Have you ever attended a class or workshop where you were almost jumping out of your seat wanting to put into practice what you’re being taught?  That is EXACTLY how I felt when I listened to Zack & Jody Gray talk about lighting this past weekend at their In-Camera Workshop in San Diego. The focus of their workshop was off-camera lighting and how to use strobes to get dramatic, crazy-beautiful images.

I’ve never attempted the use of a strobe, mainly because the entire concept seemed so difficult and complicated. That and I HATE using flash in my photography, so I just stayed away from any off-camera lighting as much as I could. The whole idea of mixing natural light with flash just seemed… wrong. And being the lighting novice that I was, I lumped everything that wasn’t “natural light” into “flash”. And I am really happy to be proven wrong.

I was already familiar with Zack & Jody from their incredible photography. But what I wasn’t expecting was how GREAT they are at teaching. They have a gift for taking what appears to be a complicated topic and explaining it in a way that makes sense. After only a couple of hours of classroom instruction, we were outside setting up our own lighting pattern to shoot one of our models. And the first shot out of the camera for all of us was PHENOMENAL.

Check out these images…

Zack & Jody have this incredibly refreshing way of looking at photography – not just in technique, but in how they view it as a profession. They don’t see themselves as “celebrities”, they know where photography fits in their lives (it doesn’t define them), and have a incredibly passionate (yet realistic) love affair with photography. It’s inspiring to say the least.

That, and they are two really cool peeps to hang out with!

Thanks Zack & Jody! You guys rock!

This past weekend, we took the girls to the Orange County Fair. We had an awesome time trying new foods (um, fried Kool-Aid anyone?), riding rides and people-watching. The highlight for me was by far is the Visual Arts Exhibit. It is a huge exhibit of photography, painting, sculpture, digital arts, etc. The entries are by both amateurs and professionals, each offering up his or her unique and oftentimes dramatic view of their subject – from people, to landscape, to abstract.

And it was INSPIRING.

After my mom passed away last year, I have felt my creative-side… well, SRUGGLE for lack of a better word (that’s for another post). And this exhibit reminded me of why I LOVE photography so much – and in turn, how important photography is in my life. After seeing some of the incredible photographs, I felt that urge to get back out there and shoot for ME. To open myself up once again to the possibilities that it offers.

It may not feel like a revolutionary concept, but for me, it was just the kick in the #$$ that I needed.

Who knew that I could get so inspired at a place with chocolate-covered bacon and people on stilts acting like animals?

So my goal is to start shooting more photos, writing more blog posts… and to keep looking at photography that inspires my soul.

Feel free to pass along any links to photos that have inspired YOU!

This photo is showing off my new Canon 100mm Macro 2.8L…….   L-O-V-E.

Whenever I meet people for the first time and they find out I’m a professional photographer, the conversation usually goes one of two ways…

THEM: What do you do?

ME: I’m a photographer.

THEM: “Wow! I’d love for you to take pictures of my family!” (Sometimes I get, “Wow! You must have a really great camera!” – but that’s for a different blog post…).

……. OR ……..

THEM: What do you do?

ME: I’m a photographer.

THEM: “Ugghh!!! I have this great s@%$#& camera and I have NO idea how to use it!”

Sound familiar?  There is SO much frustration from people who have invested anywhere from $700 to $2000 on a DSLR camera and basically use it like a bulky point-and-shoot.

And I have found that most are shooting on Program Mode (a.k.a. the “little green square”). And here’s the thing… occasionally it is just FINE to shoot on that green square. But if you are interested in taking better pictures, more creative pictures… then you need to get that camera into a mode that gives YOU the control. And that’s Manual Mode…. <———— and no, it’s not nearly as scary as it sounds! .

If you want to learn some camera basics that can get you started in shooting with more control of your camera, then come to my beginner’s workshop! It’s a casual, fun, laid-back 2-hours where you can ask questions, learn something new and get inspired to take great pictures!

Space will be limited to only 8 participants for this first workshop, so contact me at jen@jenniferimus.com soon to reserve your seat!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE landscape photography. It’s not that I don’t love portraiture… I do. But there’s something about being outdoors, capturing something that you find beautiful — it makes you feel like you have a place in the world. I think it also has to do with the lighting… at the right time of day, there is nothing more awe-inspiring than natural sunlight shining on you and your subject (which is why I don’t do studio pictures – just not a fan of indoor photography).

And of course, there’s the more obvious reason why landscape is so fun… if I’m trying to get a picture of a flower, I don’t have to beg the flower to stop pouting or to get his finger out of his nose (all you mothers of boys know what I’m talking about!). I don’t have to bribe it with candy, wait for the temper-tantrum to pass or walk it to the bathroom 14 times after it drank half a juice box. I can spend an hour by myself in the breeze waiting for my shot. It’s a kind of meditation without all the strange and disturbing chanting.

I recently took a landscape photography workshop with an AWESOME instructor by the name of Nick Carver (www.nickcarverphotography.com). Nick has also been one of my mentors and teachers… if you live in Southern California I HIGHLY recommend him. Not only is he an unbelievable photographer (his photo was on the cover of Outdoor Photography this past March), he is a truly gifted teacher. Wherever you are in your photography, he can make you better.

This landscape workshop was at Crystal Cove Beach, which is a magnificent place to take pictures. Here are a few of my shots…

I think I’ve spent more time in camera shops over the last six months than I did at Baby’s R Us before my daughter was born (I think that place still has my picture up on their bulletin board as the “Biggest Sucker for Plastic Toys in Primary Colors”). Where I live in Orange County, there are quite a few camera shops to say the least. My visits have included everything from picking up prints, renting lenses and making big-ticket purchases.

So here’s the thing… time and time again I am amazed at the arrogance and self-righteousness of the people (read MEN) behind the counter. For example, I had an annoying experience when I went to a local camera shop to buy my latest lens (see entry below). The salesman made absolutely no attempt to hide his patronizing and disrespectful tone. He INSULTED my camera body and insinuated that the lens I’m buying is “too much lens” for me. Mind you, this is him knowing nothing about me, the type of photography I do, or my individual style. He basically saw a “young” woman (he was about 75 so Betty White would be about his speed) and he decided that I wasn’t worthy of his respect.

My dilemma, of course, was this… Do I give this asshole my business or do I walk out of there and never come back?  Well, because I was so desperate for the lens, I went through with the purchase (but I did sit in my car for about 10 minutes afterwards white-knuckling the steering wheel and going over all of the things I SHOULD have said if that counts for anything). I am STILL pissed at how he treated me. So, here’s the question: If I can find the lens somewhere else, do I return the lens to this store? And if I do return the lens, do I explain why I’m returning it?

I’ve heard from another photographer friend that this is pretty much how the “old guard” at these camera shops operate. I’m not sure if it’s arrogance so much as insecurity. I’m sure these men are starting to hear about how we women have been gaining our independence as of late – we can even vote for the love of Pete! They must be terrified!

I’m hoping that a “new guard” starts to arrive on the scene soon. A new breed of salesperson that understands that photography is both a skill and an art, and like most art it’s subjective. It’s not a bad thing that I don’t enjoy shooting film or that I don’t feel the need to spot-meter everytime I pick up my camera. That’s the beauty of photography — the camera is the photographer’s tool, not unlike the potter with a block of clay. I can get it to reflect my vision… and it’s okay if it’s not the same vision as the guy behind the counter.

Well, I suppose it’s time to step down off of my soapbox. I haven’t yet decided what to do about the lens… I’ll keep you posted.