Picture Perfect Start: Basic Lightroom &

Photoshop Skills for Photographers

Review by Shelly England

There was no better way to spend a Saturday than by attending “Picture Perfect Start: Basic.  Lightroom and Photoshop Skills for Photographers”. This workshop was designed to cater to photographers of varying skill levels, from those who have never opened the software to those with a basic understanding looking to deepen their knowledge. The workshop began with an introduction to the interfaces of both Photoshop and Lightroom, highlighting their basic features and capabilities. Participants were guided through the fundamental tools and functions, ensuring everyone felt comfortable navigating the software.

One of the key strengths of the workshop was the hands-on approach. Participants brought their laptops and Brenda went step by step as participants followed along as she went through the tools and the basic functions. This interactive component allowed attendees to apply the concepts they learned in real-time, making the learning experience both engaging and practical.

In Lightroom, we learned basic organizing of imports, and a primary understanding of the development module. We touched on basic adjustments like exposure, contrast, and color correction. Brenda provided personalized instruction, helping each participant to feel more comfortable with the program.

In Photoshop, the workshop introduced essential tools such as layers, masks, and selections, We learned masking, head swapping and sky replacement, utilizing time to practice each as Brenda monitored and reinforced the learning. Using these tools allowed the participants to, begin basic retouching, as well as practicing applying layers and masks. The hands-on approach in both Lightroom and Photoshop was used to build confidence and competence, allowing participants to experiment with different editing styles and approaches.

The last portion of the workshop allowed participants to work on their own images to practice what they had learned while having Brenda there to answer questions or remind them of steps in the editing process.

Overall, this workshop gave a comprehensive introduction to these powerful editing tools. The combination of step by step instruction, along with time and support in practice, gave participants confidence to apply these skills to their own work. This made the workshop an invaluable experience for budding photographers or anyone looking to begin their journey in enhancing their post-processing abilities and I highly recommend this class if you need basic instruction in either LR or PS, or motivation to kickstart you!

Illuminate and Elevate: Lighting and Photoshop Mastery

A Workshop Experience Review by Sonia Ahmad

Attending a photography workshop led by Tony Chicas was an excellent experience that enhanced my understanding of the technical and creative aspects of photography when shooting on location. The workshop, divided into two comprehensive sessions, covered a wide array of topics, ranging from on-location lighting techniques to advanced post-processing skills.

The workshop kicked off with Tony Chicas providing an insightful introduction to lighting. He began with the basics, explaining the exposure triangle—aperture, shutter speed, and ISO—and how these elements work together to achieve the perfect exposure without relying on a light meter. This foundational knowledge is crucial for photographers seeking more control over their shots.

Tony also shared his preferred gear and demonstrated how to interpret the camera sensor and read the histogram on the camera's LCD screen. This session was beneficial as it bridged the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, allowing us to see firsthand how adjustments in camera settings can affect the final image.

One of the workshop's highlights was Tony's detailed explanation of creative lighting setups and strategies. He emphasized the importance of composition, especially when shooting on location. Tony provided valuable tips on improving composition by effectively utilizing available light and understanding its impact on the scene. He guided us on where to look for light, how to compose a shot with the light in mind, next adding supplemental light, and how these elements contribute to creating compelling photographs.

The second half of the workshop was a hands-on session where we could apply the techniques Tony had discussed. This interactive segment was invaluable as it allowed us to practice taking photographs with enthusiast models who volunteered their time. Tony reiterated the importance of carefully searching for great light and composing the scene. He also shared insights on selecting the right lens for different scenarios and the appropriate times to use reflectors to enhance lighting.

 

The workshop concluded with a session on post-processing using Photoshop. Tony demonstrated how a few minor adjustments could transform a good photograph into a great one. His step-by-step approach made the editing process accessible and easy to follow, even for those new to Photoshop.

Final Thoughts

Tony Chicas' workshop blended theory and practice, making it a perfect learning opportunity for photographers at all levels. His clear explanations, combined with practical demonstrations, provided a well-rounded understanding of photography's technical and creative sides. If you're a photographer who values efficiency and quality, Tony Chicas' workshop is an experience you shouldn't miss. Watch for his future sessions—they will be as informative and inspiring as this one.

Create Award Winning Landscape Images

presented by

Michael Reiland

How to get started taking a landscape photo?  How to get ready for a photo trip?  Michael Reiland began his workshop discussing the planning that should come before the day you arrive to capture the landscape.  It is important to start with the end in mind.  This will take some research on place, time of year, time of day etc.  Time of day will be important in capturing the golden/blue hour magic.   Michael uses a vision board for inspiration & creates a folder for each trip when he plans to take photos.  

He discussed the choices of lens, aperture and shutter speed to achieve the image you choose to capture.  It is not always necessary to use a tripod but it is necessary to steady your camera whether by balancing your body when hand holding or placing on a rock etc. 

Michael discussed the 12 Elements of a Merit Image, using landscape images as examples of each element.  I found this analysis to be very helpful.  It is important to understand the composition of a landscape image before you press the shutter.   Do not get stuck in one place but move around to get different views.  Landscape photography takes patience and persistence.  When you have taken a large number of landscape  images, you will see a personal style developing. 

Next Michael discussed HDR photography both settings in the camera and post processing.  He then discussed the techniques to take panoramic images and how to stitch them together in Lightroom.  Michael discussed the different types of media that he uses for his landscape images.

Most of all Michael recommends we step out of our comfort zone and go some place we would not normally choose.  Stay positive, keep smiling and don’t forget to look up and behind you for the magic. 

Merit Image Review: Crack the Code   

                                                     May 19. 2024

Workshop presented by Karen Butts

Attending Karen Butts’s  recent PPGH workshop, Merit Image Review: Crack the Code,  was an enlightening experience that provided a deep dive into the essential elements of crafting a Merit Image. Karen emphasized the importance of color harmony, ensuring that all hues within the photograph complemented each other to create a visually pleasing and cohesive image. She demonstrated how value, or the range of light and dark in a photo, can dramatically influence the mood and depth, making certain elements pop. We even went upstairs to her studio, and did a hands-on activity on color harmony. It was a fantastic way to keep our interest, and to give us an opportunity to process what we were learning.

Technical aspects like hue and value were meticulously covered. We learned how different hues can evoke various emotions and how manipulating value can add dramatic effect. For instance, a high-contrast image might create a sense of urgency or intensity, while a photo with subtle variations in value can convey tranquility or mystery.  Composition was another area of instruction, where we learned to arrange elements within the frame to guide the viewer's eye and maintain balance. Each photo we reviewed showed the power of a well-thought-out composition in enhancing the overall narrative of the image.Impact and storytelling were also covered.

We had an opportunity to go upstairs again, and Karen showed us her one light set up in her camera room, as well as where she photographs her natural light newborns.

In the last part of the workshop.  Karen offered each participant suggestions on some of their images on how to improve them for Merit Image Review. She also showed us how to create a presentation that not only enhanced the image, but made the image stand out while meeting the high standards expected by judges and viewers alike.

This was one of the most engaging and informative workshops I have attended.  Karen’s knowledge, expertise, and kind heart are unsurpassed.

Brenda Kieso, CPP of Kieso Keepsakes, hosted a few photographers in her home studio for her “Here Comes Santa Claus!” workshop. I was immediately greeted with smells of peppermint and Christmas decor all throughout her house. I was definitely feeling the Christmas spirit! 

 

Brenda walked us through her experience over the years of offering these types of sessions. She used one Santa (Santa Darrell) for most of the years, but unfortunately he passed away a couple years ago. It was very obvious he was more than just someone she hired to play Santa for some photos. Her “new” Santa (Santa Gary) used to work for Santa Darrell and was a delight to meet and work with during the workshop. She had worked with one or two other Santa’s between Santa Darrell and Santa Gary, and based on her experience it is very evident how important it is to find a good Santa. You need to find someone that is good with kids, knows how to handle babies and knows how to respond to the kids' requests. 

 

Before lunch, we got to help set up Santa’s Mailroom in her living room, which was so helpful because we got to see how simple it could be. A couple backdrops, some faux wrapped gifts, a couple Christmas trees, a good chair for Santa, a “Nice” list, some small gifts for the kids and you are ready to offer something special for your clients.

 

After lunch we had a 3 month old little boy come by the studio to model with Santa (got to see how he is with babies), and then my two nieces came by who are 3 years old and 10 months old. Then we got to see how to photograph individual shots of the first child, add in a sibling, and then photograph the second child individually. My 10 month old niece was not loving Santa, which kind of worked in our favor because we had to work through the process of getting her to be okay with Santa near her or distract her enough for him to sneak into the photo! 

One of the key takeaways from this workshop for me was to start talking about these sessions early with your existing clients. You want to make them aware of them and to plan for them. Build the excitement and post on social media regularly leading up to the session dates!

 

I was blown away when Brenda told us that she photographed 46 Santa Experiences over 3 days last year. She has been doing these Santa sessions since 2014, and it was nice to see her growth and “the experience” evolve through the years. As someone that has been considering offering these sessions to their clients, it was helpful to see her process from start to finish. I can now better understand what to offer my clients the first time I offer this experience. 

Websites That Sell

Workshop Review by Cari McFarlane

The workshop “Websites That Sell” was presented by Megan Murray, CPP on Thursday, February 29th, 2024 at Megan Murray’s photography studio located on Sabine Street in Houston, TX. Attended by eight professional photographers with different genres and years of experience allowed for a wonderful opportunity for critique, questions and feedback from all participants in a respectful and educational manner.

The workshop consisted of a thorough discussion of the building blocks needed for any website, components that attract or repel visitors, ways to use your website as a marketing machine, and how to analyze the traffic it receives.

Prior to the workshop, the registered attendees were requested to provide the URL address for their own existing website so Megan could look at and prepare feedback to be given to each attendee during the workshop. Incorporating a visit to the various websites into her presentation allowed attendees to analyze and discuss how best to implement the techniques being discussed on a personal level.

Attendees received information with detailed explanations as to what makes a good website and followed up by visiting various websites to examine each one using the checklists presented. Various ideas were discussed to enhance and improve different aspects of the websites. Megan involved the attendees by collaborating with them on different ways of communicating the desired information to make each website more impactful.

Discussing the purpose and clarity of message was analyzed on every website
page. Key elements of each page were reviewed to strengthen and attract more visitors to the website. This workshop covered both designing the perfect
website and how to use your website to help with marketing, scheduling, and
booking more clients. This workshop was conducted in a relaxed yet very organized manner allowing the group to collaborate and become closer together by encouraging friendly critiques and ideas to implement for each other’s websites.

Pictured from left to right:
Front row: Linda Susman, Maryanne Keeling, Theresa Campbell, Patty Okelberry Back row: Tony Chicas, Duane Blocker, Fred Rogers, Megan Murray
Pictures taken by: Cari McFarlane

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• PPGH Commercial Drone Photography Workshop by: 

  Michael Reiland, FAA Certified Drone Pilot, M. Photog., CPP

  I had the pleasure of attending Michael Reiland’s Drone workshop on Saturday and I learned more than I thought I would.  The workshop was held at the new business location of Integrity Images, on 249 near Beltway 8 in NW Houston.  Michael recently moved into their new production/office space and it is looking great with several large acrylic prints on the walls from Michael’s trips around the world. 

  
  

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• • A few observations,

  • Wow, it is a different world when flying a drone versus holding a camera in your hand. 
  • Drone photography is mostly ‘Available Light’ photography.  A drone pilot doesn’t have to lug around a lot of heavy equipment, in fact, the drone is very light weight. 
  • Drone photography is loads of fun and allows you the freedom to capture the subject from new and exciting angles, and even from directly overhead and way up high.
  • Drone photography is terrific for real estate photography, whether you’re taking stills or video - you truly have a bird’s eye view.
  • The quality from drone cameras produce stunning high-resolution still and 4K video with many advanced camera settings and features.

Michael shared several ways drones can be used to make money in the photography/videography world including, industrial, construction, real estate, engineering, corporate events & teams, weddings, and senior photography.

Michael stressed the importance of earning a drone pilot’s license in order to sell drone photography commercially.  He discussed the times of day when you can and can’t fly, restricted locations (such as near an airport), and weather conditions you must consider when flying.  Michael shared lots of do’s and don’ts about flying as well as camera settings for video. 

After lunch we flew the drones at 3 different locations.  First was a commercial location with a mid-size strip center.  The drone can fly up to 400 high and 1500 feet from the controller, so Michael was able to capture images of commercial buildings on both sides of Hwy 249.  For the second location we went to a nearby park where others flew their drones and fortunately, everyone was able to keep their drones away from the trees and out of the lake. The third location was back at Michael’s office where he dared to fly under and over the overpass to capture images of cars and workshop participants.  This was truly the hands-on workshop.  I don’t own a drone but was able to fly one during the workshop… I wasn’t brave enough to fly over the water though.

In summary, I would recommend Michael’s workshop to anyone who wants to know more about drones.  If you already have a drone, I think you will still benefit and learn from Michael and this workshop.  If you’re considering getting into the drone market, the workshop can open your eyes to things that will help you make decisions when pursuing getting started, becoming certified, or investing in your next drone.  Either way, you’re going to have fun.

Ron Vachon – Vachon Photography - https://www.ronvachon.com/

Lighting & Posing Workshop

Presented by Sonia Ahmad

I attended a wonderful lighting and posing workshop taught by Sonia Ahmad. During the workshop, it was clear that her home studio is very well organized  with everything in its own place.  Sonia uses a lighting simulation program to perfect her lighting and advised us to "Practice, Practice, Practice" to become proficient in lighting.

Demonstrations started with a one light setup and progressed to using four lights, using the workshop attendees as models. She demonstrated both low key and high key setups.  Because she believes in getting the image correct in camera, Sonia uses a light meter to measure the lighting & a Color Expo disc for color consistency.  Our questions were answered fully and with a demonstration, if necessary. 

During her consultation with the client, Sonia asks what they want the photograph to convey about them.  It could be anywhere from friendliness to portraying a tough exterior, but it is important that the photographer know what result the client wants to portray in their images.  Sonia uses Capture One while tethered to her camera which shows the images on a screen that the client can see during the session. This allows the client to view the images during the session and they discuss any changes that may be needed.  We were able to see how all this works together with a branding client who came in for her session during the workshop.

We were encouraged to set everything up before the client arrives to be seen as an experienced, competent and efficient professional photographers able to capture the vision the client desires.  It is clear that Sonia believes in organization and "Practice, Practice, Practice" to get it right in camera.  At the close of the workshop, Sonia shared the images and we certainly could see that a minimum amount of time would be spent post-processing so she could deliver the images that evening.  As a bonus, we each received a headshot from Sonia and printed copies of the lighting setups from the simulation program she uses. 

Review by Kathy Kinser

                           

Basic Architectural Photography for the Professional

with Patrick and Sonya Bertolino

Patrick is a self-described “blue collar” architectural photographer.  He came up through the school of hard knocks…learning things the hard way.  And by the way, Patrick has earned the Master of Photography degree through PPA.  Sonya, on the other hand, is a “white collar” architectural photographer with more formal education in photography (Bachelor of Fine Arts).  Both are excellent photographers with tons of knowledge and experience.  Each brought their own perspective, learnings, and methods to this class.  We got a 2-for-1 deal!

In architectural photography, knowing your intended audience is key.  For example, architects will want a certain perspective while interior designers and real estate agents may want a different perspective.  Other elements for each audience may differ like having room lights on or off, camera angle/height, and window pulls. It’s important to know for whom you are shooting before starting a project.

There are two main challenges to architectural photography: straight lines and exposure.

One major challenge of photographing interiors is getting the lines of a building straight, both interior and exterior.  Vertical lines need to be vertical and horizontal lines, horizontal.  You can use the level on your tripod.  However, using the level inside the camera is Patrick’s favorite way to ensure everything is level before taking the photo.  Check your camera’s menu for the level.   If the image needs further adjustment, you can use the Transform panel in Lightroom for more straightening.

Exposure is another key challenge to overcome.  Ambient light in a room may only get you so far.  Introducing flash can help with overall exposure and lighten some of those dark corners.  A combination of the two, “flambient” lighting, can produce better results.  Bouncing flash off the ceiling produces a nice overall bump to exposure.  Patrick likes to bracket 3 exposures and combine them in Lightroom.  Sonya prefers a wider range of bracketed exposures and combines the images as layers in Photoshop.  She will paint in each layer as needed for a more light-painted effect.  To correct for color casts, use the HSL sliders in Lightroom.

We learned so much in this class from Patrick and Sonya.  Married, yet competitors, they have each honed their craft and were a wonderful resource of information on architectural photography.  I can’t wait to learn more from them in the future.

Review by Tara Flannery

Alison Carlino’s Night Skies Workshop: 10/10 highly recommend!

By: Megan Murray

Visiting Big Bend had been on my bucket list for years, and when Alison Carlino announced her Photographing the Night Skies workshop, I jumped at the opportunity.  An escape from the city, beautiful scenery, photography, wonderful company, and a scholarship from PPGH – what’s not to love?

Before the workshop, Alison hosted a Zoom meeting to cover our itinerary, packing list, equipment & software requirements, and answer any questions.  Once in Terlingua, the workshop was a mix of afternoon classroom time and late night photography under the stars.   We covered three main topics: Milky Way, light painting, and star trails.  Alison is an organized, thorough, and passionate instructor!

Although Alison had done all the preplanning legwork for this workshop, she taught us how to plan future astrophotography shoots by researching dark sky areas and moon phases and location of the milky way.  Here’s a back-of-camera photo from the first night where we photographed the Milky Way over an old church in the Terlingua Ghost town:

The second night, we ventured into Big Bend Ranch State Park and photographed star trails at an old movie set along the banks of the Rio Grande.  This was my very first attempt at star trails, and while far from technically perfect, I was happy with the end result:

But just to show you what’s possible, here’s an image Alison created right outside her AirBnB:

WOW, right?!

The next afternoon, we covered editing of night skies and learned how to combine hundreds of time-lapse images into one finished star trails image.  The clouds rolled in, so instead of staying up late photographing on the third night, the group went on a sunset hike together.  The conversation, climb, views, and candy-colored skies were the perfect ending to a fantastic workshop.

I loved the small group format of Alison’s workshop – plenty of personal attention and great company on those late nights.

And while at Big Bend, I did a little hiking too.  With such wide open spaces and sparse population, it almost felt like I was on another planet.

In conclusion, I would recommend ANY class Alison teaches!  Her enthusiasm is contagious, and she gives her students 110%.   And if you’re longing for an excuse to get out in nature and try something different, the Night Skies workshop is just the ticket.  Thank you PPGH for making this workshop experience possible with a photography education scholarship!