What Does Your Photography Mean to You?

One of the aspects of my workshops that I - and the participants - especially enjoy is when we get together as a group and I ask, "What does your photography mean to you?"

This is an interesting exercise, as some of the workshop participants have to think, carefully, for the first time, about the meaning of their photography.

So I'm asking you, "What does YOUR photography mean to you?" Post a comment below here on my blog so all can see. More important, in verbalizing your thoughts, you might gain some insight in the importance of your photography.

Here are some of the comments that were shared last year.

- An escape.
- A way of seeing more deeply.
- My social life.
- A way I write my history.
- Love and happiness.
- A happy accident.
- I have no choice. Freedom.
- Owning art.
- Back to my roots.
- Because of it I'm living today.
- Staying fresh.
- Art heals.
- I have to see with new eyes every day or else I'm nothing.
- I see better when I make art.
- Personal evolution.
- Living Legacy.
- Saved my life
- Let me be a kid again.

Again, I look forward to your comments. I always hear something new, and inspiring.

If you like stuff like this, you can subscribe to my blog here.

Explore the light,
Rick

This post is sponsored by BlackRapid - the fastest way to shoot.

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5 Ways to Become a Better Photographer

If you want to become a better photographer, I have five different options for you. Some are available in the comfort of your own home, others are available on location.

On-line: Check out my Kelby Training courses on Light and Composition - the two key ingredients that go into the making of a good photograph. The combo of both courses will help you see the light and compose carefully.

On your iPad or iPhone: I have 10 apps that cover dozens of different photographic techniques for indoor and outdoor shooting, in your home, on location and in a studio.

My photo workshops: If you like hands-on training – in photography, Lightroom and Photoshop – these workshops are for you. You'll get great photos, have a ton of fun and make new friends.

My seminars: Most of my seminars are free of charge or cost just a few bucks. Bring your questions. I am there to help.

Tough Love: One-on-one, on-line portfolio reviews.
I'll be upfront and honest with you.

I hope to meet up with you somewhere – on line or in person.

Explore the light,
Rick

This post is sponsored by BlackRapid - the fastest way to shoot.

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My Apps: Save on 2 and Get 2 For Free!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I have a lot of folks to thank . . . including my app developers. In celebration of the holidays, we are having some app sales:

27/4 Photo Buffet for the iPad - now $1.99. This all-in-one app with tons of tips that will make you make better pictures.

Social Media Marketing – now $4.99. My short course on how to build your business.

Also, two of my apps are free: Flying Flowers and Big Cats!

All my apps are listed on My Apps page. Check 'em out and learn at your own pace.

Happy Holidays,
Rick

Rick's List: Gear for Cowboy/Cowgirl Workshop

Planning on joining my Spearfish, South Dakota cowboy and cowgirl photography workshop, during which we'll also photograph the spectacular local scenery - which includes some of the best waterfalls I've seen? Here's a list of the gear I recommend.

This gear is for Canon shooters, but all shooters, of course, are welcome. Also, filter sizes will vary with your lenses.

Lenses: Wide for environmental portraits, tele for portraits and action shots.
Canon 17-40mm lens
Canon 24-105mm IS lens
Canon  70-200 f/4 IS lens
Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 IS lens

Speedlite: For portraits.
Canon 600EX-RT

Reflector/Diffuser Kit: For portraits.
Westcott 6 in 1 Kit

Tripod: For low-light shots.

HDR Plug-ins: For landscape photographs.
See my Plug-ins page

Filters: For scenery and waterfall photography.
Tiffen Polarizing
Tiffen 2 - 8 stop ND filter

You'll also need your laptop, card reader,
memory cards and chargers.

Any questions, give a call at 914 271 6132.

If you can't make a workshop, you take a virtual workshop
with me on line via one of my Kelby Training classes.

All my workshops are listed here.

If you like stuff like this, you can subscribe to my blog here.

Explore the light,
Rick

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Announcing National Black & White Friday

Removing the color from an image often results in a more compelling photograph.

We have all heard about Black Friday. Well, I am officially designating the day after Thanksgiving as National Black and White Friday. Hey, if someone can come up with National Talk Like a Pirate Day, I can come up with National Black and White Friday.

Here's how it works. On Friday, use Nik Silver Efex Pro to create your best black-and-white image. If you don't have this awesome plug-in, you can save 15% when you use this code – RSAMMON - upon check out from the Nik Web site.

Actually, that code is good for all Nik plug-ins. Check 'em out while you are on the site.

Important: you must imbed your name in the image, as I have done in the images you see here.

Send me a link - link only - to your image via email. I'll grab the image. All submissions must be received by midnight on Friday. Only one image per person.

I'll assemble my 10 favorite images into a special gallery here on my blog. Galleries, by the way, are a cool feature of a Squarespace web site.

I'll pick my favorite image and send that person, if he or she lives in the United Sates, a copy of my book, Exploring the Light.

In addition, my friends at Nik Software have donated three prizes:
• My choice for the best image gets the Complete Collection.
• My two runners-up images get to pick an individual Nik Software product.

You have the opportunity to share your creative image, and vision, with the world. I'll post the gallery in mid December.

But wait until Friday to create your black and white image. I'll have a special guest blogger who will give you some added inspiration.

For now, my top technical tip for using Nik Silver Efex Pro is to learn about the effects of different color filters on a black and white image. My top philosophical tip: follow your heart and create an image that you like, not what someone else may like.

Here's a photo tip for my cowboy image: The closer you are to the subject, the more intimate the photograph becomes.

I teach Photoshop, Lightroom and plug-ins on my workshops. Join one and awaken the artist within.

Come back on Friday!

If you like stuff like this, you can subscribe to my blog here.

Explore the light,
Rick 

P.S. Careful composition and a good exposure were important in the making of these two photographs. You can learn more about exposure and composition in my Kelby Training classes - 24/7. Check  out the classes on my On-line classes page.

Africa Workshop: "Sammon Sushi Savings"

Today's guest post is by my friend Andy Williams, a fellow photographer and sushi lover.

I just love Rick's post on "Photo Workshop vs. Photo Tour." Check it out before you sign up for a workshop.

At my workshops, you will come away exhausted, I promise! It's all photography, all the time. 

The best advice I can give workshop students is that when you're in a class or on a workshop, stick to the instructor like GLUE (another one of Rick's Sammonisms)! Ask questions, be in their face… that's what you are paying for :) 

Rick and I agree, there's one thing that we are at: we're not good mind readers!

OK, so how about a tip?  Here's one of my favorites. Just because the sun has gone down, it doesn't mean you put your camera away!  Here's a photo I took while on safari in South Africa this past June –  taken almost an hour past sunset at ISO 6400 on a Canon 5D Mark III. As the sun is gone, light is low –  and it's critically important to maintain a high shutter speed to capture sharp shots and action. This is something I'm always reminding my guests about, because everyone thinks that they must shoot at the lowest ISO possible.  

Not true. Be ready for anything, and do NOT be afraid to take the ISO up to 6400 or beyond.  Getting the shot is most important, and today's cameras have amazing high ISO capabilities. 

So what does the "Sammon Sushi Savings" have to do with this post? Well . . .

Rick and I recently met for Sushi and we were talking about photo workshops. We thumb-wrestled, and I lost! But my loss is your gain. Rick said that I had to give something to Rick Sammon Followers, so here it is: I'm leading a workshop in Kenya, February 2013 and there's one spot open. For Rick's followers, there's a special offer, right now, good only for a few days, $2000 off the tuition!

I hope to see you in Africa, or for sushi with Rick and yours truly.

Andy

This post sponsored by Perfectly Clear - super sharp photos with super low noise.

My Annual Thanksgiving Message: We Are a Part of Everyone We Meet

Here's my annual Thanksgiving post, which I've been posting for three years. If you have a comment on the topic of "We are a part of everyone we meet," please share it here with a Comment.

If you lost someone this year, or know someone who lost someone, you might find this well-known quote comforting: We are a part of everyone we meet.

Three years ago, late one December afternoon, my dad and I were sitting in his study. We were having a nice talk – and a nice time. I looked at him and thought: He looks so happy. The light is just right. I should take a picture - because it might be the last good picture I ever take of him. He was fading.

I thought about taking the picture for about 10 minutes, holding back some tears – thinking about what it would be like not to have him around, after having him around for 88 years - as my dad, and later on in life as the first-pass editor for most of my books. (He was a great editor.)

I finally asked him if I could take a shot. He said sure, with a smile and nod. He knew what I was thinking. I asked him to look out the window, and I took a single shot.

My dad, 91, died suddenly and peacefully and quickly on April 3, 2010. A few hours before, on the other side of the country, I had a dream about him: He had pushed his walker aside and was standing up straight. I had not dreamed about him for at least 20 years. Hummm....

Sure, I am very sad. I get waves of tears. I will miss him more than he probably ever realized. He was my dad, a very big part of my life – in fact, half the reason for my life. :-)

Those of you who know me know I enjoy quotes. Here is my favorite: "We are a part of everyone we meet." Want proof? My dad, Robert M. Sammon, Sr., was a photographer, getting me started, along with my mother, in photography with his cameras and basement darkroom. But more important, he was a good dad - which I try to be. Everyday. I am very glad we met.

You might want to keep that quote in mind when you meet people. I sure do. You may have more of an impact on someone than you realize. 

If you like stuff like this, you can subscribe to my blog here.

Explore the light,
Rick

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