An Aside: Local photography instructors in the news!

Photo Credit istockphoto.com

An article I wrote in today's Denver Post "Inside & Out" section features four local photography instructors! My editor thought it would be a great idea to write an article explaining to readers how to take better vacation photos. And since I'm the budding photog in the department, she thought I would have the perfect perspective to help demystify the process.

I turned to nature and people photographer Russ Burden, who's weekly photo tip appears on my blog on Mondays, Efrain Cruz, the director of Illuminate Workshops, Jeffrey Rupp, an instructor at the Denver Darkroom and Greg Cradick, executive director of the Working With Artists photography school and gallery. What I found interesting about these interviews was how each photographer was able to offer a specific piece of the photographic pie in an easily digestible format.

Get Out There: Critique This!

The Denver Darkroom has created a great opportunity for photographers in the Denver metro area to get feedback on their work. The school is holding it's first open "Critique This Thursday!" event. Everyone is welcome to attend this new bi-weekly event. Each critique will be led by one of the school's instructors or advanced students.

This week's critique is being led by Jefferey Rupp at 7 p.m. I will have to check my schedule, but I would like to attend this session. Learning to accept constructive criticism and understand how different people view your work can broaden your own photographic perspectives. Not everyone is going to love everything you do. Any opportunity you have to understand why an image "works" or "doesn't work" offers great insight and can improve your skills, even if you disagree with the critique itself.

I remember when I took Digital Photography class with the Darkroom, a course which was then being taught by Efrain Cruz before he started his own Illuminate Photography Workshop program. The final day of class included a "wine and cheese" critique of our best images by the Darkroom director Standish Lawder. Because I was so new and unsure of my own abilities, I remember being overly sensitive and having a hard time getting critiqued. Standish didn't like what I thought was one of my best images, and I was very upset and put-off by the critique. I took it personally, which is something you should never do during a critique.

It wasn't until later when I had calmed down that I could think clearly about what Standish had pinpointed as being problems with the image -- namely that a busy background was distracting and pulled away from the main subject. I kept looking at the image and trying to figure out how I could make it better. I even asked other instructors what they might suggest. During my first Photoshop class, I learned about "burning and dodging" to either darken or lighten an area of image. So I decided to "burn" out the background in the image. I wasn't entirely happy with the result, but I decided to turn it in for a Digital Photo Academy monthly assignment called "The Allure of Water."



Not only was that image chosen for that month's assignment winner, but it will also be a part of a 20-city exhibition DPA is hosting throughout the country beginning next month. If Standish hadn't told the truth about how he saw my image, I would never have been able to perfect it.

So, if you are in the area, drop by the critique at the Denver Darkroom on Thursday. If you can check your sensitivity at the door, you are bound to come away with some great recommendations for making your work standout.

Get the Goods: My Holiday Wish List

Hope never dies. At least that must be the thing that's driving my holiday wish list, because Lord knows I can't afford anything on this list right now ;) But if Santa were in a giving mood, here's what I would be asking for:



PHOTOGRAPHY CLASSES: The educational opportunities to improve my photography skills seem almost endless in this wonderful creative age of digital technology. I am still loving every new technique I'm learning in Photoshop and have yet to truly begin my Lightroom studies. High on my wish list is classes with Illuminate Photography Workshop, Denver Darkroom and Digital Photo Academy, all of which have contributed to the solid foundation in photography I have gained over the past year.



GEAR: The Canon 24-70 2.8 is the missing tool in my gear bag. I've got the wide angles covered with my Canon 16-35 2.8 as well as the long distance shooting with a 70-200 2.8. All are great lenses to use in poor or low light situations, which seems to be the majority of situations I and other photogs find themselves in! The 24-70 would be a great everyday, mid-range lens to add to my photographic arsenal. The trouble is this though: I'm having a hard time finding one locally and all the ones I see online are for sale. That usually means a new similar lens is probably either in production or just about ready to be released!



NATURE PHOTO TOUR with Russ Burden Photography. Last week I posted about taking more time out to shoot for fun and experimentation. It's easy to get overwhelmed with the business aspects of your studio, trying to satisfy clients and keep a constant stream of income. You can lose focus of the simple joys and wonders of photography. Since my business specializes in people, events and portraiture, I shoot landscapes and cityscapes for fun. What's great about a tour with Russ is that he takes you to some truly unforgettable locations in national parks such as Yellowstone and Bryce Canyon. His knowledge of these sites (including the best times to shoot and the wild life you will encounter) combined with his passion and experience as a professional photographer makes for a great adventure.



SCRIM JIM: I have been coveting the Westcott 72 x 72" Scrim Jim Standard Kit ever since I saw photographers featured in the Photovision Educational DVDs using them in studio and location shoots. I have one of those 5-1 circular reflectors with a stand to hold it, but the stand always seems to keel over unless I use a sandbag (or an assistant) to hold it steady. The Scrim Jim diffusion and reflection system is collapsible and stands on its own because of a lightweight framing system, but is durable enough to withstand strong winds.



ROLLING CAMERA BAG: Either I'm getting old and back more worn out or my camera bag is just too darn heavy. Every new piece of equipment makes my old Tamron camera bag harder and harder to lug around. When I saw other photographers gracefully rolling their camera bags while we were shooting the holiday lights in Denver, I could barely stop salivating. I've got my eye on the M-Rock 524 McKinley Rolling Backpack. It comes with a telescope handle, large wheels and room for my 17-inch Mac Book Pro. It's not cheap, but it will save me sore back and arm muscles!

SOFTWARE: For the last month, I've been trying out free downloads of onOne Software Photoshop plugins, and I've fallen in love. They solve common and often time consuming photographic issues such as masking, enlarging and color correcting, but what I've really enjoyed playing around with is the professional effects and actions you get from award winning photogs like Kevin Kubota. It's easy to layer one affect on top of another for customized looks. I've only recently gotten into layers and using frames and edges to enhance images too. The Professional Photographers of America association gave all of its new members the Photo Toolbox CD as a free gift from Graphic Authority featuring frames, edges, brushes and drop and drag templates for cool affects.




And if I can't get any of this (at least anytime soon) then I will pray and hope for good light because that is still the essence of great photographer, and it's completely free if you know how to use it! Happy Holidays everyone!

Get the Job Done: Anne is Back!

A very cool thing happened to me this morning. I got a message from a very talented model asking me if we could get together to take more photos of her to help build our portfolios. Even though she says she's not a model and she only likes to pretend to be after a glass of wine to tame her shyness, I completely disagree! Anne Filler takes some amazing shots, and having her ask me to shoot her is a great honor.



I met Anne last year during one of my first digital photography classes at the Denver Darkroom with instructor Efrain Cruz, who is now director of Illuminate Photography Workshops. Efrain always ended his classes with an opportunity to shoot a model in studio, and Anne was one of ladies who came up from Colorado Springs to model for us. I will always remember this particular shoot because it was the first time when I really felt brave enough to pose the model myself. Anne was open for pretty much anything, and I had an idea of standing up on a ladder and shooting her from below.



"Look up at me as if you are sultry siren and you are coming to get me!" I said. Yeah, yeah, go ahead and laugh because even I can admit that was extremely cheesy. But look at this amazing shot! It's one of my favorites and is one of the most popular shots on my website. Anne is a dear, and I can't wait to shoot with her again. What's her big idea: "an edgier lingerie shoot with some paint poured all over me!" Bet you wish you could be my assistant for that shoot, don'tcha?!

This Weekend: Editing Dragon Boat Festival Images

This weekend, I will be finishing up the editing of my Colorado Dragon Boat Festival shots. Kit Williams, the festival photo coordinator, is a celebrated portrait photographer and she was very fun to work with. Because I joined the voluteer shooting team from the Denver Darkroom so late, most of the assignments covering the boat races themselves were already assigned. So Kit told asked me to concentrate on the details that seem to get lost in this kind of event coverage -- namely, shots of families enjoying their quality time together, the voluteers and sponsor booths, the police and paramedics on hand to help, and the crowds of people cheering the racers on.



Kit explained that it was easy for photographers to get caught up in the action shots, either of the boats racing or the special performances taking place in some of the tents. But there were other things going on throughout the day that were equally just as important, and she wanted me to use some of my journalistic photos to tell the "story of the day." I shot people vying for shade under the trees or drenching themselves in the "Misting Tent" to emphasize how incredibly hot it was outside. I loved photographing children getting their faces and arms painted with Chinese symbols. And one of my favorite shots of the day was of a woman waving both an American and Phillippines flag, displaying the unity and heritage inherent in this Asian cultural festival.



I passed out a ton of business cards, especially to those people I took candid shots of, and someone asked if I could shoot a Quinceañera! I hope this four hour shoot will net some new clients for me.

This Weekend: Photographing the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival

Photo Credit CDBF

On Sunday, I will be a volunteer photographer covering Colorado's Dragon Boat Festival. This will be the first time I attend the 8th annual event, and I can't wait to photograph all the vibrant colors and movement inherent in this cultural fest. A festival coordinator asked the Denver Darkroom for photo volunteers to commit to a four hour time slot. I have been assigned to take pictures of the marketplace/food venders and sponsors from noon until 2 p.m., but I will definitely stay longer, especially since I need to check in at 9.

This is definitely an example about one of the many things I love about the Denver Darkroom. It's not only a place to take photography classes, but it also provides wonderful opportunities for its students to practice their new skills.

Illustration by Patrick Spikes

Plus, it's a great opportunity for me to hand out business cards and try to sell some of the images I've captured. I will create a specific online viewing gallery for this event and sell 4x6s for $5 and 8X10s for $10. Granted, some would argue that getting assigned to the boat races might be more fun and entertaining. But I think working alongside the vendors has a better chance for future business partnerships because those vendors will likely want to purchase images for their portfolios, or they might need my services for future events.

Get the Job Done: Third Place "Best of Show" (A Case for Always Matting Your Images)

Jeffrey Rupp, the Denver Darkroom Exhibitions Director, just called to tell me that the image above won Third Place for "Best of Show" in the upcoming gallery showing Friday night. But, he told me that judges said it was hands down the best image entered and would have taken First Place if I had matted my entry!

Looks like my gamble on the artistic nude shots paid off! But as with everything, Jeff said these student gallery showings hosted by the Denver Darkroom are learning tools. To that end, it's always best to never allow your photo to "touch glass" because it causes the photo to curl and "start looking nasty" as, Jeff put it. I haven't seen the image yet, but Jeff says I will notice the difference and the noticeable decay of the image right away -- and he's only had the photos for a week.

I have a couple of days to either get a larger frame and mat for the original 20X30 print or reuse the 11x14 mat and frame I kept from a previous entry. The show is on Friday, wish me luck and sales!

Get Out There: Images Submitted for Public Gallery Showing

On Saturday, I submitted four images to possibly be included in a public gallery showing. The Denver Darkroom where I took my first digital photography course not only teaches people how to create pieces of art, but it's also very instrumental in finding ways to showcase and sell students' work throughout the community. I blogged about the school's first student exhibit at a local restaurant. Students' photographs will be displayed and sold again during an exhibit being held at Arts on 7th complex next month.

One entire section will be devoted to Denver Darkroom students, and since this is a one-night showing, everything will be priced to sell. Jeffrey Rupp, the Darkroom's exhibits director, said the pieces I chose to enter were daring and he can't wait to see how people are going to react. I have to admit, the images I chose showcase a new side of my photographic talents, namely those artistic nude and boudoir shots that my clients have been clamouring for. Rupp said that if I ever wanted to take a risk in my photography, now is the time to do it in these less formal exhibits.

So I went BIG....meaning I printed out huge 20x30 poster sizes of the images you see throughout this post. The photos caused quite a stir when they were printed at Wolf Camera, as the staff and customers stopped whatever they were doing to see them as they came fresh and hot off the printer. "I love printing good photos!" said the head print technician. She actually came out of her office and helped me frame them. I'm hoping that initial response will bode well for potential sales. And since I got to submit four, I went ahead and added my signature shot of Teri and her daughter Avery because it is one of my personal favs.

As usual, I had problems deciding how to price the photos, so I went with a friend's suggestion to multiply the cost of the print and frame and multiply it by 3 (to cover the costs, make a profit for printing and framing a third image, and put money away for savings). I decided to charge $150 (the $30 for the poster-size print plus the $20 for the frame multiplied by 3) for each one. I feel comfortable with that, since the suggested pricing range for the exhibit was $75 to $250. Maybe it's still too low, but I'm hoping for a quick sale. I need some cash for more classes!

Get the Goods: Studio Business Management Course

Efrain Cruz, one of my favorite instructors, has left his position as Operations Manager at the Denver Darkroom to begin his own photography school, Illuminate Photography Workshops. The new school will offer workshops, classes and clinics on Digital Photography, Studio Lighting, Photoshop and the Business of Photography for photographers of all skill levels.

Efrain's departure is a terrible loss for the Denver Darkroom, but I'm very proud of his new endeavor. I actually found out about his new goals when we bumped into each other last month at a South Metro Denver Small Business Development Center workshop on starting a home business. He truly listens to his students to discover what they need to progress. When he asked me what kind of classes would be helpful in bolstering my photography career, I told him I could use some direction from a professional photographer on how to run a studio or business. Being a great photographer involves one set of skills, but not necessarily those that are needed to be a good business owner or entreprenuer. I needed to learn how to create a solid business plan for potential lenders, keep records and books, and market myself.

Efrain wrote everything I said down in a his little notebook....and the next thing I know, he's offering a "Managing Your Photography Business: Passion + Profits" course -- an offering I haven't seen in any other local photography schools' programming.

I often tell people how Efrain's unfailing confidence in my ability to succeed was the reason why I am a photographer now. You see, Efrain was the instructor of my first Digital Photography course taken at the Denver Darkroom. I was so overwhelmed and intimidated with all the information that was thrown at me that I told Efrain I wasn't sure I was coming back. I feared I would never be able to learn as fast as the other students who clearly had had experience in digital photography before. Their ability to effortlessly speak the lingo with Efrain during that first class scared the heck outta me. I went home that night and had nightmares...as if my mind still couldn't figure out what aperture meant!

What I remember most about Efrain was his calm response when he told me that I should come back to class, that I WOULD get the hang of it, that he could already see that I had the energy and excitement that would pull me through. And he said all that after only spending those first few hours with me in class when I know I had a strong "deer caught in the headlights" glare in my eyes. He saw something in me, and if he did, then I had to be brave enough to at least try too. And throughout the month long course, I held on to every push Efrain gave me, every statement he made in class about my growth. He even said I was brave once for having the nerve to get under a Jeep and take some macro shots of the transfer case with my brand spanking new $1000 Rebel XTi! At the end of the course when my self-portrait was voted as one of three finalists for "Photo of the Month," I knew I was onto something if I just had the faith to believe and the courage to keep getting educated. (see the photo below).



Thank you Efrain, for being my lighthouse in an internal storm of insecurity. And I wish you luck in your business!