Find me ‘On the Road or online’ presenting photography seminars at the following venues. None near you? Contact me if you have a photography group and need a speaker. Let’s chat! Look below for current bookings. Further down the page to see some of the programs available. Need a special program? Call me to discuss possibilities.
“Bob’s presentation style is approachable, conversational, and down to earth, making it obvious how much time he has been on stage. This makes it enjoyable and accessible to understand and implement his content-rich workshops & presentations.
Bob is a dream to work with and book. He has everything you need to promote him to your group before you even say yes–program title, description, bio, portraits, examples of images, and everything else you often have to waste time trying to track down.
Even after Bob has left, his encouragement and help doesn’t stop. He follows up with anything he has promised, like sharing additional information, and continues to interact and support our community with social interactions.
He is well known throughout Tennessee for his great presentations, workshops, judging as well as just love and support.”
Colby McLemore – M. Photog., Cr., CPP, TCD, TSD, ACE – Colby’s Photos & Videos
Where’s Bob???
Virtual Judging – Georgia Professional Photography Association July 16, 2023 Noon to 7PM ET.
Learn more. Enter here and watch the day of on PrintCompetition.com
“I knew I was going to like Bob within five minutes. Not only is he charming and open with information, it was immediately obvious that he knows his stuff. I’m a techie type myself, and in this age of only partially qualified photographers, Bob easily proves with his ideas and his command of equipment that he’s a master of craft with depth of experience. On the leading edge of digital skills many years ago, he continues to be a person I look to on the edge of current techniques, equipment and creativity in the service of the client.”
Sara Frances – photomirage.com
Professional Photographers Guild of Colorado Springs (PPGCS) – August 17, 2023 7-9PM Leveraging Todays Technology for more Creative Images
We have more creative tools than ever built into our cameras. Apps to give us info before we get to a location. Weather information to help know where better image possibilities await. Camera gear is becoming lighter, faster and sharper than ever. Technology is making it possible for making more Creative Images than ever before. We can now remotely control the camera via wifi and see what the camera is seeing. Pull large still frames from 4K and 6K video, pick focus after the fact with focus stacking, create Time-lapse videos in camera. Capture an image after something has already happened. (I know it was hard for Bob to believe too!) Intelligent Auto can determine the subject matter and give pre-programmed settings so you can concentrate on composition. Let’s not forget post-processing techniques to work on the images after capture. It’s a great time to push the envelope! Bob will share how he’s combining the new tech from Olympus Cameras, Adobe Photoshop, NIK Filters, Luminar and Aurora 2019 HDR software.
Professional Photographers Guild of Colorado Springs (PPGCS) – August 19, 2023 9AM-5PM Commercial Photography & Fine Art Photography Photosynthesis Photoshop Techniques. Sign up here.
Commercial clients often want you to go beyond headshots and photograph product or locations for their advertising. In this workshop, Bob Coates (M. Photog, M. Artist, Cr, CPP) will share some clean, repeatable set ups to make items shine.
Then, he will shift gears to tickle the creative side of your brain with a process he’s dubbed “Photosynthesis.” A melding of textures, blend modes and painting techniques helps to move your work into the art realm. Learn to add depth and dimension to all of your work utilizing these ideas from the technical to the creative.
Taking your images to another level is one way to set yourself apart from other photographers. Bob has chosen to move his images to a more-painterly feel. He accomplishes this by fusing many images together utilizing a single subject blended with many textures from nature, decaying made-made items and everyday items found through serendipity. The result is an image that has depth and dimension and will often reveal different things to the viewer no matter how many times it is seen. Coates now refers to himself as a Lens Based Artist as all source material comes through a camera lens then all bets are off. This class is a walk through Photoshop and photography creating art.
Professional Photographers of Michigan (PPofMI) Fall Artistry Retreat in Mackinaw City, MI – September 17-18, 2023
Astro & Landscape – Featuring Master Photographer Bob Coates
From improving your landscape photography skills, to learning the tricks of astro photography and creating a masterpiece of “astro landscape” imagery, this two day workshop will take your photography to new heights. Spend two days in Mackinaw City, taking a deep dive into the art of shooting the stars.
Known for its stunning views of the glorious “Mighty Mack” Bridge and easy access to a Dark Sky Park, the Mackinaw City area also has a high potential of seeing the Northern Lights in September. This is a can’t miss opportunity!
Register now before hotel and ticket prices go up!
Special registration and hotel rates available through April 1. After April 1 all rates increase to full price.
Hotel Information
Best Western Plus Dockside Waterfront Inn
505 S Huron Avenue, Mackinaw City, MI 49701
1-800-944-1615 Mention PPofMI
$139 (+taxes) on 9/17 and $129 (+taxes) on 9/18, Breakfast included.
Call the Hotel directly at: (231) 436-5001 to book your room!
Right on the beach of Lake Huron, just a few steps to the water. Access to shopping, gorgeous views, ferries and waterparks make this region particularly popular for friends and families.
Photography Programs, Seminars and Webinar Subjects
Night Sky and Milky Way Photography
Photographing the Milky Way is akin to playing a 4-D board game. There are lots of moving parts in play when capturing the night sky. The sun, moon, and Milky Way are all moving. The Galactic Center is the star of the solid Milky Way photograph. But, where will it be? At what time? How will you know in advance where to set up your camera for the best results? Coates shares ideas and concepts that will remove the mystery of the heavenly bodies photo shoot. This class is best served by having an overnight event but can also be broken into sections as needed.
Afternoon of the first day will be focusing techniques, pre-planning the shoot using PhotoPills and how to think through getting the foreground to work with the Milky Way Galactic Center. Ways to shoot still images as well as time lapse. Exposure settings for best results will be discussed.
Then, it’s out for dinner on your own followed by heading out to capture images. Photographers will be putting their daytime lessons to use and will be on their own to execute the lessons shared during the day.
The next morning will be creating images and learning processing ideas to get the best results from the night sky. While our cameras can pick up lots of detail in the night skies, images need some massaging to show all the starry treasures in the file. We will learn about making selections in Photoshop. Different areas of the images need different techniques and how to apply them. Often, the landscape needs to be processed separately from the stars.
Want to come to Sedona, Arizona for a Milky Way and Night Sky Photography Workshop? Learn more here!
Nature, Landscape and Wildlife – From Pre-Capture to Post Production and Fine Art in Wildlife Imagery
I’ll be sharing the thought process on how I capture and process Landscapes, Wildlife and Nature images. Starting with the thinking behind gathering images and the final output the conversation will cover gear used and why. I favor micro 4/3rds camera and lens systems of Panasonic and Olympus. (but all techniques shared can be accomplished with any camera system) Camera supports can be of great help when making multiple exposures for panoramic, focus stacking and exposure bracketing image capture. Who knew that a tripod could help with camera artistry?? I’ll be showing how to leverage imaginative uses of Platypod and Fotopro tripod supports. Once images have made it to the sensor more creativity can be applied using software, Adobe Photoshop, NIK and Luminar and other filters and techniques. Stepping through post-processing including extractions, blending and artistic touches will be demonstrated as well.”
Leveraging Today’s Technology for More Creative Images
We have more creative tools than ever built into our cameras. Apps to give us info before we get to a location. Weather information to help know where better image possibilities await. Camera gear is becoming lighter, faster and sharper than ever. Technology is making it possible for making more Creative Images than ever before. We can now remotely control the camera via wifi and see what the camera is seeing. Pull large still frames from 4K and 6K video, pick focus after the fact with focus stacking, create Time-lapse videos in camera. Capture an image after something has already happened. (I know it was hard for Bob to believe too!) Intelligent Auto can determine the subject matter and give pre-programmed settings so you can concentrate on composition. Let’s not forget post-processing techniques to work on the images after capture. It’s a great time to push the envelope! Bob will share how he’s combining the new tech from Olympus Cameras, Adobe Photoshop, NIK Filters, Luminar and Aurora 2019 HDR software.
Fine Art Photo-Synthesis
Taking your images to another level is one way to set yourself apart from other photographers. Bob has chosen to move his images to a more-painterly feel. He accomplishes this by fusing many images together utilizing a single subject blended with many textures from nature, decaying made-made items and everyday items found through serendipity. The result is an image that has depth and dimension and will often reveal different things to the viewer no matter how many times it is seen. Coates now refers to himself as a Lens Based Artist as all source material comes through a camera lens then all bets are off. This class is a walk through Photoshop and photography creating art.
See more of that work on Bob’s site here. coatesart.net
Personal Projects – Why, How… And how to make Money by doing them.
You got into photography because you liked it. Enjoyed the challenge of creating new images… Then you turned it into a business and photography wasn’t quite as much fun anymore. Marketing, sales, building websites, printing, framing, retouching started to suck the joy right out of your life. Personal Projects can get you juiced again and help your business too! Bob will show you how he used these ideas to make photography fun again and earn money while you are at it. This is a program of creative ideas and techniques along with simple business marketing. They go hand in hand to help put your business back on track to the joy you first felt before you turned photography into a business.
Professional Photographers of America Approved Juror
Bob has been an image judge for state, national and International Photographic Competitions for over a dozen years. “It’s been an honor and priviledge to share my thoughts on other photographers work. It’s a big responsibility which I don’t take lightly.”
“In addition to being exposed to new work and techniques while judging I learn so much at each event. Having to justify your thoughts, either positive or negative, about a makers work makes you dig deep. Hearing other jurors concerns and joys about an image also informs the way I think about the work. The whole process helps me to understand more about my own work while performing a service for the industry. I call that a win-win.”
“I have observed Bob judge print competitions numerous times over the years, and in each instance it was obvious through his insightful critiques his strong dedication to the craft. Bob has a way of motivating the image maker through his comments without a denigrating tone. I have also seen Bob listen carefully to his peers on the judging panel and clearly defend his evaluation of an image, while at the same time remaining open to adjusting his score where it was warranted. Bob’s articulate voice, professionalism, experience and true love for photography and teaching makes him stand out as a talented and respected judge.”
Bob Zimmerlich – Sienna Art Portraiture
“I have had the pleasure of sitting on judging panels with Bob on many occasions. He has the talent required to properly evaluate an image from a technical point of view as well as the sensitivity to express his appreciation of images that appeal to the heart and soul of the viewer. Bob is an articulate and disciplined juror, which is why I am confident in offering my opinion of Bob’s judging skills. Bob can do the job!”
Rick Avalos – M.Photog.Cr. PPA Approved Juror – Portrait Artist, Avalos Fine Portraiture