Comments from this weekend's Macro and Close-up workshop participants

I would like to express my sincerest thanks to all the participants who attended the workshop this weekend.  Most of all thanks for your wonderful comments - I am glad you all came away with something of value from the session.Comments from the participants:Shiv is a very knowledgeable photography instructor. He presents his material so that everyone can understand the concepts. He was very thorough and open to answering students' questions. He gave out a lot of useful, practical information that was well worth the price of the course.This workshop was fantastic. I would recommend it to anyone that wants to learn about Macro or Micro Photography.Nothing beats this small group format for a workshop. It really provides a one on one feeling in addition to getting to practice what you learned with your peers. All this plus having someone there with Shiv's expertise to answer and questions, which he encourages you to ask, makes for a great learning experience. I would do this again in a heartbeat. -MattThis workshop was very informative from the presentation right through to the hands on. Shiv's skill as a workshop leader comes with his ability to articulate difficult concepts in a way for the lay person to understand. I highly recommend!!The information flowed well-the presentation was easy to follow. hands on with instructor assistance was outstanding. I would attend another seminar/workshop by Shiv any time. Bob B.Your work lead me to believe that I could learn something from you. Just didn't realize how much. You packed a lot into this workshop....well worth the price.Really enjoyed this and would do it again in a heartbeat.After attending many workshops, this is one of the best. Concepts around macro shooting are difficult to understand and your examples were clear and helped me immensely! I truly appreciate your ability to articulate a concept clearly and concisely. Thanks for a great day...inviting house, lunch and lots of things to work on!I particularly like how other participants more experienced help out those with less. I felt people were not intimated at all and were free to acknowledge their weaknesses and learn...you helped a great deal with that by announcing that no question was weak...everyone learns something.Depending on one's own level of experience...more experienced photographer will get more and those with less, get less but everyone comes away with something...a sign of success in my book. No presenter can meet everyone's needs but can make an impact even in a small way.The presentation included a lot more detail and information than I expected.

Read More

Macro & Close-up Photography Repeat Session - March 11, 2012

Black Eye Susan Stacked Focus Result

I will be repeating the 1 day Macro and Close-up photography workshop on Sunday March 11, 2012.  We will start at 9:30 AM and conclude at 5:00 PM.  A pizza lunch is included.In this macro photography workshop you will learn how to take beautiful macro photos like a pro. You’ll be able to take eye catching macro and close-up photos with great detail and sharpness.Click on this Macro & Closeup March 11 link for full details and a description of the program.

Read More
Photography Photography

Maybe Adobe has a heart.............

All concerned about having to buy the full version of CS6 just because you did not upgrade to CS5 - do not despair Adobe has just announced an upgrade plan for CS3 and CS4 users. Here is what they say:

Upgrade offer for CS3 and CS4 customers

We’re very excited about the upcoming release of Adobe® Creative Suite® 6 software and Adobe Creative Cloud™. CS6 will be a major new release of our creative desktop tools, with huge improvements for every type of creative professional. Adobe Creative Cloud will be our most comprehensive creative solution ever, giving members access to all of the CS6 desktop software plus additional services, new tools, Adobe Touch Apps, and rich community features. In addition, Creative Cloud members will receive continuous upgrades and updates to all products and services as part of their membership.With these great new releases coming in the first half of 2012, we want to make sure our customers have plenty of time to determine which offering is best for them. Therefore, we’re pleased to announce that we will offer special introductory upgrade pricing on Creative Suite 6 to customers who own CS3 or CS4. This offer will be available from the time CS6 is released until December 31, 2012. More details on this offer, as well as any introductory offers for existing customers to move to Creative Cloud membership, will be announced when CS6 and Creative Cloud are released later this year.

More at: http://www.adobe.com/products/creativesuite/faq/upgrade-policy.html

Read More

Canon's new P&S G1 X with a sensor nearly as large as the 60D

Finally a Canon P&S with a large sensor that is nearly as big as the sensor on the 60D.  It is 1.5-inch (18.7 x 14mm) and is 14.3-megapixels.  Now one can get shallow DOF from a P&S. It also boast ISO  up to 12800 and a new lens with an aperture of 2.8, 4X Optical Zoom with a zoom range  15.1 (W) - 60.4mm (T) (35mm film equivalent: 28 (W) - 112mm (T)Additionally the G1 X has a 14-bit, RAW+JPEG shooting and is compatibility hot shoe Speedlites and the Macro Twin Lite or the Macro Ring Light flashes. HDR shooting capability is inbuilt and of course it will do full HD 1080p video.  The camera is scheduled for availability in February.More on the this at CanonHunts Photo & Video is taking pre-orders for this camera.  If you pre-order, shipping will be free.  Call or email Gary Farber at  digitalguygary@wbhunt.com or call me at 781-462-2332.

Read More
Workshops Workshops

Africa Photo Safari - Nov 2013

We have just finalized the plans and itinerary for the Africa Photo Safari to Namibia and Botswana.  The safari is limited to a minimum of 9 participants and a maximum of 11.  Due mainly to the high season in this region reservations and an initial deposit is required by the end of November.Africa 2013 PDF BrochureAll the details are in the documents as follows:Africa 2013Registration Form SVP AfricaEnrollment SVP AfricaRelease Form SVP

Read More

Fall Foliage and Landscape Workshop - October 7 - 10, 2011 Lincoln, New Hampshire

The White Mountains come alive every fall with vivid colors and attract visitors from all over the world.  Enjoy Columbus Day weekend  New Hampshire at the peak of its autumn splendor. Participate in this workshop to maximize the photo opportunities and capture amazing images.Spend 3 and 1/2 days and 3 nights in a luxury condo with all facilities at the Nordic Inn and Resort.  Bring your cameras and laptops for one of the finest weekends of photography and education.  Lodging is included.Click here for a link to the brochure: Fall Foliage NHThe enrollment forms etc. are linked on the workshop page

Read More
Uncategorized Uncategorized

Macro and Close-up Photography Workshop - Update

The August 20th workshop was a small group and provided the attendees a lot of personalized attention.  The use of focus stacking was a great hit.  Next is a one-on-one all day session with one of my worship attendees from last month.  Looking forward to that.

 Rose - A 24 Image Focus Stack at f 2.8

Here is a survey comment from one of my participants:

"Shiv is an excellent instructor, knows how to make concepts understandable, and is extremely knowledgeable. No matter what level of photography you are at, he will make sure you you grasp what he is presenting. He uses simple exercises to illustrate the effects he presents so you fully see the reasoning behind his instruction."

Read More

Plymouth - Macro & Close-up - Part 1

Despite poor weather I had a great turnout for Part 1 of a two part series on Macro and CLose-up photography.  65 plus attended.  Great feedback from the participants.  Part 2 (the hand on session) will be this weekend and as there is a sizable waiting list,  August 20 will be a repeat of Part 2.  Thanks to Amy  Davies and Graham Custard for organizing the program and a big thank you to all who attended.A few comments from part one as posted on the Plymouth Groups web:

  • I thoroughly enjoyed this lecture, punctuated with examples and humor. It reminded me of my University days, listening to a professor, a true master and genius in his own specialty. A privilege to attend and absorb the information. But .... I have so far to travel in this macro journey !
  • Great presentation; a lot of information to look over. I can't wait to go to Part II and actually do what Shiv was talking about.
  • Very interesting and I learned alot
  • While Shiv was clear and precise and had a lot of information to give it was way beyond anything I would venture into......but thank you for inviting him to share his EXPERT knowledge with all of us.....thank YOU Shiv.........
  •  Thanks, Shiv! I appreciated all the tips that you had to offer and look forward to learning how it is all done on Saturday! Thanks once again, Amy for opening yet another wonderful venue for all of us at PDP !
  • Very well organized! Looking forward to class on Saturday!
  •  A very enlightening evening! If I heard Shiv correctly, I need to pack some aluminum foil, my granite counter top, and toothpicks for Saturday's shoot. I may add a camera just in case.
  • Excellent presentation. Filled with tons of details about macro and photography in general. I left with a number of new insights.
  • Still trying to process all of the information given out tonite, it was wonderful, intereting, entertaining, what a skilled professional!
  • Excellent presentation. Hopefully will be able to participate in the 2nd part to this lecture when it is scheduled again.
Read More

Macro & Close-Up Photography Workshop - Cape Cod Art Association - July 24, 2011

The workshop at the Cape Cod Art Association was a great day despite the occasional rain that did prevent the attendees from photographing in the rain.  Rain drop covered flowers and grasses made for some beautiful images.  Will post a few images created by the attendees when the submit.Below are a few quotes from the attendees:"I thought I knew something about macro photography. This class showed me I had a lot more to learn. Having both classroom and hands on was valuable as was then looking at the work. I thoroughly enjoyed this workshop!""Close Up photography has always been a challenge for me. This course was very helpful in better understanding macro techniques and the various camera accessories that are available to further enhance the effort. I am finally able to look forward to taking close up photos with confidence and enthusiasm."

Read More
Uncategorized Uncategorized

Lupine Festival 2011

June 5, 2011 - Went north to Sugar Hill, New Hampshire for the opening week of a three week Lupine Festival.  The Lupins were in bloom but the invasive weeds are still an issue.  The density of the blooms are not what they used to be years ago.Here are two images - one a composite of a field of buttercups and the other a female red wing on a lupine.

Read More