Speedlight Bootcamp

I just finished up another fabulous week-end speedlight bootcamp, at Vancouver Photo Workshops, and wanted to share some of the photos.  Thanks to all of the participants for bringing an enthusiasm for learning that motivates me to teach.  Another big thank you to all of our models, without whom our shooting sessions just wouldn't be the same.  Trust me, you don't want to have to shoot pictures of me all week-end.  Thanks to Shazmin, Cecelia, Yusuf, and Eric.

We shot on location, and in the studio, with a pile of gear that required numerous sherpas to haul around.  I also have to thank my assistant , Eric, for knowing what I need, even before I do, and co-ordinating the above mentioned mountain of equipment.  Thanks too, to Marc Koegal, director of the truly awesome space that is V.P.W.  Another big thanks to Carol, at Nikon, for helping us out with Nikon Speedlights.

The always fabulous, Cecelia.

 More photos after the jump...

Joe

As a photographer, looking at other photographer's work is one of the most important things I do.  I love photography, and I love to look at pictures.  It's how I relax, get inspired, am awed, get scared, be entertained, you get the idea.  I look at pictures every day, from my students work to icons like W. Eugene Smith.  

Every once and a while, I meet another photographer whose work I admire.  I had that opportunity last week.

More after the jump...

Behind The Picture

I'm trying out a new topic here.  Explaining the story behind the picture.  Sometimes that will be details about the technical aspects, others will be about how a certain picture came to be anecdotally, or emotionally.  Please let me know, in the comments, what you think.  Also, if you can come up with a better subject line than "Behind The Picture" I will be grateful.

I'm starting with a photo that I have had a lot of comments and questions about in the past.

Follow the jump for more...

Open Call...

There's going to be a show at the Photohaus Gallery, and it's not too late to get your photos submitted.  The show is "Small Strobes-Big Ideas"  Submit your pictures that fit the theme and come to the opening. If you can't get your pictures in, at least come out to see the show at the opening.  Joe McNally is the evening's special guest.

Check it out here for more info.

Baseball...

According to Tallulah Bankhead, "There have been only two geniuses in the world: Willie Mays and Willie Shakespeare."  With deference to Mays, and apologies to Shakespeare, I will attempt to explain my love for the game of baseball.  There is nothing I would rather shoot,  Simply put, baseball has everything a photographer could possibly want.  Action, beauty, grace, simplicity, character and more.

I started shooting baseball in 1986 in Montreal, the home of the now defunct Montreal Expos, for the wires and The Montreal Gazette.  The Expos were a great team, at times, others, not as great.  The Olympic Stadium was, unfortunately, a terrible place to shoot baseball.  The biggest problem was that the retractable roof of the stadium wasn't.  To be fair, I think they may have successfully opened the roof once or twice before the roof shredded, due to design flaws, and was eventually replaced with a roof that didn't open.  As well, large cement chunks of the building would fall onto the field from time to time.  Not quite the same experience as shooting at Wrigley Field.

Follow the jump for photos, and more...

Courses & Workshops…

A few announcements regarding some teaching that I will be doing in the next little while.

November 13, 2010:  Free DSLR workshop at Langara College.  This is for anyone with a digital SLR camera who is looking for some answers to some of the basic issues confronting today's photographer regarding workflow.  Some advice on how to set up your camera, importing to your computer, embedding IPTC information, RAW vs. JPEG, histograms, and colour management with Lightroom and Photoshop.  All this and more for FREE.  That's right FREE!  Call the Langara Cont. Studies office and register: 604.323.5322

November 27-28, 2010:  Speedlight Bootcamp at Vancouver Photo Workshops.  This is an intensive week-end workshop aimed at those looking to improve their lighting skills with hotshoe flashes, off camera.  Saturday's all day (12 hours) session is full-on, with discussions, demonstrations, and shooting sessions with models.  Sunday is more demonstrations, more shooting and review of photos.  This is the third time we are offering this workshop at VPW, and the last time it sold out in one day, so sign up now.  For more info call 778.898.5256 or go here.

January 2011:  Editorial photography.  An exciting new course at Langara College aimed at anyone interested in learning about the editorial market, specifically magazines.  This course will cover portraiture, fashion, location lighting, self promotion, dealing with contracts, and much more.  Sign up with the Langara College Cont. Studies office (registration begins Nov. 17th):  604.323.5322 or for more info. go here.

Shot during an editorial workshop with a Nikon D3, a Profoto 7B and 6ft. Elinchrom octabank

Gear I use...Batteries

The single most important thing about any gear that I use is, it must be dependable.  It's gotta work when I need it.  A long time ago I realized that there is no savings in buying a cheaper piece of equipment if it won't get the job done.   Invariably, whenever I try to save some money, and buy something cheaper, it ends up costing me more.  Because, in the end the cheaper doohickey won't do the job, and I end up buying the more expensive one too.  I have learned that it is cheaper to buy the more expensive one right from the get go.  For the most part, more reliable gear is, more expensive gear, and sometimes a lot more.  But, not always.

When I am shooting with my speedlights, there is one thing I always use.  Batteries!  And lots of them.  For three good reasons I use rechargeable batteries.  The environment, economics, and most importantly-performance.  The first two are obvious, but the third not a given.  Rechargeable batteries only perform better if you buy the right ones.  Currently, I say that because battery technology changes quickly, the best choice for me are nickel metal-hydride batteries.  They work well in high discharge devices, like a flash.  I have used a few different brands, but until recently, I couldn't find any that were great.  Most performed fine when used immediately after being charged, but didn't hold a charge well if they sat around for anything more than a day or two.

Shot with a Nikon D3 & Speedlight through a 5 in 1 Photoflex reflector

More after the jump...

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