Embrace the Situation - or there's no such thing as bad weather or bad light for photograhers

October 15, 2011 in photo workshops

I'm still here at the California Photo Fest in Los Osos, CA. Last night, during the traditional horses-running-on-the-beach event, the weather started to go "bad." The fog rolled in, fast, and we "lost" the great light - which was similar to the light we had the night before.

Well, that's what some of the participants were saying. I said, "Embrace the situation - there is no such thing as bad light or bad weather for photographers."

The shot above was taken during the "bad" light. I kinda like the mood and drama of the image.

The shot below was taken with "good" light. Sure, I like this image, too. It has a much different feel - a warmer feel.

So my friends, embrace the situation - and all situations.

If you like photographing horses running on the beach, my next horses-running-on-the beach event is during my Florida Photo Caravan - which is one of eight events I have planned for 2012.

Explore the light,
Rick

Top Ten Reasons to Join Me Next Weekend on My creativeLive Class

October 15, 2011 in CreativeLive

Here are the top ten reasons to attend (on-line and world wide) my creativeLive class Oct 21-23, 2011.

To celebrate the event, my most popular apps are on super sale. Click here for info.

Okay, here we go with my Top Ten list:

Info Packed. Fun Filled. Business Chat. Lighting Lessons. Travel Tips. People Pictures. Wildlife Wonders. Speedlite Sessions. Pro Talk. Make pictures.

That’s the short of it.

Here’s the long of it:

#1 Info Packed

Photographers who attend my live seminars and workshops know that I am kinda hyper. (Kinda?) So, I will pack as much photo learning into these three days as possible.

#2 Fun Filled

My idea is to make learning fun! After all, that is why all of us got into photography in the first place. Right? BTW: If you think my cL class is fun and info pack, come on one of my workshops for some real hands-on photo fun.

#2 Speedlite Sessions

I’ll demonstrate the pro results photographers can get with a few affordable Speedlite accessories.

#4 Business Chat

Photography is a business – and today, social media makes doing business easier – if you know what you are doing. I’ll share with the audience what I have learned, and how photographers can use this info to grow their business.

Google+ will be a segment on my Business Chat segment.

#5 Light Lessons

It’s all about light: seeing the contrast range in the scene, the direction of light, the color of light and the quality of light. In my class, photographers will learn how to see – and control – the light. (If you can't wait for the lighting tips, you'll find some in my 24/7 Photo Buffet app and Light It! app. Click here.)

#6 Travel Tips

I travel to take pictures and I take pictures to travel. I’ll share both shooting and travel tips in my keynote presentations.

#7 People Pictures

“The camera looks both ways – in picturing the subject, you are also picturing a part of yourself.” My class drives home the meaning of this quote.

#8 Wildlife Wonders

When it comes to wildlife, I think butterflies are one of the real wonders. In the studio, I will share my favorite butterfly photo tips – which can be applied to all close-up subjects. We will actually photograph butterflies. BTW: If you like butterflies and like photographing butterflies, check out my app, Butterfly Wonders on my app page.

#9 Pro Talk

I interview three of today’s top pros: Catherine Hall, Hal Schmitt and David Ziser. Heed their advice.

#10 Make Pictures

In my class, we will make pictures, not just take pictures.

I hope to see you there!

Explore the light,

Rick

P.S. Hey, speaking of signing up, if you want to sign up for a November or December "Tough Love" portfolio review, now's the time. Spaces are filling up fast.

Friday's Fab Photographer: Mark Theriot

October 14, 2011 in Friday's Fab Photographer

Today's Friday's Fab Photographer - a regular feature here on my blog - is Mark Theriot.

Take it away, Mark!

Although I’ve been interested in photography my whole life, only within the last four years have I really rediscovered the passion. It’s not my day job - although I do generate an increasing amount of revenue from it – but it is what I love.

I’m a firm believer that continuous learning is key to everything I do, with photography being no exception. To this end, I started a small blog to document my learning – and hopefully help others along the way. It’s called the “Imperfect Photographer” for a reason, unless you are a very special person, you never reach true perfection, but you can work everyday to move ever closer to that ultimate target.

One of the keys to learning is to improve every single day, even if it’s only by a few inches! This is doubly true when it comes to nature and animal photography. In order to help with that, here are a few tips and tricks I’ve learned so far.

Action Photography Can Really Be Boring!

Patience is a virtue when it comes to animal photography, it’s not uncommon for me to literally spend hours waiting for something to happen – and when it does, you’ve got to act quickly because it can be over in minutes. If you’ve found the right spot with your scouting, give it time. I’ve included a few more tips in a recent blog post.

One Last Tip, Don’t Always Take A Picture!

It’s so easy to get caught up in our photography that we forget what’s around us. Take the time to enjoy what’s around you, and marvel – just for a little bit – of the wonders around you!

I look forward to “meeting” everyone on line!

Mark Theriot

· Email: imperfectphotog@me.com

· Twitter: marktheriot

· Google+: Mark Theriot

· Imperfect Photograher: http://imperfectphotographer.com/

· Image Gallery: http://theriotmedia.com/

Still Time to Save on My Most Popular Apps

October 14, 2011 in apps, iPad apps, iPhone Apps

Hey all.

In celebration of the California Photo Fest, as well as my creativeLive class, I am running a super apps sale.

Rick Sammon's 24/7 Photo Buffet for iPhone: reduced from $1.99 to 99¢
Rick Sammon's 24/7 Photo Buffet for iPad: reduced from $4.99 to $1.99
Rick Sammon's iHDR for iPad: reduced from $4.99 to $1.99
Rick Sammon's iHDR for Mac: reduced from $9.99 to $2.99.
Rick Sammon's Light It! is reduced from $4.99 to $2.99.

Click here to order from my app page.

I hope you enjoy my apps!

Explore the light,

Rick

Outline for my creativeLive Class: Free During the Class - about $6 an hour to purchase

October 12, 2011 in CreativeLive, apps, iPhone Apps

Here's the class outline for my upcoming cL class:

Exploring the Light.

I hope you can join the info-packed and fun-filled event. Sign up today!

It's free during the class, and only about $6 an hour ($99 divided by about 15 hours of training) to purchase. Kinda cool.

Day 1: Friday, October 21

9 am - Class (and fun) begin!

Welcome/Class Outline with Slides - and some photo tips, of course. Also, a walk through on the different lighting sets: Speedlites, Small Strobes, Small Constant Lights, Spiderlites, Indoor Available Light.

Setting Goals/Four Levels of Learning.

Rick’s Best Easy, Affordable and Totally Cool Speedlite Shots. Affordable is key here. Hey, if you have a Westscott Apollo and a speedlite you can "Shoot Along With Rick™."

-- Lunch --

Interview with David Ziser.

The Camera Looks Both Ways — People Photography. My best shots from around the world.

What Does Your Photography Mean to You? I want to hear from you during the class.

Speedlite Shooting Session. Another quick, affordable, cool tip.

BTW: If you like my speedlite tips, check out my 24/7 Photo Buffet app and Light It! app on my apps page. For hands on learning, join one of my Master Your Flash courses.

Day 2: Saturday, October 22

9 am - Class (and fun) begin!

Business of Photography/Self Promotion/Social Media Marketing. It's a business, ya know :-)

Continuous Lighting / Home Studio Part I: One light with accessories.

-- Lunch --

Interview with Hal “Bull” Schmitt. Topic: Fighter Pilot Lessons Applied to Photographers.

Continuous Lighting / Home Studio Part II: Three lights.

What Does Your Photography Mean to You? I want to hear from more of you during the class!

Speedlite Shooting Sessions. Another quick, affordable, cool tip.