Workshop Digital Diaries: San Miguel de Allende - Day 1

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It's the end of day #1 of my workshop here in San Miguel de Allende for Foto Workshops Mexico.

I was originally going to title this post, "So Few, So Many in San Miguel de Allende," because I have been to so few places where there are so many photo opportunities. This place is a photographer's paradise.

We spent most of the day making pictures, rather than simply taking pictures. Here are a few of my favorite shots - along with some tips.

Above: shoot at an angle to create a sense of depth in an image. Also, photograph subjects in the shade for soft, flattering and even lighting.


Are you loving the colors in this picturesque colonial city? To enhance the colors and details in a scene, check out the effects in Topaz Adjust. For info on Topaz Adjust, click here.


Above: our translator, Adriana Toledo, doubled as our model. When photographing a person, try to isolate the head so it does not get lost in the background.


Above: I used the Crisp effect in Topaz Adjust to add some detail and color to this beautiful street scene.To get max depth of field, use a wide-angle lens, select a small aperture, and focus 1/3 into the scene.


Above: Shoot an action shot as well as a portrait. Thanks Oscar for working with my workshop students. (Yes! Oscar, a local artist, knows about ZZ Top - and he also plays guitar.)


Above: Come on one of a workshop. Great fun making pictures! Lots of learning and sharing, of course.


Above, work with reflections, especially after it rains.

I hope to see you in San Miguel in 2012. Shoot me an email to get on my workshop list.

Explore the light,
Rick
P.S. What makes this San Miguel workshop special - and different - is that is run by folks who live in Mexico.


Mexico Photo Workshop and Seminar Set for June

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Photograph by Juan Jose Marquez
My friend Juan Jose Marquez and I are gearing up for my June Mexico seminar and workshop. My seminar will be held in Mexico City. The workshop will be held in San Miguel de Allende - one of the most picturesque and romantic places on the planet. We hope you can join the photo fun.

Speaking of fun, Juan Jose likes to have some fish-eye fun, as illustrated by the first two pictures in this post.

Photograph by Juan Jose Marquez
I like to use a fish-eye lens, too. Below is one of my favorite fish-eye shots, taken in San Miguel de Allende.

Photograph by Rick Sammon
Yes! During the workshop we will also be using other types of lenses. :-)

Below are two more of my San Miguel images. Both are HDR.

Photograph by Rick Sammon
Photograph by Rick Sammon
We both hope to see you in Mexico.
To see more of Juna Jose's work:

Explore the light,
Rick

P.S. During my last visit to San Miguel de Allende, I rented a red VW for the morning and used it as a prop in eight different locations. Good photo fun!

Inspirational Quotes: Get Inspired!

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This post wraps up my week-long posts on inspirational quotes and photographs. I hope you were and are inspired. 



These are screen grabs from the slide presentation I run before my seminars, which are packed with photo info.

Speaking of seminars, I am giving a seminar and running a workshop in Mexico in June.

We'll be shooting in picturesque San Miguel de Allende (above)


And I'll be speaking at the World Trade Center in Mexico City. The two pictures above are cut-and-past, just-for-fun images: the actual presentation room with a picture of me speaking inserted on stage and on the monitor.

Explore the light,
Rick

Canon 5D/7D San MIguel de Allende Diaries Post #6

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Today's early morning walk - up and out before the city woke up - yielded more cool shots - including this HDR shot: merged with Photomatix and enhanced with Topaz Adjust.

About 90 percent of our shots are HDR shots - which, naturally, have a much wider dynamic range than my shots from my trip here five years ago.

I think HDR stands for High Dynamic Rockin' images!

Click here for more info in HDR.

Explore the light,
Rick

Canon 5D/7D San Miguel de Allende Diaries #3

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Day #2 PM Today we made pictures, rather than take pictures. What fun! 

We encountered a police officer near a park who was dressed in a traditional uniform. A perfect subject for making a picture.

We asked him if we could take a few photographs, and he quickly said okay.

We had spotted the background earlier in the day - which was a block away from where we met the officer. We walked down the street together. When we got to the location, we directed the the officer to pose in different positions. We took a few pictures (we were shooting HDR) and then said farewell to our new friend  - promising to send a few photos.

When you are out in field, make pictures. Lots more fun than simply taking pictures.

This is an HDR shot compiled from three images. We asked the officer to stand perfectly still during the photo session. See! HDR can, indeed, work for people pictures, too.  

More on HDR at the Plugin Experience.

Explore the Light,
Rick

Canon 7D/5D Diaries from San Miguel de Allende #2

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Day #2: Walked the city for about four hours this morning. Met many artists who live here. It's quite an artistic city.

Tip #2: Awaken the artist within with Plug-ins. Many plug-ins let you alter the reality of a scene. When you alter the reality, your pictures can take on an artistic look - and feel. 

Here's another tip when shooting in a city: Get up and out before the city "wakes up," and be prepared to walk for a few hours. Comfortable shoes are needed. A map, too.

I used Topaz Adjust on these two pictures. In each picture, the colors, details and contrast was boosted.

More on plug-ins at the Plugin Experience.

Explore the Light,
Rick