PixelatedImage Blog

Hi folks. Another grab bag of stuff this morning.

Blog Exchange. Tomorrow Gavin Gough and I will be doing another blog exchange. He will be writing here, and I will be writing there. Be sure to welcome Gavin here and if you’re missing your daily fix of thoughts scrapped from my brain, check out Gavin’s blog where I’ll be.

Lumen Dei. Our seven participants for this year’s photographic workshop and tour in Kashmir will be pleased to be reminded that in three months today we’ll be meeting in Delhi and starting the tour. I can’t wait.

An Announcement. I’m keeping the details on this one close to my chest - but I’m so excited about this I needed to pass it on before my head exploded. Last week I was given a book deal and in less than a year there should be a book on the shelves, from a major publisher, with my name on it, and my photographs and writing inside. This is all I’m going to release at this point, but you are now free to let your imaginations run wild. You may now jump up and down on my behalf.

Check in tomorrow with Gavin and I.

Tune in to this week’s (Episode #133) PhotoshopUser TV, (now airing) to see yours truly making a guest appearance with Scott Kelby. (It used to be PhotoshopTV, now it’s Photoshop USER TV, presumably the change was made to reflect the addictive nature of Photoshop and the dependance-based behavior it induces.)

Let me know how it is because I’m not sure I have the strength to watch. There’s this scene in Almost Famous where the Russell, the leader of the band Stillwater, turns to the reporter and says, “just makes us look cool.” I’m not sure this is going to make me look cool.

We did one take and just as I was feeling I’d totally blown it but would get another take or two, Scott turns to me, calls me a one-take-wonder and we leave. No second take. No chance to get comfortable. No chance to rectify mistakes, like forgetting to mention Matt Brandon with whom I run the Lumen Dei tour. So if it looks like I’m fumbling for words and don’t know whether to look at the camera or at Scott - it’s no fancy camera trickery. All that discomfort is pure me, baby. Still, tune in. Might be worth a laugh. Link HERE.

LUMEN DEI - One Spot Left.
Related to the Photoshop TV fiasco interview, if you’ve come here regarding the Lumen Dei tour and workshop in Kashmir, we have only one space left now, so act fast.

NEED Magazine Blog
NEED Magazine has an online supplement to their excellent quarterly print magazine. This week they’ve published a personal piece I wrote about hope, and the role World Vision assignments have played in beating back my cynicism. Read that piece, and others here - Link to NEED Magazine online HERE. (Updated - the article is now up.)

Matt Brandon and I spent a really enjoyable day yesterday teaching the Lumen Dei One Day Digital Photography Workshop in Temple, Texas. Thanks to the almost 30 people who came and shared our day with us!

The day went very well if the evaluation forms are any indication. Comments like “the best $99 I ever spent,” tell me we hit some nerves and gave some valuable information. There was alot of laughter, too, which tells me the learning was fun. Matt and I learned a few things too, some technical issues we can smooth for next time, some finessing of the curriculum in the blind spots to make this more valuable to participants. But for amateur photographers looking to take it up a notch, this workshop is a really strong opportunity to take it up a notch. I’m very excited about the next one in Ft.Erie, Ontario, in June.

The name will be changing to the KNOW YOUR STUFF, IMPROVE YOUR VISION digital photography workshop, and it may get shortened further yet. The reason for the change is Matt’s imminent move to Malaysia. Lumen Dei is something we do together, and Matt’s move will prevent us from doing more workshops on this continent for a while (keep your eyes open for one in Panang). So I will continue to conduct the workshops here under a different name.

But that doesn’t mean you’ve missed out. The Lumen Dei Kashmir tour and workshop is just over 160 days away and we have 2 spots left. If you can handle two weeks with Matt and I in some of the most breathtaking scenery, and if you’ve got an urge to get your imagery up to the next level, we’d love to talk to you about accompanying us.

Thanks again to participants in yesterday’s class, you really made it a pleasure.

I’m heading to Texas today, for the first Lumen Dei One Day Workshop with Matt Brandon - really looking forward to it. Except for the whole “getting up before 4am so I can get to airport on time” bit. That part always seems a little inhumane. So, it’s bound to be quiet around here. But that doesn’t mean you can’t waste the same amount of time here on a daily basis. The Google AdSense ads will keep refreshing - come, stay awhile, click until your fingers bleed.

Or go play with the Lightroom 2.0 Beta. Or dust the camera off and go shoot. Or take the time you’d normally spend here and write an email to a client just to check in and say hello. Or calibrate your monitor. Or back-up your harddrives. Or work on that promo piece you keep putting off.

See you early next week, if not before.

We’re pleased to announce that Think Tank Photo has joined us as sponsors of the Lumen Dei Kashmir 2008 Workshop.

Both Matt Brandon and I have been using ThinkTank gear increasingly over the last year and are thrilled to have their participation.

Matt has just posted a review of the Modular System over at The Digital Trekker, check it out HERE

If you missed it, I posted a review of the Digital Holsters, which play nicely with the rest of the Modular System and the new Skins system - that review can be found HERE

In 200 days Matt Brandon, myself and up to 8 participants will meet in Delhi to begin the 2008 Lumen Dei Kashmir Workshop. If you’ve been looking to hone your skills, add to your portfolio, or just get out with your camera to one of the most beautiful places in the world, check this out. Still not convinced? How about living on a houseboat on Lake Dal in Srinagar, trekking (with your gear on ponies, than you very much) into the Himalaya to photograph the nomadic Gujjar shepherds, and shooting in the chaotic and exotic streets of Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi? Daily lessons, image reviews, and as much discussion about gear, technique and theory as you want?

September 15-27, 2008. $3200.00 from Delhi, INDIA.

This trip was the highlight of my year in 2007, so it’s no surprise I’m counting the days. More information HERE - we’re over half-full now, so if you’re interested now’s the time to get in touch.

On April 05, 2008 Matt Brandon and I will be conducting a one day workshop for amateur and intermediate photographers looking to hone their skills.

Digital photography offers an unprecedented level of control as a photographer, but ya gotta know your stuff. This is “know your stuff” bootcamp. We’ll begin the day with a photoshoot and discuss technical and creative issues, then we’ll show you how to use Adobe Lightroom and dip into Photoshop. Lots of time for questions, too. Our goal is to cram your head full to bustin’ with know-how. Our class is limited to 25 so it’s first-come, first-served, but the small class size means you’ll have a fightin’ chance at working through the hard stuff with some personal attention.

9am to 4pm on April 5th, 2008
Location: PDI, 3407 S.31st St., Temple, TX
Cost is $99.00

For more information contact Matt Brandon at 254-231-1517 or images@thedigitaltrekker.com

LUMEN DEI PHOTO TOUR & WORKSHOP, KASHMIR, INDIA

A two-week photography tour and workshop like no other. Two weeks shooting in Old Delhi and Kashmir. A four day trek into the Himalaya to photograph the nomadic Gujjar people. Living on a houseboat on Lake Dal. Daily teaching from Matt Brandon and David duChemin. A tour sponsored by leaders in the photographic world - and that means some free stuff too. This is a tight group - only six to eight participants, so spots will go quickly. Dates are September 15-27 (not inclusive of travel to Delhi).

More information on the website: LUMEN-DEI.COM

A small gallery of images from the 2007 Tour can be found HERE

The dates for the 2008 Lumen Dei Tour and Workshop have just been announced. Or they will be. In fact, consider THIS that announcement.

In almosty exactly one year from now - from September 15 to 27, 2008 - seven to eight participants will travel with David duChemin and Matt Brandon to Kashmir in Northern India.

Total cost is USD 3200.00 from Delhi and that includes pretty much everything including accommodations, meals, internal flights, etc.

If you’ve always wanted to see and photograph Kashmir - a place known as Paradise on Earth - and to learn how to shoot the spirit of a place and her people from two accomplished photographers, this is an extraordinary opportunity.

A few highlights - shooting in the chaotic streets of Old Delhi, living on a houseboat on Lake Dal in Srinagar, photographing floating vegetable markets and the Venice-like back waterways from a classic Shikara, trekking in the Himalaya (with most of your gear on ponies) and meeting and photographing the nomadic Gujjar shepherd people. Add some excellent theoretical and technical teaching, one on one time with instructors, image critiques, and some free swag from our sponsors. Your leaders are competent, generous, and alot of fun. You will remember this trip for the rest of your life.

More details can be found on the LUMEN DEI SITE.

If you are interested in applying please first read through the Lumen Dei site, then send an email and we will get an application package to you.

After months of shuffling around and playing with dates and details, we are very close to announcing the details of LUMEN DEI 2008. We will be back in Kashmir, living on a houseboat, shooting the old city of Srinagar, and our trek this year is longer. Matt Brandon and I are particularily excited about the tour for this coming year. Check back here in a week, or Lumen-Dei.com for more details. If you are really eager and not yet on the mailing list, leave a comment here and I will make sure you’re among the first to know when details are announced.

There will be 7-8 spots in this year’s course - if you want one you’ll need to get an application in fast, but please be warned acceptance is not primarily based on a first-come first-served basis, but at the discretion of the Lumen Dei Photo Workshop leaders. On your marks, get set, wait….