More Workshops Scheduled for 2009

We've added a few more workshops to the 2009 schedule. On July 24th and 25th we'll be having a Dusk & Dawn workshop, starting on the Friday evening to capture the 'Golden Light' just before sunset (and weather permitting, sunset as well) and then pick it up in the morning again at sunrise. More information and a link to accommodations in Midland can be found on the www.PhotographyWorkshops.ca website.

We've also set the dates for the ever popular Fall Colour Photography Workshops - October 3rd and 10th. I realize that October 10th is Thanksgiving weekend, but this was the peak of colour in this area last year and I don't want to take the chance of missing it. Book early - these both fill up fast!

Cheers,

Scott Kelby's 2nd Annual Worldwide Photo Walk

I know it's been a while since I've posted anything - just been busy. But I've got some great news and need to post this right away!

I've been accepted as a Walk Leader for Scott Kelby's 2nd Annual Worldwide Photo Walk on July 18, 2009. Although my studio is in Barrie, I'll be leading the walk in Midland, starting (and ending) at the Midland Town Dock at 1:00pm. The walk is scheduled for two hours with a get-together afterwards, probably at Scully's Crab Shack at the dock. For more information and to sign up, visit:

WorldwidePhotoWalk.com

Everyone is welcome (up to 50) and it's FREE!! Hope to see you there!

Mike

April 25th Spring Workshop Summary

A big thanks to Al, Albert and Celso for coming out to yesterday's Spring Workshop. It was a bit of a drive, but we made a bee-line for Owen Sound to capture the flow of Inglis Falls. We weren't disappointed. The flow was the best I've seen there in over 10 years.

Although it was supposed to rain most of the day (my kind of workshop!), we had sun at the falls for a while so it was challenge to get the correct exposure for the sunlit falls and the dark roots and rocks in the foreground. I'm looking forward to seeing some of Celso HDR work here.

The woods surrounding the falls were also filled with photographic opportunities and we spent quite a bit of time there too.

It was clouding over and I could tell a storm was approaching so we headed back towards Collingwood to stop along the shores of Georgian Bay near Craigleith to hopefully catch a bit of the storm over the water. We weren't disappointed and we all instinctively knew when it was over and had to run for cover in the van.

Thanks again guys for a great outing. Looking forward to see your 'stuff'!

Winding Down Winter Workshop Summary

What an amazing day! Thanks to Albert and Celso for attending the Winding Down Winter Workshop (sponsored by Nikon-Digital.ca). Matt and Elizabeth, really wish you were here too and sorry you couldn't make it.
On our way to some of the last remaining snow, we stopped at the Coldwater Mill. It's been favourite location of mine for years, probably close to 30, and a few years ago it was bought and restored after closing in 1994. That's right. It was still a working mill up until 1994. Cool eh! I'll be going back there in the next few months to photograph the entire site, interior and exterior. It's a fascinating heritage building.
After the mill we wound our way up towards Big Chute, stopping at the Severn River and photographing the remaining ice flowing in the currents. Then headed on back to the studio to download our images and discuss the day's shoot.

New Wedding Workshop

By popular demand I've added a new wedding photography workshop on photographing the Bridal Portrait. Follow the link for more information.

Newest Gadget - Hoodman LCD Loupe!

I saw this gadget on a workshop last year. One of my students had one and I instantly fell in love with it and had to have one. It's the Hoodman LCD Screen Loupe! The problem was that it was only good for up to a 2.75" LCD screen (on the back of the camera) and I had just upgraded to the D300 with a 3" screen... so I held off.

But now, Hoodman has brought out the Hoodman SLR LCD Screen Loupe 3 to accommodate the 3" screen. As soon as I saw this I checked the Henry's website and sure enough, there it was. I called my local store and had them set it aside and within the hour, had it in my hot hands.

This is one of those gadgets that you think you don't need, but once you have it, wonder how you did without it. The rubber 'cup' covers the LCD screen of my D300 (or any other LCD screen up to 3") perfectly and the built-in diopter allows me to focus it to my eye-sight (wearing glasses). Now, no matter what the conditions, I can see my LCD clearly - even in bright sunlight!

It comes with a carry case as well as the lanyard with a quick release mechanism so you can detach it for someone else to use (and they all want to use it!). And personally, I think wearing it around my neck definitely makes me look more professional. ;)

Highly recommended accessory for under $100.
Website: www.HoodmanUSA.com

Cheers

Transform - by Zack Arias

The comments from this short video are beyond words. Inspirational and a must see for any photographer. It was originally posted by Zack on Scott Kelby's blog but I had to post it here for easy access to view again and again - whenever I need it.

Midland Camera Club

I'm very pleased to have been asked by the Midland Camera Club to speak this coming Thursday evening on Photographing Architecture & Structures. This will take place on February 5th, 7:00pm - 9:00pm at the North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre (behind the Midland Curling Rink). The meeting is open to the public and you can find details at the Midland Camera Club website: http://www.midlandcameraclub.com/

One Month Left Before Wedding Seminar

Just a reminder that there's only one month left to register for the Introduction to Professional Wedding Photography Seminar on March 7th (2009). Check out the PhotographyWorkshops.ca website for more information.

2009 Spring Rejuvenation Workshops posted.

Winter's just getting going but I'm already looking forward towards spring.

Our Spring workshops last year were a great success so we're offering two dates again this year. The first is April 25th and the second is May 2nd. Last year, these Saturdays were perfect for spring shooting. We didn't have many wildflowers, but the buds were on the trees and bushes, there was green grass coming up all over through the brown, matted-down old grass of winter, the rivers were full - and the black-flies were not bad at all. Hopefully, this spring will be just as good.

You can register online, as usual, and just pick which day you're interested in.

March 28, 2009 - Nikon-Digital.ca Exclusive!

We've partnered up with Nikon-Digital.ca Forums for an exciting Workshop/Lunch/Discussion and the first Ontario N-D.ca Meet & Greet all happening on March 28, 2009 at PhotographyWorkshops.ca.

We're calling it the Winding-Down Winter Workshop and it's open to any member of the Nikon-Digital.ca forum. It costs nothing to join, and you receive a discount on the workshop registration. For more information and a link to the registration page, you have to go through the Nikon-Digital.ca forum. Look under the Ontario regional section, or the PhotographyWorkshops.ca section at the bottom of the forum page - or just click here!

February 28, 2009 - Principles of Composition Seminar

We already have our New Camera Orientation and the Essential Photography Basics seminars scheduled for January of 2009. So as a natural progression from those, we've added the Principles of Composition seminar for February 28th. This is a good seminar to attend no matter what 'technical' skill level you are at. If you're having trouble creating WOW in your photographs, composition could be the key. Register online here.

2008 Deserted Beaches of Wasaga Workshop

I think I'm finally thawed out. Man was it cold by the water today. I hope it's sunny and warm in Brazil Celso... 'cause it's sure the opposite up here. Too bad you weren't here though.

Some of these images are in a slideshow in the Galleries section of the website. Click on the link above and then select the 2008 Deserted Beaches slideshow.

We had a pretty good day despite the cold. The conditions were an almost perfect 1/60sec at f:8 all day. With an overcast sky and soft snow, hard sand and no snowfall to speak of, our exposures were rarely changed and recorded detail in the brightest snow and the darkest shadows.

The mostly consistent exposure throughout the day enabled us to concentrate more on composition. There was plenty of elements to work with too. From the golden grass in the mixture of sand and snow, to the hardened patterns of different coloured sands on the beach, the frozen waves at the water's edge and then the ice and rocks at Ossossane provided lots of compositional challenges, but many opportunities too.

One interesting find was the string of fishing line caught in the rocks that icicles had formed on. I guess it's nature's way of making something beautiful out of man's discards.

Everything today was shot hand-held too. Goes against my better judgement and rules, but it was just too d&m% cold to fuss with a tripod. Most of the time the shutter speeds were well above 1/60th through, so there shouldn't be too many OOF images from camera shake (unless of course the shivering was faster than 1/60 sec eh?!)

From the initial scan of images both on site on the digital displays, and what I've seen so far from my download, I would have to say we've got some keepers.

Funny how you can get a group of people to go out in adverse conditions but you'd hardly ever venture out like at on your own in the same conditions.

Thanks LeAnn and Leony for braving the cold. I'm looking forward to seeing your work from today.

Cheers y'all.

Adobe Lightroom, LIbrary & Develop Modules

I've added a new workshop on November 15th, 2008. It's Adobe Lightroom, specifically the Library and Develop Modules. As usual, more information can be found on the website.

Outdoor Portrait Workshop Summary

What a great group! We started out looking for light, finding the great 'softbox in the sky' to use as a mainlight, fill light, a scrim to block light, and even a hair-light to create our portraits. Partnering up to create portraits of each other, we worked in quite a few different lighting situations, shot full-length, 3/4 and head & shoulders. Our last part was to create a family portrait of our group.

Then it was into the studio to work with Lightroom. It's an amazing piece of software and I hope everyone managed to grasp all the technical aspects we covered. Celso for sure was having fun and I think he may be off on a new quest using some of the techniques we covered.

Thanks to all that participated!!

October 25th Fall Colour Workshop Added

The colours in this area are really just beginning to change, so hopefully they'll last for a while. I've added a 3rd Fall Colour Workshop to the schedule for October 25th. Even if the leaves are mostly down, there should still be lots of colour to work with, especially on the ground. Still plenty of photographic opportunities. For this workshop we'll be starting out from Midland. As always, more information available on the website.

Basic Digital Photography Seminar

We've add a Basic Digital Photography Seminar to our 2008 fall schedule on November 1st. For more information, please visit our website at PhotographyWorkshops.ca.

Wedding Seminar!

Ok, ok! I've had so many requests, so I've finally put together an Introduction to Professional Wedding Photography seminar. I've scheduled it for March of next year (2009) so there's plenty of time for sign-ups and let everyone get the busy Christmas season out of the way.

The seminar is geared towards photographers that are interested in getting into the wedding photography business, or are just starting out and need some direction. It's a no-holds-barred seminar where I will explain the pitfalls of wedding photography as well as the responsibility, commitment and fun.

The morning session will cover the boring business aspects which can make or break your business. The afternoon will cover the more exciting elements of equipment for and shooting of a wedding. You can't have the fun of shooting without the sound business knowledge backing you up.

You can find more information and the sign-up link at www.PhotographyWorkshops.ca.

Hope to see you there!

Outdoor Portrait Workshop

A two-part workshop has been added for September, 2008. The first part will be an actual, on-location, outdoor portrait session where we will learn shooting and posing techniques to maximize the natural light and surroundings. The second half of the day will be spent in the studio downloading and processing the images from the shoot in Adobe Lightroom. RAW processing and creative 'Lightroom' techniques will be discussed. Check out the website, as usual, for more information to come.

2nd 2008 Fall Workshop Added

We've opened up October 5th for a 2nd Fall Colour Outdoor Photography Workshop. Demand has been high, so there's not many spots left. Check out the website for more information and registration.