of passion and love from these instructors this year. I hope you all enjoy and have a great schedule this year!

Go to our Instructor Bio Page Here

Go to our Vimeo Page Here

California Photo Festival 2014 Registration Open!

This year for the California Photo Festival is a great year to attend and registration is now OPEN! 

Here are a few things to know about the festival.

This year we will have awesome presentations with some of our favorite instructors who will guide you through an incredible week-long schedule in series form, stand alone sessions and hands-on workshops that will take your photography and digital work to the next level.

Follow this link to see this year's schedule and click here for the registration page.

*Please be aware that some classes need to have a few more details added and the schedule will be living and breathing until about the end of April.

Stay tuned as we introduce you to our instructor line-up with introductory videos made especially for our attendees. We will be posting these links on our Facebook page, blog and website.

You will notice that this year we have Gold Week passes available and 1+1 Week passes for those of you who can bring a friend with you! Early bird this year will end June 30th and we have our Embassy Suites discount ready for you on the first come first serve basis of reserving your room at Embassy Suites! Early bird discount and Embassy discount codes must be entered at check-out in order to receive the discount. These discounts ONLY apply to the $499 single Gold Week Pass. The 1+1 pass has the best discount available by receive $100 off each pass.

Read our FAQ and Terms and Conditions page so you understand photography rights and rules.

Please make sure you read the descriptions of the classes this year as most of them will have prerequisites, notes, suggestions and sometimes required sessions that along with them. You will notice that most classes that have introduction classes or sessions that go together will have a pop-up at class selection time within your account telling you that there are "associated classes" you need to sign up for in order to take the class. Our instructors have worked hard to put together an incredible week for you so please adhere to their requests and take the classes they suggest go together.

Email info@lightworkshops.com if you have any questions! We look forward to seeing each of you at the California Photo Festival October 8-12, 2014!

A week of photo ops, cinema training, passion, aesthetics and fun...that's the California Photo Festival in a nutshell. Here are the highlights.

Topaz Sale

Topaz is offering a great deal on their complete plug-in collection from 29 November through 02 December.  Enter the code "blackfriday2013" and  the collection is only $199.99 (normal price is $379.99).

I am a regular user of Clarity, Detail, Adjust, DeNoise, DeJPEG (client photos for print), and Black and White Effects 2.  Moreover, if you own only one plug-in, make it Clarity.

Photomatix Pro Version 5 Available Today

HDR Soft released the production version of Photomatix Pro version 5 today.  I have been working with the beta for a couple of months and this software is outstanding.  If you already own Photomatix Pro this is a free upgrade.  If not check out the link below and try it out.  The great thing is Photomatix Pro has a never expiring trial.  The trial watermarks but is fully functional.

Photomatix Pro

Creative Cloud Photography Option Open to All

Adobe opened the Photoshop Photography Program of the Creative Cloud to everyone this morning.  They announced an earlier version of this but you had to already own a previous version of Photoshop (CS3 or higher).  The cost is 9.99/month and Adobe has committed to this price for the future.  Check it out below.

Photoshop Photography Program

Auto Focus Sensor Placement for Action

A few years ago, I learned a technique from Rob Sheppard to make sure the critical part of my subject is in focus.  He suggested focusing precisely on the part of the image that must be sharp.  From that starting point, I could then calculate depth of field (DOF) and determine what additional parts of the image would be acceptably in focus.  In practice, I could also use the DOF preview button and see it real time.  This technique is great for every type of photograph I make.  It is sometimes a bit challenging though when photographing action.

In the example image, the eagle's eye must be sharp so it makes sense to focus precisely on the eye only.  I can make that happen by selecting a single auto focus (AF) point, placing it on the eye, and tracking the bird as it flies from right to left, easier written than executed when the bird is moving very quickly. 

Since this can be difficult, many photographers choose to use a zone AF system in which multiple AF points are active.  As long as the subject is under one of the active points focus is normally achieved.  This technique works well as long as there is sufficient DOF to cover from the point of focus (as determined by the zone) and the critical part of my image.

Looking at the example eagle again, notice the left wing tip is not sharp.  The shutter speed of the shot is 1/1250th so motion blur is not the culprit, lack of DOF is.  This demonstrates where the zone technique can hurt you.  If the zone had "locked" onto the outer portion of the left wing it would be sharp, but the critical area, the eye, would not be.   Fortunately, for this image I knew I had shallow DOF and needed to precisely place my single AF point on the bird's eye.   

So what should you do in the field, single or zone?  Single is much more challenging but it always works. The zone is much simpler but DOF can be an issue.  I use both methods but before I shoot I calculate my DOF with a  smart phone or tablet calculator.  This way I begin the shoot with the information that allows me to choose the appropriate AF technique. 

Approaching each action shoot whether birds, horses, or people, I follow the checklist shown below and always calculate my worst-case DOF so I know if I should use a single point or the zone. 

More info on this checklist and many others may be found at the following link.

Checklists

Of course making the choice between zone and single point is just one part of the process fpr action photography.  You must also practice your focus actuation technique, support, tracking, and exposure modification.   

Very few eagles where I am in California so I practice on any and every bird I can find.  If there are no birds around I make do with anything in the air. The shot below is a single AF point with the EF 800mm f/5.6L lens tracking a moth, needed a bit more shutter speed to freeze him.

When you are ready for eagles join Rick Sammon and me in Alaska and let's shoot! 

Alaska!

HDR Prep Preset

Quick video tutorial showing how to make the HDR Prep preset Hal talked about in the Google+ Photo Focus hangout.  Hal uses this before sending images to Photomatix Pro.

Photomatix Pro V5 Beta Available

If you like playing with and helping to improve software via beta, check out the new Photomatix Pro V5 beta.  If you are into HDR, you will like what they have done here. I think this will be a tremendous upgrade/update with new processing methods, better auto ghost removal, and other cool features.  Check it out via the link below.  Standard caveat, this is beta software so it is not perfect yet, but it is very, very good! 

Photomatix Pro V5 Beta

Free Webinar with Hal on the 8th of October

Hal will be presenting a webinar on the 8th of October at 1:30 PM PST live from the California Photo Festival.  Follow the link below to sign up!

Free Topaz Webinar with Hal

Olympus Imaging Presents David H. Wells October 10th Open to the Public Presentation!

Come join us for the free and open to the public presentation sponsored by Olympus Imaging during the California Photo Festival October 10th at 3:45pm at the Embassy Suites Ballroom. His presentation "Making Exceptional Travel Photographs" will inspire and educate all photographers.

At its best, travel photography combines two passions, travel and photography.  David H. Wells indulges those passions in his work as an award winning internationally traveled publication photographer. 

Making exceptional travel photographs requires skills in many different types of photography, from street photography to still-life work to portraits. In a typical day of travel, a photographer may shoot busy festivals, quiet buildings, open landscapes, or close-up nature. The best travel photographers are versatile in their skills and fluid in their process, using minimal gear to achieve a maximum of results. 

In this presentation David will explore some important skills needed for good travel photography including:

• The traveling photographer's camera and bag

• Being in the right place at the right time

• Varying the time of the day

• Understanding the light

• Portraying people

• Stopping action vs showing motion

• Thoughts on tripods

Varying lenses

David brings to this presentation four decades of experience in photography around the globe. David is also a veteran photo educator who was named one of the Best Workshop Instructors in a PDN Reader Survey.

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See some of David's newest published work here: 

http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/201305/between.salt.and.sea.htm 

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David H. Wells a free-lance photographer affiliated with Aurora Photos and photo educator in Providence, Rhode Island. He specializes in intercultural communications and the use of light and shadow to enhance visual narratives.  Wells is an editorial, commercial and location photographer focusing on multimedia productions and photo-essays for publication and exhibition. He is an award-winning, digitally capable photographer, producing images for local, national and international clientele. Past assignments have been for Life Magazine, National Geographic Publications, the New York Times Magazine and the Philadelphia Inquirer Sunday Magazine, to name a few.  As an Olympus Visionary, Wells has been contracted by the camera company to produce images and provide feedback on new product lines.

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California Photo Fest FAQ for 2013

We've been getting a few questions so we will be able to give you a few more links and a couple of downloads here to help you have a successful week at the festival.  

"For those of us without a smart phone, how do we get directions to our venues?" 

This year is the first year have gone "Green!" which is why we have the Festival App. This, unfortunately, doesn't help those who are from out of town and can't access the map within the app. 

Here are a few things to help you: 

Venue Travel Times Doc- This is the amount of time it will take for you to drive from our popular venues to the rest of our venues.

Google Map of Festival- Go to this map, look at your schedule and print out the maps and directions you need and keep them on hand. 

In your goodie bag! You will be getting a SLO County Visitors Guide which will have a county map so you can oversee the entire area. This map also has a distance grid to show you distance in miles from one town to another.

Victoria will also be at the Info desk, Julie will be available on our office phone and can assist you if you get lost or want verbal directions to a venue that day. 805-528-7385

Please keep in mind, this is a big event and over the years we have seen what works and what doesn't work. We've tried printing out maps and directions but it takes a lot of paper since many maps get lost through the week, and some directions need to be tailored specifically for your personal schedule.  The app and creating your own personal driving directions is the most efficient and effective way to get you to your venues!

What about powering my laptop for in indoor sessions? Will there be outlets available? 

Yes. However, remember you will be with 30 other students in some classes at Embassy. Although they have power outlets they may only have 4. Come prepared and bring your own power strip and maybe even a mini extension cord. Take care of your own needs and you won't be left without! Then you are the cool kid who can share! 

Is there specific gear for me to bring to these classes? 

Unless gear has been specified in the description bring your typical gear. There will be some loaner gear available from Expo Imaging, Sigma, Olympus and Canon. Samys will be bringing a lot of awesome loaner gear for shoots. IF YOU LOAN GEAR MAKE SURE YOU TAKE IT BACK. These sponsors bring gear for us to use and they will only continue to do so if we are all responsible adults and return items when we're done.

Here is a recommended items list if you didn't see it in the letter.

I'm coming in early on the weekend. What is there to do? 

This is your lucky week! This year on October 5th there is our annual Paso Robles Air show at the Warbirds Museum. Awesome photo-ops! 

There is also a wonderful wine country both in Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo. 

Here are a few websites with local events and points of interest to check out! 

SLO County

Wine Coast Country

New Times SLO

Paso Robles Wine Country- We especially recommend:

Midnight Cellars and Tasting Room

Croad Winery

Red Soles Winery

Doce Robles

Dark Star Cellars and Brian Benson Cellars

San Luis Obispo Wine Country

There's also a lot of cool stuff like Hearst Castle, Piedras Blancas and the Morro Bay Embarcadero that you can't go wrong with! 

For more FAQ's visit our FAQ section on our festival website!

Do not hesitate to call us or email us with more questions and we'd be happy to add more posts for people and answer you directly!

See you Soon! 

Victoria and the LIGHT Team! 

Important California Photo Fest Information

Here are some important things to know and to bring with you to help make the festival a fun, smooth, and memorable experience. There is a lot of information here, but it is important that you read through it all so you can make the most out of your week at Click! For our Next Post we will be answering additional FAQ with downloads and links to help you!

1. 

Your Schedule

Make sure you review and print our your schedule just before you leave home.

We have recently updated venues and still have a few to plug-in as conditions change. Any classes involving vineyards, harvest, or David Mecey will have the locations announced on the first day of the festival.

To print your schedule:

Login to your account on the CPF website
View My Schedule
Use the Export my Schedule as PDF button at the top of your schedule. Give it a second to process and it should pop up for you on your screen. If it doesn’t you will need to check your downloads folder on your system.
Print (usually a right click will give you the option to print)
Each attendee has their own account to the festival controlled by their own user name and password. You are in charge of creating and SAVING your own schedule. We do not assume responsibility if you have not successfully saved your schedule. If you have not successfully saved your schedule and find your classes are full, we at Light and the CPF team, will do our best to suggest appropriate classes for you but may not be able to add you to full classes.

**Keep your schedule and your festival badge on you AT ALL TIMES during the festival.

2.  Your Badge
Your badge is color coded and shows your name, home town, and a QR code.  The QR code is embedded with your name and email (the one you registered with.)  You may use this as your business card for networking! If you have a day pass you will have color coded dots that you will need to show your volunteer at check-in for each session.

3. Check-in
The Check-in station will be located at Embassy Suites. Check-in/Information desk is open Monday-Fri 8am-5pm but check the schedule for alternate times.  You will receive your Festival Badge and Festival Swag Bag at check-in. You can also check carpooling sheets, purchase charity raffle tickets and see any announcements hanging around the notes table.
**For those of you who are signed up for a sunrise workshop and have a day pass, you must check-in the day before to get your pass. If, for some reason you cannot make the check-in times you must contact us before the festival starts to make alternate arrangements. You must have your Festival Pass with your at each event.

4. The Festival Information Desk
 The Festival info Desk will have important information on all of our festival events, instructors, and the local area, announcements and other festival information needed to make a successful week for you. We try to keep the info desk open daily from 8am-6pm depending on the evening schedules. You can also always contact the office 805-528-7385 between 7am-7pm.

5. The Festival APP
The festival app is going to be your best friend this week. Because of our heavy attempt to be "greener" this year, the app will serve as the Festival Booklet. The App will have the festival schedule, instructor bios, chat capabilities and more fun things to help enhance the week for you. MOST IMPORTANTLY: It has your maps and directions! Download here: Apple Users | Android Users

To use the App for info and directions:

a)      Allow the App to give you Push Notifications
a.       The Push notifications during the festival week are going to be important. These will tell you any updates, changes in venues, announcements and sponsor deals going on.
b)      Navigate to the button that says “More”
c)       Scroll to “Festival Map”
d)      Allow the app to use your current location
e)      You can see all of the venues by map or by a list
f)       On the map, tap the venue you want
g)      Choose “Directions”
h)      Press on the upper right hand arrow (iphone only) to get directions from your current location to the venue. This arrow will launch your phone’s Google or iphone map. With Android phones just choose Directions and you will be good to go.
i)        In order to choose a new location you must open the app again since the directions have taken you out of the festival app.

6. Workshops
When you arrive at your festival events, if the class is full and space limited you will need to first sign-in with the volunteer on duty. Each volunteer will have an attendee list (printed the day prior) for each of the festival events. If you are not on the attendee list and the class is full, you will be asked to find another session to attend. We are trying to keep all of our classes below a maximum attendance number so that each attendee has a chance to have some hands-on time with the instructors.
**Please be respectful of this system. Again, if you simply show up without having added the class to your schedule, you will be turned away from full classes.

7. LIGHT Computer Lab
Some of the festival events will be held at the LIGHT Workshops computer lab. You are welcome to bring your own laptop to work on or use one of the LIGHT computers. If you choose to use a LIGHT Computer, you will need to have a PC compatible external hard drive to access and download your images. Please note: Your images will not be saved on our machines.

8. Mandatory or Extremely Useful items to bring:
-Valid form of picture ID. You must have a valid ID at check-in to get your pass. If you have purchased a student pass you must bring proof of enrollment unless you have already provided the information to LIGHT Staff.
-A copy of your own schedule. We will not provide copies of schedules but there is a business center on site at Embassy that you can use to re-print anything you need. We have updated venues this week so make sure you have the most up to date schedule in hand.
-Any print-outs to help you during the week. We are not printing schedules or maps this year so please bring your own copy if you prefer. We have an App for that. Should you want to print out maps before coming go to our Google Map we have created for the festival: Festival POI Every venue is listed here and you can print your directions right from where you are staying!
This map has also been put into our festival app.
-There is a county map in the SLO Visitor Guide in your goodie bag.
 Recommended items to bring:
-Laptop computer to work with in class, take notes, or to review images during or after shooting sessions.
-Jackets. The Central Coast weather changes rapidly.  A wind resistant/proof and warm jacket will serve you well!
-Hats.  A hat to keep the sun off and a hat to stay warm are two great items to have with you.
-Sunscreen.
-Water bottle: We will also have water stations at Embassy suites for your hydration needs.
-Snacks. Make sure to have some type of snack food with you.  The festival can wear you down quickly if you are not eating.
-All of the photo gear you may possibly need!
-Appropriate shoes.  Check your schedule. You may need shoes for hiking or getting wet and sandy.
-Clean shoes to change into when entering a building post shoot.  Don't make a muddy/sandy entrance!
-Cell phone and charger. Install the Festival App.
-Tablet device and charger. Install the Festival App.
-Cash: Some restaurants in Los Osos, Cayucos and other areas only accept cash. Our raffle will only accept cash as well and you will want to get in on these awesome prizes!
**Look for additional gear suggestions in the event descriptions on your schedule!

10. Carpooling
Carpooling is something we always encourage as some venues having limited parking spots and also to save on fuel and emissions. PLEASE be open and willing to carpool. If you insist on driving please offer seats to others for carpooling.
We will have the following options to help with carpooling:
A carpooling sign in sheet at the check-in/info desk      
The chat area in our app
The Festival Facebook page
The group meet for all “Meet at Embassy” sessions

11. Events you do not want to miss!
Monday:  During lunch! 12:45pm-1:15pm Dana Lynch will give a presentation on “Mobile Marketing for Small Business”. We will also have an extended lunch so you can mingle with the sponsors!  ”. (Tell your friends! It’s open to the public!)
Tuesday Evening 5:30PM: Canon Sponsored Lecture with Rick Sammon! “Exploring the Light”. (Tell your friends! It’s open to the public!)
Thursday: 3:45PM Olympus Sponsored Presentation with David Wells! ”. (Tell your friends! It’s open to the public!)
Friday is our charity raffle on behalf of Zoo To You! As well as an after-event Manager's reception at Embassy Suites when everything wraps up. Most of the instructors are staying the night and will grab a drink in the Atrium! Join us!

12. Festival Photo Contest
We are extremely fortunate to be sponsored by SmugMug again this year.  SmugMug will be hosting the gallery for the Festival Photo Contest.  We will distribute the web link so you can share and upload your images for consideration.
Please read through the terms and conditions for the gallery. You will see that it is a great way to help share your images and get noticed by our models, sponsors, instructors and fellow attendees who will visit the site.

13. PLEASE! Please submit model photos! If you don’t want to upload them to the SmugMug site please email them to info@lightworkshops.com or send them via Dropbox or YouSend it. Many of our festival models are requesting images only instead of compensation. Please help us- even if you don’t think they are medal worthy. Models rely on photos for future jobs and memories.

14. Model Releases and Profit Use Permission
This year we are doing our best to collect model releases to post and share with you. However, the model releases we collect are for “non-profit use only”. You DO NOT have permission to use model images for any “for profit” contests, business or stock opportunities without separate written permission from the models. BRING YOUR OWN FOR-PROFIT model releases if these are your intentions. Some of our models may also be minors but they will be accompanied by a guardian or parent.
For additional information about image releases and rights and usage go to our Terms and Conditions  page.

15. Be courteous when out shooting. We are invited guests at many of our venues and we must remember to be respectful and grateful to our hosts. Please also be respectful and considerate to your fellow attendees and the instructors and staff around you. We are all here to have a good time, take turns and get as much education out of the week as we can! Pick up after yourselves and leave no trace! Stay on paths and watch your step. If you move something at a venue put it back and always ask permission to photograph people who are not official models.

16. Use the Festival Social Media
Download the Festival App, follow the Festival on Twitter (@CAPhotoFestival), and check the Festival Facebook page (California Photo Festival). We will be posting updates, changes and information on these two social platforms prior and through the festival week. Check them often and make sure your push notifications are allowed with our app.

17.  Have fun and see you soon!
We want to thank each and every one of you who have signed up this year. This is an amazing opportunity for us here to have these incredible instructors join us on the beautiful Central Coast and celebrate what we all love! We are happy to make it happen as it is a passion of ours. We thank you for coming this year and we hope to see you back in the future!

-Victoria and Hal Schmitt and the Light Team