WPPI offers classes before the big convention starts called Plus Classes that are essentially workshops with various photographers. This year’s classes were made up of 8 of the top photographers in the field, with 20 students per class, focusing for two days on their personal expertise in photography. I chose Mike Colón because I adore his work, he shoots Nikon (which is what I shoot) and I felt that I could learn a lot from him. I felt that our shooting styles were very much similar when it comes to shooting so I really felt that I could learn a lot from this amazing photographer.
The classes bascially were about the basics of photography and learning how to find and shoot natural light correctly. Each day we had a morning session of learning the craft and the afternoons were spent with models implementing what we learned during the day. The first day we had Jen & Adam as our models and the second day we had Krystal & Adam (same guy, different gals) as our models. I feel that I learned a lot from Mike – especially when it comes to determing light sources! I also learned how to pay attention more to what is in the background that could be potentially distracting when shooting. He also had his assistant/friend/sidekick Ray Santana along with him for the class and I also learned a lot from Ray.
I felt bad for both guys though who were mystified with my manners. When it comes to fighting 20 people for a shot, I’m the first to bow out. I got elbowed in the head a few times and someone hit me with their lens (some of these lenses aren’t light! ow!). Photography isn’t a contact sport in my world so I chose to go for the odd angles and try and get what I can. Both Ray & Mike by the second day were trying to not be great teachers but were also shoving me in for the good shots and looking out for me. They were both fantastic. I can’t say enough things about them. Anyone that gets a chance to take Mike’s workshop absolutely should!!
Below are some shots I got during the two-day class!
I organized a shoot at the Neon Graveyard (aka The Boneyard) for some photogs (well really anyone that wanted to go) during WPPI. About 20 or so people showed up and we had one bride and groom (Natalie and Aaron) that had got married the night before, one model couple and a single model guy (Chris) show up for the fun! I had a great time shooting at a place I’ve wanted to shoot for a couple years now and it was great being able to incorporate a trash-the-dress session into it as well. Thanks so much to all of our models! you were great!!!!!
Thanks to everyone that came! Amy, Dave, Adam, Rob (big shot out to these three guys for helping me learn the one light magic!!), David, Chad, Kelly, Kelly, Cindy and Rachel for coming out to play. I think there were a few more people – if so holler! I am not sure I got everyone’s info 
Thanks to the models for playing with us as well! I will be sending everyone their images as soon as I finish this up. If you don’t hear from me let me know!
Here’s another quick post with some pics from my trip to Vegas for WPPI. I hope in the next couple days to have a few more up from my amazing class with Mike Colon and Ray Santana as well as the trip I organized to the Neon Graveyard as well as the trip to the Ghost Town later that evening. I met some awesome people during this trip – some definite lasting friendships have been made (I hope!). I also learned SO MUCH MORE than my sadly stolen D300 is worth. It still burns a smidge – I won’t lie! – but I know that the value of what I came away from this trip with is priceless. If the cost of the knowledge and friendships was the D300 so be it Who’s coming next year?!
Sooooo – on with the trip! My travel buddy Kelly and I left the Grand Canyon and headed back towards Vegas for the WPPI convention – along the way though we were hungry and could NOT pass up the chance to eat at the authentic (!) Roadkill Cafe!
Whew! What a week (and a little more) this last trip was! I met a lot of amazing people, learned a lot of new things and got to see places that I’ve never been before. More will be coming in the days following – I don’t want to bombard you […]
I will be out of town from March 11th- 20th because I will be attending WPPI in Las Vegas with a dear friend of mind, Kelly Ward. WPPI to those of you that are not photographers is a huge convention that a lot of photographers go to every year. I’ve […]
Skybus is my new favorite airline! At the beginning of January, they had a sale on flights for $20.08 each way. I booked a trip for a couple weeks later to go down and visit some friends of mine that live in Louisiana. I had a great time and saw […]