get your learn on

hey guys,

after reading some of your comments to the equipment post and seeing some of the questions i thought i would respond in a separate post.

i see some of you guys are planning on using one lens during the workshop. i must say i admire your simplicity, but i want to warn you that your simplicity may not always apply during our time together. the main thing i want you to remember is that this is an opportunity for you to learn. it is really hard for everyone to learn if you only do what is comfortable and safe. tom, maura, and i are going to push you to see differently during the workshop. we will want you to step out of your comfort zone and try things you wouldn't normally do when you are at home. nothing is set in stone as far as how we as a team will get this accomplished, but in some cases one of us may ask one of you to shoot with a lens you wouldn't normally use. for example , if you only have a 24mm we may say that for one day you have to use only an 85mm or something. that is just an example, but it is a possibility. so when you decide what equipment to pack up i would say bring what you have. speed lights aren't required (nothing really is) but they could be helpful. if you have more than one lens bring them. i can definitely say that there will be some assignments that long glass is gonna be needed. if you only own one lens and one body that is totally cool and there is no reason to feel left out or bad about it.

the idea of getting you out of your comfort zones will also carry over into the way i look for your assignments. some of them may be like shooting fish in a barrel while others may be more quiet and subtle as far the story line goes. if this year holds true to what we have done in the past we will look to set you up with a shoot that is a bit outside of what your used to.

the workshop is not a place where we are looking for you guys to make award winning portfolio images. it is a place where we want you to come together and take a chance visually so that you can grow into a better photographer.


if any of this sounds harsh, my apologies. that is not my intent. if you are a bit scared, good. the best advice i ever got as a photographer came from joe mcnally while i was a student at eaw in 2001. at the time i was a staff photographer at a tiny daily newspaper. joe looked over my portfolio and said i was playing it way too safe. he said my images were good, but not amazing. he then went on to say that the best way for me to take my images to the next level was to go somewhere where in his words "i was scared shitless". it took me several years to follow his advice but after i became a freelance photographer i realized he was right. fear is motivating and pushes you forward. so while i don't want to freak you guys out, i think a tad bit of fear is really healthy.

in the end i only want the best for you guys. every year i take a huge amount of pride in making you guys look good, and grow as photographers. sometimes i may come of as a bit of a older brother who is coming down on you, but please know it is only to help you along to becoming more amazing then you already are.

GO ORANGE!!!!