Retailers Host Free Photo Events: Houston Camera Exchange and Glazers in Seattle

Retailers Host Free Photo Events:

Houston Camera Exchange and Glazers in Seattle

If you’re looking to give your photo skills and creative energy a quick and painless booster shot this winter, the Digital Photo Academy (www.digitalphotoacademy.com) may be just what the doctor ordered. Starting from zero four years ago with major sponsorship from Panasonic, the DPA has mushroomed to the point where it now has 60 professional photographers teaching 2,500 classes in 25 cities around the country. Tailored to three different skill levels, the half-day workshops are usually small, friendly affairs with plenty of time for one-on-one instruction.

For those anti-commitment types who want to check out the DPA before opening their wallets, free demos and photo activities provide a good introduction. Jointly sponsored by DPA, local retailers and leading equipment vendors, photo activities include product demos and photo walks led by a professional shooter in a scenic location. Prizes for participants are offered by DPA sponsors, including Panasonic, NIK, Lensbaby, Manfrotto Tripod, Black Rapid and Spyder Color Calibration Systems. Two of the latest DPA activities were free photo walks in Houston and Seattle, where participants got a hands-on introduction and expert instruction in the use of Lensbabies, a set of interchangeable lenses for creating special effects with focus and blur.

Lensbaby Photo Walks: Free Fun & Eye Opening

In Seattle, Wolfgang Kaehler, (a well-respected pro and DPA instructor) led his group of students around the Seattle Center for an afternoon of experimentation with Lensbaby. The event provided an excellent introduction to photographing corporate structures with impressive architecture and attractive landscaping. If you work in that kind of environment, some relaxed shooting time at sunrise, lunch or sunset can really take the edge off a hectic working day.

The Seattle walk was sponsored by Glazer’s Camera, one of the top photo stores in the Pacific Northwest. ‘Our mission is to serve photographers at every level, from the casual novice or enthusiast to the professional,’ says Rebecca Kaplan of Glazer’s. ‘The complimentary Lensbaby photo walk is a great example of the way we serve the photo community by providing programs, speakers, live photo shoots and in-depth, hands-on training.’

The Lensbaby flexible mounting system was invented by Craig Strong to bring a more organic look to digital SLR photography. There are three Lensbaby bodies -- the Muse, the Composer and the Control Freak. All three get you to the same place: a sweet spot of focus surrounded by graduated blur.

The Composer is designed for smooth and precise shooting. The Muse is for street photography, and shooting on the fly. The Control Freak lets you lock the focusing collar and is optimized for macro and table-top photography.

Seeing Familiar Places Through New Eyes
Because the Lensbaby system opens a wealth of creative possibilities, it’s ideal to have an experienced guide on hand to tame the learning curve. A nature and location shooter who has been leading photo tours around the world for many years, Wolfgang is so popular that he has amassed a group of dedicated followers (called Wolfies). ‘I often lead people to exotic places they’ve never seen before, and that’s always a pleasure,’ he says. ‘But it’s equally exciting to take people to a relatively familiar place and have them see it with new eyes. That’s what the Lensbaby system did for our group at the Seattle Center.’

Todd Hobert was one of the DPA students who went on the Lensbaby photo walk and came back with some memorable photos. ‘Wolfgang is a wonderful photographer and a down-to-earth man. It was great to have a chance to tap into his brain for a couple of hours,’ says Todd.

Irina Ulianitsky was another satisfied participant. ‘A rainy morning magically turned into a nice, warm sunny day, delivering a great bouquet of opportunities for everybody. Proudly marching along with Wolfgang and taking his suggestions, advice and instructions, we were turning regular streets and daily scenes into artsy and unfamiliar locations. This four hour walk gave me an opportunity to awaken my creativity and look at possibilities to view the world in different angles, unrecognized by regular eyes!’

A Model and an Icon in Houston

The leader of the free Lensbaby-Manfrotto workshop in Houston was Michael Hart, a top location photographer who has directed complex shoots for corporate clients around the world. The event included a live model and took place on the grounds of the Williams Tower, one of Houston’s architectural icons.

The Houston Camera Exchange sponsored the event. ‘We work hard to provide educational activities, in addition to our customer service, as part of our commitment to the local photo community’ said Abby Jeter, General Manager at HCE. ‘Photography is about more than buying equipment. It’s about getting the most from your gear. The Lensbaby event with DPA instructors made sense for everyone.'

The 64-story-high Williams Tower is an architectural landmark but a challenging environment for photographers with a soaring 88-foot-high granite arched entry, a 64-foot waterwall, a helipad and a revolving beacon of light atop its peaked roof.

‘Working with students is a way to refresh my own enthusiasm after thirty years as a pro,’ says Michael Hart. ‘Teaching students to use Lensbaby is particularly rewarding because it involves educating them in the way good photographers see-- using selective focus to enhance the emotional and visual impact of your image.’

Eduardo Cesconetto was one of the DPA students who joined the shoot at the Williams Tower. ‘I had a lot of fun and learned a good deal,’ says Eduardo. ‘It was a great day, thanks!’

The Digital Photo Academy offers 2,500 classes taught by professional photographers in 25 cities and designed to help amateurs take their craft to the next level as well as budding pros to keep their passion flowing. Check the site today for the class/event schedule in a city near you. Along with the paid classes are 80 Free photo events sponsored by respected retailers around the country who allow DPA instructors to lead photo walks, model shoots, product demo's, etc. A number of the hosting retailers include Adorama, B&H, Berger Brothers, Biggs, Calumet, Denver Pro Photo, Foto Care, Helix, Hunts, Keeble and Shuchat, Levine's, Nelson's, North Tampa Photography, Professional Photo Resources, Samy's and many others around the country.

Look for a free photo event at a retailer and your community led by a DPA instructor, or call Digital Photo Academy at 877.372.2231 or click here log on to www.DigitalPhotoAcademy.com!