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my dear blog readers,
I apologize for the long space between posts, but i am i have been away for a few days.
On Monday morning, I packed up my ugly minivan, with camera gear, computer and clothes, and drove across the border and to the town of Ann Arbor Michigan. Is it a city or a town?
I don't know, so sorry if i offend any residents!
i was on a journey to the Finao head office, where they were hosting a workshop, lead by the incomparable Chuck Arlund .
i have to admit, that 2 months ago, i had never heard of Chuck Arlund, let alone had the desire to take a workshop led by him.
that all changed when Finao decided to sponsor a workshop, and have Chuck come for 3 days to teach his rockstar skills and some off-camera lighting techniques.
i got the memo, looked up his website, emailed Zach Gray (who's also from Nashville and i thought he might have heard of Chuck) and quickly decided that this was the workshop for me.
off-camera lighting has always been something i've wanted to learn and perfect, but i've never met a wedding photographer around Windsor, that even uses an off-camera flash, let alone wan to teach me!
i knew i was on my own, but eager to learn. i've been reading blogs, websites, and forum posts about the elusive off-camera flash, pocket wizards, and the like, but it doesn't all make sense unless you can see it in action.
after i got lost and ended up on a little dirt road in the middle of nowhere, i made it safely to the Finao headquarters and met Chuck and my 6 other classmates 3 of whom i already knew (yep, small world).
i have to admit, that on Monday, i had the feeling (a few times) that my head was going to explode from all the data being shoved into the small space that i have left in there for new things. Chuck went over about a zillion items, from posing to photoshop, to art and beyond, and then out the door we went for a field trip! we were learning to find the perfect light, or the sweet spot and Chuck calls it.
tuesday was flash day, and after we all got over our fear of taking the flash OFF the camera, and learning about pocket wizards and radio poppers, ring lights and video lights. we had another little field trip, with a cute little model, and spent the day trying to learn the technique of having light on our side, and not fighting with it so much.
it was inspiring.
i didn't get very many photos with the flash (about 5 or 6) since there were a few people in the group that seemed to want tons, and we were sharing one set of pocket wizards between us all. it doesn't matter too much, since even in those 5 photos, i could see what Chuck was teaching us, and the by observing i learned even more.
it was a long day, but my head didn't explode, so that makes it another awesome day! LOL!
the 3rd day was mostly spent just going over a few photos in class, and then we all headed out the door and to the Detroit Institute of Art, for and Avedon exhibit.
wow, that's quite the exhibit!
i don't know what it is......
i just love getting the chance to meet new people, and make new friends. when making new friends is combined with learning and growing as an artist, then it's even BETTER!!!!
in my heart of hearts, i know that photography is my way of being an artist. i am thrilled to have had to opportunity to have my eyes opened to new things, be inspired by artists i'd never heard of before, and get to meet Chuck.
it was a wonderful 3 days.
here are 2 photos from the tuesday photo session.
i will be spending the winter, practicing and perfecting the technique, so that i can start bringing an edge to my art.
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Comments
Hi Michele...super fun spending time with and getting to know you better. Please keep me posted if there are any get-togethers with the new crew as I would happily make the drive to hang out and be inspired again. Talk to you soon...
(10.25.09)