Scheduled Topics
Everyone is welcome at this convention!
Jose Madrigal
Topic: “The Nature of Macro”
This class will reveal the strategies, equipment, and techniques Jose uses for photographing the tiny creatures that we often overlook. He’ll cover how to quickly find subjects and choose the right camera settings and equipment. Prepare yourself to learn how to compose and capture better shots of insects and other small-world inhabitants.
Topic: "Macro on the Wing"
This class will show you the advanced strategies, equipment, and techniques Jose uses for capturing tiny insects in flight. He’ll explain how he finds “cooperative" subjects and plans his approach, along with choosing the right camera settings and equipment. He’ll wrap up with a deep dive comparing the pros and cons of “flight macro” using natural light vs flash. Prepare yourself to learn how to “freeze” tiny, fast-moving critters in crisp detail.
Jose has paid workshops on Thursday and Sunday: (limited capacity!)
“A Tiny Walk in the Park” - This will be a 5-hour basic macro walk through the Beaumont Botanical Gardens, where I’ll guide participants on how to find good subjects, as well as best practices for approaching them without spooking them. I’ll teach you staging, lighting, and composing in the field, and I will bring some extra “tools of the trade” equipment that most top macrophotographers rely on to control the environment and create amazing compositions. This will give participants a chance to see how it’s done, and then get some hands-on experience capturing with their own cameras. We’ll look for a variety of invertebrates with a goal of capturing a least a dozen different subjects. Many wildflowers will be peaking at that time of year providing some beautiful background colors and textures to complement the critters, and participants will be welcome to focus on flowers alone too.
David Downs
Topic: "Printing, Pricing & Platforms: Selling Your Work"
You’ve started selling your work. Maybe you’re a new photographer experiencing success or an old hand just getting started in the world of retail. Either way, you want your clients to be ecstatic with the way your image looks on their wall. The challenge is, you don’t control the environment they provide for your beautiful image. What they see on that bright beautiful backlit screen can look vastly different when hung on the wall in the poorly lit corner of their living room. What steps can you take to ensure, to the best of your ability, that they find the end results as emotionally satisfying as possible. That’s the key to repeat business and referrals. You need to understand how to discuss the best formats, finishes, sizes, resolution, and lighting options with your clients. Join me for an hour that will fly by as we discuss the acuity of the human eye, how big you can print your images, the proper size for the space and how to get happy customers again and again.
Topic: Shooting From the Road: Travel Photography Tips and Techniques
Having traveled around the world and across the country, I’ve learned a few things when it comes to photography from the road. Between the workshops we provide at Benton Downs, scouting trips, work trips, and the occasional vacation for just my wife and I, my camera gear and I have covered a few miles. There are a multitude of things to consider when planning a trip even without taking photography into consideration. Add the gear and accessories you THINK you need, and it can be overwhelming. I’ll share with you my gear list, check list, planning tools, research resources and how I pack my gear. How do I stay organized? What do I consider while packing and does my editing ability play into the decisions I make? What about ALL those images I’ve taken, where do I store them? How many SD cards do I need? All great questions and we will cover them in the class.
Topic: “Are You a Photographer or an Artist?”
One of the most impactful moments in my 12-year photography journey came with the question, “Are you a photographer or an artist?” I had to stop and think about this. My hope is this class will help you ponder this same question and through my illustrations and discussion around how each of us perceives the world, you will walk away with a clearer understanding of who you are both as a photographer AND an artist. How do YOU see the world? How does the WORLD see your interpretation of it? How do you transfer your vision into a physical presence worthy of a spot on someone’s wall? Is this a course on editing? No, but it will hopefully give you some clarity around what type of editing you want to learn to better express yourself, your vision and ultimately that voice inside you encouraging you to show the world what you see. Don’t be afraid to share your light. With AI increasingly prevalent in our niche of creativity, how much should you embrace it in your work? All these questions and more will be discussed, and it’s almost certainly guaranteed there will not be a consensus, nor will we resolve the question, but the discussion is worthy of the time it takes because it will ultimately help bring clarity to your path. Come prepared to express yourself! This is an interactive presentation with prizes for those who participate.
Leroy Tademy
Topic: “Introduction to Off-Camera Lighting & Flash Basics”
In this session, we will focus on the importance of off-camera lighting, the basic principles behind it, and how to get started with flash lighting. By the end of this session, participants should understand why off-camera lighting is a game-changer for portrait photographers and how to begin using flashes creatively.
Topic: “Mastering Constant Light for Portraits & Advanced Lighting Techniques
In this session, we will focus on constant light, another powerful tool for portrait photographers. We'll also dive into more advanced lighting setups using both flash and constant light. The goal is for participants to understand when and how to use constant light effectively and to enhance their portrait lighting skills with advanced setups.
Leroy has two paid workshops:
Mastering Flash & Constant Light (Thurs/ 1-4pm) Join Leroy for an exclusive hands-on workshop where we dive deep into the world of flash and constant light to create stunning, professional indoor portraits. Whether you’re looking to level up your studio lighting or learn how to use flash creatively in smaller spaces, this workshop is designed to give you the tools and skills you need.
Mastering Natural & Artificial Light (Sunday/ 9:00 am - 12:00pm)
Want to take your outdoor portrait photography to the next level? Join me for an exclusive hands-on workshop designed to help you harness the power of natural light and portable lighting to create stunning, professional portraits in the great outdoors. Whether you’re looking to perfect your outdoor setups or learn to use reflectors and flash in natural settings, this workshop will give you the practical skills you need to excel.
Linda Nickell
Topic: “Mother Nature’s Playground: A Photographer’s Perspective”
Mother Nature offers us a vast and ever-changing playground, inviting us to explore, wander, and witness the world through a lens of wonder. In this presentation, Linda Nickell shares her passion for nature photography, taking us on a visual journey through the natural beauty of her Texas playground. Whether through familiar landscapes or hidden gems, Linda’s images encourage us to slow down, connect with the natural world, and see it from a fresh perspective. With a curious mind and an open lens, we are reminded of the transformative power of nature and the stories waiting to be discovered just outside our door.
Topic: “The Power of Connection: Using Social Media to Promote Your Photography”
Social media platforms, especially Instagram, are powerful tools for photographers to showcase their work, connect with potential clients, and build a personal brand. Linda will offer some of her insights and share some tips on how to use Instagram to promote your work but more importantly how to have fun and not get caught up in how many followers and “likes” you get. Linda will talk about Instagram and why it's time to rethink how photographers can use the popular app. It's so much more than just posting pretty pictures.
John Nader, CCP
Topic: “Basic Understanding of Light Painting”
Light painting looks like nothing else! This class will show you a basic overview of one of the most unique and beautiful photography methods. John will be guiding attendees through The Basic Understanding of the process of Light Painting, covering essential aspects such as:
Planning
Lighting
Exposure
Editing
Learn how plan a Light Painting shoot from set-up to taking the photos to be composited together one at a time. From there, learn the process of editing and completing the final image. A game-changing process!
Ron Bielefeld
Topic: “Setting up your Mirrorless Camera for Bird Photography – Static and Flight”
A thorough discussion of mirrorless camera setup for bird and bird in flight photography. Photographing birds, especially birds in flight, is unlike any other type of photography. Thus, setup of your camera should be tailored to the task. Topics to be covered in this seminar include setting up the 1) Image type, 2) General shooting mode, 3) Shutter mode, 4) Auto Focus, and 5) Custom buttons/dials and the reasons behind making these choices.
Topic: “Technology Advancements and Birds in Flight Photography – The Good, Bad, and Ugly”
Advancements in the capabilities of digital cameras over the past decade have opened the joy of bird and bird in flight photography to the masses. However, along with all the good things technology has brought to photography there also are some bad and even ugly aspects to all this new photographic technology. We will discuss the good, bad, and ugly and how it may affect your photography.
Jason Saucier
Topic: “Basic Introduction to using a camera (with the Automatic feature turned off)"
Have a camera but want to learn how to really use it? This is the place for you! Jason will take the mystery out of using your camera, and how to move beyond “Auto” mode. Bring your camera and Jason will show you how to get from Auto to Manual modes, and help you gain confidence in using your camera!
Keith Carter
Topic: “Photographing Outside the Lines”
Discover the beauty and fun of photographing "outside the lines" with renowned photographer Keith Carter. Find your creative spirit using unorthodox and innovative techniques to expand and develop your photographic acumen.
Planning Committee:
Lyne Raff, Dennis Moncla (Co-Chairs), Patrick Hoffpauir (club President), Jared Hunter, Lacey Hale, Pedro Arrechea, Wanda Caro, Michelle Esclovon, Jerome Cabeen, Tim Sudela
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Image credits: top bkg image: Jr-Korpa/Unsplash; round images: Julius Drost/Unsplash, StockSnap/Pixabay, Lyne Raff /www.LyneRaffPhotography.com. Daytrips Photos by each location and by Michelle Esclovon, Pedro Arrechea, Dennis Moncla, Lyne Raff, Beginner Class camera image Wilsan U/Unsplash.
Instructors images provided by each.