It’s the Sedona PhotoFest May 2nd-5th hosted by the Sedona Arts Center… and I’ll be a part of the education.
First up I’ll be one of the Keynote Speakers thanks to Panasonic and the Lumix line of camera gear on Sunday May third. I’ll be sharing information on one of my favorite subjects, Photo-Synthesis, which is using multiple images to create a more artistic or painterly type final image using multiple texture layers in Adobe Photoshop.
Also on the calendar for giving presentations and workshops – Joyce Tenneson, Seth Casteel and Brad Buckman, Kelli Klymenko, Tracey Frugoli, Scott Stuhlberg. Sedona PhotoFest includes technical and artistic insights across a wide spectrum of interests including Portrait Photography, Underwater Dogs, iPhoneography, Fashion Photography and more!
The free days will be followed by my two day in-depth Photo-Synthesis workshop on May fourth and fifth where we’ll be hands-on taking photos including textures and then heading into the world of computers putting the images to use under my guidance. I’ve found this to be a great way to really start to make the Photo-Synthesis process your own. Two full days of photography and Photoshop instruction for only $250. I recommend that you are fairly proficient with your camera and have a decent grasp of Adobe’s Photoshop.
“Hi Bob,
I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your seminar this last weekend.
I thought you were a great presenter; humorous without being too flamboyant; knowledgeable; energetic; articulate with a fluid speaking style; and well prepared in your presentation. I was very impressed – which is usually hard to do. Bill came along with me, showing only a little interest, but was so excited after the first day, decided to sit in on the second day. The fact that you were able to keep him interested speaks volumes too.
Another thing that really impressed me was your ability to work with all the various levels of PS experience and juggle all the people in the group. I think everyone felt like they got something out of the workshop and everyone who needed it got some personal attention.” Sandy Miller Cookeville, TN
Interview with Frederick Van Johnson from TWiP (This Week in Photo) from the PPA
(Professional Photographers of America) International convention this past January talkin’ about photo art.
“Hello Bob,
Thanks for the resources! They will be useful.
I attended the Saturday workshop in Chattanooga. I enjoyed your slide show so much! And, I appreciated your sense of humor. Things weren’t going exactly as you would have liked during the morning session. The program just wouldn’t allow you to “step/repeat.’ You didn’t let it get you ‘rattled.’ You kept smiling! And, you know, that very thing HAS happened to all of us!
BUT…..most of all, I was delighted to know there are Professional Photographers out ‘there’ who shoot with a Panasonic Lumix Camera! Who knew? My colleagues in our camera club are primarily (make that exclusively) Nikon and/or Canon shooters! I own a Lumix G-3. I am still at the “Rookie Level.” But, I do love this camera! Take care, and thanks again,” Barb Conard
I’m not sure if I’ve addressed this quote before or not… But if I did it bears another look. Often new photographers are told to look for the light. May I suggest you look for the shadows instead? Shadows create form, depth and dimension. John Loengard, born in New York City in 1934 and Harvard class of 1956, was a staff photographer on LIFE magazine from 1961 to 1972, as well as LIFE’s picture editor from 1973 to 1987 and picture editor of People Magazine at its launch in 1974, is the author of eight books. John puts it another way…
“If you want something to look interesting don’t light all of it.” John Loengard
So I suggest looking into the shadows. See how a little light or a lack of light can help define and shape your subject.
The band Hotfoot out of Phoenix packed the house at Sound Bites Grill in Sedona last Friday night. Good sounds that make the feet move are the reason this five piece band filled the place.
Wall of Fame image for the band Hotfoot. All photos are captured during the live performance. Then each musician is isolated from their photo using masks and combined using Adobe Photoshop layers into another document. Lighting and shadow effects are used to add depth and dimension. Finally multiple textures are added in Layers with different blend modes to create the artistic rendition of the group.
Additionally I capture ‘straight’ photos for future publicity photos for when the band returns. Even these are worked using multiple captures as often the different band members are in a better position in alternate photos. For example there was one photo where three of the band members looked good but the drummers face was obscured behind his cymbals and one of the singers face was behind a microphone.
This is more for showing the restaurant in full swing with live music as the backdrop.
The photos were captured with the Lumix GH4 with the 35-100mm f2.8 Vario lens. This camera has enough Dynamic Range to cover the LED stage lighting with a little post processing knocking down the highlights and opening up the shadows just a bit using Adobe Camera Raw.
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
PS – Please remember that using the links to Amazon to make your purchases through this web site help support the ongoing education provided here. Thanks!
Wizard Academy in Austin Texas is a place of creative learning, whimsy and full of visual delight! I was there last week and enjoyed working and learning in this target rich environment!
Detail from a metal sculpture near Engelbrecht House on the Wizard Academy campus.
Spiral staircase from the Library down to the presentation room in the Tower at Wizard Academy
Detail from a Don Quixote carving in the lower art gallery in the Tower.
The Wizard Academy has an extensive collection of art devoted to the Don. Paintings, lithographs, metal and wood sculptures in all shapes sizes and mediums of which you might think. Think adventures, tilting at windmills and all that entails. It is definitely not a place for those who are traditional thinkers! It makes you stretch…
I spent most of last week a Wizard Academy, a creative business learning environment, in Austin, Texas in Creativity Mode.
You ask, “What the heck is Creativity Mode Bob??”
Creativity Mode is any time when I can throw off the shackles of having to create a specific image for a specific reason. It allows lots of time for experimentation, play, trying new techniques with plenty of chances for failure of a concept with no negative consequences. And usually leads to pushing the boundaries of photography. In this case it was the ‘Photographers Roundtable’ led by Roy Williams and Daniel Whittington. 17 photographers gathered to be pushed to create interesting imagery. Challenges were issued to look harder for shadows, challenge composition rules with frameline magnatism, use color as a statement, push the use of portals and framing to new levels and more.
All of this taking place in a target rich environment with wonderful architecture, artwork everywhere designed to delight and surprise the visual senses. Good times.
Here’s one of the images created with the Lumix FZ 1000 with a tweaked creative filter program mode.
In Spence House the high ceiling and spiral staircase create wonderful lines.
This photograph was made using the Illustrative Art setting on the FZ 1000 (setting is available on most Lumix cameras). The nice part about the art settings is that you can tweak them in camera. In this case I changed the white balance to black and white. The monochrome allows the shapes, forms and glow to come to the forefront of the photo. 1/40 sec ISO 1600 f2.8
I’ll be sharing more images and ideas from spending mulitple days talking about pushing envelopes and experimenting with other photographers…
Yours in Creative Photography, Bob
PS – Talk about an all around camera the FZ 1000 is 25 to 400mm f2.8-4 all in one. Under 2.5 lbs. Captures 4K video and syncs to 1/4000 of a second with flash. The link here to Amazon has the camera (as of today prices go up and down a bit) for only $728
For infrared conversion of my cameras I use LifePixel. Infrared allows you to put an older camera to use and opens up a new time time of day for productive image creation.
Fotopro tripods are well worth checking out. You can learn about the ones I use and recommend by clicking on the Fotopro Tripods link at the top of this page. If you want to see what other tripods might fit your needs check out the Fotopro.com website. Check back with me before you buy as a Fotopro Ambassador I’m able to get you discounted pricing including complementary continental USA shipping for my followers that you won’t find through retail outlets.
Learn Photoshop in a fun environment. Aaron Nace applies the right amount of fun with easy to understand and follow tutorials. Actions and brushes are included with lessons!
Lightning, waterdroplets, sound, time-lapse, HDR sequences, smiles and much more control for your camera!
Cameras Get Smarter -
A High Speed Smart Camera Remote
Best embroidery ever. Give Queensboro a try, get a $20 instant credit to get started by clicking on the logo! They specialize in great quality custom logo apparel and promotional products with the best customer service.
Platypod has become a great resource for being creative in getting your camera gear easily into unusual places. As an Platypod Pro I get to work/play with the gear even before it comes out. Head over to Platypod, subscribe to the newsletter and you will get special discounts reserved only for subscribers.
