The DNA of Successful Images with Patrick Donehue

Originality and innovation are deep within the DNA of any successful image. Seeking originality and innovation requires a considerable investment of time and energy, but if done properly the end result will almost always yield significant value. And showing the usual subject matter in a very different way helps photographers differentiate themselves from the pack. To that end, here are a few questions to ask yourself before picking up the camera:

Has this been photographed before?
    
How can I make my version of the image original and unique?
    
Will my version of the image stand out from the crowd and attract attention?




Keep asking yourself these questions as you are considering your next photographic adventure. You'll be pleased with the results!


Learn more from Patrick in his workshop
Opportunities in Stock: Turning Your Passion into Profits
with Patrick Donehue
February 13 - February 19, 2011


Visit his web site www.patrickdonehue.com to see what he's up to.

Season’s Greetings from the Southwest

As Santa Fe readies for its traditional Christmas festivities and the ushering in of another new year, I take pause to acknowledge the many blessings 2010 brought to me and to the Workshops. As for many, this was a challenging year of belt-tightening. But it was also a year of great opportunities and new successes, and we have much to be grateful for here in Santa Fe.

I just returned from an eye-opening visit to a beautiful island 90 miles south of Miami (can you guess where?). To my surprise, I encountered a country full of people whose spirit and love of life is contagious. They have very few material possessions, yet I think their lives are so very rich. Family, music, dance, and curiosity fill their lives and bring joy to their restricted world.

As my holiday season gets underway and 2011 approaches, I will hold high the joyful memories of a culture and people that celebrate family, music, dance and curiosity. And send warm holiday wishes—for family, music, dance, curiosity and photography—to all our friends of the Workshops.

Feliz Navidad y Año Nuevo,

Reid Callanan
Director
Santa Fe Photographic Workshops

Rave Review for Alan M. Thornton

Positively glowing feedback from Nicole Wilder regarding her recent one-on-one with Alan M. Thornton. Nicole was also a participant in the "Looking Beyond the Obvious" workshop with Frank Ockenfels 3 in July, 2010.

“I flew into Santa Fe from Los Angeles to take a three-day solo workshop with Alan Thornton.
It was one of the best decisions I have ever made...period!

Never having met him before but knowing that I needed a crash course in basic lighting techniques (again), I found Alan to be among the most honest, bright, knowledgeable, and hands-on photography instructors I have ever had the chance to work with and learn from over the years. Working together, I was able to revisit and solve lighting issues I was having with portraiture work and Alan taught me easy lighting set ups to achieve impactful, phenomenal photos. Two of the best photos I have ever taken were during my workshop with Alan, and both photos required the use of one small light. (Portrait of Alan by Nicole.)

If you want to learn about light, how to successfully modify that light and create beautiful portraits, then Alan is the way to go! I can't sing his praises enough ... He's one of a kind!”

Learn from Alan in his workshop
Lighting Portraits on Location
with Alan M. Thornton
February 13 - February 19, 2011



Visit his web site http://www.amtproductions.com/ to see what he's up to.

A Gift That Keeps On Giving, with Jennifer Spelman

‘Tis the season for giving and getting new equipment! If a new lens is a possibility in your stocking, there are a lot of variables to explore. Zoom versus fixed, telephoto versus wide-angle, fast versus slow. Truth is, most equipment purchases are fairly personal decisions based on subject matter, weight and cost.

That having been said, there is one lens I always recommend for beginning photographers to consider. A fixed 50mm lens is small, sharp and able to photograph in extremely low light. Want to capture the essence of those holiday lights? Snap candids at a dinner party without using your flash? The 50mm is your lens. With aperture possibilities of 1.4 ($350) or 1.8 ($100) you receive a lens that can gather a lot of light and photograph with an extremely narrow depth of field. In essence, a fixed 50mm is a lens with unmatched creative control ... and that's a gift that keeps on giving.


Basics of Digital Photography
with Jennifer Spelman
January 17 - January 21, 2011

Visit her web site www.jenniferspelman.com to see what she's up to.