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Lightroom’s getting more Amazing!

March 27, 2010

Adobe has now released a second Beta version of Lightroom 3, and it has some great new features!  So now is the time to get going with this program, or step your use up to the next level.  So, I’ve scheduled two new Lightroom workshops:

Introduction to Lightroom will cover all the basics of workflow and image development, from importing your shots, organizing and finding the best ones, developing your images and making prints, slideshows and web galleries, all from within Lightroom!

Advanced Lightroom will will explore the power features of this amazing program.  From retouching your photographs, to special effects, working with multiple catalogues, tethered shooting etc.  This is the perfect workshop to step up your game in Lightroom.

In both workshops we’ll be looking at the new features debuting in Lightroom 3.  For complete details on what we’ll cover in both workshops, have a look HERE and HERE.

Workshop Dates:  Intro to Lightroom  Saturday, May 15

Advanced Lightroom   Saturday, June 19

Fee for each workshop:  $210 (incl GST)      $100 deposit to register.

For further information, or to register, contact me here:

Posted in course, How-to, Lightroom, photography, photoshop, printing, workshop | 2 Comments »

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The Creative Nude… by Struan…new date!

March 24, 2010

This workshop was a great hit last month!  Everyone involved had a fun time, and some great photographs were made!  So Struan has decided to run it again!

The (very full) day will start with a presentation and shooting demo by Struan, where he will explain how he shoots, works with models, and produces his unique and provocative nude studies.  He’ll work with our models, showing a variety of lighting set-ups and shooting styles.

We’ll take a brief lunch break (served in the studio), then you’ll have a chance to apply what you’ve learned!  We’ll break up into small groups to photograph the models on a variety of sets.  Struan (and I) will be on hand to offer suggestions, help with lighting and answer questions.  At the end of the day review your work and hold a brief critique.  Here’s a PDF with the complete workshop details.

Workshop Date: Sunday, May 30   9:30 – 6:30            Location: My studio in Downtown Toronto

Workshop Fee:  $350 (+gst) includes Lunch ($100 deposit to reserve a space)

There are limited spaces in this workshop, and  it will be popular, so enroll soon!  Contact me below to enroll:

Posted in course, fashion, How-to, inspiration, lighting, model, nude, photography, workshop | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

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Poured Resin Workshop

January 20, 2010

This very exciting workshop will teach you one of the hottest looks in fine art photography right now.  It consists of a method to mount photographic prints on artist’s boards, then enclose them in a poured resin finish.  It  looks as if the prints were coated in molten glass.  It’s a great way to present and enhance your work!  And best of all, it’s a technique you can do at home with some basic materials and know-how.

Talia Shipman will once again lead this workshop.  She’s perfected this technique through years of trial and error, and you will benefit from her experience as she demonstrates the technique and guides you through creating your own finished artwork.  You’ll provide us with an image, and we’ll make an 11×14 print which you will mount and resin coat during the workshop.  You’ll love the results!

You’ll also receive a step-by-step guide with photographs and a materials list so that you can do this technique on your own at home. It’s a fun process and the results are quite stunning! If you’d like to see some samples I have them here in my studio, so give me a call or e-mail and drop by and see them.  Here’s a PDF with more information about the workshop.

Workshop Date:  Sunday, April 25      9:30 – 5:00

Location: My studio (downtown Toronto)

Workshop Fee: $360 incl. materials (& gst)

Advanced registration and $100 deposit is required, so contact me here:

Posted in course, How-to, inspiration, photography, Poured Resin, printing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

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Makeup Workshop for Photographers

January 17, 2010

This is a great workshop for anybody who photographs people! Whether your interest is in fashion, portraiture, weddings or corporate photography, you get lots of helpful information that will improve your work and save you hours of retouching.

Learn how to find and work with a make-up artist to enhance your photos of people (especially if they’re not supermodels!).  Natalia Zurawska will share the secrets she’s learned through working with top photographers and directors, shooting supermodels, celebrities, and just plain folk (like you and your clients).  You’ll learn exactly how the make-up artist does her magic, see before and after photos of a live demo shoot, and learn how to work with this key member of your creative team.

As well, you’ll learn some invaluable make-up tips and techniques that you can use yourself, for those times when you don’t have a make-up artist on hand.  Assemble a simple kit of items you can use for quick touch ups and fixes that you can always have with you.   For portraits, weddings or just casual shots of people, these tips can save you hours of retouching, and could save your shoot.

You’ll also get a complete set of notes, and a shopping list!

This is definitely a fun workshop (Natalia’s a delight), you’ll learn lots, and your clients (and friends) will thank you!  We ran this workshop for the first time last fall, and it was a great success!

I’ve posted two detailed information sheets about this workshop here and here.

Workshop Date & Time:

Saturday, March 13  1:00 – 5:00

Location is my studio in Liberty Village

Workshop fee: $105 (incl GST)

Advanced registration is required, so you can contact me here:

Posted in cosmetics, course, fashion, How-to, make-up, makeup, photography, portraiture, workshop | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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Getting to White (or color)

June 11, 2008

I just came across a very detailed and helpful guide to getting pure white backgrounds for shots of people or products.  There are some good tips to keep in mind, but most important is having sufficient distance between your subject and the backdrop.  Here’s the link!

Coincidentally, I was just using a similar technique to get a variety of colored backgrounds for some jewelry shots for a client.  I used a mid grey seamless and color gels on the background light to change the color of the background.  The model is lit with a medium softbox, about three feet from her. She’s positioned about ten feet from the background, so the light from the softbox doesn’t affect the background. Using a mid grey seamless gives me a lot of flexibility in terms of the background tone.  By combining gels with adjusting the power on the background light I can get everything from near black, to deep, saturated colors, to bright colors, even white if I want.  Here are some examples from the shoot:

In case you’re wondering about the soft focus effect in some of the shots, they’re done with a 90mm tilt/shift lens, which allows me to tilt the plane of focus… Lots of fun!

Posted in fashion, How-to, lighting, photography, portraiture | 5 Comments »

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Gear: Packing and Transporting

February 16, 2008

Here’s an interesting site from John Harrington about the equipment he uses and how he packs it all for transportation:  Assignment ConstructLots of videos about his set-ups as well! 

Posted in gear, How-to, lighting, photography | Leave a Comment »

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Neat background trick for B&W Portraits

February 10, 2008

This is something I sort of stumbled on recently, but I’m using it more and more.    When I’m shooting a portrait that I intend to use in B&W, I shoot on a mid-blue background (rather than the usual grey, black or white).  Then in Lightroom (or Camera Raw), I convert to Greyscale.  I can now use the blue slider to totally control the tone of the background, adjusting it from blank white to total black, or anywhere in between.  Here’s an example:

  •  Original color shotBlue Slider darkens bkgndBlue Slider lightens bkgndbluebkgnd-5.jpg

One other little trick, or variation:  Rather than hitting the Greyscale mode, leave the shot in color.  Reduce the saturation of all the colors to zero (making the shot B&W).  Then dial up the Blue Saturation slider a bit.  Now play with the Blue Hue slider to shift the color of the background.  Like this:

  •  Alternative

This all works because skin contains no blue tones (at least on most earthlings), so you are able to control the skin tones and the background independently.  HAVE FUN PLAYING!

    Posted in How-to, Lightroom, photography | 1 Comment »

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    And you might want to attend this!

    February 6, 2008

    Every year CAPIC runs a workshop about assisting.  It usually involved some equipment demos, and discussions of how to become an assistant, how to assist effectively, running your business, etc. This years workshop is on March 8th, at a studio on Davies Ave. If you’re at all interested in assisting (and you should be!)… here’s the link:Capic Assistant Workshop 

    Posted in assisting, business, How-to, lighting, photography | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments »

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