Get to know more about Zack Arias

You saw the video last night and were intrigued, right?

Well here is more info on Zack Arias.

His site & portfolio are here: Zack Arias

His excellent blog

The OneLight workshops

And from a guest post he did on Scott Kelby's blog, the video that I probably watch 4-5 times a year. It's amazing, and often times is just what you need, when you really need it

Scott Kelby's Worldwide Photo Walk

A big huge thank you to all the photographers that came to Faded & Blurred's leg of the Scott Kelby World Wide Photo Walk. All told, we had about 75 participants, just a fantastic turnout! We walked downtown LA, through little Tokyo, to the Walt Disney Center, and then finished it off at Philippes for food and a beer. (or 2)...

What's up for the weekend?

Just a quickie post to see what everyone is up to for the weekend? I'm hoping to see some of you at the Planes of Fame Paul Bowen seminar on Saturday. Here is a map to the location:
View Larger Map

Just finished reading David Ziser's Captured by the Light. An excellent resource full of information for shooting and lighting a wedding, even if the images feel a little dated. Next up for me is Martin Evening's book on Lightroom 3.

Just heard that David duChemin's new book, Vision and Voice, has been released and is starting to ship from Amazon. I am really looking forward to this one, should be a great read.

Just thought I'd throw in an image taken from our Faded & Blurred Hollywood photo walk. Something you'd only see there. Speaking of photo walks, our next walk is on the 24th, for Scott Kelby's 3rd annual World Wide Photo Walk. Are you joining us? Are you participating in another walk? If so, where are you going? It looks like there is already over 1000 walks, and almost 26,000 photographers participating!

I'm extremely humbled...

and very honored. I think many of you know that I participated in Scott Kelby's 2nd annual World Wide Photowalk 2 weeks ago. Several of you were with me. And many of you also know (because I haven't shut up about it) what a fantastic time I had, and that it was an incredibly fun day. We walked for the better part of 9 hours all over China Town, Union Station, and Olvera Street. We wandered together shooting, sharing, talking, laughing, and teaching. We shot in some places as a group, and in many places we each found something that intrigued only us. And it was all okay. We waited while everyone found and shot what they were looking for and then headed off as a group. I got to know some of you very well, and am a better person for the experience. So much so, that Jeffery Saddoris and I are organizing our own walk on 8/29 in Venice and we hope you'll be able to attend.


At this point your probably wondering why I am writing another post about the walk. Didn't I just do last week? Yes. But the walk has left an indelible mark on me. I did it as much for the camaraderie than I did for the pictures. And yet, in my mailbox yesterday, they crowned a winner of our shoot. There were more than 30,000 photographers participating in 900 walks all over the world. Each local walk would crown a winner, and that winner will be entered into the world wide pool of winners, and 1 Grand prize winner and 10 honorable mentions will be selected. Say hello to the Chinatown walk winner. I actually first heard I'd won on Twitter. What an amazing little program that is, but I will save that for another post.

The winning image is the one you see here. We started our walk at 8am, while Chinatown was still sleeping. It was very calm and peaceful, which was exactly what I'd seen when I noticed the reflections of the lanterns in this Koi pond. To say I'm honored is an understatement. I am truly humbled. There were so many great images, and again, I was already a winner just by participating.

Damon Webster, our walk leader and host of http://www.photoinduced.com/ had this to say about my image, "The winner was chosen for the depiction of Chinatown, and a feeling that it gave of a culture in its delicate reflections and composition. I could almost hear the music of a Ruan when viewing it. Congratulations Frank "

Of course, my wife has a way of making sure I don't get a big head when she said "so now your up against all the other winners from around the world. There are a lot of places much more beautiful"

Thanks honey!

Many more images shot by myself and the other Chinatown walkers can be seen here:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/1175978@N21/pool/

Coming up this week in class:

Monday night lecture

Tuesday night model shoot, in a brand new location (I heard you all say "Finally!")

Wednesday night Engagement shoot, bring your gear.

Have a great week, and see you soon!

Frank

Scott Kelby's World Wide Photowalk 7/18/2009

I spent 7/18/09 Participating in Scott Kelby's 2nd annual World Wide Photowalk. Our walk was located in Chinatown, Los Angeles California, and our walk was scheduled from 8-10 am.

Many students from our school, Tri-Community Photography Center showed up, so I was surrounded by old and new friends.

To say I had a good time is an understatement. I had a blast, and feel like my photography was re-invigorated and my soul recharged.

These images are in no particular order, as Blogger wasn't cooperating with me, but that's okay, because yesterday turned into so much more than a walk through Chinatown. We walked Chinatown, then we walked to Philippes for food and drink, then we walked to Union Station, then we walked to Olvera St, had some more drinks, then back through Chinatown. It got hot, and our 2 hour walk turned into a 9 hour walking tour.

Along the way, I talked and laughed with some I knew well, and some I didn't. We wandered off in groups, and we wandered off solo. When it was time to move on, we gathered everyone up and moved along. Then we talked and laughed some more. And laughed some more.

As photographers sometimes we tend to isolate ourselves. Photography often times is a solo sport. Your out shooting, then sitting at a computer editing, both tend to be very introverted activities

Even as we were shooting in a group, there was a good deal of private moments as each photographer saw something that caught their eye. But then we would head off to our next destination and laugh some more.

I wonder if Matthew got a release?

It was great to see some of my students practicing so many things that they learned in my class, and even teaching other people some of those techniques. It feels really good to know they get it, believe it, pratice it, and pass it on. Thank you for that, it makes me feel good.

It's okay Matthew,I didn't get this released either... ;-)

Did I mention we had fun? What a motley crew we were. And is that Vincent shooting a picture of his iPhone shooting a picture?

Look at that form!

Enjoying the local eatery Phillipes. My first time there, but not my last, and the beer was COLD!

I think each of us on the journey had different images we focused on. Mine became color and umbrellas. I like this one.

The Tri-Community group at the end of the Chinatown leg of our journey.

When in China....

We had beautiful morning light, and I got to show some students how to get those blue sky's by dialing down 2/3 of a stop exposure.

What is this Kodak film you speak of?

The red lanterns were obviously a focus of many of the shooters in Chinatown. I need to come back here soon at dusk.

My favorite image of the day, with the red lanterns reflected in a pond.

Sometimes, it all about the details. I was also drawn to the color of the orange tiles

It's all about contrast here

As it got hotter and hotter, this became a quest to find. ;-) And find it we did

Again, I had a wonderful time, and as I said, it became so much more than just a photo walk. Thanks to all who participated, and hung out with us in the heat. I certainly know it was worth it for me. And a special thanks to Scott Kelby for organizing the festivities. I know it must feel good for him to give back, as I learned how good that made me feel.

Here is a video shot by our walk leader Damon Webster of http://www.photoinduced.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xgl3NUZfWBI

This week in my classes:

Monday night: Portrait photoshop techniques if I can get my laptop working.

Tuesday night: We are shooting up and coming punk band Death Punch

Wednesday night: Wedding shoot in Covina, bring your cameras and flash.

And if you are looking for something to do next Sunday, come join me in attending David Jay's seminar in Irvine. $45 and includes lunch. More info here:
http://www.fotografosdecorazon.com/

We made Scott Kelbys blog! He posted our video on his page from the Chinatown walk. You can see it here: http://www.scottkelby.com/blog/2009/archives/5580

Many familiar faces.

Have a fantastic week, see you all soon.

Frank

What are you doing on 7/18/09?

I will be participating in Scott Kelby's 2nd Annual World Wide Photo Walk on 7/18/09. I will be participating in the China Town, CA walk. More info here:

http://worldwidephotowalk.com/

Why am I participating? Many reasons.

1. I love photography

2. I love meeting new people with similar interests

3. I am participating in a walk with several people I know

4. I love hanging out afterward and getting some lunch and libations and sharing war stories

5. I mainly shoot people. On the walk, I hope to work on shooting places and things, and turning on some creativity

6. There will be Flickr Groups set up to share images to see what everyone else shot

7. July mornings in California don't suck

8. There will be prizes. I love prizes

So are you participating? If so, where? Leave a comment down below. If your not participating, why not? It is free.

Now what gear should you bring? I want to travel light. I will be bringing my main axe, the 5D Mark II.

Lens choices are always difficult. I know for sure I will bring the 70-300 IS.

I want to bring the 17-40 F4 as I hardly ever use it, and might like the new perspective, but I'm comfortable with the 24-105 F4. Or do I want the DOF effects of the 24-70 2.8?

The 50 1.4 will be there.

Flash? Maybe, with the STE-2 transmitter

Lot's of memory and spare batteries

Business cards to help KIT

Hoodman Hood Loupe

Water & comfortable shoes ;-)

Sunscreen

Scott Kelby recently added a special bonus to all registered walkers here: http://www.scottkelby.com/blog/

I wish I had a great hip pack to put it all in, (any recommendations? I'm leaning towards Think Tank) but I do have a decent small backpack that I can fit it all in.

The images here were taken on a photowalk with some friends through Olvera Street earlier this year.

I can't wait! And expect a follow up post on Sunday.

Frank