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 your choice of either of two convenient Saturday Sessions on either 1/23/2010 or 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.
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.
Pathways to Distinctive Photographic Accomplishment
A little over two years ago I distributed an article I prepared to help my photographer friends and acquaintances find ways of improving their skills. This was done in response to a repeated inquiries as to how I personally progressed. I am reloading this document for you free use at http://www.bobkulonphoto.com/pdf/Pathways_2009.pdf. Feel free to copy and distribute in whole for reading as long as my copyright notice is respected. Here is the opening paragraph:
“After spending considerable time with many enthusiast photographers in our burgeoning community, it crosses my mind that many folks are becoming quite serious about making their mark in the field, either professionally or as a serious amateur. It seems that the allure of the Digital SLR camera and the creative options presented by Photoshop and other photo productivity computer solutions has captivated the masses. The promise is undeniable. Artistic expression is well within the grasp of everyone.”
Consider this my Holiday Gift to you. Cheers!
4 New Saturday Clinics Sponsored by HVAA
In conjunction with Hurricane Valley Arts Alliance (HVAA), we are pleased to announce four new one day clinics to be held in Hurricane, Utah. If you will recall, these are the great folks that recently sponsored my successful DSLR Boot Camp.
Each of these clinics are independent – you can pick and choose, mix and match, to suit your individual needs. They are held mid-day on Saturdays in late September and early October. These clinics will take place at the Rainbow Canyon Community Building in Hurricane, Utah. The clinics run from 9 AM to 4 PM with an hour break for lunch. Registration fee for any of these is a mere $65 (which includes handouts). Contact Carol Larson at (435) 635-6966 or musiccarol@msn.com.
Here’s the rundown on what we have in store…
Taking Better Digital Pictures – September 12, 2009
- Composition
- Focus
- Lighting
- Exposure
- Posing
- Intended for Point and Shoot owners on up!
Photoshop Elements – September 19, 2009
- File cataloging
- Easy Editor
- Full Editor
- Special Effects
- Printing and Output
- Intended for folks that [want to] use Adobe Photoshop Elements
DSLR Camera Concepts – September 26, 2009
- Lenses
- RAW files
- Macro Techniques
- Tripod Usage
- Camera Modes
- Accessories
- Perfect for the Digital SLR owner or someone contemplating a DSLR purchase
Juried Art Shows – October 3, 2009
- Finding and Planning
- Entering
- Preparing
- Setup and Tear down
- Marketing
- For all artists and crafters seeking involvement in the world of juried shows.
DSLR Boot Camps Return
My relocation to SW Utah is full circle now. I have scheduled a full blown DSLR Boot Camp in Hurricane, Utah on June 3, 6, and 10. This event is sponsored by the Hurricane Valley Arts Alliance. Full details are available at: http://www.bobkulonphoto.com/training.html
You may view or download the entire brochure at http://www.bobkulonphoto.com/pdf/boot_camp_package_hurricane0906_v01.pdf
Two crazy days with Jack Graham
My sidekick for Monday and Tuesday was Jack Graham – both of us formerly of NE Ohio. Jack now is located in Portland, Oregon and I am in St. George, Utah.
Anyhow…
Jack flew in to attend the PMA (Photo Marketing Association) Conference in Las Vegas for business and we thought we would take a leisurely day in the natural environs to do some touring, gaping, and shooting.
Monday we spent in Zion, visited three different photographer’s galleries including Michael Fatalli’s, and checked out the petrified dunes in Snow Canyon State Park. Although it was a whirlwind day, it was still relaxing and there were some excellent photo ops. (It is impossible to not find subject matter here.)
Here’s a few I put together from Monday…
Small canyon detail in Zion NP
Checkerboard Mesa
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Every professional photographer should make an attempt to occasionally attend this event. You can’t get in unless you are in the biz; it is not open to the general public. It is an invigorating experience.
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Don’t eat the chicken sandwiches (I’ll take Jack’s word for it).
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Major DSLR manufactures (Nikon and Canon) had no new DSLR camera introductions.
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It is rumored that a Nikon D400 is in the works for release in about a month.
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It is rumored that a Nikon D700x is in the works closely thereafter. (D3x resolution).
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No Canon DSLR body rumors, but one would assume something will shake loose by fall to keep pace.
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Canon lenses: nothing new except the already announced Tilt-Shift wide angles.
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Nikon lenses: I didn’t pay any attention, sorry.
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Look out for Sony. They are making some serious attempt to rule the DSLR roost. Big threat!
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The sweetest lens I ever saw in my life was the Sony 300mm f/2.8. Not much bigger than my Canon 300mm f/4 L IS. Painted “Canon Beige”. Hybrid Canon/Nikon metal work. A serious array of Canon-esque controls.
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Sony also had the requisite 70-200 f/2.8 with the same styling.
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Carl Zeiss is about to release Nikon and Canon mount lenses, perhaps with full automation. A new 21mm is on the way.
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Canon has the Explorer’s of Light giving back-to-back presentations and live studio shoots on the Canon Stage. This was great stuff. Much to learn. Live video feeds from wireless remotes. Camera to print (24×36) in about 8 minutes. Amazing!
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I saw the 5D Mk2 video capabilities. They quality is very high. The human interface needs a lot of work; but this is the start of something big – High Def video in a DSLR. Perfect for event shooters.
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Canon and Nikon are both promoting their prosumer lines very heavily. This show was all about the Nikon D300 and D700 and the Canon 50D and 5D Mk2. The pro stuff (Nikon 3Dx and Canon 1Ds Mk3) as well as all the entry and consumer DSLRs took a back seat.
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Vendors all had smiles and they all seemed phony. The bad economy has hit home.
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This was the first year they charged an admission fee to the show floor.
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Ilford is about to release a new series of papers in the Gallery line; an update to the Pearl surface. Rolls now; sheets by mid-year.
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Some of the photography I saw used to demo products was amazingly second rate – I just can’t understand this
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I’ll probably go back about every other year.
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Conspicuous by their absense: Epson, Bogen, Manfrotto, Gitzo
