Check out the blog post Ben posted about his recent workshop at LIGHT Photographic Workshops!
Ben Willmore on CreativeLIVE
Ben Willmore, one of our favorite instructors is on CreativeLive today through Saturday. Stream it live for free or buy the (incredible and totally worth it!!!) videos for $99 by the time the course is finished airing. If you wait buy them they go up to $149. Still a great deal for what you get!
Or come join us in Los Osos and work with Ben in person for his Mastering HDR & Light Painting course in March.
Alaska Time Lapse
While I was looking over some images for yesterday's blog I found this sequence. Thought it would make a nice simple time lapse.
Gorgeous Alaska day and a slow humpback whale dive. Shot the sequence on my photo tour with a Canon 1D Mk IV and an EF 70-300 4.5/5.6L.
Put the time lapse together with Lightroom. Recommend the 720 quality option.
Canvas at Light
A couple of weeks ago we held one of my favorite classes, Canvas! We started everything with a discussion of the entire print and output process. Each step is important to ensure you end up with the ultimate quality of both the image and the print, from color management to media selection to pressing the final print button and everything in between.
Canvas is a hands on course and our participants made their stretcher bar assemblies, coated their prints, stretched their canvas, and did all of the finishing. It is an involved process but everyone made it beautifully. I am fairly certain that everyone slept well after the course.
Each canvas is printed with Canon's Lucia EX inkset on Alpha Strike matte canvas. This combination yields the blackest black possible today on canvas! The next day we coated the canvas with Aegis from Alpha Strike. Everyone did great with the new, environmentally and health friendly coating. Both the canvas and the coating are archivally certified by Wilhelm Imaging Research and when the print is finished in our unique manner, the canvas will last for generations (and then some.)
I look forward to our next canvas course later this year and also canvas instruction at Click 3!
Next month I head back to the Inside Passage for eagle, whale, and landscape photography. I cannot wait to get back out and see what this year brings.
Fiat Lux!
Bull
Canon Speedlite Intensive - The things we do for our students
This weekend is our Speedlite Intensive workshop with Hal Schmitt. Yesterday, after a great morning of instruction on the ins and outs of speedlite photography, we headed out to Sweet Springs Nature Preserve to put theory into practice.
Victoria and Becky were good sports and stood in as the models and they were very creative with their costumes. This just shows how dedicated we here at LIGHT are to helping our students learn!
Today, we will be using these powerful little lights to create beautifully soft light as well as edgy and dramatic light for their images.
If you missed this course and want to improve your lighting skills we have another speedlite workshop coming up this September 22-25 with instructor Jeff Greene. Jeff's workshop "Small Flash, Big Light!" will be a great opportunity to learn small strobes and enhance your lighting skills.
Blending Landscape Exposures with Marc Muench
This weekend we are happy to have Marc Muench here to teach Light students the latest tips and techniques in exposure blending. Last night we shot along the Bluff Trail in Montaña De Oro State Park to gather images for HDR processing.
The fog left us alone just long enough to get some great shots of the sunset.
Today we'll be using the images from last night to explore the different ways to blend multiple exposures together to create stunning High Dynamic Range images.
We hope to have Marc back soon for another awesome workshop.
There will be more HDR learning opportunities during the California Photo Festival Oct. 12-16, 2011. Check out our website LIGHTWorkshops.com to see the rest of our summer workshops.
Fiat Lux!
Great Idea from Lee Varis
Lee Varis will be with LIGHT a few times this year and he has set up a carpool discussion board for those coming from SoCal.
Check out his link below for info.
If you have not experienced a Lee Varis workshop it is time. Check out his two offerings here this summer; Photoshop Fundamentals and The Digital Zone System. These will be great fun and tremendous learning opportunities. Take a look at the course description here and you might be surprised by what Lee considers "Fundamentals."
The Digital Zone System is a modern take on the original Zone System by Ansel Adams and Fred Archer. If you want to know light, exposure, and your camera this is for you. Description here.
Off to Toronto this weekend to watch Victoria's Dad and Brother play a major concert event.
Dad and brother play for Supertramp.
Fiat Lux!
Lightroom in the House this Week
After three minutes in Lightroom
Raw capture straight from the camera
Our Lightroom 3 course is in full swing at Light. People are often surprised we offer a five day LR course and remark "What could you possibly talk about for five days?"
Lightroom is such a powerful program it will make your workflow as effective and efficient as possible, but only if you use all of the tools, tips, tricks, and techniques. To get a full understanding of the digital workflow and how each LR module, feature, and function applies takes some time. We have found five days is the perfect amount to go from total beginner to complete master. Interestingly, the same often applies to folks who have been using LR for years.
I have always thought much of Lightroom's power is in the Library Module. Most of the photographers we meet have some inefficiency when it comes to the first three stages of the digital workflow, Import, Edit, and Organize. This is where a strong understanding of digital asset management and Library functions come together to save the day. I find it this aspect so important I normally spend two full days with the Library Module ensuring everyone has a supreme grasp of its power. Only after the required legwork can we get to the fun and sexy stuff in the Develop Module.
Man cannot live in the lab alone so we will be out shooting tomorrow morning and for the rest of the week to build some source material and hone our workflow.
We did get to experience a fun little bug in Lightroom today though. Always interesting when the big demos do not go as advertised. Not sure whether this is new in 3.4.1 or was in 3.4 but will do a bit more troubleshooting tomorrow. Fortunately, the bug is a very limited scope issue. I do a demo Import of several files and rename the files in the process. The files I use have a combination of upper and lower case file extensions. If you happen to have "Leave as Is" selected in file extension on the import dialog-File Renaming tab, LR will not rename files with an upper case extension. This only seems to occur when the import source contains files with both upper and lower case extensions. So probably only applies to me in a few demos.
Fiat Lux!
Marc Muench - Blending Landscape Exposures
If you haven't already heard, Marc Muench is returning to LIGHT for his workshop Blending Landscape Exposures , June 11-12, 2011.
Marc will teach you how to get the most range out of a single landscape exposure with specific in-camera techniques as well as in post processing. We'll move beyond working with a single exposure and look at the best techniques for bracketing exposures and how to combine them using Photoshop CS5.
Your registration not only includes an incredible learning experience but also Marc's new book "Exploring North American Landscapes"
This book is a great look at the iconic landscapes of North America and the latest techniques in landscape photography. As a third generation landscape photographer, Marc has a unique perspective on how photography has made a huge impact on how we experience these beautiful and famous places.
Don't miss this great opportunity to learn from a master photographer!
Register online or call the office 805-528-7385 today!
Fiat Lux!
Introducing Bobbi Lane!
Portrait and wedding photographers check this out!
Portrait Lighting: Natural and Flash
with Bobbi Lane
May 26-29, 2011
We're bringing the famous Bobbi Lane back to the Central Coast for 4 incredible days of portraiture. Bobbi will take you through all the ins and outs of the professional portrait including how to work with natural and strobe lighting. This is a great course for anyone trying to improve their technical skills in portrait lighting and perfect for those looking for a little creative inspiration!
As a teacher on the regional, national, and international level, she brings insight and enthusiasm to her classes, each year inspiring hundreds of students. Bobbi's excellent rapport and open communication with her students stimulates creative thinking, while her straight-forward teaching style motivates students of many different skill levels.
Check out this video for a sneak peak of Bobbi at work and get a taste of what you can expect to learn at her upcoming
Portrait Lighting workshop, happening here at Light May 26-29, 2011.
Get more information or register today by visiting LIGHTWorkshops.com or call the office at 805-528-7385
Fiat Lux!
Jack and Jane
Jack Davis and Jane Conner-Ziser are here this week with a Photoshop, Lightroom, Painter, and shooting extravaganza. I cannot say enough about this course. The amazing tips, tricks, and techniques from these two Masters are nonstop.
The multi-instructor workshop is an excellent opportunity to pick up two unique points of view for the entire digital workflow. To me one of the great things about photography is the ability to apply our creative vision to the shoot and after capture process. There are very few cookie cutter approaches when shooting and optimizing. Listening to two instructors, we are forced to accept and use multiple techniques and options to achieve the final image.
Jane Conner-Ziser fine tuning a pose
The attached shots are from a location shoot we did here in Los Osos. Jack and Jane are masters of light, posing, and composition. The shoot was an excellent break from the computers and a huge learning experience for all (also made some cool images.)
Jack Davis shooting (note big camera over shoulder and iPhone in hand)
We are back in the lab today hitting it again.
Fiat Lux!
Day 1 of our Wildflower Intensive
The fully laden bee butt shot.
Another great day at Light. Hal's Wildflower Intensive is in full swing. We spent the morning in the studio, gallery, and around the school perfecting our techniques of live view, expanded depth of field, flash, multi flash, reflector, diffuser, and more.
After a quick break we took off for a few acres of poppies. Weather cooperated beautifully with full sun, blue sky, and cool (but light breezes.)
Deep cover.
Five and a half hours in the field with the flowers was incredible photography. Off early tomorrow morning to do it all again with different subject matter (ok, I'll probably sneak a few poppies in.)
Fiat Lux!
Poppies are Here
Happy as a bee in pollen (a little more blog friendly than the other expression.)
Out scouting again today and found huge fields of poppies. I am always impressed by the intensity of the orange. I am always underwhelmed by the sRGB conversion for web. Hope to see you out here for a wildlfower excursion.
All shots today were handheld with a Canon 5D and EF 180mm f/3.5L macro.
Fiat Lux!
Welcome to Wildflower Season
Out scouting today to locate the first wave of wildflowers. The storms of the weekend parted just as we, Reagan and I, began some quick shooting. We visited a huge area so we only took a shot or two here and there. Cannot wait to get out there and do it right with tripod, live view, flash, multi flash, diffuser, reflector, and more.
Looks like a good start to the season.
Had to add an 8 shot IR pano as well.
Fiat Lux!
Hard to find pink out there so I had my daughter put her foot behind the flower.
Fun use of pink rain boots!
Magic of Wildflowers with Rob Sheppard now only $595!
Rob Sheppard is coming back to Light April 11-15, 2011 to teach you everything you need to know about creating beautiful and unique photographs of the Central Coast wildflower bloom!
We've just lowered the price for our Magic of Wildflowers workshop from $895 to just $595!
This class is one of our favorites and now we're offering it for a killer deal. This offer is only good for 1 week, so get your spot before March 18th!
You can register online at LIGHTWorkshops.com or call the office 805-528-7385.
Fiat Lux!
The Magic of Wildflowers on the Central Coast with Rob Sheppard
Rob Sheppard is coming back to Light Workshops April 11-15, 2011 for another awesome wildflower season!
The Magic of Wildflowers is a flower enthusiast's dream. We will be going all over the Central Coast to our favorite wildflower spots.
Rob will demonstrate various ways to capture beautiful and unique images of California wildflowers. We'll look at using flowers as part of an overall landscape as well as getting up close with our macro lenses to focus on the details.
When we're not shooting out in the field, we'll be back here at the Light lab learning professional techniques for optimizing our images to create one of a kind photographs.
We are extending the Early Bird pricing, so register soon to get a killer deal on this fantastic workshop!
Fiat Lux!
A Few Shots from Macro Critter Day
Best of Light is in session and we had our world famous Macro Critter shoot yesterday afternoon. Interesting creatures and some fun photography.
We had a mix of ambient light, small strobe, reflector, and studio strobe to light the "talent." All of the attached shots are from a Canon 7D, EF 180mm f/3.5L, Induro C213, and Really Right Stuff BH-55.
For your best macro shots and the sharpest images remember to use Live View while on tripod.
Flash again today with models in studio, on location, and at sunset on the beach. Action tomorrow with horses for beach and sunset.
A hectic week but good living.
Fiat Lux!
A Photography Filled Weekend
Our Epic Light Gallery filled with DSLR students
This weekend was filled with photography! We had our Beginning DSLR workshop with Hal Schmitt Saturday and Sunday. It was a huge success with a full house of 15 participants. Our students learned essential tips and techniques from Hal on how to use their new DSLR to its full potential. Saturday we took the class to Morro Bay Harbor for some shooting practice and also met up with our Meetup members for a fantastic sunset. Check out the Photo Album!
Morro Bay Harbor Meetup © Hal Schmitt 2011
Sunday morning we went back down to the Embarcadero for some more practice. Students were able to photograph birds, seals, boats and everything else Morro Bay has to offer. We came back to the school in the afternoon to finish up with a discussion on flash integration and our essential gear list. We had an awesome weekend with great weather and a wonderful group of students.
Thanks to our workshop participants for joining the Light family, and thanks to our members for another great Meetup!
Fiat Lux!
Early Bird Price Extended to January 14th for Introduction to The Photo Essay with David Wells!
© David Wells
If you missed out on the Early Bird pricing for David Wells' Introduction to The Photo Essay workshop February 28-March 4, we're giving you a second chance! We've extended our Early Bird pricing to January 14th. This is an incredible opportunity to work with one of the most respected photographers in photo journalism.
David will define and guide you through the necessary steps to creating a powerful visual narrative.You'll then be set loose on your own assignment with David by your side to provide valuable input as you go.
Join a master of the photo-essay for a one-week exploration of the simultaneously disciplined strategy and magical process that turns a bunch of simple pictures into a powerful photo-essay.
Take a look at David's current project "Foreclosed Dreams" and visit TheWellsPoint.com to learn more about David and his incredible adventures!
We love to have David here and are so excited to be offering this course
Fiat Lux!
Happy New Year!
© Hal Schmitt
We're just three days into the New Year and already our 2011 January and February workshops are filling up!
We've got some great beginning courses scheduled for anyone with a new camera. We're also bringing back two of our most popular workshops Coastal Discoveries and The Best of Light! These courses are designed to get you out shooting all day on the beautiful Central Coast.
This weekend is Sea Pines Golf Resort's 3rd Annual Snow Day. The Crew from Light Workshops will be there taking some fun family portraits and enjoying the festivities. The fun goes from 3-8p, bring the whole family and get a great picture to take home!
If you want to stay up-to-date on all the great events happening at Light this year sign-up to receive our monthly newsletter. Get free tips from Director Hal Schmitt, special offers, and all the updates on the events happening at the Second Annual California Photo Festival October 12-16, 2011!
Check out last week's newsletter. "A New Year of Photographic Adventure is Here!"
Fiat Lux!