Rewarding Photos!

This image represents what for a lot of people is THE hardest thing to do. Approach, engage and involve strangers in your photography. I'll admit, it's one of my hang ups too. However, if you'll break through and do it, you'll find that these pictures will often be the most rewarding to you.

Breaking News!!!

New workshops will be announced soon. They are for graduates of past classes, but include Spring Flower, Beach, Fall Color and Holiday Shoots! Stay tuned! And if you're not signed up for the next class, what are you waiting for?

Also, Nikon announced a new body and three new lenses. You’ve got the D60, the 16-85DX, the 60f2.8AFS micro and the very exciting 24f3.5PC-E.

Canon rumors are all abound about a new camera coming out at PMA. Stay tuned.

Here's todays shot...

Great Deals To Pass Along...

Friends,

There are some really good deals here on Memory Cards (Compact Flash and such) over at Adorama. You know I support the local camera shops, but this is a good deal.

http://www.adorama.com/IDSCF16GE3.html

Just saying....

Now, I really was fond of this image as I recently took part in an online project to take a self portrait of you holding your camera. This would have been a great entry in the project. Nice job, and again, I really like the rain element in this image.

Cool Way to Show Your Pictures

Another slow day...

Sorry...

Sorry there's so little to post, I've been banging away at the new website I hope to launch very soon. In the meantime, here's another great shot to admire.

Another Beautiful Shot!

Josh's shot of the pigeons in the vacant building was very nice.

Hey, don't forget to sign up for the March 29th class!

One of the MANY winners from Saturday...

Grace's image of a rain spout in the rain was very nice.

I Think It Was A Success!

Good Morning Everyone! Fresh off the first class, I awake to think this was a success. A rainy and messy day didn't seem to dampen anyone's spirits and made for some really incredible prints. I have already received many nice emails and I thank you for them all!

Good News! I finally figured out what was wrong with the printer and your prints are rolling off the printer as I type! I forgot to mention to my Point and Shoot friends that your print will only be as big as your camera will allow. Didn't want anyone to be confused when their picture didn't fill the 13x19 inch piece of paper, but look at it this way, you already got part of your matting taken care of!

Congratulations to the winners of the impromptu contest! I wish I could have awarded everyone something as I was truly inspired by your works. Very impressed with your skills and think you are all on your way to becoming great photographers. Keep up the good work and continue to apply those skills you learned on Saturday. KEEP SHOOTING!!

Some of the responses on Saturday have gotten me thinking and I'm working on a part two of this class that's more field work. Stay tuned!

I'll start showcasing your work tomorrow!

What In The World...SNOW?!?!?

Good Morning folks!

As promised this is a rain or shine event - even with the threat of snow! In fact, snow makes for some AWESOME pictures - so come prepared. The classroom is normally HOT, so dress in layers!

The doors will open between 7:55-8:00am. If the door is locked, hang tight - someone will be there to let you in shortly. The college is closed, so don't assume no one showed up.

Final reminder to bring all your goodies. Can't wait to see you!

Meet Your Classmates!!

Good Morning Class! While I'm off to the camera store to pick up some last minute goodies, for both me and you, I thought I'd introduce you to your classmates!

David
Karen
Ken
Rosemary
Grace
Rodney
Pat
Jim
Lynn
Danny
Walter
Daniel
Paula
Larry
Kathy
Katrina
Pam
Josh

Looks like a great group to me! See ya Soon!

NEW CLASS - March 29th

BONUS POST!

The new class date has been announced. Saturday, March 29, 2008. The best news? There's already a waiting list. If you're interested, post a comment, or send me an email.

11 Seats remaining!

Finishing Touches!

OK, I'm just sitting here putting the finishing touches on the materials for Saturday. Not much new to report. Weather still looks good (but cold). Can't wait to see you on Saturday it promises to be a great time.

Finally decided on the photo contest prize package too!

Early Indications Are Good!

Well, keep your fingers crossed - early indications are that the weather for Saturday will be clear and partly sunny, albeit pretty chilly. With a high of 40 in the afternoon, we'll be out before lunch so chances are it will be in the 30's when we are out shooting!

So that reminds me, make sure you have a fully charged battery, or new batteries installed. Also bring spare batteries as well. Cold weather greater effects battery life. And nothings worse than being on a shoot and having your camera stop working. In the case of a wedding photographer, it can be a career killer.

Happy shooting!

It's Almost Here

The time is approaching! Saturday will be here before you know it. So here are a few reminders for the class. Please bring all photographic materials you may own. The manuals, TRIPOD, extra lenses, filters, flash, etc. I'd hate for you to come to class and need something you already own and not have it on hand.

Please DO NOT buy any new equipment for the class. We will discuss things in class and I'd hate for you to buy the wrong thing prior to hearing about the proper thing (that might actually save you some money!)

Can't wait to see you there on Saturday. Remember we start first thing at 8:00am!

Insight #3

All participants will receive a small "bag" (may not actually be in a bag) of goodies. Things discussed in class, trial softwares, tips and tricks, keyboard shortcuts, CD of files and goodies, and a special prize from me - just for attending the class!

BONUS POST!!!

I forgot to mention that as of Monday, the class is FULL!!!

I'll be doing this again in March (other commitments in February!) I'll post the exact date as soon as I can work it out with all parties.

Well now....

For you regular tenders out there, you may have been wondering "Where'd he go?" Well, it's a long story, but I'll give you the Cliff Note version...

I resigned from my regular 8-5 job on Monday, and will now concentrate full time on running my own business as I've been wanting to try for several years now.

It's a very scary leap. I left my old job with one half of me breathing a sigh of relief and the other wondering what the heck I was thinking!

So, that's why I've been missing for two days. I hope you'll understand. I had a lot of things to get squared away and now I'm back on track. Insight's and tidbits will resume tomorrow!

Insight #2

During the class there will be a "Photography Contest." The student who takes the best picture (as voted on by the class and the instructors) will win a very nice prize!

Insight #1

It gives me great pleasure to introduce the professional photographer for the Jan 19th class. Her name is Jamie Konarski Davidson.

Jamie was born and raised in Blue Point, New York, a small town on the south shore of Long Island. She moved to Greenville in 1982, where she completed her B.A. and M.A. in English Literature at East Carolina University.

For most of her life she had used a point-and-shoot camera to "take pictures." For many different reasons, making the financial and photographic leap to a "real camera" was not an option or priority. A diagnosis and recurrence of breast cancer in her early 30s gave her the courage and incentive to purchase her first 35mm camera.

The gift of life encouraged her to discover a passion for exploring the world around her through photography. That first year was one of great learning, and Jamie knew that she finally had the tools to begin capturing the essence of the miracles she saw and what she envisioned.

In 1997 she experienced an epiphany in a field of wildflowers on the North Carolina coast. Upon entering this field with her camera, she carried with her a load of stress and emotional burdens. Surrounded by explosions of color, shapes and patterns, she focused her attention on the intimate details revealed to her as she crawled around the poppies, oxeye daisies and cosmos. After a while, her shoulders dropped, her breathing slowed, and that all the "stuff" she carried into the field had disappeared. At that moment she realized the healing powers of nature and the spiritual connection she felt as she photographed. At that moment, New Life Photos was born.

With special emphasis on close-up photography, Jamie focuses on the intimate details of the natural world -- ones that can be seen only when the hurried pace of life is slowed. Her photographic interests also include gardens, wildflowers, old farm buildings and tobacco barns, lighthouses and coastal scenes.

Jamie has exhibited her work over the past ten years, including the North Carolina Museum of Life & Science, Sertoma Arts Center, and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences with fellow nature photographer, Bill Campbell. Her work has appeared in North Carolina Literary Review and Fear of the Coming Drought and on the covers of Impressions magazine (Spring/Summer 2004), Tar River Poetry, Asheville Poetry Review and the Breast Cancer Resource Directory of North Carolina (First, Second & Third Editions). She is an active member of the North American Nature Photography Association and Carolinas Nature Photographers Association. Jamie joined the staff of ASAP Photo & Camera in Greenville in 2006 and enjoys helping people get the most out of their photography adventures.

Jamie shares her images, field experiences and love of nature photography through presentations and workshops. Her work is currently available online and at Artisans in Greenville, NC.

I want to publicly thank Jamie for stepping in and assisting me to offer a better class due to her presence. I've met Jamie and think you will find her to be an AWESOME addition to the class.

Great News!!

I arrived at work this morning to the delightful surprise that there is 1 seat left for my January 19th class. This is fantastic news and encouraging in the fact that I don't have to spend the $500 advertising I had planned to start early this month!

A very humble thank you to all those that have signed up. I'm honored that you trust me to further your education in the digital photography realm, and vow to live up to your lofty expectations!

Now that the class is almost full, I can start revealing some of the surprises in store. So stay tuned!

Happy New Year Everyone!

WOW! January 1st, 2008. As I sit here marveling at the fact that my class begins in 18 days, I also have to prepare for my normal classes which start back up on Thursday. I've been doing a lot of reading over the past several days to prepare for the new semester - I'll be using the same materials this semester as last, but I like to stay on top of everything so as to offer something new each time I teach them.

I'm putting the final touches on the "Turn You Snapshots Into GREAT Shots" class. I've confirmed my professional photographer, acquired all my giveaways and prizes, and I'm putting the final touches on the handouts and presentations. This class will be getting "to the minute" updates on technology and techniques.

Well, let me get back to it. Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year!