Tuesday, July 27, 2010

B+W Wednesday: Bethlehem


I really don't think in all my years of college, I have ever had so much information and knowledge packed into my brain in so short a period of time as I did this past weekend. Lisa, of The Long Road to China, has been teaching online Photoshop courses this past spring. Many of us asked her to consider teaching a photography workshop. Initially, she directed us to other photographers but, after a couple of months she reconsidered and organized an incredible weekend.

I can't say enough about it. The fifteen of us gathered from all over the US (and Canada too!) to immerse ourselves in our passion for photography. We arrived on Friday and spent the evening together eating, drinking and getting to know each other. Saturday we were up bright and early and had an intensive morning session on all-things-camera: manual settings, aperture, ISO, shutter speed, focus points, light metering, composition, and RAW vs. JPEG.

Two hours later, we were shooting our first models: two amazing children and a lovely preteen. We broke for lunch and then headed back out for the bride and groom session, and ended the afternoon with a family with two sweet boys.

With my head spinning (and sweat flowing) I headed back to the hotel to upload the > 700 pictures I had taken, take a shower and grab a quick nap. At 6:oo, we all headed out to another restaurant with wonderful food.

Sunday morning, Lisa led us all in an intensive 4-hour Lightroom/Photoshop session. I tried to absorb as much as I could and was quite surprised that I retained so much. Lisa is a wonderful teacher. She is organized and kept us on-task and on schedule.

It was the best little vacation I could ever have asked for.

While I will [no doubt] be spending a week or two getting through all the photographs, here are three for today's B+W Wednesday. The first is of the little brother from the last group of models. Could this little guys be any cuter??? The last two are of the bride and groom. I have to confess... I was quite shocked that ANY of them came out. Their photo session was when I had my first little breakdown. I am a language person; numbers are most definitely NOT my forte. Trying to figure out ISO and shutter speed at the same time as aperture just about did me in. When I looked on my little screen, all of the pictures looked beyond fixing. I am so glad I was able to get a few. (They were the cutest couple!)

More pictures will be coming.
Stay tuned.

[As always, click on photos to enlarge.}



the long road

17 comments:

Unknown said...

I love all of them! Great job!!

Lynn said...

Great work! I love the soft processing. The numbers do get overwhelming! The more you practice the more it sinks in. Any tips for bright sunshine? Other than stay away from it :)

Donna said...

These photos are fantastic! Amazing what one little weekend can do to our photography skills, huh!

It was fun getting to meet you. I wish we had more time though!

Donna
Our Blog: Double Happiness!

Wanda said...

Hey girl - you go. Your shots are awesome. There's no turning back now, right.

Loved our time together - you did turn out to be a nut-ball after all. Luckily, I like nut-balls. hehe

Have fun editing.
xoxo

Anonymous said...

Great Job. All of them are fantastic!

fleur de lis cottage said...

These are wonderful! Girl, you've got skillz :)

Love Letters To China said...

These pictures are wonderful! It sounds like you and I are very much the same. Trying to figure out all those numbers did me in quite a few times. ;-) Take your time, it's obviously paying off. Those numbers will finally mesh and you won't even think about what your doing... you'll just click.

Denise said...

These are wondeful! I especially love the one of the bride laughing...seriously, it is gorgeous. You are rocking the camera!!

Rebecca said...

The numbers get easier! :) And i agree with the above, the shot of the bride laughing is just perfect!

Nancy E said...

your photo of the wedding couple is the best. Nice work -- the workshop sounds amazing!

N
nanskimtn.blogspot.com

Maddy said...

I'm so glad you hanged in there because they came out beautifully in the end! It gets less overwhelming in time :)

Don and Lisa Osborn said...

Yay! You got to go, too. The agenda sounds EXACTLY like what I need. I love the pictures you've shared so far.

Have fun applying all you've learned and taking it to the next level!

Blessings~
Lisa

Unknown said...

That little kid was TOO cute for words, wasn't he? Oh my heart : ) What sweetness!

LOVE the picture of Kelly laughing. What a great image. I love that so many people got so many different things. That is just the coolest : )

The OriginalPsyn said...

Awesome shots! I really love the one with the bride laughing.

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

Girl, I am SO PROUD OF YOU!!! You really did not think you could do it, but you most certainly did.....these pictures are FANTASTIC!!! You did an awesome job....and you are no longer a NEWBIE:)

Keep rockin the camera......I am totally impressed with how far you have come in one weekend!

I loved meeting you and am so happy that everything worked out on the homefront so that you coule make the trip.

xo,

Lisa

Mary Lou said...

I'm miaainf our on all the blogger gatherings. One of these days!!
I love your photos and I'm with you on the numbers. I would be scared to death..
Thanks for your visit and comment today...

Single Women Adopting Children said...

Wow- Great photos! I so need and want to take a photo class/weekend like that! I am so jealous! Maybe when Mila is older:)