Announcing Digital Delray Imaging 2015

I've been photographing in Delray Beach, Florida for more than 10 years – yet it is still one of my favorite workshop locations. I love photographing in the Historic Colony Beach Hotel, on the "Ave," at the beach, at nearby Butterfly World and at Wakadahatchee Wetlands.

I am returning to Delray in 2015 to run a Digital Imaging workshop: January 30 - Feb 1 

The workshop fee is $600. We'll only have 10 students on each workshop - so everyone gets personal attention.

In Delray I'll be teaching HDR, low-light shooting, model photography, daylight fill-in flash - and processing images in Photoshop and Lightroom. I'll also teach Photomatix and Nik Plug-ins.

We'll have our end-of workshop group side show/critique at the Colony Hotel.

At Butterfly World, where I took many of the photographs for my butterfly book and butterfly apps, I'll be teaching close-up and macro photography and daylight fill-in flash, as well as natural light photography.

Our small group will  have the opportunity to photograph South Florida's most popular birds at Wakadahatchee Wetlands.

We are also working on a horse photography event for the group.

What's more, there are plenty of great places to eat in Delray. We'll continue the photo learning and fun at group dinners (optional).

I hope to see you in Delray!

Shoot me an email to get on the info list for this info-pack and fun-filled workshop.

While I am in Delray I am also giving private lessons - shooting, Photoshop and portfolio reviews. Cost is $150 an hour.

 Click here to read some comments from past Rick Sammon workshop participants.

Explore the light,
Rick

Start Building an Awesome Web Site with Squarespace

As readers of my blog know, I switched my site to Squarespace about a year and a half ago - for a much cleaner looking, all-in-one, do-it-yourself web site.

You can read about why I made this switch in this post: 7 Reasons to Switch to Squarespace.

If you have some time, take advantage of a free trial and start building your own awesome web site. 

One of the newer photographer-oriented features is a free iPhone and iPad app - which is an awesome way to share your images with others. You got the word "free," right?

Now, there is yet another reason to switch to Squarspace: $. Recently, Squarespace  announced the availability of a much-awaited Commerce platform. With over 20 new features, Squarespace Commerce lets you easily add store pages to their website and start selling products – both physical and digital – immediately. You can read more about this cool feature here.

So what are you waiting for? 

Explore the light,
Rick

It's Travel Destination Thursday. Today: Fez Tannery, Morocco

Starting today . . . Every Thursday I will post a favorite picture, or pair of pictures, from one of my favorite travel locations - along with some photo tips. If you have been to the location, add a tip or comment in the Comments section.

This week: Fez Tannery, Morocco.

Photo tips:
• Shoot from the roof, where you'll find the best shooting location, along with a gift shop.
• Shoot at an angle to create a sense of depth in your photograph. In the photograph on the left, notice how the vats go from corner to corner, which creates a more interesting image than the image on the right, where the vats basically go up and down in the frame.
• RAW files need sharpening. I sharpened the photograph on the left. I also increased the contrast.
• Don't over-saturate areas of an image. If you do, you can lose detail in those areas.
• Compose carefully - here I used the "rule of odds" (three men) to add interest to the image.
• Check your aperture. Here I used a small aperture to get the entire scene in focus - which is how it looked to my eyes.

Recommended gear: 24-105mm IS lens or 70-200mm lens.

Here is a link to a 2001 column I wrote for the Associated Press. Kinda old, but still good info.

Enjoy travel photography? Check out my digital photography workshops.

For more travel and photo tips, subscribe to my blog.

Can't make a workshop, travel and learn virtually via my KelbyOne classes.

Explore the light,
Rick

Find the best light for your photographs and videos - anywhere on the planet - with my Photo Sun Dial app.

For the iPhone and iPad.

Traveling by Plane and the Art of Packing

Photography is an art. So is packing your carry-on bags – because you want ALL your important camera gear with you in the cabin, if at all possible.

Here's a look at my usually carry-on stuff I take on my workshops. This gear changes for distant wildlife, as well as for macro shooting, portrait sessions, and other special shooting situations.

Above: My two carry-on bags, a Samsonite roller for my computer stuff and a Think Tank Airport Accelerator for my cameras gear. Click here to see the complete Think Tank line.

Yes, that camera bag is heavy. (Actually, the bag is fairly light. It's the gear that makes it heavy.) So you may ask, "Why not a roller?" Well, I have been on too many flights where I have seen too many roller bags taken away and check through baggage. Rollers are the first items to go when a plane is packed.

Above: All my camera gear fits in my Think Tank Airport Accelerator bag. Shown: Canon 70D (with 14mm lens mounted), Canon 5D Mark III (with Canon 24-105mm lens mounted), Canon 600EX RT Speedlite, Canon ST-E3 transmitter, Canon 100-400mm IS lens, Canon 70-200mm IS lens, Canon 17-40mm lens, Lexar memory cards, two head-mounted flashlights, ball head for my tripod. Always carry your ball head. You may be able to buy a new tripod on location, but good ball heads are sometimes hard to find.

All my gear is listed here.

Above: Unpacked, that gear, and the gear in the pockets of my bag, looks like this. I always pack my Tiffen 2-8 stop ND filter and my Canon Timer Remote Controller.

Above: Here's some of the gear that I pack in my roller bag: Mac laptop, Wacom Tablet, 500 GB portable hard drive, card reader, battery charger and battery. I also pack my toiletries in my roller.

Above: The only important camera gear I pack in my checked luggage is my tripod and reflector diffuser kit.

Here's an idea: After you pack up all your gear at home, take a photo of your bag with your smart phone so you know how to repack for the ride home. That photo is good for insurance purposes, too.

Safe travels,
Rick

This post sponsored by X-Rite - a leader in color management.

Swing By My Classes at Photoshop World In Atlanta - April 8 to 10

I hope you can join me, and a team of super talented photographers and Photoshop/Lightroom experts at Photoshop World in Atlanta, April 8 to 10. Use this code - RSPSW414 - to save $50 when you register.

My classes:

Shooting in Chilly Conditions - I'll take you to Alaska, Arctic, Antarctica and the sub-Artic – and show you how to make good images in challenging conditions.

Travel Photography - I will share my favorite images from my worldwide travels, along with some Lightroom and Photohsop tips.

Awaken the Artist Within With Plug-ins - I will show you how to create cool images, like the one below, with the plug-ins I use. HDR will be included. Speaking of HDR and plug-ins, check out my Nik Color Effects Pro app and my  iHDR app.

See you there . . . I hope!

Explore the light,
Rick