Blogs and Posts about Lighting Essentials Workshops Michael O Blog ('model' is not representative of wkshp talent...heh) We link them whether they are raves or not. If you have a review of Lighting Essentials that I have not linked, please send it to me when you get a chance. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Don, Let me thank you again for an incredible workshop/weekend. It was EXACTLY what I needed. I didn’t consider myself a newbie when it came to lighting, but even when I thought I knew a subject well (modifiers, inverse square law, eg.) you hit me quickly with stuff I didn’t know or hadn’t thought of. Then you packed the sessions with whole areas of lighting technique I desperately needed education on (in most cases without knowing it). The subjects you taught were rich and dense with your obviously deep and decades-long experience in photography, and were very well taught. You were incredibly generous with your tips, techniques and experience throughout the weekend, and you were very hands-on the whole way through. What I really needed experience with was working with models, and this is where I got the most value from the workshop. I had never worked with a model before – nearly all my photos, however successful, have been with friends, family, and people I already otherwise knew. It was really well structured to give us a lot of time on both days with a variety of models – you really threw us into the swimming pool at the deep end! (But not without the right level of “water wing” sessions from you.) As the weekend progressed, there was a very real and tangible improvement in my comfort level directing and posing the models and getting them to follow my vision of the image I wanted. My images towards the end of Sunday turned out to be some of the best photos I’ve taken, largely because I was much more comfortable and successful in simultaneously negotiating the lighting, model posing and my environment, thanks to the structure of your workshop. When I got home and for days afterwards, my head was swimming with the new stuff I knew and the things I wanted to try. It was also great getting to know you a little bit; it’s always nice to get to know the real, living person behind the Internet personality you’ve known only through blog and flickr postings! Thanks again, and I look forward to the next time we meet. Ian (Hay). -------------------- I had a blast this weekend. Thanks so much for the workshop. -------------------- Don, Wanted to thank you for a great workshop these last two days. I’ve taken quite a few workshops over the last few years, and am becoming a lot more selective to make sure I get some solid results from the time & money spent. And I did in the last two days. I wouldn’t have from just another model shoot. But working from a specific concept to a shot that represents that, is exactly what I need to get better at. I had the basics, but my shots were never as close to the concept as we got. And I had done some product/food stuff, but was missing a lot of the basics still. In the last two days I filled in a lot of gaps. And our various conversations from Friday, over dinner, and in studio helped me a lot sorting out some details in my plan and what I need to do over the next few months. Just as with the workshop I took with Melissa in LA, I know the gaps I just filled will be visible in my work soon with credit to your teachings. -- Jan (Seattle)
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What They Are Saying About LE WorkshopsThere are a lot of testimonials all over this site, but here are a few more in case you are wanting to know what others have said after taking Lighting Essentials Workshops.Dear Don, A few months have passed since I attended your seminar on lighting in the Auburn Hills area. I must tell that it has opened a whole new world for me. I have been slowly applying the material I learned (which was just about everything since I knew very little) and am absolutely enjoying it. I plan to send you a picture I took of Christiana modeling one of our garments. It turned out very well considering I used those two little soft boxes. The other product shots have turned out nicely as well. I honestly say "thank you" for putting up with my ignorance regarding the equipment. I am commanding many aspects of photography and the camera because of your ability to teach so well. I hope to attend another seminar but will be with the rest of the class so I will not hold you up:) I learned to delete files! I figured out how to use the Nikon speedlite and program the flash in remote! I know how to change all the settings on the D-70 with out thinking about it! I have been studying the inverse square law principle of flash . I was probably one of your slowest and most challenged students but you were able to give enough of a foundation and advanced technics to allow me to begin to enjoy the love of art through a lens. I just can not believe everything I learned. It was worth it when you consider the knowledge you gain in such a short period. Thanks for being so very patient with me. I am sure I made it difficult for some of the other students. Everyone in the class was very considerate. I hope they took as much from the seminar as I did. I look forward to another one of your seminars (if you are willing to have me back) now that I have a fairly good understanding of how to use the equipment. I would actually be a part of the class as opposed to trying to figure out how to take the lens cap off!!. Thank you again for you wonderful disposition. I trust this will be a great year for you as you continue to share your knowledge and love for the art of photography. Sincerely Your Former Student, -------------------- I guess it's my turn to chime in here with a few words to say how much fun i had working with and along side everyone, i thought the workshop was awesome and i think Don is awesome, I don't know about everyone else but Ii left that workshop feeling a lot more confident in my ability to light and I hope that translates into amazing photographs. I've made some new friends and Ii hope we can all stay in touch and collaborate on projects in the future. I would like to thank Adam for hosting the event, wicked studio dude, I only wish we had another weekend of that stuff there is still so much to learn. Cheers -------------------- Hi Don, -------------------------- Hi, Don! Thanks again for the workshop--I really appreciate the way you share your knowledge and experience, and you do it a fun and laid back way that makes it a real pleasure. -- Brett (Seattle) -------------------------- Don, The words "thank you" are no where great enough to express
how truly thankful I am for you. Your workshop has changed my whole outlook
on photography. I thank you for allowing me to come with so little experience.
I was very nervous but you made me feel like I fit right in and I appreciate
that so much. I have learned a ton and cannot wait to get out there and
start applying my new found knowledge :). I am planning to sign up for
the Santa Cruz workshop with Angel (if it is not already full!!) and
we have three other friends who may be signing up too!! I hope to see
you again soon!!
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