I just wanted to do a quick post to let everyone know that graphic design and photography courses, taught by me, have started back up at UNR.
The schedule for the classes can be found on the sidebar of my blog or at the following link.
While these classes are run by UNR, they are not held at the main campus, so you don’t need to deal with the downtown traffic. Classes are held at the Redfield Campus south of town, near Galena High School.
We teach all the Adobe applications as well as DSLR and point and shoot digital camera classes. I look forward to seeing new students in class as well as catching back up with previous students.
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.
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:
Sorry to have been such a flake on the blog lately. Life got pretty weird at the mother ship (the day job) in the last few months and it has completely taken the wind out of me. I have no idea if it is the start of something good, or the continuation of a very slow boil, to which, in the end, I find I am a lobster in a pot.
While I have neglected the blog, I have not neglected my personal and free lance work, and I am very excited to show you all, i.e. my parents and two other people who read this, what I have been up to.
First, and maybe the most recent is that the blog past its first anniversary last month. Not really a milestone in my opinion, but it ties into what happen just a few weeks ago.
If you hit the back button on the blog enough times, you will see I started the blog right about the same time I journeyed down to Paso Robles to help my friend, fellow Canonista, and mad man Syl Arena, for the start of his workshop series. His first instructor was Joe McNally, and it was my pleasure to assist him during the workshop. You can catch up here, here and here if you are new to the whole story.
A month ago, a similar situation presented itself. I heard that Joe would be in my neck of the woods, in the fine capital of California, Sacramento. He was in town to teach for the Kelby Seminars, and I wanted to catch up again. I was very fortunate that Joe not only said yes, but let me be second assistant for the day. Continue Reading…
It bums me out that this year will be the first year that I miss Photoshop World. My schedule does not allow me to make it down south to Las Vegas this year, but I wanted to share a few tips for those of you who are going for your first time to Photoshop World or to Las Vegas itself. I personally make the trip to Vegas over a half dozen times a year for work, so I know a few secrets about where to go and how to get around America’s Playground.
I jump between two roles in my day-to-day life, a creative professional and an instructor/teacher. One thing I have learned from both roles is the importance of learning and what it can do for my productivity and creativity. While the economy is not doing that well, there is great value in the market for workshops, DVDs, and training. If you are looking to add to your current skill set or looking to start a new career, you are in luck.
This fall offers a ton of options for your educational needs. To start with, you have Photoshop World in Las Vegas on October 1st-3rd. This is must have for the person who is either wanting to learn all things Adobe, specifically Photoshop and Lightroom, but also the photographer/designer learning everything her or she needs to conquer the digital realm. There are also great sessions on print, web and video design, perfect to cover all your bases in training.
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