Leaping Into Motion with Ami Vitale

The medium I work in is changing and video is now playing a much bigger role in what we do. Cameras like the one I carry can shoot HD video and it can enhance our abilities as storytellers.


This is already playing a big role in my future but I don't think I would have had the courage to take the leap into shooting video without one small lie, to Nikon, when they called and asked if I knew anything about making videos. "Yes of course," I replied instantly, knowing nothing about moving images or how to even operate the camera. I assumed I'd have time to learn before the shoot but was surprised when they sent the camera only the night before my trip to India began. I frantically studied the manual on the 28-hour long journey and arrived terrified and wondering if I had just made the biggest mistake of my life. The following is the film I made there, an homage to India: Nikon D300S Indian Culture

If I had not had the opportunity, I am sure I never would have made the leap. But I'm so grateful I did. In a time when media is struggling and searching for a new path, I'm finding that I am busier than ever telling meaningful stories in new ways. It’s an exciting time to be a photographer and journalist and I share with my students not only all the mistakes I made but also how learning this skill can create more opportunity.

Learn more from Ami in her workshop
Multimedia Storytelling
with Ami Vitale
February 27 - March 5, 2011




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

How Do We “SEE” the Landscape with Carlan Tapp

How often do photographers have a perceived idea as they approach a subject? The photograph quite often is already in “our minds eye” before we frame with the camera.

Landscape photography is one subject that comes to mind with the thought of “seeing”. We may very well have a perceived idea of a landscape photograph long before we even venture out with our camera.

A suggestion would be for you to go ahead and make the “perceived” photograph. Okay, we have that out of the way. Now, take the time to really “see” and “feel” what the subject is sharing with you. See it with your heart. See it the way you see it. See it the way you feel it. Now make YOUR photograph.

Learn more from Carlan in his workshop
Expressive Digital Landscape in Black and White
with Carlan Tapp
March 6 - March 12, 2011

Visit his web site www.carlantapp.com to see what he’s up to.

Of Note: Start May 21, 2011, Carlan Tapp will be riding across America from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California. He’ll be riding an American-made motorcycle on America’s Mother Road, historic Route 66. The ride is a fund raiser for QUESTION of POWER, a 501c3. The mission of QUESTION of POWER is to photograph human stories of individuals, families, and communities affected by the extraction, production, and consumption of coal for the creation of electricity in America. Learn more at www.motherroad2011.org.

The Point, Once Again, with John Weiss

I wrote about this last year and it doesn’t seem necessary to break any rules in order to write about it again. I urge you to carry a Point ‘n Shoot camera at all times. They are so small they can fit into a shirt pocket, a pants pocket, a purse. The advances in technology permit you to make an image of great fidelity, one easily enlarged to 11” x 17” at 360 dpi.


Capturing memorable moments because you have your Point ‘n Shoot is clearly wonderful.
You never know when a special moment might appear. The photograph accompanying this

text was seen while driving home on the New Jersey Turnpike. I trailed Michael’s head for about 20 minutes, hoping the truck did not have an EZPass and would stop at the toll both. It did, and I had time to snap off three frames.


Still, there’s another benefit to always carrying a small camera: you become more visually aware in your everyday life. It keeps your eye sharp.


So here’s to tiny cameras, sharp eyes, and great photographs.


Learn more from John in his workshop
Photographing People
with John Weiss
March 6 - March 12, 2011


Visit his web site gallery.me.com/jjdoublejj to see what he's up to.

Dramatic Portrait Lighting with David Robin

Seeing and controlling light is the stock in trade of all photographers. And having the tools at hand to do so can mean the difference between a successful photograph and one that misses the mark.

Nowhere is this more important than when shooting with available light. Many times the perfect camera angle may work in opposition to the direction of the available light. I have found that by simply redirecting the light with a small Plexiglass mirror the shot cannot only be saved but dramatic evocative results can be achieved.


So remember to include a Plexiglass mirror in your kit when heading out for that available light portrait. It just might save the day and create wonderful possibilities.


Learn more from David in his workshop
Dramatic Portrait Lighting
with David Robin
March 6 - March 12, 2011


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


David is a Dynalite VIP photographer ...

Laugh, Learn, Light with Alan M. Thornton

A Note from Alan:

"Getting ready for a new 'Lighting Portraits on Location' at Santa Fe Photographic Workshops, beginning February 13.

Can't wait to be back for new challenges, new images, and new laughs.

 

Thanks to all from past Lighting Portraits on Location workshops in Santa Fe. Cheers and special thanks to Karen Lenz, Jennifer Spellman, Nick Rapaz and others for the pics!"



Lighting Portraits on Location
with Alan M. Thornton
February 13 - February 19, 2011

The Education of Inspiration with Alexandra Huddleston

When was the last time you sat down and really studied the work of our great photographic predecessors?


Take Henri Cartier-Bresson’s famous portrait of Matisse. What a simple approach—35mm black and white film, natural lighting. The great artist fills only one quarter of the frame; he isn’t looking at the camera, and he sits in a shadow, not the light … And yet, despite breaking all the rules of classic portraiture, Cartier-Bresson uses photography’s most basic techniques so that we can’t help but center our attention on the great man. 

The focus and narrow depth of field blur the foreground while pulling our eye toward Matisse at work. Moreover, the composition, the tapestry of horizontal and vertical lines, but most especially the heads of the white pigeons in the foreground, all delight the eye, and ultimately direct it back again to the artist in his heavy robe and comfy chair. Each time I looked at this photograph I learn more. It’s an education that doesn’t have to lead to imitation, but rather to inspiration and innovation. (View Cartier-Bresson’s portrait of Matisse.)

Learn more from Alexandra in her workshop
Never Again Leave Your Camera at Home
with Alexandra Huddleston
February 20 - February 26, 2011


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

The Winter/Spring 2011 Catalog now on MagCloud

Ignite your passion for photography with a browse through our Winter/Spring 2011 catalog, available exclusively on MagCloud.

Even cooler, you can download the MagCloud app for your iPad and browse on the go.

Whether your desire is to break through creative barriers or learn the basics of composition, you'll find workshops that inspire your desire to learn, and they are all taught by some of today’s most influential photographers.

Treat yourself to one week out of the year where you are welcomed by others who are just as passionate about photography. You deserve it!

Browse the Winter/Spring 2011 Catalog on MagCloud

Visit the Workshops web site

Cover image by Jock McDonald; Jock teaches
"Exceptional Portraits" February 27–March 5

The Contrast of Winter with Marc Muench

Winter light is about controlling contrast. However, just like any other time of year, in winter there are all types of scene brightness ratios. Therefore, it is just as important with winter images to set the proper range in post-production as it is with any other imagery.


There are two sliders in both Adobe Camera Raw and Lightroom (that work the same in either program) that do nothing but set the range of your image file. They are the "Exposure" slider and the "Blacks" sliders. The Exposure slider controls the highlights and the Blacks slider controls the shadows. What is preferred is that both the highlights and the shadows are neither clipped nor lacking in potential.

For example, if the histogram is showing that the highlights (right side of graph) are not extended all the way to the right of the chart, then take the Exposure slider and drag it to the right until it just touches. Do the same in the opposite direction with the Blacks slider and your image file will have a much more precise contrast ratio.

Learn more from Marc in his workshop
Winter Light
with Marc Muench
February 20 - February 26, 2011


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

Preparation is the Key with Doug Menuez

Ready to explore ways to take your long term photo essay and turn it into something tangible like a published book that you can use to help bring attention to the issue you are covering and possibly even raise funds? There are all manner of book publishing, corporate sponsorships and avenues for building a solid structure for your project, but here is a photo essay basic rule of thumb I follow religiously, and have to revisit often: do your homework!

If you want to make great pictures, you have to thoroughly understand your subject. Learn everything you possibly can about the issues at hand and, if they are pertinent, the underlying politics; medical, scientific, and economic factors; and the history, language, music and culture of your subjects. Dig deep and go beyond Wikipedia and the obvious—read everything every written that you can find. Then call local experts and people working in the field. Figure out the best NGO's working on the issue, if any, and try to tap into their experience. Preparation is the key to unlocking great pictures and creating a compelling photographic essay. And, of course, luck favors the prepared!

Learn more from Doug in his workshop
The Human Experience: Making a Difference with Your Photographs
with Doug Menuez
February 13 - February 19, 2011

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