Week One - Night Photog Images

During week one of the Night Photography class we took a look at the history of night photography, surveyed some equipment, and looked extensively into using the histogram to judge exposure instead of the little image on the back of the camera. It's not always easy learning to use the histogram but once you get the hang of it you'll be using it all the time.

Here are a few of the images that the members of the class have sent to me...I think they are doing a super job.

Ed Foley:

Debbie Hendrix:

Kelly Sellers:

Jade Reese:

Elizabeth Hawkins:

Kimmie:

Alice Reed....a pano...very nice thinking:

Stary Stary Night....

Dark night up on the Foothills Parkway. The moon was half full and filling the sky with a bit of ambient light, but in spite of that we were still able to capture some beautiful images of the stars over east Tennessee. After spending a bit of time capturing stars we turned to painting a beautiful Porsche Boxer....what a cool feeling painting a Porsche..LOL...we had a super time together.

Night Photography & Airplanes

This past Thursday evening I had the most amazing experience yet with my Night Photography students. We meet at Island Home Airport and was given total access to a really cool hanger filled with airplanes and equipment. The hanger and plans belong to a wonderful organization called Remote Area Medical, an organization totally committed to helping others. If you don't know about all the different projects this organization is into you really need to check out their website; they are directed to the famous Sam Brock (remember Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom? That's the guy.) These folks are into everything from provided eye and dental care to building runways on mountain tops. If you're looking for an organization to help...this would be an amazing place to start looking. Our hosts for the evening was Judy and Tom Dandridge...these folks went way out of their way to make sure that we had a super experience. Thanks Judy and Tom for giving so much of your time to help us, you guys totally rock!

My colleague Kortney Jarmin and I arrived at the hanger around 5:00 and started setting up lights and getting things ready for the students to arrive. Students began to arrive very early for this shoot, a sign that they were really excited about the possibilities of the evening. Once everyone arrived we talked a bit about the lights we were going to use that evening and about things to watch out for.

I've got to say right up front...this folks are just wonderful. They are not afraid to try new stuff and they are so very eager to learn and help each other. I'm so thankful that I've had the opportunity to make friends with this super group of photographers. I'm looking forward to our next two sessions together...see you on Thursday!

Night Photography in Market Square and Beyond

Learning to use lighting correctly can be really tricky when your shooting at night under different circumstances...but the students in the Night Photography group have worked really hard and done some very nice work.

Ok, so here's the scene...17 photographer, camera's on tripods and aimed at a dark grave yard...normal night for a photog, wouldn't you say. Well this couple walked by and ask me what we were doing....I couldn't resist...it's Halloween..."Oh hi,we're the with Knoxville Paranormal Society..and we've been told that tonight ghost are supposed to walk these very grounds...so we come to record the event and see what happens." The couple just looked at me with this strange bewilderment and quickly walked past.....but look what we saw that night in the graveyard....never now?!