Dan Bailey Photo Newsetter - December 2016 Issue. New Workshops Added!
Published: Tue, 12/06/16
Hi ,
Well, here we are, nearing the end of 2016. Looking back, I can hardly believe how much I crammed into the past 11 months- lots of workshops and photo tours here in Alaska, The Great Smoky Mountains Photography Summit, a number of presentations around the country and even a couple of keynote speeches.
Another highlight was getting to connect with a number of other photographers while out on the road! I met a number of you at some of the events and workshops this year, and I also got the chance to finally meet a few other photographs who I look up to, like Bill Fortney, Matt Kloskowski and world traveling photographer Deborah Sandidge. It’s always a pleasure to hanging out with other shooters, and I look forward to seeing more of you guys in the coming months. If you do catch me at one of my talks, be sure and introduce yourself!
As excited as I am about the stuff I accomplished this year and the image I shot, I look even more forward to what’s coming in 2017. I’ve already got a few things on the calendar, but I also have some big holes to fill with trips and adventures!
I hope you've had a great year as well. I follow some of your work on social media, make sure to tag me on Twitter and Instagram @danbaileyphoto so I can see your latest projects and imagery.
Brand New Workshops Announced!
I’ve just added a handful of new workshops to 2017 schedule, and as always, you're the first to know about them.
2-Day Adventure Photography Workshop with Ace Kvale and Me
Valdez Ice Fest, Alaska. Feb 17-19, 2017
I'm psyched to be co-leading a photo workshop with renowned adventure photographer Ace Kvale. Held during the Valdez Ice Climbing Festival in February, this two-day workshop will cover all aspects of image making. In addition to the aspects of creating powerful imagery, we’ll also cover working with models, athletes, and clients, basic Lightroom and workflow, finding and maintaining your passion for doing your best work, and launching personal projects.
Over the two days, you’ll work with both Ace and me, together and in split-groups. We’ll each review your imagery, conduct field sessions and we’ll host a closing night slide show to gauge everyone’s progress. There will be lots of opportunities for one-on-one instruction and great photo ops around the festival.
I’m really looking forward to this workshop. Back when I first turned pro, 20 years ago, Ace Kvale was one of the big name pros I really looked up to. A world class adventure photographer and a super awesome individual, Ace has always been a huge inspiration to me, and now I get to lead a workshop with him! Who’s just won at life, I ask?
Learn more info about The Valdez Ice Climbing Festival here and see what’s included.
As one of my followers, you get a special discount if you decided to attend this workshop. Use discount code SPECIALFRIENDSPECIAL in the online registration form to get the exclusive price.
2017 Fujifilm X-Photographers Nature and Travel Summits
- April 5-9, Great Smoky Mountains, Townsend, TN
- September 6-10, Portland, OR
Study and learn "on location" from a group of official FUJIFILM X-Photographers in these intensive, three and a half day workshops, set in the varied landscapes of the Great Smoky Mountains and the Pacific Northwest.
With Jack Graham, Bill Fortney, Dan Westergren, Karren Hutton and Dan Bailey
I'm pleased to announce that I'll be one of the instructors at both of the 2017 FUJIFILM X-PHOTOGRAPHERS NATURE and TRAVEL SUMMITS.
Sponsored by FUJIFILM and specifically designed for X Series shooters and people who are interested in the X Series, these workshops will teach you how to maximize your creativity and technical abilities with the Fuji system.
Featuring Bill Fortney, Jack Graham, Dan Westergren, Karren Hutton and myself, you'll learn a wide range of photography methods and techniques from each of us and get firsthand instruction about how we use the specific features of the Fuji cameras in our own image making.
Through a combination of field sessions, presentations, image reviews and talks about a wide range of photography topics, you'll learn not just how to expand your photography abilities, but how to make use of the specific tools and features found on the Fuji cameras.
With two separate summits; spring in the Great Smoky Mountains and early fall in the Pacific Northwest, these events promise beautiful scenic locations to practice your skills and learn from a dedicated group of professional photographers and workshop leaders.
If you're an X Series shooter or if you're curious about the Fuji system, and you want the chance to learn from me and a small handful of other working pro Fuji shooters , then I highly recommend attending one or both of these summits. I hope you can join us! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Also, I do custom instruction as well. If you find yourself Alaska this year, or if you know I’m coming down to your area, and you want to do a private tutorial with me, please let me know.
You can find out detailed information about the summits here.
Photo Tip: The 5 Stages of Creativity
Creativity is the set of cognitive brain functions that revolve around solving problems, expressing ideas and concepts that are uniquely original or producing something new that has never been made before.
Throughout our history, creativity has allowed us to evolve technologically as a species, and it has allowed us to find meaning in our lives, communicate our own individuality and define our personalities.
Successful creativity requires risk tolerance and the confidence that your ideas will have some inherent value or merit, either to yourself or to society. With photography, and specifically with adventure photography, creativity is largely about finding new ways to wow our viewers and temporarily transport them into our world. In other words, we strive to show our locations and activities in the most amazing way possible, and in the process, take the breath away from our viewers.
The process of creativity can be broken down into five stages. Let’s look at how they could play out with regards to adventure and action photography.
1. Fact Finding: This is where you do research and collect data about your surroundings. You notice a subject that you’d like to photograph and note the different elements of the environment that attract you to the scene. Or you imagine a subject and how you’d like to portray it your imagery.
2. Problem Finding: This is where you pinpoint specific problems in the current method or areas that could be made more efficient. You evaluate the lighting conditions, shadows, backgrounds and anything that might hinder your image.
3. Idea Finding: This is where you mull over your collected data from the first two stages and brainstorm for new ideas for success or originality. You come up with ideas such as angles of view or directions and quality of lighting that might better emphasize your subject.
4. Solution Finding: This is where you come up with specific solutions to the problems or barriers in your process. You nail down exactly what equipment you’ll need, which lens to use and where you’ll need to stand in order to effectively capture the scene as you imagine it.
5. Plan of Action: Where you carry forward and implement your new ideas to achieve something brand new. You plug in your lights, grab your camera, slap on the right lens, set your camera controls, move around, reposition the subject and actually take the photograph.
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You don’t have to memorize and plan out all of these these specific steps every time you take photos. I’ve just outlined it this way so that you can recognize all the steps that make up the creative process. The next time you find yourself in a rut, try running through these steps in your mind and see if any new ideas emerge!
Note- This is an excerpt from my highly detailed 300-page manual, Outdoor Action and Adventure Photography. There's also an eBook version as well.
Gear Corner
Camera and Lens Rebates
The Fujifilm X Series rebates are still going on.
Save up to $400 on camera bodies and lenses. There are some really good deals in here, like the XF14mm f/2.8, which has a $300 savings, and the X-T1 body, which has a $400 rebate. Nearly all the lenses are on sale. You can also find all the Fujifilm rebates on Amazon.
Also include is the XF100-400 lens. If you haven’t seen my mini review of the Fuji 100-400, you can find it here.
Nikon Lens Rebates - Save up to $350 - Expires 12/10
Canon Lens Rebates - Save up to $400 - Expires 12/10 (Shop on Amazon)
Tamron Lens Rebates - Save up to $300 - (Shop on Amazon)
Olympus also has a number of deals going on right now.
Save up to $350 on cameras, lenses and accessories. (Olympus Lens Deals on Amazon.)
Hoya SOLAS IR Professional IRND Filters
If you’ve ever used Neutral Density Filters or done slow shutter photography, you might have noticed that at really long exposures, you can experience noticeable red or magenta color shifts. That’s because your camera sensor is very susceptible to infrared light, which leaks into your image at long exposures times.
Whereas most ND filters are not designed to correct for this, Hoya’s new Solas IRND filters are specially engineered to block IR light and prevent any coloration of your image.
I’ve used Hoya filters extensively throughout my career (they’re actually the worlds largest manufacturer of optical glass), and I’m really impressed with the new IRND filters. They have everything from 1 stop all the way to 10 stop. I recently got both the 6 and 10 stops for doing really long exposures and shooting slow shutter images in bright sunlight.
If you like to do slow shutter photography, I highly recommend these filters. Here's a fun HDR-type shot I made in bright sun with the 10 stop IRND filter.
You can find all of the Hoya IRND Filters Here.
Listen to Me on the Adventure Photography Podcast
I was recently interviewed by Stephen Richert for his Adventure Photography Podcast. We talked about everything from cameras, photography, climbing, Galen Rowell and a number of other topics. Stephen is a great guy and a really talented photographer. Check out his website here.
Featured Story - Shooting Icebergs By the Light of the Moon
A few weeks ago, I flew out to the Knik Glacier in my little Cessna and spent the night among a scattering of beached icebergs. It was a spectacular adventure, once that I desperately needed, after weeks of NOT doing enough of this kind of stuff.
Read about this adventure here.
Around The Web
The Secret to Making Your Wide Angle Lens Even Wider - Great insight by Chris Marquardt, who explores how to get around the the limitations of the lens compared to how our eyes see the world.
Choosing What Matters Over What’s Loudest - I always love Robert Rodriguez Jr’s posts, and here’s another example of his approach to creativity and landscape photography.
Does it Really Take 10,000 Hours to Get Good? - Breaking through creative barriers by Alastair Arthur.
4 Tips for Shooting Better Natural Light Portraits. You don’t always need a flash to get great imagery.
Things Photographers Say and What They Really Mean - By John Barbiaux. Enjoy! :)
If you’d like me to share any of your blog posts or feature your photography in a future newsletter, please email your links (no photos) to news@danbaileyphoto.com
Ok, that’s all for this issue, I know I crammed a lot in here. I hope you enjoy the tail end of fall and the beginning of winter. As always, keep in touch, and let me know what you’ve been up to. Did any of you Mac users get a chance to try out Luminar photo editing software? I'd be curious to know what you think of it.
Thanks for reading and happy shooting.
-Dan
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One more thing- if you’re looking for a gift for yourself or a photographer friend, check out my Backpacker Magazine/Falcon Press Pocket Photography Guide. Makes a great stocking stuffer!
Holiday Special - Save 33% on my Outdoor Photography Video Course
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