Still time to sign up for winter classes at Dixie State College
Folks – there are still some of my winter classes at Dixie State College Community Education that have not started yet. Time to register is now!
Class: Photoshop — Lightroom Integration
Dixie State College Community Education in St. George, Utah is sponsoring my new class: Photoshop—Lightroom Integration. This class will be held in four 2-hour Tuesday evening sessions on the following dates: 3/30/2010, 4/6/2010, 4/13/2010, and 4/20/2010. The classes run from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. The college’s fee for this class is $59 + $15 for materials. The following topics will be covered:
- This class will answer your perplexing questions regarding using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom together to get the maximum benefit from each.
- We will discuss where each program can be best exploited, transfer methods and file formats, the use of smart objects, and plug-ins.
Materials Students Bring
- You should own a Digital SLR Camera. The camera you have is probably just fine. Bring it.
- You should own or intend to purchase Photoshop CS4 and Lightroom 2.
- Bring some examples (files or prints) of your work for us to discuss in class.
Who is This Class For?
- You should have a working knowledge of both programs before attending. (The Photoshop and Lightroom Throughput classes cover this background.)
Contact Dixie State College Community Education at (435) 652-7675 to sign up.
Class: Achieving Critical Artistry
Dixie State College Community Education in St. George, Utah is sponsoring my new class: Achieving Critical Artistry. This class will be held in six 2-hour Wednesday evening sessions on the following dates: 3/24/2010, 3/31/2010, 4/7/2010, 4/14/2010, 4/21/2010, and 4/28/2010. The classes run from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. The college’s fee for this class is $79 + $20 for materials. The following topics will be covered:
- This class is your final step towards learning the secrets of Fine Art Photography.
- It is combines field assignments, critique, and Photoshop techniques to allow you to become an expert at producing head-turning results.
- This is not just a random collection of “tips and tricks”, but a fully orchestrated pallet of processes that you choose to use as your creative concepts emerge.
Materials Students Bring
- You should own a Digital SLR Camera. The camera you have is probably just fine. Bring it.
- You should own Photoshop CS4.
- Bring some examples (files or prints) of your work for us to discuss in class.
Who is This Class For?
- Recommended for photography enthusiasts that are already comfortable using Photoshop. (The Photoshop Throughput class covers this background.)
Contact Dixie State College Community Education at (435) 652-7675 to sign up.
Class: DSLR Camera Concepts Seminar
Dixie State College Community Education in St. George, Utah is sponsoring my new seminar: DSLR Camera Concepts. This seminar will be held on 3/20/2010. The seminar runs from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm with a one hour personal lunch break. The college’s fee for this seminar is $49 + $10 for materials. The following topics will be covered:
- Lenses
- Raw Files
- Macro Techniques
- Tripod Usage
- Camera Modes
- Accessories
Materials Students Bring
- You should own a Digital SLR Camera. The camera you have is probably just fine. Bring it.
- Bring your related gear (lenses, tripod, etc.)
- Bring some examples (files or prints) of your work for us to discuss in class.
Who is This Class For?
- This class is perfect for the Digital SLR owner or someone contemplating a DSLR purchase.
Contact Dixie State College Community Education at (435) 652-7675 to sign up.
Class: Photoshop Elements Seminar
Dixie State College Community Education in St. George, Utah is sponsoring my new seminar: Photoshop Elements. This seminar will be held on 3/37/2010. The seminar runs from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm with a one hour personal lunch break. The college’s fee for this seminar is $49 + $10 for materials. The following topics will be covered:
- File cataloging
- Easy Editor
- Full Editor
- Special Effects
- Printing and Output
Materials Students Bring
- You should own Photoshop Elements version 6, 7, or 8
- Bring some examples (files or prints) of your work for us to discuss in class.
Who is This Class For?
- For folks who want to use Adobe Photoshop Elements to easily edit and print their pictures.
Contact Dixie State College Community Education at (435) 652-7675 to sign up.
Outdoor Workshop: Environmental Portraits with Kay Lynn Reilly!
Kay Lynn Reilly is a widely-recognized, accomplished photographer recently highlighted in Elan Magazine. Fortunately for us, she makes Southwest Utah her home. Kay will be sharing her insight by demonstrating natural posing in outdoor settings, working with individuals and groups, adding interest to the scene, and managing available lighting. We will be rendering finishing touches in the afternoon review session.
Sign up now for this comprehensive, “hands on” Saturday field instruction. No stone will be left unturned to advance your skill and understanding. Limited to the first 6 paid participants–personal attention assured. Here are the details:
- Date & Time: 3/13/2010 from 9 am to 3 pm
- Pizza lunch included
- Morning shooting session at Red Cliffs Recreational Area in Leeds
- Lunch and afternoon review/discussion session at Bob Kulon’s Studio
- Fee: $49 paid in full in advance. Cash, check, or charge accepted.
Contact Bob Kulon at bkulon@hotmail.com or 330-635-7557 to make arrangements.
Outdoor Workshop: DSLR Panorama Technique
Sign up now for this comprehensive, “hands on” Saturday field instruction. No stone will be left unturned to advance your skill and understanding. Limited to the first 6 paid participants–personal attention assured. Here are the details:
- Date & Time: 3/6/2010 from 9 am to 3 pm
- Pizza lunch included
- Morning shooting session at Snow Canyon State Park
- Lunch and afternoon review/discussion session at Bob Kulon’s Studio
- Fee: $49 paid in full in advance. Cash, check, or charge accepted.
Contact Bob Kulon at bkulon@hotmail.com or 330-635-7557 to make arrangements.
Outdoor Workshop: DSLR High Dynamic Range (HDR) Technique
Sign up now for this comprehensive, “hands on” Saturday field instruction. No stone will be left unturned to advance your skill and understanding. Limited to the first 6 paid participants–personal attention assured. Here are the details:
- Date & Time: 2/27/2010 from 9 am to 3 pm
- Pizza lunch included
- Morning shooting session at Snow Canyon State Park
- Lunch and afternoon review/discussion session at Bob Kulon’s Studio
- Fee: $49 paid in full in advance. Cash, check, or charge accepted.
Contact Bob Kulon at bkulon@hotmail.com or 330-635-7557 to make arrangements.
Outdoor Workshop: DSLR Perspective, Focus, & Exposure Technique
Sign up now for this comprehensive, “hands on” Saturday field instruction. No stone will be left unturned to advance your skill and understanding. Limited to the first 6 paid participants–personal attention assured. Here are the details:
- Date & Time: 2/20/2010 from 9 am to 3 pm
- Pizza lunch included
- Morning shooting session at Snow Canyon State Park
- Lunch and afternoon review/discussion session at Bob Kulon’s Studio
- Fee: $49 paid in full in advance. Cash, check, or charge accepted.
Contact Bob Kulon at bkulon@hotmail.com or 330-635-7557 to make arrangements.
Show: Art In Kayenta — February 13 & 14 — Ivins
Look for my booth for fresh new releases and old favorites. Fine Art Prints and Cards. Also, I’ll be happy to discuss my training offerings.
- The best art festival in Southern Utah
- 10 AM to 5 PM both days
- Coyote Gulch Art Village, in the center of the Kayenta community
- On the outer edge of Southern Utah where the red sand is garnished with silvery sage and framed by towering red cliffs, you’ll find Kayenta. The sun pours warm and golden from a turquoise sky. This amazing landscape is the backdrop for the annual “Art In Kayenta” Festival, with its broad spectrum of artists offering work in acrylic, watercolors, oils, bronze sculptures, fused glass, gourd art, mosaics, photography, metal art, jewelry, pottery and more.
Final Installment #9 — Pathways to Distinctive Photographic Accomplishment
- Prevail at Competitions – I have judged photographic competitions and always marvel at the contest sub-culture in the sponsoring organizations. It seems to me there is almost an athletic sense of the game that underlies those that shoot for competition. So be it. Everything I have offered in this article will improve your chances of winning. There’s your motivation.
- Improve Self-Esteem – This is the noblest goal of all. I cannot guarantee improving your skill will make you personally feel better about yourself, but if you are of healthy mind, it has to be a step in the right direction. You know when you deliver exemplary work, don’t you? You know it in your gut. If you like that feeling of solidarity, understand that having that feeling on a frequently recurring basis can feed your psyche in very beneficial ways. When I was a practicing musician and performed a commanding solo in the band, no one had to tell me, I knew. Everything went better for the rest of the day. If that does it for you, check off self-esteem as a source of motivation.
The Bottom Line
I’ve attempted to bring together seemingly disparate musings here to help you understand what I have learned about photographic accomplishment over many, many years. I have been in and out of the profession and looked at it from all angles.
I felt compelled to produce this paper because my heart goes out to the multitude that is struggling. This phenomenon grows each day as the photographic ranks swells with new digital converts expecting fast-track results. Oddly, it is that expectation that slows them down.
Give this material some thought and see if any of what I have written matches your circumstances. Then, act on it. I’d like to hear how you made out. I’d like to see everyone succeed to the extent of their aspirations.
Best wishes,
Bob Kulon
www.bobkulonphoto.com
bkulon@hotmail.com
330-635-7557
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© 2010 Bob Kulon | All Rights Reserved
Installment #8 — Pathways to Distinctive Photographic Accomplishment
Motivation
It’s going to be very hard to sustain the foregoing activities if you have no reason to do so. There has to be a point. To establish this firmly in your mind you need to go deeper than “I want to be a better photographer.” Define what that means to you. What outcomes are you trying to achieve? How will this play out in your photographic life? Here are some possible motives. There are many others. Be honest, consider your goals, and understand your mission before you become disillusioned.
- Facilitate Commercialization – this is my personal motive. I am not talking about opening a storefront studio (been there, done that), but I am talking about developing a revenue-generating niche in the photographic world. If this is your intent, make sure you understand the limitations of this goal. There are literally millions of photo practitioners all too eager to be your competition. Very few survive, despite talent and dedication. Even fewer thrive. But there are lucrative alternatives to the shot-for-hire rat race. I am going on a path that includes a synergistic mix of workshops, mentoring, art shows, and web sales. Find your niche and become motivated. (There is, however, an obvious prerequisite. Before you go off looking for the revenue, be sure you can lay you work down and get an honest favorable response from strangers. If you can’t, you are premature. Let’s not kid ourselves here.)
- Develop Community Respect – You probably know a handful of people that are immediately recognized around the area for their accomplishment. What’s wrong with that? I personally think that is well-deserved position to have other’s acknowledge that you have gained a commanding achievement of craft. That has to feel good. Don’t be ashamed if you can benefit from this respect. It is not egotistical, it is healthy distinction (just don’t let it go to your head). The better you shoot the more respect you deserve – and will get. This may or may not motivate you, but be honest if that is your goal.
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Come back often for remaining installments.
© 2010 Bob Kulon | All Rights Reserved
Little Finland: first shoot of 2010
Hello everyone. A few days ago I met up with my friend Jack Graham in Vegas to attend CES 2010 and see firsthand what the experience is all about. Microsoft and Ford were big players with their in-dash technology. On the “camera side” all I can say is that Canon has once again a very sweet line-up of new video projectors. Nikon was not to be seen on the floor. Overall the attendance was strong and there was much optimism about an upturn in the economy. No more gloom and doom.
The next day, Jack, Jerry Emery, and myself went on a photo expedition to an more-or-less unknown site in Nevada, SE of the border town of Mesquite. This site is nicknamed Little Finland and/or Hobgoblins due to its weird finned stone formations. It is actually located north of the Valley Of Fire and near the Arizona border. I can’t possibly tell how to get there since you need detailed instructions. We were graciously provided with an advanced copy of Bob Hitchman’s forthcoming issue of the Photograph America newsletter.
To make a long story short, this terrain is amazing. The stone structures that form this precipice are so unusual they almost seem otherworldly. Here are some tips:
- Go to this place in the winter to avoid the heat. There is no foliage to capture.
- Look for very angular soft sun – early morning or late afternoon.
- Based on the preceding, you must plan on camping on site because the long arduous drive is impossible in the darkness.
- Make a plan for the day and stick with it – this is wilderness.
- Take companions, and a high clearance 4WD vehicle with All Terrain tires.
- Absolutely go to http://www.photographamerica.com/ and purchase the appropriate newsletter before leaving.
Here’s a litlle preview…
