A few years ago, I took a photography class from the Nevada Museum of Art. I never subscribe to the idea that there is nothing left to learn, or a class is too basic. In my case, the class was neither basic nor boring and is one of the best experiences I have had as a photographer. The topic of the class was studio lighting and the instructor is local photographer Jeff Ross.

I had personally never met Jeff Ross before taking the class, but the name was one that I had always heard around town, seen in publications, marketing campaigns, and usually cleaning up at advertising competitions. So when a local shooter of such note is offering to open up his studio and share his knowledge, you should jump at the chance, and I certainly did.

Since taking the class, I have assisted Jeff on an occasion and stayed in contact with him over the past few years. I try to show him some of my portfolio work and get advice from him when ever possible. And while it is great to have relationships with well-known photographers like Joe McNally, there is so much you can learn from local pro shooters who are working in your market and have to deal with the same conditions as yourself. You are not going to get that from a shooter that is working on the east coast and has no idea that Reno and Las Vegas are hundreds of miles apart. That local connection is worth its weight in gold.

It is hard in a town like Reno to get anyone to open up and share information. The town is small, compared to LA or NYC, and there are few creatives that are willing to open the doors and risk letting information out there. Jeff Ross is not one of those people. Jeff, like other great photographers, knows that his creativity, experience and knowledge are safe. And like Chase Jarvis and Joe McNally, Jeff knows that you get more from sharing that you do holding onto information.

Part of Jeff’s class deals with live models, and working with them in the studio. I asked Jeff if it would be OK to setup my DSLRs and shoot some video and interview himself and a few of the students. The video breaks down what the class is about and who Jeff Ross is.

Jeff Ross’s Studio Lighting Class with the Nevada Museum of Art from M.D. Welch on Vimeo.

This video was shot by me, on two Canon 7Ds, with 24-70mm 2.8, 50mm 1.4 and 85mm 1.8 Canon lenses. The audio for the interviews was captured on a Zoom H4N audio recorder and edited by me in Final Cut Pro.

For more information about Jeff Ross’ classes, including a great location workshop in Fallon, NV, check out the following link:

Nevada Museum of Art (Scroll to the bottom for Jeff’s next class)