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Two New eBooks Launched! Win a Prize!

Just a few days ago, I launched my two new ebooks, on the same day! I’ve been working on these books for a few months now, with two different publishers, and as luck would have it, each publisher chose the same date to launch their books! It’s been a hectic time finishing them both off I can tell you!

So here we have them:

Photomagic_cover
First up we have Photo Magic: Special Effects Photography Made Easy.
I was asked to write this book by Darren at the Digital Photography School, where I have published my previous books. I’ve always loved experimenting with creative photography and special effects, as long-time followers of this blog will know! So when the offer for this book came, I jumped at the chance!

Photo Magic looks a eleven special effects photos and breaks down in detail how they were created, the equipment used, the processing and finally shows a bunch of variations and ideas so that you can see how to apply the techniques to other photos. The skills taught have wide applications in your photography, beyond just taking jaw-dropping effects photos.

Also, during the launch period, which lasts a few more days, there’s a competition where you can win $1500 worth of camera gear, and the sale price is 25% off. If you would like this book, there’s no time to waste! Grab it here.


30TT_3D
The next ebook, my fifth, is my first with a new publisher. 30 Tips and Techniques For Portrait Photography is being launched on the new Borrow Lenses Education web site. Borrow Lenses is an established camera hardware site, who are now branching out into photography education. I’m proud to be working with them.

30TT as I call this book for short, is a collection of to-the-point nuggets of wisdom about shooting portraits. It is distilled knowledge from years of professional and personal portrait photography. It’s filled with to-the-point information that will immediately improve your photos of people. I am planning to write a series of 30TT books, so look out for more in the future!

The book is priced at an affordable $10 and you can buy it here.

New Years Fireworks

My Night Photography Unblocked video course has been a big success, and I’m already working on the Advanced course. So what did I do on new year’s eve? Record a video on how to shoot fireworks of course! Here’s a sample from the video I captured on the night, and below that, some quick tips for the next time you want to try shooting fireworks and a slide show of the processed photos!

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Night Photography Unlocked – My first training course!

Big news! I’ve spent the last two months working very hard on my very first video training course, Night Photography Unlocked. And last week, it went live! Here’s the promo video:

I was approached by http://udemy.com a successful online training site, to create content for their photography section. They read my books and loved my writing and asked if I’d be interested in doing video training. This is something that I have been thinking about for some time, but I didn’t know how to present or organise it, so the offer from Udemy was a perfect match.

If night photography is something that interests you, follow the link and watch the three free videos I have at the course: the promo (embedded above), the intro and a free full lecture on the histogram. Thank you as always for your support, and I hope you consider signing up to my course!

Watch for some more posts here in the future with photos and tips on the theme of night photography.

Portrait Photography Short Course Announced!

I am thrilled to announce that in late July, for the first time, I will be running a short course on portrait photography. The four week course will be held in Southeast Melbourne from July 20, and will have a maximum of ten places. You can book a place in this course now by phoning 03 9885 7952 (Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm) or emailing enquiries@ashburtoncc.org.au. The course will be run on Monday 7:30-9:30pm or Saturday 2:00-4:00pm depending on demand.

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Here are the details so far. This is my first draft of the course plan, and any or all of these details may change prior to the commencement of the course, however they are a good idea of what you should expect. The price has been finalised.

Creative Portrait Photography
Tutor: Neil Creek

Learn how to take creative photos of family and friends using flash and natural lighting.

Cost: $130AUD
Location: Ashburton Community Centre, Melbourne, Australia
Date: TBA – After 20th July
Days: Monday 7:30-9:30pm or Saturday 2:00-4:00pm depending on demand
Classes: 4 x 2 hour sessions including one location shoot with model

Requirements: Participants must bring a digital camera with a flash hotshoe* and full manual controls and have basic photographic knowledge. Maximum 10 students (minimum 6)
* Sony Alpha users will be unable to use their camera in the flash exercises with the provided lighting gear due to the proprietary flash mount.

  • Session 1 – Introduction to Portrait Photography, lighting, basic camera operation and functions of shutter speed and aperture, studying example portrait photos
  • Session 2 – Importance of light in creative photography, types of light, light quality and direction. Familiarization with electronic flash and in-class interactive demonstrations with lighting gear provided
  • Session 3 – Viewpoint, angle and pose, adding impact to your images with creative composition & viewpoint with in-class interactive demonstrations with lighting gear provided
  • Session 4 – Go on location to experience photographing a model in natural light, and using flash to supplement natural light. This will be a Saturday or Sunday afternoon.

Students will receive detailed class notes to accompany the sessions, and students will be encouraged to participate in the demonstrations to gain a hands-on perspective of the lessons.

Depending on the demand for this short course, a second one may be run concurrently. If demand is very high, one or two more courses may be run following the first one or two.

I would very much like to know if you are interested in participating in this course. I am looking at the possibility of offering off-camera lighting kits at special prices if I can find an interested retailer. Do you have any other ideas that would make this course even more valuable to particpants?

I hope to see you there!

18 Bite-Size Photo Tips From My Twitter – 31DBBB

Every now and then, when I think of a quick photography tip, I’ll post it to my Twitter stream. As part of the Problogger 31 Days to Build a Better Blog Challenge, day two calls for participants to make a list post. I thought this would be an ideal subject for the post. So here you go, 18 bite-size photo tips:

  • Wearing a white tshirt outside can be a handy fill card, to light your subjects front.
    4:29 PM Dec 23rd, 2008
  • Timing is critical. Practice your timing by photographing sports or people on TV. Catch interesting moments.
    10:20 AM Jan 4th

    • Hueg Cat Liek Teh Grass

  • A tip re dog/cat #photog: Fisheye lens, camera on monopod, held upside down (camera near ground) remote trigger= http://is.gd/eyCf
    10:25 AM Jan 5th
  • Tip re changing light in timelapse. Set to manual, use natural light if you can, if artificial set exp to <60th/sec
    2:23 PM Jan 5th
  • If you’re a #photog and haven’t seen “The Genius of Photography” you’re missing out. Watch it here http://is.gd/fNrb
    1:57 PM Jan 14th
  • When buying a tripod resist the urge to get the lightest. Sturdiness is key, light=flimsy.
    11:38 AM Jan 27th
  • When shooting macro, focus is tough. Rough focus, then use yr body to move back/forth while looking thru viewfinder & shooting.
    1:15 PM Jan 27th
  • On very hot days like today, don’t leave camera gear in car or outside. The glue on rubber feet and grip rings can loosen.
    9:52 PM Jan 29th
  • #tip for daylight lightning #photog Stop WAY down to lengthen exp time &increase chances. Use ND or polarizer for same reason. Keep shooting
    1:15 PM Jan 30th
  • If you need to use a tripod, you probably should use a cable release or the self timer to minimise potential shake.
    1:12 PM Feb 5th

    • Milky Way over Telescopes

  • If stability is critical, eg for astrophotography, do not extend tripod post or legs. Shorter=stiffer=less shake.
    1:15 PM Feb 5th
  • Improve stiffness @ slow shutter by twisting camera slightly, like wringing a cloth. Makes grip firmer w/o shakes
    12:49 AM Feb 20th
  • When shooting handheld with slow shutter, shoot several frames in a burst. It dramatically increases the odds of a still shot
    11:54 AM Mar 25th
  • If you are one of two or more photogs at a wedding, work out who will be a “lead” to direct the action, or no one will.
    1:10 PM Apr 8th
  • A couple may request photos b4 ceremony. This is challenging cos the mood isn’t same. Push them to interact. Avoid if poss.
    1:12 PM Apr 8th
  • If friends are hanging round, get them in the photos or leave. Time chatting takes from photos, and eyelines from camera.
    1:14 PM Apr 8th
  • Take charge of a wedding shoot. Don’t just wander around and shoot. Suggest ideas, ask for poses. Aimless session=lame shots.
    1:17 PM Apr 8th
  • Pocket Wizards (or reliable flash radio remotes) are AWESOME. High reliability wireless flash shooting was a revelation for me.
    1:19 PM Apr 8th

I’ll continue to offer such tips via twitter as I think of them, so be sure to follow me there. Every few months I’ll collate the new ones and post them again as a blog post.

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