We also found a lost wallet and iPhone 4 at Union Station, got in touch with the owner and returned it safely to her by the end of the class.  So it was a very productive session!

My students were all great people.  Thanks for the good time, guys/gals!!!

Boise Groupon Members,

I am so excited to be expanding SNAPshops…in more ways than one. First a whole new city…BOISE! Secondly, although SNAPshops has always applied to DSLR camera users, we have decided to offer classes dedicated to both Point & Shoot photographers as well as DSLR photographers. Additionally, SNAPshops will be offering online Photoshop classes in October (dates and times still to be determined). The Boise Groupon deal is also applicable towards a 2-hour-photoshop class. So stay tuned for that!

For more information on SNAPshops Boise, the instructor and schedule, please visit: www.snapshopsboise.wordpress.com

Cheers!

I want to thank EVERYONE who has submitted images from your classes!  I know it seems like not a lot is going on here on the blog, but let me tell you THERE IS A LOT going on behind the scenes.  I am working on a new web site and student community that is going to ROCK the web!  I am seriously very excited.  So if you submitted an image, fear not, as I am going to open the new web site with a really cool student gallery!  SO PLEASE, stay tuned!

This last week, Maryann Waugh submitted a great shot that I wanted to feature.  I LOVE the way this images takes your eyes on a little trip. When I look at this, my eyes want to move around, following the train tracks.  That’s what impacts me the most and I think this is an excellent photograph.  Nice job, Maryann!

It’s a compilation of live stills. Meaning the camera never moves with the subject. It’s shot in video, but photographed like a still. Notice the different angles the photographers used to make this video. Notice the creative angles, the use of foreground and background imagery, that ever-so famous “rule of thirds”, camera tilt. All things we talk about in our SNAPshops classes and private lessons.

I don’t know about you, but I am incredibly inspired by this and find myself watching it over and over again. It makes me excited for winter in Colorado (stay tuned for some winter wonderland snapshops classes and field trips!)

Last week was SNAPerriffic: one private lesson, and two sold-out classes.  Good times!

People are always complaining about all of the grasshoppers that have been in Denver lately.  I’ll take a herd of grasshoppers over a flock of mosquitos any day!  And they are fun to photograph!

In two separate classes, I pulled out my macro and got some sweet shots of these springy little critters.  After watching them for a while, I have decided that I love grasshoppers.  I like the way they just chill out, then without warning… BOING!  They just spring upwards with very little finesse.

This one sat in on my Wednesday afternoon Urban SNAPs.  On the coffee table.  I used him right there as an example of our point-and-shoot macro functions.  Check out this detail!

…And then on Sunday we had a special nature hike SNAPshop which was a lot of fun!  And there were more G-Hoppers!  It took a few tries for me to compose this shot in a way that I was happy with.  There’s nothing wrong with shooting until you get it!  It’s digital, after all.  Not like you have to buy film!

Here’s my Sunday Class:

I’m already getting lots of photos and comments by email from my students!

Devon says,

“Here are my three favorites from the day. Thanks for a great class! I will definitely keep my eyes open for that Photoshop class you said you’re thinking about having. I have yet to “go there” but I’m thinking it’s about time…
Thanks for everything,
Devon“

Check out these killer shots she got from our class!  Nice job Devon!  And yes, Photoshop classes are on the horizon, stay tuned!!

I left that shoot and went straight over to the Famous Orange County Fair in Costa Mesa, CA.  I met up with my friend Becker, who also happens to be one of the worlds most renowned wedding photographers.

We were on a mission to:

1.  Eat all of the famous fried fare fares!

2.  Photograph the fair scenery.  Here are some shots from my little point and shoot camera:

Lots of health food at this fair, like a Deep Fried Snickers!

I had one of these Cinnamon Rolls and yes, they were incredible.

How about a little evening photography?

Think I photoshopped this image?  Think again!  This is straight out of my Canon Point-and-Shoot camera!

Not a bad shot of the moon!

Sushi?  No thanks!

I spotted this tattoo:  “Jason’s Lucky Lady”.  Do you think that’s Jason?  I was slyly shooting from the hip to get this shot!

Deep Fried Butter:  You saw it here!  I did not try it.  But I did have some chocolate covered bacon.  Delicious!

Turkey Legs were everywhere.  And Hot Dogs!

The inside of my deep fried S’More

A very attractive photo of me.  Wonder what I’m eating?  I still cant tell if I liked it or hated it.  I took two bites.

Becker Photographer went for the block of curly fries.

Here it is:  the Krispy Kreme Jelly Fried Chicken Sandwich.  Bleh!

Deep fried S’more

Deep Fried White Castle Hamburger

Deep Fried Twinkie

You want it fried?  Totally!

All for now.  I think I need to go take a shower!

A lot of my SNAPshop students have been expressing interest in a more advanced class, once they have started to grasp the basics. For that, I recommend my private lessons. They are great for students who feel they understand the basic features of their cameras but really want to improve their knowledge of exposure, lighting, composition and more. It’s also great for brand new photographers who have literally JUST bought their new fancy camera and want a more hand-on customized learning experience.

Finally, these are great if you are getting ready to leave for a vacation and want to get some good tips as you set off on your travels.

Want to learn how to take better photos of your kids? The great thing about these classes is that I will focus on what you are specifically hoping to accomplish! Sign up now and we’ll get you into the calendar:

Your images, taken the right way, even on your little dinky point and shoot camera, can become art, worthy of a canvas print.  From digital point-and-shoot to photo giclee, and right over the Internet.

There are a few canvas print companies out there, but I am particularly impressed with Your Photo on Canvas.  I have been to their factory in Anaheim, CA and it’s truly amazing.  The founder of YPOC, John Doe is a perfectionist and a connoisseur of fine art – not just some guy who bought a printer that can print on canvas.  I love how passionate he is about the process that they use to take photos from our very own cameras and turn them into works of art.  Here’s a video, from the USA Today Archives, as YPOC was featured just a few months ago.  The setting here is the actual factory – check it out!  And see if you can spot one of my images from a particular Russian Wedding that I photographed last summer: CLICK BELOW

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vJx9SNo3O0

So if you have attended one of my photo field trips and have not yet used your promotion code for your $40 credit, find that favorite image of yours now and create a piece suitable for your home decor!