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Who Should Take This Workshop?

Any photographer who wants to improve their portrait and beauty photography without investing thousands of dollars in equipment.

The tools of light, lens, expression, mystery and capture are all that are needed to create magical photographs. Don will show you how to use simple items and inexpensive equipment to make exceptional photographs.

What You Will Need for the Workshop

A working knowledge of f-stops, exposure and computer skills are necessary, as well as a keen desire to learn how to work with models, light and expression.

You will need your own CF card for capturing the images in the studio situation and you definitely should bring your own cameras and lenses.

Lunch and refreshments through the day are included.

Basic Workshop Overview:
Signup today for our next workshop.

3401 E Broadway Rd. (map)
Suite #3
Phoenix, AZ 85048
602 434 1765

Workshop Basics:
8:30 am to 9:30am

Our Models: Here Models for this workshop to be announced soon

The workshops are participatory in nature. While there is plenty of information presented, we want the attendees to be a part of the seminar with questions, critiques, comments, and shooting the models. For our Post Production Photoshop section we will be using a "Digital Darkroom" machine from Visualville so everyone can see the post processing techniques that will create the finest images.

Basics will include:
8:30 to 9:45

  1. Pixels and the new medium of digital
  2. Choosing the correct camera / lens combination
  3. How to build an inexpensive lighting solution (under $200)
  4. The principals of light and how to control them.
  5. How to create and use 'fill cards, scrims, GOBO's and reflectors'
  6. How to use umbrella lighting the correct way
  7. Softboxes and how to use them
  8. The mind's eye - how to pre-visualize the image from shoot to print
  9. Digital Power
  10. White balancing in the studio and on location
  11. Natural light / fill light / flash fill... how to use them effectively.
  12. Posing the model (location and studio)

We will also be providing hand-outs, lighting diagrams, Photoshop actions and filters, Border Effects, and lots of cool Photoshop techniques that can be used on your images.

Beauty Photography in the Studio
9:45am - 12noon

Topics will cover a wide range of areas including:
  1. Choosing a model
  2. Facial features
  3. Lighting for effect
  4. High-Key Lighting
  5. Chiaroscuro Lighting
  6. Choosing the right light for each face
  7. Make-up and Hair tips
  8. Lens choices
  9. Single Light effects
  10. Multiple Light effects
  11. Umbrellas vs "Soft box" Lighting
  12. Using fill cards for effect
  13. Headshot Lighting
  14. Glamour Lighting

Lunch and Discussions
12noon to 1pm

Location Photography
1:30 - 4:30
New Model for Location Section

  1. Choosing a model
  2. What to look for
  3. Attitude, attitude, attitude
  4. Wardrobe considerations
  5. Working with a models who are not 'perfect'
  6. Lighting to bring out features - Lighting to hide flaws
  7. Posing tips - Guiding the model
  8. Working the shoot for maximum image selection
  9. Lens choices
  10. Location lighting basics:
    Natural Light
    Fill Card Use
    Fill Flash Techniques
    Flash Main outside (beating the ambient light)
  11. Background / foreground considerations
  12. How to scout a good location for maximum light

The model works in many locations. We do this even in the summer - yes, it is hot, but we work mostly in the shade and it is doable. The positive aspect of this experience is that learning to create excellent light under the most difficult circumstances makes every photographer stronger.

Wrap Up
5pm to 6:30pm

Photoshop post processing of images taken during the workshop. Photographers will watch and learn one image from each of the shoots will be processed in Photoshop.

  1. Processing a Raw file
  2. Processing a HiJPEG
  3. Producing the best skin color
  4. Retouching faces
  5. Retouching bodies
  6. Creating fine Black and White from color files
  7. Sepia Tone variations
  8. Using Soft-focus for best effect
  9. Creative image manipulation
  10. Adding rough borders for an art effect

In addition to the above:

There will be a portfolio review and image critique for those who wish it. I encourage all to bring their work to share with and learn from the others.

Special Offers from my wonderful sponsors:

Visuallville will be offering a discount on their powerful "Digital Darkroom" Computers designed especially for photographers. Visualville will also offer a discount on their state-or-the-art Calibration software and custom profiling solutions.

ProDigitalImage will offer a $25 discount on a Monitor / Printer Calibration Consultation

Mighty Imaging will provide a free 16x20 for each participant.

Images shot at the workshop will be posted for all participants to see at Don's workshop site. We welcome the images and this will be a good way to show off the work you did as well as attract models to your work.

Price: $299
(limited to 6 photographers)
Full day includes lunch and a copy of my DVD, "Lighting Essentials 1"..

The seminar is limited to just a 6 participants so you should register as early as possible to guarantee your place in the seminar.

Sponsors and Friends:

the PHOTOtool. Online Image Management and Sales

Mighty Imaging
Large format printing for discriminating photographers

Visualville
Simply the most powerful computers made for discerning photographers.

Total Control Sites
Web sites with total content management for all small business and photographers