Conquering Photography one lesson at a time....

There are literally thousands of books, websites, blogs, workshops, classes and YouTube videos on photography, Photoshop and Lightroom.  This brought the question to mind, "How do we fit in?".  

When I started photography workshops, I decided my niche market was going to be the beginner to average photographer - those that were just starting and wanted to know a little more. I felt that they were being ignored and that market was growing faster than any other market.

Once I teamed up with Dick Garvey, we aimed our classes towards beginner to intermediates. It was all about learning and having a good time. We had some great classes and the talent of our repeat students grew.

With this ever-changing industry and the internet, it was time to reflect and decide what was next.  What was next? To keep people engaged in photography, to help them not only develop, but to maintain their skills.  To conquer photography one lesson at a time.  To provide a building block of tools, skills and creative outlets for them.

2012 is all about having fun, engaging others and to keep on learning.  Join us in our Spur of the Moment photo outings, How do I'd do that?, and our user group on Photoshop and Lightroom. It is a great way to keep learning, to build, to have fun and to engage with others.

Hanging out in the tulip fields

Sometimes it is just plain fun to hang out with a bunch of photographers.  Our workshops are always fun, with a little underlying seriousness to them.  For fun this summer I decided to do a series of 'Spur of the Moments' photo outings. Inviting photographers to come with us to wherever the camera leads us, to have fun, photograph, share and hang out. 

For the first outing we went to the tulip fields.  You cannot live in Skagit Valley and be a photographer without photographing the tulip fields. This year I heard grumblings from a lot of photographers about how tulip photos all looked alike anymore. There was nothing new.  Did this mean boredom had set in? We were uninspired? No imagination left? 

I thought, what does it matter? Why not just have fun and hang out. Enjoy the evening, the camaraderie of others and see what happens.  Why stress out about a perfect shot, or how to be different? Sometimes the same ole, same ole, is actually quite fun, relaxing and comforting.  Sometimes it can release those creative juices and inspire something new. Maybe not a new version of a tulip shot? But something later on might happen.

Enjoy the same ole, same ole - you never know where that might take you.........

The fun shots! 

Gumby was a big hit with the group.  Photo by Per Lea

photo by Bev Rud

Group Shot

Fish eye lens with yellow boots - photo by Per Lea

 

Now for a more traditional serious shots!

 photo by Gretchen Thomas

 

photo by Tony Locke

 

photo by Betty Wright

 

 photo by Karla Locke

 

A Photograph is everywhere that you are.......

A while back, Tony Locke wrote a blog post about finding things to photograph in your neighborhood or area.