Photography Workshops

Everybody these days has a camera of one sort or another. Even the cheapest of cell phones has a camera built into it that rivals the first digital camera I bought almost ten years ago. Back then it was the height of technology; now it's beyond antiquated. But as the technology gets better, faster and more complex with every year, why are we still seeing the same quality of photographs time and time again? Look at the images you took with that 12.1 Megapixel all-singing, all-dancing digital camera and tell me they are any better than you used to take with the Kodak Brownie? Remember when you used to unload film from your camera, then wait days for it to be developed? I am sure the joy of traditional photography can be traced back those few moments of frantic shuffling of photographs while still standing in the lab/drug store/mall. Anyway, my point is it's not the camera that takes great photographs, it's YOU. Sure, all the modern technology helps, but we have forgotten the basics. Most Point-and-Shoots don't even have a viewfinder anymore, so how are you to frame an image correctly? Having the camera in our hands, while looking at a tiny little LCD screen, removes us completely from the seductive sensation of bringing the camera up to our face, closing one eye, and looking at the world through a tiny rectangle of light.

Okay, so you are looking for help. Either as a complete beginner or a serious amatuer who wants some direction/coaching, or somewhere in between. I offer three levels of photography workshop, so there is something for everyone. (And if you don't see something here that will work for you, consider hiring me for some individual tutoring, or have me build a custom workshop for your photography group?):

NOVICE WORKSHOP:

This is a beginners class, for those who have recently purchased a dSLR and are somewhat lost. And it's for those who are a bit more confident with their camera but would like to get more hands on and learn what all the buttons do. We'll be spending a whole day together, with me doing lots of talking then lots of small practicals so that everyone understands their own camera and we don't totally go into brain meltdown. The day might look like this:

MORNING: Introductions, Understanding your Camera, Aperture & Shutter Speed, Depth of Field, Composition, Class Practical
AFTERNOON: Downloading, White Balance, Cropping, Basic Corrections, Exporting & Archiving, Printing, Web Sharing, Question & Answers.

Included in the workshop fee is a scrumptious packed lunch, class materials for you to take away, online access to photography tutorials, a matted 12x16 print of your best work, and a 10% discount on any future print order.

Cost: $89 (+ WA Sales Tax)

INTERMEDIATE WORKSHOP:

This workshop takes the basics that we started with in the beginners class and expands on them. A little heavier on the theory and a little less on the practical. We'll still get out and shoot to have fun.

MORNING: TBA
AFTERNOON: TBA

Included in the workshop fee is a scrumptious packed lunch, class materials for you to take away, online access to photography tutorials, a matted 16x20 print of your best work, and a 15% discount on any future print order.

Cost: $129 (+ WA Sales Tax)

ADVANCED STUDIO WORKSHOP:

Let me teach you what I know, then you can poke holes in all my ideas and develop you own sense of what photography means to you. Not so much tutoring, as having a mentor to guide along your own path, offering suggestions and coaching along the way. This workshop focuses primarily on studio photography, so we'll be learning a lot about working with models and lighting. The day might look like this:

9am -10am: Meet at my studio, go over your camera gear, make sure you have an understanding of all those buttons and knobs. (if you are making the jump from Point-and-Shoot to DSLR and not quite moved up with your camera, I can arrange for you to have a Nikon D300 for the day, thus wetting your appetite for holding a camera that rocks!)
10am - 1pm: Set up the studio/lights. Meet/greet model. Discuss makeup/styling options for shoot with MUA/stylist.
1pm - 2pm: Have a Gourmet lunch at any one of the excellent Friday Harbor restaurants.
2pm - 3pm: Download and review the mornings shoot
3pm - 4pm: Learn the ins and outs of using Lightroom and Photoshop, i.e., editing, cataloging, retouching, preparing for printing
5pm - 6pm: Print your work on an Epson 9900, or Epson 2400, depending on how many images you want to go home with. We can do one 24 x 36 image, or eight 10 x 8 images, or anything in between.
6pm - late: Final review of the day/ Q & A time, either in the studio or over wine/beer out somewhere in Friday Harbor.

Included in the workshop fee are all model/makeup/stylist fees, class materials for you to take away, online access to photography tutorials, eight 11x14 prints to start your portraiture portfolio or whatever you want printed up to one 24x36 image, and a 20% discount on any future print order.

Cost: $199 (+ WA Sales Tax)
Cost: $269 (+ WA Sales Tax) if renting D300 for workshop.

CUSTOM WORKSHOPS:

If you want I can create a totally unique workshop for you and your photography group. Want to shoot whales while visiting San Juan Island? Or maybe you want a one-on-one two day workshop covering EVERYTHING? Please contact me to discuss your specific ideas.

What I do:

So what is 'Concepia"? And why is it "Your Center for Photography"?

Concepia is a new business venture run by local photographer, John Sinclair, and is located on Spring Street, opposite Wells Fargo Bank, behind the historic 100+ year old Camperdown Elm.

Concepia offers the following services:

Commercial Gallery: A dedicated photographic gallery focusing primarily on new and emerging Photographers from the Pacific Northwest.
Photographic Studio: Concepia is a Portraiture studio, but we have experience in all areas of commercial photography. Award Winning!
Photoshop Services: From retouching and restoring 100 year old photos to scanning and archiving your precious memories.
Large Format Printing: Concepia runs an Epson 9900. The best 44" printer in the world! From Premium Luster to Matte Canvas, we can print on it all.
Standard Printing: Don't need a huge print for you wall? Let me take care of the smaller prints too. 8x10's start at $10.
Art Bookstore: Largest collection of monographs north of Powells, or close to it. Come sit on the couch and browse the world's photographers.
Technology Tutoring: From Photoshop to Mac, we'll hold your hand through every step.
Photographic Workshops: we run these throughout the year, from beginners to advanced levels. Check out our calender for what's coming up

So you see, with all these services on offer, Concepia really is a "Photographic Center". Even if you don't see it see it listed on here, come in and talk to me. We'll find a solution to whatever problem you have.