DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY NEWS

Starting in October:  An Inside Look at Photography & Videography Workshops

Written by Ron Risman, Cameratown.com

I have been writing about photography for the past five years but have taken it upon myself to push my photography into new areas in the past 16 months or so. I believe that hands-on experience and education is one of the best ways to discover who you are as a photographer, videographer or cinematographer and where your passion sits within that field.   In order to better answer that question, you often need to experience many sides of an art form, until you find the one that speaks to you.  This is where getting out and shooting with others that share a similar interest is a huge advantage and why attending focused workshops may help inspire and educate you along the way.

Since the educational market for photography has exploded over the past few years I have decided to attend and write about many of the popular workshops that I often see mentioned on blogs or advertised in magazines.  Starting in October and continuing throughout 2010, I will be covering photography and videography workshops from around the country and possibly even one or two outside the country.   I'll write about my experience at each workshop and what I walked away with.   I'll talk about the overall experience and who I feel would benefit from that particular workshop - and who won't.   Some of these workshops are inexpensive, local one-day classes, while others are multi-day workshops that require you to outlay extra time and money.

Digital Wakeup Call with David Ziser

I am starting my workshop coverage on October 5^th when I will be attending the "Digital WakeUp Call" 2009 workshop that is being given around the country by internationally-renowned wedding photographer David Ziser.  This one day, 5 1/2 hour, workshop is coming to Boston on October 5th and I'll be there.   The workshop promises to teach the best ways to use on- and off-camera flash for creative and dramatic effects, better composition, new workflow techniques, and successful marketing strategies that can help grow your photography business.   I am very excited to be attending and look forward to learning a lot from David's workshop.

Re:Frame  San Francisco

I will also be attending Re:Frame San Francisco from October 19-22, 2009.   Re:Frame is a 4-day workshop & conference for aspiring event videographers and cinematographers, with a focus on using the latest in DSLR gear to tell a story.  I'll be spending four days hanging out with the smartest minds in the industry, all there to learn more about event & wedding cinematography.   The Speaker list for Re:Frame San Francisco is a long one.  We'll learn creative techniques from Jason Magbanua, Joe Simon, Kevin Shahanian, and Oleg Kalyan.   Business ideas and best practices from David Robin, Dennis Lennie, Jasmine Star, Leila Khalil, and Alex Hill.  Attendees may also elect to spend time with Angela Desveaux to learn new techniques in Photoshop , Illustrator, and InDesign to enhance DVD packaging and advertising materials or with Loyd Calomay to discover how to get in touch with your "inner Spielberg" by learning secrets of concept video production.   If that wasn't enough, we'll get the chance to shoot alongside commercial cinematographer Philip Bloom, who will be showing advanced ways to use current camera gear (EOS 5DMKII & 7D) to produce cutting edge video.

I am planning to cover additional workshops for 2010 and will share more information about the 2010 schedule as I finalize the details.   Happy learning!