Well I’m back, and what a couple of weeks! Saturday wrapped up the Advanced Digital Photography class at the Maine Media Workshops, and the class did a masterful job of producing excellent photography throughout the week. The students took their Photoshop expertise to a new level while we explored masks (selections, alpha channels, layer masks) in great depth, and produced imagery using black-and-white techniques, HDR imagery, panoramas via Photomerge, and “Lensbaby” effects using the Lens Blur filter.
The intensive Photoshop training was broken up by trips to Belfast, downtown Camden, Rockland, and an excursion to a boat-launch festival. Congratulations to Colette, Gary, Judy, Valdez, Julie, Jennifer, Dan, Roberta, Sharon, Ben, and Noah. Special thanks to my teaching assistant Andy Bloxham for making the week the success that it was.
Meanwhile, the cool damp 60 degree weather is a memory now that I’m back in steamy NJ, but with trainings this week and next, the Photoshop experience will go right on, just with a little more air conditioning.
Posted by Steve Weinrebe —– Photography by © Andy Bloxham
4 responses so far ↓
1 Andy Bloxham // Jun 25, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Steve, it was a blast. I’d be up for working with you any time!
2 JULIE // Jun 30, 2008 at 9:04 am
GREAT CLASS, STEVE. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR EXPERTISE—AND PATIENCE. I AM TRAVELING TO PERU AND THE GALAPAGOS IN AUGUST—WHAT LENSES WOULD YOU RECOMMEND I TAKE ? P.S. I JUST GOT THE 17-35MM YOU HAVE AND LOVE IT! JULIE
3 Valdez Brooks // Jul 2, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Yes indeed.
In addition to the great class and learning soooo much, the “Maine Experience” was the perfect backdrop to the entire thing. Both in and out of the sessions there was so much to absorb and interesting people to meet and speak to. I’m very gratefull I was able to take part in the workshop this year.
You’re a great teacher Steve. I appreciate your style and how you dealt with each one of us without a hint of frustration. The best part of the whole thing for me was on this Sunday, I went into B and H and thought I would glance through the Photoshop books they had there. Whle going through the chapters, I started to laugh because I just kept saying to myself “I could do that, and that, and that!!!”. Granted I don’t know everything there is to Photoshop but I’m extremely confident based on the foundation provided by Steve and Andy that I am well on the way to doing so.
Thanks you guys!!!
To the other participants that might read this, I’m glad to have been there with you. I am always amazed by the way artists approch and see the same things. It was a pleasure being motivated by observing (peeking over shoulders in the lab) the different images you all were able to capture on our shoots.
Good stuff!!!
Next workshop, lighting!!!
4 admin // Aug 1, 2008 at 11:57 am
Thanks for all the great comments, keep me posted on your progress! (Sorry for the slow uptake here, my comment moderation system seems to have had “issues”, but all’s well now.)
Julie, re: lenses for the Galapagos, if I recall from other photographers’ images I’ve seen there, you may encounter some gray days (depending on time of year), and weather proofing would be an issue too. Also, the wildlife is not always that large, though you can get close. Try using the 17-35, which should have good weatherproofing, and get down low and *close* with a wide-angle whenever you can. That’s often more interesting than distance shots with a telephoto. You’re 85 f:1.4 should serve you well in dimly lit situations, early morning or evening, and you can shoot at a higher shutter speed with that fast lens. On my short list right now is the Nikkor 70-200 mm zoom which looks truly wonderful. But I’m not a fan of heavy camera bags anymore and if you have a longer zoom you may want to just carry it when you need it (of course the problem being that if you don’t have it with you, that’s when you’ll need it!). Good luck and have a great trip! If you post any photos on the web send me the link.
Best,
Steve
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