For the first time in a couple of years, I was able to participate in a large gathering of photographers. It was an experience long awaited and much needed. From my point of view, it did not go as planned. While I have learned to temper expectation, I had hoped to be surprised. I found this event to be a combination of creating, networking, and wistful thoughts of what could have been. I am still digesting what happened. Perhaps I will share at a later time, but I will say that there is always room for improvement.
Carrying On
The speakers and instructors I listened to were well worth the time. It is worthwhile to return to basics, so I spent some time with Jeremy Smith and one-light portraits. The setting was not ideal but he delivered regardless.
Many years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Joe McNally and it was great to shake his hand again. Thought I did not know it then, his work was a routine sight when I was growing up. I also managed to catch up to Roberto Valenzuela who I had heard speak over a decade ago. You can thank Roberto Valenzuela, at least in part, for my habit of crawling on the ground to get the shot.
Creating Fun
At most photography conventions, I tend to focus on learning and listening. Local events are more about discovering new friends and sneaking in some work with models. While I enjoy having options, I prefer a bit more structure. This time, I focused on creating my own fun.
Exploring the venue, I managed to get some time with a few models. We played with light, angles, and locations. There were plenty of models, thanks to Vail Models, but I had limited time to shoot. In the end, I think we did alright creating some fun shots.
