The Best Photographic Conference of the Year is Nearly Here!!!

The Societies Convention in London is being held from January 20th to the 24th this year. As always I am so looking forward to it. Not only is a great opportunity to receive formal training from some of the best in the industry but its also a chance to learn and gain immense knowledge from so many people from all over the world while enjoying a drink (or 3) at the bar. I always come away from this trip feeling as though I've just attended a family reunion. I've made so many wonderful friends who so often are there for me through the year. It is such a worth while event and for anyone not sure whether to make the trip I can assure you its made a load of difference to me.

Anyway, I am posting this to tell you that I am again running two classes this year, The first is software related and is a 2 hour masterclass. The second is a hands on lighting 4 hour superclass.

Masterclass: You Don't Know What You Don't Know

When: Thursday January 21st from 1:00 to 3:00pm

This class will cover shortcuts, tips and tricks to quicker, easier and more manageable editing. Learn how to apply layer masks, apply textures, use blend modes, use and assign short cut keys, and dodge and burn on non destructive layers. We will address the liquify tool and show that it can be used for more than just reducing lumps and bumps for the perfect figure. As well we will cover creating actions, batch processing and so much more.

I plan to show you how you can use multiple images to create the one perfect shot for those times when you couldn't get it just right with one image. I know we always aim to get it perfect in camera on a single shot but that isn't always possible. So instead you can take elements (ie a person's face, their eyes or a prop that moved) and place it seamlessly on another image to make one perfect portrait.

Feel free to bring questions with you and I will do my best to answer them. Attendees are welcome to contribute as well. Last year I learned something new during my texture's masterclass and I'm hoping I might find the same again this year.

The 2 hours will be crammed with information. The intention of this class is to uncover so many light bulb moments that the time you save in editing throughout the year makes attending the convention all worth while.

Superclass: Foundations in Portrait Lighting Using Bowens Equipment

When: Saturday January 23rd from 9am to 1pm

This class will provide a solid foundation in lighting techniques for both beginners as well as established photographers who've perhaps become too comfortable with safe lighting. It will cover a multitude of essentials required to create beautiful, directional light for a variety of subjects and genres.

To do this we will explain and demonstrate lighting patterns, light ratios and hard versus soft light. We will be using a variety of light modifiers provided by Bowens in conjunction with their popular range of lights to show the different portrait lighting affects each modifier can create. Attendees will also be given the chance to have a guided play with the equipment themselves so photographers are encouraged to bring along their own cameras.

I plan to cover my staple lighting technique used in the bulk of my portraits as a basis to show how simple lighting is all you really need. Typically I use just 2 lights and really that is all you need. But from there we will expand bringing in a further 2 lights in some cases and using modifiers such as a beauty dish, strip softboxes and a fresnel spot. I want to show you how to make a high key portrait really pop, how adding a rim light to your subjects can add some wow and really make a portrait current and fun. And we'll carry on in this way giving everyone a chance to create something of their own using any of the techniques covered.

If you're new to lighting or feel your confidence is lacking then this is a great opportunity to expand your lighting skills and grow your confidence.

I hope to see you there!!!

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