Reflectors Rocked On My Panama Photo Workshop

Just back from my Panama Photo Workshop. Tons of photo fun! Check out this before-and-after example of the effectiveness of using a single gold reflector. Nuf said.

Check out this behind-the-scenes shot of some of my workshop students (now my good friends) using a reflector to control the light. Nuf said. In this photo, the student (the colonel . . . we all had nicknames) had not yet found the ideal position in which to hold the reflector.

Here is another example of how using a reflector can enhance a photograph. Yup! Nuf said.

Here is the behind-the-scenes view of the "Kuna woman in the window" image.

We were using a Westcott 6-in-1 reflector/diffuser kit, which features:
• a gold reflector, for warm light;
• a sunlight reflector, for a sunlight effect;
• a silver reflector, for a natural light effect;
• two diffusers, to diffuse the light; and
• a black light absorber, to reduce the light.

Info: Westcott 1032 6-in-1 Reflector Kit 42in.

Above is an example of using a reflector and a diffuser in combo.

Some of the students had Pocket Wizards, which are great for off-camera flash photography.

Info:Pocket Wizard FlexTT5 Transceiver For Canon TTL Flashes and Digital SLR Cameras.

Hey! The photo and reflector fun did not stop when the sun went down! One night, after happy hour, we bounced the light from our flashes into a reflector. This technique increased the size of the light source for a soft and pleasing lighting effect.

All of these pictures were taken in the San Blas Islands, Panama. I'd like to thank all the Kuna men and woman who graciously posed for us during our workshop.

And, I'd also like to thank the students. What a great group!! One of my expressions: "The closer you get to the equator, the weather gets warmer . . . and so do the people."

And . . . . I'd really like to thank Tito Herrera, the director of the Panama Photo Workshops (the dude holding the reflector) and his wife, Jamie, for setting up the workshop.

All of my photographs were taken with my Canon 5D Mark II and Canon 24-105mm lens. Info: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras

Explore the light - and please join me on one of my fun-filled and info-packed photo workshops. I'll be back in Panama for the 2012 Panama Photo Festival. Stay tuned!

At Photoshop World in Orlando, I'll be doing a Canon Speedlite session. Hope you can join the fun!

For more lighting tips, see my Light It! app.

You'll also find lighting info in my books.

Best,
Rick

My Three Definitions of HDR

Most photographers know High Dynamic Range photography as HDR.
Well, I have two more definitions:

1) High depth range, because your HDR images can have a greater sense of depth.

2) High do-it-yourself rockin' images - because you can create image that really rock!

This is one of my favorite images from the San Blas Islands, the site of my recent (like yesterday) Panama Photo Workshop.

To learn about HDR plug-ins, and to save a few bucks on Nik Software's HDR Efex Pro and Photomatix, click here.

Explore the light,
Rick

P.S. My HDR app with Dr. Dave Wilson is on the way! Until then, if you want to learn about HDR, check out my book:

Photos and Tips to Come From My Panama Photo Workshop

Kuna Woman. © Rick Sammon Tip: Place the subject off center for a more interesting image. Info. Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 17- 40mm lens.

I just returned to Panama City from the beautiful (and humble) San Blas Islands, where I conducted a photo workshop (fun shop) for the Panama Photo Workshops. Tito Herrera, the founder of the Panama Photo Workshops, was the co-leader of this way-cool experience. Above is one of my favorite photographs from the trip.

Over the next few days I will be posting images, including some HDR images, from the trip. Here are just a few for now.

Our happy group after happy hour on our last day in San Blas.

Photo workshops are a ton of fun! Non-stop action and creativity.

I think these folks wish they had signed up for the workshop. :-)

Here is one of the shots we worked on. © Rick Sammon Tip: Just don't take pictures, make pictures. Info. Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 24-105mm IS lens.

Be My Guest Monday 1/10/11: Rob Knight Shares Thoughts on Guides and Costa Rica

It's "Be My Guest Monday," the day of the week that's turned over to a talented guest blogger for a quick tip, trick or technique

Today's guest: Rob Knight

Tip: A great guide can make a big difference in your travel photography.

First five Costa Rica photographs by Rob Knight; last three Costa Rica photographs by Rick Sammon.

Take it away Rob!

• • • 

It’s easier than ever for a photographer to research a new location before taking a trip. You can search for a location by name on SmugMug and see the shots others have made there. You can use Google, message boards, iPad apps and more to find out endless information about when and where to shoot. All of these things are handy to get a feel for the types of photos you may want to make when you travel, but they are no substitute for a good local guide.

An experienced local guide will not only take you to the typical places to photograph, but he can show you things you didn’t even know to ask about. Tell your guide what types of  subjects you want to shoot and he can recommend locations for you. Chances are, he can give you access to places and events that most tourists wouldn’t get. He can tell you the best place to shoot the sunrise or sunset, and the overcrowded spots to avoid. A good guide can also tell you about the history and culture of a new location. For me, this adds another dimension to my travels and shapes the way I photograph a place. 

When you’re shooting wildlife it is practically essential to have a guide that knows where to find the animals and the best times to look for them. Someone familiar with the local wildlife can often point out animals that you would not even see. My friend Enrique in Costa Rica can see a 6” long, leaf-colored Eyelash Pit Viper in the jungle from 20 feet away... and he found three of them! My group would have walked right by these beautiful snakes if we had not had an experienced guide.

There are a few ways to find a good local guide. I have had good luck using the guides recommended by the hotel or lodge where I will be staying. If you have friends that have visited the area you’re traveling to, ask them to recommend someone. You can try searching online using Google or even sites like TripAdvisor.com. You will usually want to arrange for a guide before your trip because the best guides are usually booked in advance.

You may want to avoid large guided tours that are not photography related. They are usually less flexible because they have to cater to a larger variety of people and interests. Larger tours generally stick to the more popular tourist sites, so you probably won’t get a lot of unique photo opportunities. You may have fun and learn a lot, but you might not have the chance for good photo ops.

One way to be assured of good guide service and lots of photo ops is to attend a photography workshop in a place you want to travel to. A good workshop includes an experienced guide (sometimes a photographer familiar with the area) and is geared toward providing photo opportunities beyond the usual tourist routes. A photo workshop gives you the advantages of an experienced guide and the benefit of tips and techniques to help improve your photography.

Rick Sammon and I are leading the second annual Arenal Eco Adventure Photography Workshop in Monterrey, Costa Rica (near the Arenal Volcano) next September. I had a great trip last September, and a big part of my success was my friend and guide Enrique Molena. This area of Costa Rica has such a wide variety of subjects to shoot and Enrique makes sure we don’t miss a thing. In this one week you will be shooting landscapes, wildlife, portraits, a parade, and much more! 

For more information about this unique, all-inclusive workshop, contact Rick at ricksammon@me.com or visit RobKnightPhotography.com.

 • • • 

Thank you Rob for a great post. Costa Rica will be blast!

Explore the light, 

Rick

P.S. Planning a photo tour or workshop this year? This book may help! Click here to order.

HDR iPad App In The Works

Dr. Dave Wilson, co-created of my flagship app, Rick Sammon's 24/7 Photo Buffet, and I are having a ton of fun working on a HDR app: Rick Sammon's HDR Portfolio (working title). 

The app will feature some of my favorite HDR images (San Miguel de Allende cathedral pictured above) . . . 

 

Screen grabs showing the original set of images . . .

 

The average exposure for a scene . . . and: location, processing method, exposure information and a HDR and/or a photography tip. 

The app is due for release in the Spring!

Stay tuned!

Explore the light,

Rick

P.S. The app is designed to give photographers ideas for creating rockin' HDR images.

If you want technical how info, check out my HDR book, Rick Sammon's HDR Secrets for Digital Photographers.