Education and experience are the two major keys to improving your photography.
I believe PhotoVision is one of the best values on the market for those wanting to improve their photography. I've paid as much as $200 for a single instructional DVD from another company. But with PhotoVision you get so much more!
PhotoVision is a subscription to a set of DVDs (you get 6 during the year). Each DVD is filled with 3 hours worth of information from various speakers on various topics. These are real professionals sharing their secrets. The subscription cost is normally $199, but if you use coupon code PVFAN you get the entire set for just $49.
One reason why I really like PhotoVision is the variety! Every DVD is jam packed with information from at least a couple of different photographers. Each with their own unique information and skills to share. So one while one chapter may talk (and show you) about photography babies (and maybe that isn't your thing), another might be on photographing seniors or doing underwater pictures or teaching you how to edit images or how to market your work. And you get SIX of these DVDs per year, always with different information on them.
I'm not here to sell you snake oil. I've been a PhotoVision subscriber for a couple of years now. I didn't get this kind of deal when I started. So here's your chance to jump on board and learn a LOT without having to pay a lot of money.
To take advantage of this offer, Click Here, preview some of the videos! And then enter PVFAN during the checkout process to get your discount.
I've already covered the topic of How do I Improve My Photography on two previous occasions (Photo Groups and Working with Models). Today I wanted to discuss education.
I have been a member of the Intermountain Professional Photographers Association (IPPA) for about 5 years. I joined up because I realized I couldn't "do it alone". I had many things to learn, from posing, to lighting, to marketing, to business practices and more. They IPPA meets several times a year (generally once per quarter with one annual convention in there). There have been many classes taught by photographers from around the country and around the world as well as local photographers.
Often I would find myself buying some cool toys from visiting photographers, or some other educational material (books, DVDs, etc).
But one of the things I picked up along the way and have never regretted is my subscription to PhotoVision. They put together a series of DVDs that are produced approximately once every 2 months featuring various photographers teaching many of the topics I needed to learn.
While I've paid as much as $200 for one instructional DVD ... this amazing collection of 6 DVDs is regularly just $149 and right now is being discounted all the way down to just $39. That's a lot of "learning" at an unbeatable price.
Now, I generally don't like pitching other people's goods on this blog, but this is a good deal. So this is what you do:
Click here to go to the PhotoVision site and check out the various photographers that will be featured on this year's DVDs (from Julie Klaasmeyer to Travis Gugelman to Lori Nordstrom and more). Check out the sample videos even.
And then, when you get to the check out ... be sure to enter PVFAN as the promo code to get the $149 DVD collection for just $39.
I think you'll enjoy them as much as I do. I hope you'll write back and let me know.
A year ago I wrote a blog entitled "How do I improve my photography" in which I discussed the idea of joining a photo group in order to gain experience and step outside your box to try new things, meet helpful people and learn more about photography.
One of the funnest photo groups I belong to is the ProvoCreative Models/Photographers Group. This group, led by Pete Hansen, consists of a wide range of experience in both the models and the photographers and gets together at least once a month. These meets are generally intended as a great opportunity for networking (photog to photog, model to model or model to photog). Plus, it's a great way to get to know each other in a photographic setting which allows for learning techniques from experienced photographers, sharing what you've already learned with other photographers and meeting models who may be beneficial to your goals, etc.
Some of the reasons I like this group are:
Working with a model allows me to experiment with photographic styles or techniques that I might be afraid to try "for the first time" with a paying customer. So while I'm a little more conservative with a paying customer (knowing that I need to guarantee a set of useful images), I'm a lot more "out there" trying something I've never done before with a model.
Working with a model generally means that I can concentrate more on the photography and worry less about poses. That's not always true - some models are a lot more experienced than others. But with a good model I can spend a lot more time thinking about angles, lighting, composition and technique.
On the other hand, it's also a great time to work on poses because, again, there is no pressure from a paying customer to deliver. So I feel greater freedom to experiment and try new things.
I also love to share what I know. My philosophy is that "What goes around comes around." And so by helping others, I figure we all benefit.
And one of the biggest reasons I love working with this group is the opportunity to visit new places, to try them out and see what it is like to shoot there. I may bring a paying customer back to the same location later based on my experience from the group.
This past week I had the opportunity to go to Utah Lake with the ProvoCreative Models/Photographers group for a Trash the Dress/Suit photo session.
I've blogged about this subject before. My first Trash the Dress photo shoot was a little over 2 years ago with Heidi (a friend/co-worker) who volunteered to go to the Great Salt Lake and be photographed by over 50 photographers. More recently, I talked one of my co-workers, Tyler Willey, into helping out with a Couple's session (he in a suit and Carolina Castillo in a wedding dress). We went to the Grotto (up Mt. Nebo Loop near Payson) for these pictures, which is the same location where I shot Laura just a few weeks prior.
So for me the Trash the Dress idea was not new. But the location ProvoCreative had selected was brand new. A new location is always high on my "want" list. So we went to Utah Lake, about a half mile south of the Lindon boat harbor. And these are some of the pictures that we got:
The group invited models to come dressed in wedding attire or a prom dress or any kind of fancy clothing they would like to use and abuse out in the lake. So here are pictures of a few of the other models:
Photographers and models alike should realize that these meets are NOT about getting the perfect picture or building your portfolio. Why? (you ask in shock) Because the situation is not ideal. With 50 photographers or models surrounding you it's hard to get the perfect shot without someone being in your frame. And with the model trying to pay attention to the other photographers, it's hard to coordinate the perfect pose, expression, composition or light.
But as I mentioned above, what the meet is good for is networking, socializing, learning new techniques or new locations.
Having just experienced a photo shoot at Utah Lake for the first time, I wanted to quickly return and try it on my own - in a more controlled situation where I could pay more attention to my model and my surroundings.
I met beautiful Alyssa VanLeeuwen probably almost 2 years ago and had talked to her about doing a Trash the Dress photo session almost that long ago. Well, it finally came to pass yesterday!
Pete Hansen volunteered to help me with lighting. And so back to Utah Lake we went. And these are some of the shots I got with Alyssa:
Photographers, please note: The above shot was done entirely "in camera". No special editing has been performed. The secret? A CTO Gel (orange colored gel) on my flash. With the CTO gel on the flash, and the flash lighting up Alyssa, I set my in-camera white balance to Tungsten to match the CTO gel. The camera is then subtracting orange from the scene - which makes Alyssa look normal and sends the already bluish colored background (which is not lit up by the flash) into a deep blue.
At the last minute, we tried to find a Groom to model with Alyssa because I love couple's sessions (a natural extension of my wedding photography). But not having found someone in time, Pete volunteered to help out!
Thanks Pete and Alyssa. And thank you ProvoCreative for the awesome opportunity to get together just two days prior to try out this wonderful location!
With the advent of affordable digital cameras, it seems everyone has a camera these days. And so I often get asked "How can I improve my photography?"
Years ago, the response might have been "join a photo club". What is funny is that answer sounds so nerdy to me! Who goes to photo clubs?!? Certainly not soccer moms who just want to take pictures of their kids. In fact, you are probably imagining right now some hard core techno geek with a camera.
But wait a minute!
Have you ever heard of Photowalking? As mentioned on wikipedia, it is "the act of walking with a camera for the main purpose of taking pictures of things that the photographer may find interesting." What better way to learn to take pictures than by ... doing! And better yet, Photowalks are generally organized by groups of photographers who are willing to share their time and knowledge and talents with anyone who wants to learn. Does that sound like a photo club? Sure does ... but I can guarantee you, it's a lot less nerdy than you are thinking!
We have, right here in Salt Lake City, Utah, a very strong group of photowalkers known as Photowalking Utah. Click the link to see the group calendar. Tomorrow morning they are heading up to Albion Basin, being led by Ann Torrence, who is well known for her work in photographically documenting Highway 89.
What better way to learn about nature photography, than from an expert photographer such as Ann Torrence herself, or the myriad of other photographers who will be there?
Worldwide Photowalk
There are Photowalking groups all around the world. In fact, just a few weeks ago, Scott Kelby promoted the 2nd Annual World Wide Photowalk. On July 18th, 2009 people from all over the world gathered around various cities around the world to participate in the photowalk.
Here is the local Utah group gathering in downtown Salt Lake City:
The ever talented Jeremy Hall put together a wrap-up video illustrating the event:
Just this week, a group of photographers (Utah Strobist) interested specifically in using off-camera flash photography, commonly known as Strobist, met together at the Great Salt Lake to take pictures of models at the lake as well as in the lake.
Another time we went to the Hill Air Force Base Museum, early in the morning, before the the museum was open to the public where we were treated to up close and personal views of the air planes:
Or how about the trip to the John A. Moran Eye Center at the University of Utah led by Brian Jones? How often do you get a behind-the-scenes look at what goes on at an eye institute and research center?
The point is, Photowalking involves a wide range of locations and opportunities. There is literally, something for everyone!
Some questions and answers to help get you started:
Q. How do I get involved with Photowalking? A. Honestly, it's as easy as just showing up!
Q. Do you have to be an expert to join Photowalking Utah? A. No.
There are members from all walks of life with all levels of skill, from the brand new Point and Shoot toting grandma, to the young entrepeneur looking to strike out in wedding photography, to the seasoned pros such as Rich Legg who shoots stock photography for a living.
Q. Does it cost any money to join? A. No.
In fact, most events are free. Though there may be occasion where the location may require a small entrance fee or some other cost. But in general, photowalks are the greatest value I've found, costing only your time and willingness to participate.
Q. Do you have attend all of the photowalks? A. No.
There are two schools of thought here: 1) you can simply attend those photowalks that interest you, or 2) you can attend the photowalks where you have the most to learn.
Choosing photowalks that interest you are probably the most "guaranteed" fun. If your thing is architecture, then watch for a photowalk that involves architecture. If your thing is portraiture, then watch for a photowalk that involves models.
But in my opinion, the greatest benefit of photowalking is to pick those photowalks that will teach you the most. If you're nervous about photographing people, then try it. Pick a photowalk that involves people. You'll be surrounded by other photographers that know what they are doing. Watch and learn. Better yet, ask questions. Funner still, team up with someone that is learning just like you and learn together.
Two of my friends, Stephanie Jorgensen of Flash Jorgensen Photography and Suzanne Plant of Lookie Loo Photography got into photography only just last year and did so by coming to various photowalks. Click their links to see their blogs. Look how far they have come!
Photowalking Utah is amazingly composed of people who aren't afraid to share their "secrets". So don't be afraid to come. And certainly, don't be afraid to ask questions.
Pete has another group, East Bay Studios. This one is much more diverse (including actors, filmmakers, comedians, etc). But includes a subset group of models and photographers who get together once a month for a photo shoot or learning session.
