These are my current programs and presentation that I can deliver for camera clubs, photographic institutions and photography equipment dealers. In addition, any of these programs can be adapted for delivery at photography and videography trade shows.

Please contact me for availability and speaking fees.

Programs & Presentations

Macro/Close-up and Image Stacking Photography 

Macro photography lets you explore and create exciting photographs of a whole new and intimate world. Zeroing in to create an interesting abstract or just filling the frame with a tiny flower, insect or a jewel.

This program will address the challenges you'll face with Macro Photography and the methods and tools used to overcome those challenges. We will deal with the lighting and equipment, as well as several techniques to get better images. This includes selecting the appropriate equipment; lighting and stacking.

You will understand the importance of Depth-of-Field as it affects Macro Photos. You will learn how to create high-magnification images using macro lenses, tubes, and diopters.  In addition, you will learn how to create one completely focused image from several partially focused images. This focus stacking technique is Ideal for macro-photography as well as landscape photography when the sharpness of the entire scene is important.

Timelapse Imagery

A time-lapse video essentially compresses time into a smaller space, creating some exceptional and evocative results.

In theory, time-lapse videos are easy to create – after all, you simply take a few hundred photos, one after another, line them up in a video application and you are done. Not true, if you want to create a stunning, seamless, flicker-free time-lapse video.  There is a lot more involved than setting up a camera and capturing the sequence.

With digital cameras, we have infinite possibilities to capture time-lapse sequences and create exceptional video with even the simplest digital point-and-shoot cameras to DSLRs. This session will provide the basics necessary to create time-lapse videos. 

We will cover the following topics:

  • Equipment 

  • Camera settings

  • Intervalometer settings

  • Settings based on the speed of activity

  • Creating a quick video using Lightroom

  • Creating a video using LR Timelapse

Wildlife Photography (Birds and Mammals combined or individually)

The camera technology of the last several years has made wildlife, bird, and birds in flight photography easier than it was before. While DSLR cameras have made action photography much easier than it was when manual focus was the rule rather than the exception.  The new genration of Mirrorless cameras have exceeded the capabilities of DSLR's in the realm of nature, wildlife, and action photography.

This program will address the various features of Mirrorless cameras and how to set them up to obtain images that are at par and better than the best of DSLR’s. You will learn How to obtain tack sharp images, Exposure; Auto Focus Modes; Manual Focus; Flight shot Techniques – handheld and using a tripod with an appropriate lens mount; Panning techniques and much more.

Composition - The instrument of photographic communication

The ability to communicate your message is crucial in photography.  Organizing the elements into a strong and compelling composition and then exposing are the primary components of this program.

The advent of digital equipment allows for instant feedback, but it is you the maker who needs to use this vehicle of instant feedback to improve and strengthen the message.  Furthermore, software-based editing tools allow you to refine and enhance the design elements even after the camera has exposed and the message captured – conveyed.  The digital medium allows us to communicate in ways that would have been too complex or virtually impossible in the analog capture.

Image Processing Workflow

This is a comprehensive program that entails the complete photography workflow.  Starting with image capture using color management, white balance and exposure tools we move to the image download and digital asset management.  We will cover color calibration in the work environment. The next segment involves using tablets and iPads as image editing tools.  We will see how to best utilize some of the new image editing applications like On1 RAW, Capture One and Affinity.  These applications along with Lightroom and Photoshop will be used in conjunction with plug-ins, Topaz Labs, Skylum and more.  The program is intended to demonstrate how to best utilize what photographers have available to speed up and enhance their workflow

A Photographer’s Color Management Workflow

The best weapon in any photographer’s kit is a ColorChecker Passport and iOne Studio a Monitor/Printer Profiler. This seminar is for everyone who is concerned about good color quality in Still and Hybrid Photography. Here is what you will learn:

  • Using the Color Checker to white balance and obtain correct color in your images

  • Using Lightroom for profiling and color managing your images

  • Preventing and Correcting color casts

  • Warming and Cooling your portraits and landscapes to set the right mood

  • Calibrating your monitor for optimized editing

  • Calibrating your printer for perfect prints

MIRRORLESS - The next generation of photography

This session will focus on Mirrorless cameras, a rapidly growing category and currently the most enticing and popular cameras available. They are light, and compact with a full complement of lenses with exceptional photo and video quality makes them very compelling. You will learn the advantages of using mirrorless cameras. This is also a unique opportunity to learn the concepts of hybrid photography, capturing stills from 4K video, 4K and 6K Photo modes and a whole lot more. Best of all “Post Focus” and image stacking will be a highlight. 

See how mirrorless cameras can change your photography and spark your creativity. 

Landscape Photography

A detailed program on creating exceptional landscapes.

When we are out and looking at a landscape or seascape we typically let our eyes wander looking for elements that we find appealing.  Though we can see vast scenes, our brain tends to ignore all but the most appealing - our eyes focus and we absorb the visual so we can remember the experience. Regretfully, our cameras and lenses are just tools and have no human brain like capability - we need to train our lenses on the scene, compose and focus using the best possible light so as to capture a compelling photograph. Easier said than done.  Creating a great landscape requires a lot more than just being at the place. This program will cover:

  • Pre-visualising

  • Storytelling

  • Composition

  • Color

  • Focusing

  • Focus Stacking

  • Panoramas

  • Time-lapse

Astro and Night Photography

This program includes photographing the night skies, the milky way and star trails but also techniques for creating star stacks, start trails, and time-lapse capture.

You will learn

  • Camera settings — Shutter speed, aperture, BULB, ISO, white balance for optimum nighttime exposures

  • Using the histogram in RGB mode

  • Taking High ISO test shots for calculation and composition

  • Combining ambient light for exceptional astro landscapes

  • Shooting base exposures and flat frame, dark frame exposures and combining these for noise-free images

  • Post-processing techniques

  • Shooting and creating time-lapse sequences and videos

  • Light painting

  • Timelapse imagery

  • Also covered is Live Composite shooting available in some Lumix Cameras.

Lighting – for commercial and product photography 

(EXTENDED SESSION 2.5 HOURS MINIMUM)

Product photography is a challenge and this program will help you overcome that challenge. You will learn lighting theory and will see how to overcome reflections and distortion.  You will learn how to add and subtract light as needed.  Most of all you will learn to create professional images.

The session will concentrate on the following:

  • Setting-up and using off-camera lights

  • Using reflectors, diffusers and other light modifiers

  • Correct use of polarizers including cross polarization

  • Creative lighting techniques

  • You'll use and learn how to:

  • Control and modify the quality of light produced by strobes

  • Properly use modifiers like umbrellas, softboxes, snoots, bounce techniques

  • We will use: One, two, three and four light sources, light reflectors, modifiers and gels

  • Learn how to set up the five basic lighting patterns 

  • How to set up lighting patterns for specific subjects 

  • How to combine lighting patterns 

  • Establish lighting ratios for mood and sculpting

  • Learn how to produce quality photos of simple and complex products, glass, liquids, solids, and food

You will leave with an understanding of how light works, the color of light, the quantity of light and quality of light. You will learn how to get consistent results and be confident in lighting your subject in any environment.

Lighting – Small Flashes – Big Results

You will see that you do not need to spend thousands to achieve awesome results.

The session will concentrate on the following:

  • Setting  up and using off-camera speed lights

  • Shooting hot shoe flash units and other lights

  • Using reflectors, diffusers and other light modifiers

  • Creative lighting tricks

  • You'll use and learn how to:

  • Control and modify the quality of light produced from a typical shoe mounted flash

  • Properly use umbrellas, softboxes, snoots, bounce techniques

  • Use a single strobe combined with ambient light for great images

We will use: One, two, three and four light sources, light reflectors, modifies and gels

  • Learn how to set up the five basic lighting patterns 

  • How to set up lighting patterns for specific subjects 

  • How to combine lighting patterns 

  • Establish lighting ratios for mood and sculpting

  • Lighting for skin and hair colors

Use camera angles and appropriate focal lengths for image capture

LIGHT PAINTING – STILL-LIFE

This program is designed to show you the process of Light Painting Still Life to create fine-art.  In this program, you will learn how to apply light sculpting techniques and how to maximize the digital process.  A full demonstration of a light painting will be shown and then the process of combining multiple images to create the final work of art will be demonstrated.  (This program can be extended to a hands-on workshop – 1 additional hour required).

Inspiring Images (Showcase Presentation)

1-hour presentation of images captured from around the world using mirrorless cameras for stills, time-lapse and video.  In this program we travel near and far, Africa, Iceland, India and more seeing images of nature, wildlife, people and places.

Video – for photographers and videographers

This is an extended session that covers all basic aspects of video creation.

  • Equipment for video and how to best utilize them. This will include rails, jibs, sliders, gimbals, etc. 

  • Understanding resolution

  • Exposure, shutter speed, and shutter angles

  • Switching devices

  • Lighting equipment and technique.  Use of portable and stage lighting, getting the best look, use of shadows for effect

  • Audio recording.  Equipment, including recorders, microphones (types), how to wire your subjects for interviews, stage performance, and outdoors.

  • Pre-production – The Montage - creating the story, developing the scenes, developing the takes that depict the intent.

We will cover the basic types of shots that effectively tell the story.

  • Composition and framing 

  • Camera movement techniques, focus techniques, and the use of assistive devices like rails, tracks, jibs, and cranes.

  • Controlling the viewer's perspective

  • Enhancing the viewer's experience

  • Slow motion and frame-rates

Ensure footage is captured correctly the first time including Exposure setting, Balancing for Lighting, Camera White balancing and Multi-Camera Matching with specific emphasis on skin tone.  We will demonstrate the use of scopes and waveforms to establish camera settings and matching. This takes advantage of seeing the “final” look while shooting using video monitors and recorders.

We will cover multi-camera use, and audio syncing.

Post Production - Save time in editing to get to the creative work faster: Monitor Calibration, Color Grading and how it can be used with standard tools used in conjunction with Software DaVinci Resolve 16 and Final Cut Pro X. 

Time permitting – we will cover capturing and including time-lapse sequences in production.

A Videographer’s Color Management Workflow

This seminar is for everyone who is concerned about good color quality in videography. Amateur and Pro Videographers will benefit from this seminar. Here is some of what you will learn:

Pre-production & On-Set with X-Rite Color Solutions - Ensure footage is captured correctly the first time including Exposure setting, Balancing for Lighting, Camera White balancing, and Multi-Camera Matching

Take advantage of seeing the “final” look while shooting - Atomos Display Calibration

Post Production with X-Rite Color Solutions - Save time in editing to get to the creative work faster: Monitor Calibration, Color Grading - how it can be used with standard tools used in conjunction with Software DaVinci Resolve and Final Cut Pro

VLogging Fundamentals and how to build and keep your subscribers

This is an extended session that covers all basic aspects of VLogging and video creation.

We will cover :

  • Pre-production – The Montage - creating the story, developing the scenes, developing the takes that depict the intent.

  • Equipment for video and how to best utilize them.

  • Understanding resolution

  • Exposure, shutter speed, and shutter angles

  • Lighting equipment and technique.  Use of portable and stage lighting, getting the best look, use of shadows for effect

  • Audio recording.  Equipment including recorders, microphones (types), how to wire your subjects for interviews, stage performances and outdoors. We will cover multicamera use, audio syncing.

We will cover promotion, establishing viewership, and subscriber retention which are the keys to success.

Photography One-on-One

Want to learn how to use your camera to its full potential? Are you in the market for a new camera and are not sure what to buy? 

Learn the basics of digital photography from an award-winning photographer and experienced educator.

You will learn how digital cameras work, why one is better than the other, and what features you should look for when buying your next camera or when buying a new one.

You will learn how to use the features of your camera so you can take and make memorable pictures not just snapshots.  The lessons will teach you all about the various modes of your camera, when you can use one mode to take images of an object it was not designed for so you can be creative.  Learn when to use your flash and when you should turn it off. 

Once you understand your camera, you will start taking great images - you will use the tips and tricks that the pros use.

Lesson 1

  • What's The Right Camera How Cameras Work Lenses

  • Introduction to Exposure

Lesson 2

  • What is aperture and F stops

  • Shutter Speed and why

  • What is ISO

  • Why we need all three

Lesson 3

  • Daylight Photography 

  • Flash Photography 

  • Basics of Composition

Lesson 4

  • Composition

  • How to “People Pictures” 

  • How to “Landscapes”

  • How to “Close-up Pictures”