Get the Job Done: Attending a Model Posing Workshop

Tonight I will be attending a workshop geared less towards lighting and more towards posing the model. Several past attendees of Bill Murphy's "Basics of Studio Lighting" Meetup mentioned they could use some help learning how to work with models and get some unique poses. So Bill is going to make a chart with basic poses for the class as well as show us how to a model through those poses. We get to take the handout with us!

The workshop still includes some shooting, so I will definitely be bringing by Canon 5D. For just $25 per person, Bill's workshops just can't be beat. So far I've attended a high key and a low key lighting meetup. I will be posting some low key images later. If you haven't discovered Bill's offerings yet, I highly recommend you do so now by joining the Meetup group. The workshop classes are small for more individualized learning, and I've already made some great new photography friends.

An Aside: Snowmobiling with a professional photographer

Image by Steven Willis Photography

During my National Brotherhood of Skier summit coverage in Winter Park this year, I carved out some free time to have some fun! I tried skiing for the first time. (Hated it, but I'm thinking I may do better if I take a private versus getting lost in a group class that's too large). I tried snowmobiling for the first time. I ROCKED IT! Can't tell you how much I loved it. Well, actually I can....since I did it TWICE!

I took a tour through Grand Adventurers. A tour guide teaches you how to operate the snowmobile, then leads you through a ride to the Continental Divide on trails through lovely scenery. Tours top out at nearly 12,000 feet with views of the entire Winter Park Ski area and the Fraser Valley. The second time I did the tour, I lucked out: turns out tour guide "Snowmobile Steve" was also professional photographer Steven Willis. All week, I had been seeing these fabulous photos showcasing the ski area, portraits taken in the mountains and other great winter experiences by Willis. I thought to myself how wonderful it would be to meet him.



Snowmobile Steve took several photos of me on my vehicle with my trusty Canon G9. But when he whipped out a professional grade Nikon and started shooting landscapes, all the pieces fell into place. I asked him what his name was, and he said, "Snowmobile Steve." "No! What's your real name? Is your last name Willis?" Yep, I was right! I felt honored to be having such a good experience with another photographer and I can't wait to purchase some of his tour shots. Here's a photo of Steve with the remnants of an old train track in the background:

It's so rare for me to actually get caught in front of the camera. So I was thrilled to have my photos taken by a professional during one of those rare moments when someone finally got to shoot me. Several of my friends say I look "hardcore Colorado" in these photos. I agree, and I hope this year will be the start of even more firsts that I really should have done ages ago: including camping, skydiving and white water rafting!

Saturday Morning Cartoons

Here is my favorite "What the Duck" comic from this week. Rock on Aaron! "What the Duck" is an online comic strip created by Aaron Johnson. I just love how Aaron's wry sense of humor reflects the current state of the photography industry. But what really freaks me out sometimes when I read his strip is how much they reflect whatever situation I'm currently experiencing too...whether it's working with clients or desperately trying to stay on top of technology like Facebook or Twitter or a host of other things that all add up to being a professional photographer.

The genius of his strip is the way viewers can interact with Aaron and his comic character. Folks are welcome to link, post, copy/paste, or save the strips to their own sites, blogs, forums, newsletters, etc. Aaron also allows viewers to suggest titles for his individual strips, and post photos of their own plushy and stuffed W.T. Duck working or hanging out.

Breaking News: Print Packages Now Available!

Picture Your World Photography is now pleased to announce a new client offering: exclusive print packages available for order directly from your private gallery!

The user-friendly feature has been a long time in the making. And now, finally, after endless hours of hard work by SmugMug programmers, my clients get to enjoy the convenience of crafting their own multiple pose packages and having them directly delivered. Ordering is a snap when you have one price for a whole heap of goodies.

So far, I've created four primary packages geared to satisfy everyone from the budget-minded to the big spenders!



"The Perfect Package," featuring two 8x10s, four 5x7s, 2 sheets of wallets, six 3.5x5 and an 11x14 is great when you can't decide which poses you love the most. Cost: $150

"You're So Popular," featuring six sheets each of 8 die-cut wallets is great for graduation announcements or thank you cards. Cost: $50

"The Starter Pack," featuring two 8x10s, four 5x7s and a sheet of wallets will tied you over when you are watching your budget.

"The Waltons," is for those blessed with an extended family. There's enough big photos, regular sizes and wallets to satisfy everyone from grandparents to cousins. It features a dozen 4x6s, six 5x7s, six 8x10s, two 11x14, two 16x20s, one 20x30 and six sheets of wallets. Cost: $750

Package options will appear under your gallery's "Buy button." Once you select the package from your list, you'll be taken to an area to select multiple photos. Mix and match your favorites by clickin and dragging your chosen images into place. When each item in the package is matched to a photo, you can add the package to your shopping cart and check out. Packages make buying so simple! But if you have any problems, feel free to call me directly, and I will walk you through the process!

Don't forget to stack coupons and special promotional offers for even more savings. Join the studio's Facebook Fan Page today to qualify for discounts and giveaways.

Instructor's Tip: Where water meets land

I hope you enjoy this week's "Instructor's Tip" by one of my favorite instructors, award winning nature photographer Russ Burden. To learn more about how Russ captured the above image, join him on one of his photo tours. Visit Russ Burden Photography to get more information.

Photo by Russ Burden. Taken on hia Oregon and Northern Calif Tour 5/22 - 5/31: One opening left


Where Water Meets the Land
Where the water meets the land brings to mind picturesque beaches, sunsets over the sea, crashing surf, and other images synonymous with the ocean. But the literal take of these words should not force you to think of these limitations. Land and water mesh around a lake, rivers carve terra firma, ponds, swamps, estuaries and streams are all bordered by earth. Every one of these settings give photographers plenty with which to work to produce great images.

Time of day is important with regards to what you want to capture. If dramatic warm light is the goal, then you’ll want to be out at sunrise or sunset. With the sun low to the horizon, colors are warm as the sun penetrates the particulates that hover near this point.

As gorgeous as the grand scenic can be, don’t overlook the details as the light or wave action changes. Glints of light from the setting or rising sun reflecting off the water have the potential to make great abstracts. If there is foreground detail, include it to make the glint wrap around a point of interest. Sand pattern images made in warm light are very powerful. Look for curving or leading lines. Even better if they lead out to the point where the water and land marry.

The image that accompanies this article was made while on my photo tour to the Oregon coast. I’d love to have you join me on this tour for an adventure of a lifetime.

Take a class with Russ or a fellow Digital Photo Academy instructor in your area, check out the Digital Photo Academy. I took Russ' intermediate and advanced courses last year, and he continues to be a strong source of knowledge and encouragement as I progress in my photography.

Check out Burden's "How To Tips" featured on Outdoor Photographer's website. The seven that are dated February 4th are his. Just underneath the articles, be sure to click on page 1 to see an additional 9.

Don't forget to check Take Great Pictures for Burden's most recent tips. On the home page, click on the "Photo Tips And Techniques" button in the left hand column. Additionally, check out his "Digital Tip of the Month" found by clicking on the Digital Photography button.

To learn more about this subject, join Burden on one of his photo tours.

Get the Job Done: Covering the National Brotherhood of Skiers Summit for third year in a row!

WINTER PARK -- I'm happy to share that Picture Your World Photography was hired to cover the National Brotherhood of Skiers 2010 Annual Meeting & Challenge Cup Mini Ski Summit in Winter Park!

This is the third consecutive year the studio won the contract for coverage of this event, and I'm blogging live from the media room at Winter Park Resort. With 69 clubs throughout the United States and United Kingdom, NBS members gather to raise funds for the NBS Olympic Scholarship Fund and recognize two-time Paralympian Ralph Green and former NBS Ski Team and Olympian Errol Kerr.

I started my coverage Tuesday night when I shot an exclusive Comedy Show with Cocoa Brown


Wednesday I shot the annual "Picnic on a Hill" luncheon which is basically a snow party right at the base of a ski slope! Several of the key NBS members were interviewed for a local radio and television stations, so I shot photos during the interview. I also got to take shots of members skiing down the mountain as well as others dancing and enjoying the luncheon. Lots of fun, for sure!

Here are some of my favorite photos from last year's event held in Aspen/Snowmass:

Picnic on the Hill 2009




It always fills me with pride when I run into people who remember me as the official photographer from last year. It makes me feel as though I'm definitely part of the team. Today, I will be covering the Challenge Cup races and tomorrow night, a pajama themed party. I've been driving back and forth from Denver to Winter Park to save money on housing since the drive is only about 90 minutes. I want to use the savings so I can do something I've been vowing to do since NBS members have been on my case about it: I'm going to take my first ever ski lesson! But I won't do it until all of my shooting duties are done on Saturday, you know, just in case I fall and hurt something and can no longer shoot the event!

Here's what I can expect from today's Challenge Cup Races:

Instructor's Tip: Achieving balance in composition

I hope you enjoy this week's "Instructor's Tip" by one of my favorite instructors, award winning nature photographer Russ Burden. To learn more about how Russ captured the above image, join him on one of his photo tours. Visit Russ Burden Photography to get more information.

Photo by Russ Burden
WEIGHTED TO THE LEFT

Photo by Russ Burden
BALANCED

BALANCE
My doctor tells me to eat a balanced diet. I do this to stay healthy - a good thing. Tightrope walkers depend on balance to make a living and stay alive - a very good thing. Photographically, I encourage you to achieve compositional balance before you press the shutter - a fabulous thing!

Balance in composition is important to make the image successful. If a photo is weighted too heavily on the top, bottom, left, or right, the viewer’s eye will fixate on that one area of the scene and have difficulty going to the others. The problem with this is the part where the viewer’s eye is not attracted is still part of the image making that section unimportant. This becomes wasted picture space yielding a picture that is not successful.

To achieve balance, key elements or focal points should be distributed within the image area. The balance may show symmetry from top to bottom or left to tight. Doing so makes for a more tranquil composition. If the balance is asymmetrical, one section of the image will appear heavier. The offsetting element in a different area of the image should be strong enough to draw the viewer to it. These images typically show more movement. Balance can be achieved using offsetting strong points of color, contrasting areas of light and shadow, size relationships, or other methods of including parts of the composition to draw the viewer to all parts of the image.

Take a class with Russ or a fellow Digital Photo Academy instructor in your area, check out the Digital Photo Academy. I took Russ' intermediate and advanced courses last year, and he continues to be a strong source of knowledge and encouragement as I progress in my photography.

Check out Burden's "How To Tips" featured on Outdoor Photographer's website. The seven that are dated February 4th are his. Just underneath the articles, be sure to click on page 1 to see an additional 9.

Don't forget to check Take Great Pictures for Burden's most recent tips. On the home page, click on the "Photo Tips And Techniques" button in the left hand column. Additionally, check out his "Digital Tip of the Month" found by clicking on the Digital Photography button.

To learn more about this subject, join Burden on one of his photo tours.