See You At the California Photo Fest - I Hope!

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© Rick Sammon
I leave one week from today for the California Photo Fest - one of the coolest photo events of the year. The main reason for the coolness is that there are tons of photo opportunities, such as horses running on the beach. (What could be cooler?)

There is still time to sign up for the photo fun (non stop) and learning (with more than a dozen instructors) and dozens and dozens of programs (Lightroom, photography, lighting, and so on).

I hope to see you there - on the beach and in the classroom . . . and in the fantastic restaurants!

Explore the light,
Rick



Grey Skies Are Gonna Clear Up . . . with a few adjustments in Photoshop and Lightroom

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While going through some files looking for fisheye photos, I came across a picture I took at Machu Picchu on a very overcast and drab day, which is often the case in this awesome setting. The original image is below.


As always, I envisioned the end result, which is something that I recommend to all my workshop students.

With a few enhancements, I was able to turn the drab shot into a more fab shot.

The point of this post: don't let the weather get you down when you are shooting. In many cases, you can create a dramatic image from your Raw file when using Lighroom and Photoshop.

Speaking of fish-eye lens, check out this article I wrote: Can 1mm Make a Difference?

Here are the links to the 14mm and 15mm lenses I use:



Explore the light,
Rick

Photographing In Galapagos

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All images © Rick Sammon. All rights reserved.

A while back, one of our DPE podcast listeners asked us about photographing in Galapagos. We addressed her questions on the show, but here are some of my photos that illustrate a few of the tips that Juan and I shared.

For info on the gear I use, click on the links on this page.

Above: Always be ready for action. This short-ear owl grabbed this dove in a split second. Canon 100-400mm IS lens.


Above: Sure, bring your telephoto zoom lens, but don’t forget your wide-angle lens. You can get very close to the animals. Canon 15mm lens.


Above: Shoot eye-to-eye . . . rather than standing straight up and shooting like a tourist. Canon 17-40mm lens.


Above: Don’t always shoot eye-to-eye :-)  Get down to give the subject the feeling of power! Canon 15mm lens.


Above: Stick like glue to the guide. He or she can help you get great shots. Canon 100-400mm IS lens.


Above: Look for pictures that tell a story. Canon 17-40mm lens.


Enjoy the wildlife experience. It’s like no other on the planet! Canon 100-400mm IS lens.

You’ll find quick tips like this – and some Galapagos photographs – in my flagship app, Rick Sammon's 24/7 Photo Buffet.

Explore the Light,
Rick

Google+: Good. Clean. Fun.

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A friend of mine recently asked me, "Are you an expert on Google+?"

At the time, I replied no. I'm still no expert, but since then, I have tired to learn as much as possible about Google+ – because it's a must in the world of social media marketing.

Here is a wonderful source of info on Google+, written by Colby Brown. In addition to lots of great how-to info, Colby sets the record straight about the Terms of Service.

Condensing what I know about Google+:

It's good - good for growing your business, making contacts, sharing information.

It's clean - I just love the super clean design.

It's fun - I, and all my friends and associates, are having more fun on Google+ than on any other social media platform.

I will be talking about Google+ in the Business/Social Media segment of my creativeLive class. I hope to see you there!

Explore the light,
Rick

P.S. Here is my Google+ page.

Thank You Croton Creative Workshop Photographers

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Just a quick "thank you" to all the talented photographers who participated in my fall 2011 Croton Creative Workshop (one hour from NYC). You all did an amazing job. What's more, we had a blast!

Above is our group shot, taken at one of my favorite shooting locations, a nearby Buddhist temple. Below is a cool shot (taken by John Dutsar) of the Buddhist temple.


I also want to thank the Croton Fire Department for letting my group shoot in one of the firehouses. I took the photograph below to illustrate the technique: the closer you are to a subject, the more intimate the picture becomes. Here I used my Canon 15mm lens on my Canon 7D.


And below is our group shot with Tom "Tex" Dinkler, who helped coordinate our shoot at the firehouse. Thanks, Text!


During my Croton workshops, I make a BIG print of a student's image that I really like. Below: John Virgolino and I are holding a 24 x 53-inch print of the Buddhist temple that I made for him on my Canon IPF 6350 printer. Nice work, John . . . stitching together 21 images for this super pano!


Below is my own favorite shot from yesterday. Yes! We do studio work, too! Click here to read about it.


Below: Nice shots Ned (left) and Bryon (right)!



I hope to see you soon on another workshop. Croton Creative Students: If you have a web gallery, post it in the Comments here on my blog. I would love to see more of your pictures!

I am currently setting the dates for two 2012 Croton Creative Workshops.

To get on my mailing list, click here.

Explore the light,
Rick

P.S.


Of course we shoot at the New Croton Dam! Above is a wonderful image by Don Smith. I like the depth of this image. Below is a nice pano from Bernie Perry.