You Save While I Shoot in NYC

October 26, 2011 in Nik Software, Photomatix, Plus ins, Topaz Adjust

I'm off to shoot and teach at Photo Plus in NYC this weekend.

While I am shooting, you can save a few bucks on plug-ins!

Nik Software's Color Efex Pro & HDR Efex Pro - Save 15%

Save 15% if you use this code – RSAMMON – upon check-out on the Nik web site. Actually, you can save 15% on all Nik plug-ins - including Color Efex Pro! Just use the same code. Note: You must use the United States web site.

Photomatix - Save 15%
The image above was created with Photomatix. You can save 15% when you order Photomatix by using this code: ricksammon. Here is a short movie to get you started with Photomatix Pro.

Perfect Photo Suite - Save 10%
Save 10% on all the plug-ins in onOne's software's Photo Suite 6: Perfect Portrait, Perfect Layers, Perfect Effects, Perfect Masks, Photo Essentials4. Just use this code upon checkout: RSAMMON.

Topaz Adjust - save a bundle when you order a bundle

Topaz Adjust is just too cool. Above I used the Spicify Effect. Click here to order Topaz Adjust. Hey, save a bundle when you order a Topaz bundle.

Topaz B&W Effects - bundle it with Topaz Adjust
Click here to read about it!

Nik Silver Efex Pro - Save 15%
Save 15% when you use this code - RSAMMON - upon check-out on the Nik web site.

Explore the light,

Rick

Catch Me at Photo Plus Expo in NY This Weekend - Even if you live in Pago Pago

October 25, 2011 in : Canon 5D Mark II, PPE, Photo Plus Expo, SmugMug

I'm preparing for Photo Plus Expo this weekend. You can catch at least one of my talk at the Canon booth . . . even if you live in Pago Pago - as Canon will be streaming the presentations from its main stage. I will have the honor of sharing the stage and Speedlite booth with several other Canon Explorers of Light.

My Canon talks:
Speedlites - 1 PM Thursday
Speedlites - 10 AM Saturday
Main Stage - 1:45 PM Satruday

I'll also be at the SmugMug booth, where Andy Williams and I will be taking your questions for the DPE Podcast! Hey! You can save 20% on a SmugMug account when you use this code: RickSmug20.

SmugMug/DPE Q&A:
Thursday 11 AM
Friday 3 PM

I'll also be doing a quick demo at the Westcott booth. My favorite Westcott produce is the Westcott Apollo softbox.

Westcott Presentation:
3 PM Thursday

Want to get into HD videos with you Canon 5D Mark II and Canon 7D? Juan Pons and I have a DVD for you.. which will be on sale at the show for $39.95! Swing by the Photoshop Cafe booth.

I'll also be hanging around the HONL, Nik Software and Lowepro booths.

Catch me at the show and say hi!

Explore the light,
Rick

Explore the Light in the Sunshine State on My Florida Photo Caravan

October 24, 2011 in Florida Photo Workhops

St. John's Pier, St. Augustine, Florida - in HDR. See the heart?

Join the fun on my second Florida Photo Caravan. It's a traveling, photographic educational experience starting in historic St. Augustine and ending in Miami’s exciting South Beach. On the road, we stop, and shoot, in Merritt Island and Delray Beach.

Dates: January 21 to 28, 2012.

This digital photography workshop will be action-packed with photo opportunities, digital darkroom info, and, of course, fun! With such a small group, you’ll have a great opportunity to learn through personal attention.

Here’s how it works: You drive. You book your own hotel rooms (we will recommend the group hotel). You pay for your own meals. We provide photographic instruction and guidance. And, we arrange shooting locations, meeting times, conference rooms, restaurants, etc.

Old Town in St. Augustine is a cool Town.

You'll need HDR Efex or Photomatix for HDR. Discounts here. You can also order Topaz adjust on that page, which will add to your photo creativity.

Workshop fee: $900.

We are limiting this Photo Caravan to 10 participants. Spaces go fast!

For information and an application: e-mail susansammon@me.com; or call 914-271-6132.

Tentative Schedule – Subject to Change

Saturday, January 21
PM Arrive in St. Augustine (Hilton Garden Inn)

PM Welcome Dinner at the Sunset Grill

We shoot before dawn - so you snooze you lose!

Sunday, January 22

- Shoot in St. Augustine: Sunrise shoot - Horses running on the beach

- Old Town Shoot

- Download/Photoshop, etc.

- Group lunch and dinner if you want to join the fun.

Before and after HDR.

Monday, January 23

- Second Sunrise shoot in St. Augustine. St. John's Pier

- On-location lighting – flash, reflectors, diffusers

- Check out and drive to Merritt Island (Fairfield Inn andSuites, Titusville, FL)

Bring your tripod and telephoto lens.

- Afternoon shoot at Merritt Island.

- Group lunch and dinner if you want to join the fun

Bring your tripod and wide-angle lens.

Tuesday, January 24
AM

- Sunrise shoot in Merritt Island

- Bird photography

- Drive to Delray - meet for street photography walk.

HDR Rocks in the Colony Hotel in Delray.

Wednesday, January 25

- HDR Shoot in Delray

PM
- Model Shoot

- Download/Photoshop, etc.

- Group lunch and dinner if you want to join the fun

We'll have models, too.

Thursday, January 26

- Sunrise shoot in Delray Beach – people/reflectors/diffusers/flash

- Check out and drive to South Beach (Blue Moon Hotel)
- Art Deco Hotel Shoot

You'll love the art deco lifeguard stands.

Friday, January 27

- Sunrise Shoot in South Beach
- Model Shoot

- Download/Photoshop, etc.

- Late afternoon/night shoot

- Group lunch and dinner if you want to join the fun.

Saturday, January 28

Bring your walking shoes. Lots to shoot!

- Sunrise shoot in South Beach
- Model Photography

- Final download/Photoshop, etc. – and group slide show

- Farewell dinner. Workshop ends.

Sunday, January 29th
Depart.

Hope you can join the photo fun!

Best,

Rick

Learn Digital in Delray

October 24, 2011 in Delray Beach, Delray Beach Photo Workshops, Digital Photography, googleplex. HDR photography

I am happy to announce the launch of my Digital Delray Days – a series of one-day, fast-paced and fun-filled digital photograph workshops in beautiful Delray Beach, Florida.

• Dates: January 30, January 31 and February 2, 2012. (These sessions will be held after my Florida Photo Caravan.)

• I'll be giving a free lecture on the evening of January 30th. Place and time TBD.

• Each session is one day long: 8 AM to Noon and 1 to 5 PM. The same workshop will be given each day. (Hang out after the workshops for happy hour!)

• I'll be your photography and Photoshop instructor.

• The groups are limited to 8 – for up-close and personal shooting and training with me.

• I'll teach HDR, model, street, outdoor, flash, reflector/diffusers, and beach photography. Yes. You will leave the workshop with a very good understanding of your flash.

• In December, I will review your portfolio on line and give you feedback. I'll need a link.

• We'll have a digital darkroom session, so you'll see how to enhance your images. I will offer some tips, tricks and techniques.

• Cost is $149 and includes: Workshop fee and a copy of two of my books: Exploring the Light and Field Guide to Digital Photography.

• All meals, hotel and transportation are on your own.

• We'll be based at the Colony Hotel in Delray.

• Skill level: All... but you must know how to find your pictures on your laptop.

You'll need:
• Your camera, lenses and flash.
• Tripod.
• Laptop with card reader.
• Loaded on your laptop (in addition to Lightroom, Photoshop or Photoshop Elements): Photomatix or HDR Efex Pro. Also: Topaz Adjust. For a discount on Photomatix and HDR Efex Pro, see my Creative Plug-ins page.

To learn about HDR photography, check out my iHDR iPad app.

I hope you can join the photo fun in Delray.

If you have any questions, shoot me an email.

For an application, email Susan Sammon.

Explore the light,
Rick

P.S. Here is a behind-the-scenes shot taken in the room where I took the opening pictures for this post. Ahhhhh, the wonders of HDR photography!