Ready or Not! It's Christmas!

Is it just me or does each year seem to go by faster and faster?!  Especially when we get to the holiday season.  Maybe it's just because we're all so involved in so many things these days.  Knowing that I can't slow the clock down,  l realize time is precious - it's important to make sure we're balancing our lives - work, personal time, family and friends.  Sometimes that isn't easy to do,  but it's critical to our happiness.  As they say, take time to smell the roses!

Anyone who is self employed knows the trap of becoming married to your business and letting other aspects of our life fall by the wayside.  For me this time of year,  as I imagine for a lot of you,  is a time to reflect.  Where we are, personally and professionally.  Readjust some things, plan for the coming year, find and pursue your passions!

Even as chaotic as it can be,  I truly love this time of year.  I realize how incredibly blessed I have been in my life and how exciting the future is.  So many people have helped me grow as a person and as a photographer.   In the coming year,  appreciate and enjoy your family, friends, photography excursions,  and all of the incredible experiences on this planet!

I hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas and a very happy New Year!

Michael

LIGHTING WORKSHOP

I taught my lighting workshop last weekend in St. Charles - always a great time when I get together with fellow photo buffs!  I love to exchange ideas and try new techniques!  As in all of my workshops, I try to start with a basic foundation of knowledge and principles and then encourage departing from these as the creative process begins. 

The fun really begins though when we start setting lights and shooting photos!  For myself,  shooting film for as many years as I did - and I loved film, the advent of digital cameras have made the learning process so incredibly fun and fast, almost begging us to keep trying different angles, exposures, light placement,  etc.,  For me it's been the single most incredible advance in photography I have experienced!

Really, can you imagine not being able to preview the shot you just made on the camera's LCD?  or waiting 30 to 90 seconds for a polaroid to develop?  Let alone the transporting of and processing costs?
Digital is a beautiful thing!

Lighting a portrait - Photo by Heather Hanna - Workshop Participant

Photo by Heather Hanna - Workshop Participant

Product Lighting - Michael Schlueter

Lighting for Texture - Michael Schlueter

Well, here are some shots from the workshop - we played with light and I believe came away with some nice images!   Enjoy and Happy shooting!   Michael

Photo Workshop - Portraits on Location

Workshop participant Ted Hodges working with model

Challenges and opportunities-that's what you get when you start creating portraits on location!  It's a chance to get out of your comfort zone - like a predictable studio environment - and create something unique and exciting.

Last Saturday, after some hot coffee and delicious bagels,  I had the pleasure of teaching a workshop that focused on this very subject.  As always, whether I'm attending or teaching a workshop these forums offer all of us an incredible way to learn and expand our photo skills.

Lynn models - Photo by Ted Hodges

We were shooting in the historic St. Charles area where I've shot many times in the past and as usual every time we return to a location we always find new angles and opportunities with each new visit.  I always find it fascinating as to all the different approaches and specific ways participants shoot an area and subject in a workshop.  We all really do have unique vision during the creative process!

Ted captures the look & moment

Different Look & Angle - Photo by Ted Hodges

Creating a "studio look" on location - Photo by Ted Hodges

Toni projects a contemporary look - Photo by Ted Hodges

 
Here are some shots from the workshop - we covered a lot of details ... backgrounds, lighting, props, rapport with your subject, and much more!  A big thanks to our models - Lynn and Toni!  They were great to work with!  Hope to see you at the next workshop!

Happy Shooting!   Michael