August 25, 2020
The Art of Observing and Anticipation:
Photojournalism/Street Photography/Documentary
with David Rodrigue
I’ll discuss the subtle and not-so-subtle differences between street photography, photojournalism and documentary photography while explaining some of the art-and-craft and techniques that can help photographers in their approach to visual storytelling –whether on assignment for an art director or photo editor and magazine or newspaper, shooting and entering a photo contest or just taking snapshots for their own family albums and personal portfolios.
Since 2010, Daniel Rodrigue has served as the lead faculty over the Communications program as professor of journalism, photojournalism, “multimedia storytelling” (making mini-documentaries, using still photos, audio and video), Photography I & II and Intro to Mass Communications at Dallas College’s Brookhaven campus, where he also advises the campus’s award-winning student newspaper, and literary and general magazines. As for photography, he teaches intro and advanced courses each Spring & Fall, including instruction in everything from starting in film/darkroom-based photography to the tenets of good photojournalism (which will help in shooting everything from birthdays to weddings) to advanced studio work – from studio lights and background/drop selection to working with models. (Worth noting that that the first photography class I took was back in 2001 at Brookhaven in the same darkroom/lab I instruct students in now.)
Over the past decade, he’s “coached” and mentored dozens of award-winning photographers, writers and visual storytellers. (His student’s regularly win 1st place awards in state, and even national, contests for student photojournalism – for their work in print, as well as in live “shootouts.”) He’s also judged far too many professional and collegiate photo contests over the past decade to count.
After starting shooting in a student newsroom in college in 2005, he quickly transitioned to writing and shooting for the Dallas Observer back in 2008 -- writing everything from cover stories to blog posts and columns, as well as shooting videos, digital images and occasionally Polaroids for print and online. And he has shot for several area publications (with photos published in D Magazine, Dallas Morning News, Denton County Magazine), companies and even for a few cities in North Texas. Most recently he shot all the photographs for a 6-page color spread in Cowboys & Indians: The Premiere Magazine of the West, shooting a photo story/essay along the Texas coast about a well-known salt-water fly-fishing guide for the May/June 2020 issue (on J.T. Van Zandt, Townes Van Zandt’s musician-turned-fisherman’s son – I’d never shot anyone fishing “professionally,” but a trained photojournalist is usually able to tackle any assignment. Even challenging ones on the fly. The Art Director was “very pleased” with the photos I sent in). Last year, he shot the cover and interior photos for his own Dallas Observer story on Brave Combo’s 40th anniversary as a “nuclear polka” band. Rodrigue very recently shot a series of intimate (yet socially distanced) portraits for Simone Carter’s Observer cover story on North Texans’ mental health as many battle “the blues” while in coronavirus shut-down seclusion.
In 2012, Rodrigue and Justin Goode founded The Instant Film Society to increase awareness, understanding and accessibility of analog instant films. In addition to PolaCon, The IFS hosts regular photo walks (#PolaWalks), sets up instant photobooths and tutorial sessions in Dallas, Denton, Fort Worth and other cities in North Texas.
September 2020 The Invisible Story: Artistic Infrared Photography
with Shelly Vandergriff
In the age of digital photography, where the craft is within reach of anyone with a phone, dedicated photographic artists are constantly searching for ways to stand-out from the crowd. Infrared photography, which captures light the human eye cannot perceive, offers just such an opportunity. Whether your photographic interests lie in traditional black and white landscapes, one of a kind portraiture, interpretive fine art images, or surreal creations of your own imagination, infrared may be the artistic tool you have been seeking.
Join Shelley Vandegrift as she discusses the considerations and challenges of infrared photography. The presentation takes you through all aspects of becoming an infrared photographer: equipment selection, unique capture considerations, artistic choices, and the hurdles of post-processing an unseen light spectrum. Whether you are new to infrared photography or been shooting with infrared for years you will come away with a great deal of new information and inspiration.
Shelley Vandegrift began her love affair with photography at age ten, learning the magic of creating in her father’s darkroom. Digital photography's advent married her twin loves: photography and technology. Following a successful corporate career working with a wide-range of computer technologies, Shelley now teaches the technical aspects of photography and post-production alongside her mentor, renowned infrared photographer Laurie Klein. Together, they guide photographers in achieving their own artistic vision in photography tours and workshops around the globe.
Shelley is the co-author of Infrared Photography: Digital Techniques for Brilliant Images from Amherst Publishing and teaches infrared photography at Santa Fe Workshops
October 2020 Through the Lens of Adam Jones
Register HERE
Adam’s program topics are very wide ranging, and he always invites the audience to participate with questions throughout the evening. He is known as a landscape, nature, wildlife, and travel photographer sharing his tips and techniques throughout the evening program. Audience participation impacts the discussion direction, but topics usually include: HDR that looks real, Focus Stacking for unlimited depth of field, Macro Techniques, Telephoto Wildlife Techniques, Using full and fill flash, Workflow, High ISO Noise reduction, Setting up your camera to operate the way you want, Composition and Lighting
Adam Jones Bio
This internationally recognized photographer explores the world through his nature, travel, and wildlife images. Jones’s award-winning photography is widely published in magazines, posters, calendars, books, and in national advertising campaigns for clients such as Canon, Ford, Eddie Bauer, Miller Beer and Honda. Adam is recognized world wide as an outstanding stock photographer with his images represented by Getty Images, Photo Researchers, and Danita Delimont Stock Photography. His work has sold for editorial and commercial uses in over 30 countries. Adam’s publication credits also include: National Geographic Books, Time, Life Magazine, National Wildlife Federation, Audubon, Sierra Club, Disney and hundreds of textbooks. In 1995 the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year Contest selected Adam’s image from over 19, 000 entries, as the winner in the “In Praise of Plants” category. Adam is the sole photographer on eight coffee-table books. In early 2006, Adam was selected to be one of Canon USA’s elite group of acclaimed photographers, “The Explorers of Light”. Canon describes the Explorer of Light program as such: The Explorers of Light program is a group of 60 of the World’s best photographers united in their love and passion for photographic excellence. They share a common desire to contribute back to the industry with a willingness to share their vision and passion with others. Adam is a popular and respected workshop instructor and lecturer. Adam teaches photography workshops around the world helping students reach their full potential in the exciting world of digital photography. Adam is noted for his enthusiastic down to earth approach and his ability to communicate effectively with all skill levels
February 2021
An artistic photographer lies in ALL of us
By Lisa Langell
We as photographers often want to be more innovative and creative, but our own mental barriers can “prevent” the creative process from happening. One of the biggest mental blocks is simply believing, “I’m not a very creative person.” I hear this most often from engineers, accountants, and those in technical fields who have struggled to discover the creative style they desire.
This session breaks down creative barriers in a really fun and logical way! I take an interactive, “myth-busters-style approach!” You’ll learn how to apply the creative process and develop patterns that will bring more joy, innovation, success, creativity and happiness to your photography! You will learn:
- How even those who feel they “are not artistic” can actually become artistic and creative
- Understand “imaginative skill” and how it develops
- About my “Mash up” formula for producing creativity
- How you can debunk your own myths about artistic and creative ability
- How to exercise your creativity through real-world examples and activities we will complete during the session
- Inspirations to take with you
Register HERE
Lisa Langell
http://www.LangellPhotography.com
9393 N. 90th Street
Suite 102-319
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
lisa@langellphotography.com
602-345-0883 (Business)
Lisa Langell is a full-time, award-winning photographer whose work has appeared in numerous prestigious publications including the cover of Outdoor Photographer magazine, plus numerous images in Arizona Highways, Ranger Rick, art galleries and more. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for the North American Nature Photography Association. She is also a proud ambassador for Tamron, FotoPro, and H&Y filters.
Whether it was working as a master floral designer, a licensed psychologist, university faculty, an international consultant in K-12 education, the Chief Business Development Officer of an education technology company, a researcher, a writer, or an artist—she enjoyed meeting each challenge.
Still, her strongest calling was photography--ever since childhood--when bird watching ignited her lifelong love of nature and the camera. In 2010, she turned her passion for photography into a business—and in 2015 she successfully transitioned to photography full-time and left the corporate and consulting world behind.
The journey with photography has definitely been Lisa’s favorite – she loves combining her diverse background and skills into her photographic art and instruction. Bringing joy to others brings joy to her! She thrives on creating innovative learning experiences and pushing photographic boundaries. She equally enjoys enriching, stimulating and expanding fellow photographers’ minds emotionally, creatively and intellectually.
You may read more about her or see her work at http://www.langellphotography.com
Website:
http://www.langellphotography.com
Live Webinars & Education: http://www.langellphotography.com/Webinars-and-tutorials
Workshops & Events: http://www.langellphotography.com/Events-1
Social Media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/langellphoto
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/langellphoto/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisalangell/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisalangell and https://www.facebook.com/LisaLangellPhotography/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/langellphotography
2020 Programs (Second Meeting of the Month)
January – Member Slideshow – "Texas" (not Metroplex)
February – Jeremy Woodhouse
March - Cancelled due to Corvid 19 (moved to July)
April - No Meeting
May - Nikola Olic
June - Alan Whiteside
July - Tom Savage
August - Louis Rodiques
September -Shelly Vandergriff
October - Adam Jones (Canon Explorer of Light)
2021 Programs
January
February - Lisa Langell An artistic photographer lies in ALL of us
History of prior programs HERE