We are a week from Christmas and I have not updated this site since the Raleigh workshop. Since then, I have been to the Anna Maria Workshop (more coming soon on that one… wow) and finishing up a large project. At the same time, I am working on new content, new delivery, new curriculum and new work. Add to that the fact that I have a new partner in Steel ID, and 6 current design projects and you can see I am a very busy boy.

And that is good.

I just sent the book in to Amherst Media who will be publishing it in the Spring. 40,000 words, and 247 photographs. I fully expect them to call with a ton of rewrites and more/different images. I guess it is the nature of the first time author.

I learned a lot by writing the book. I learned that what we do as photographers is a widely diverse set of choices, all happening in about a nano-second or maybe two. There is not long deliberative process… we see something in the real world and begin to make choices within our confines of cameras and lenses and capture devices and tool sets to make it look like we have established it should look like in our mind’s eye. Whew… Trying to set that down with some sort of hierarchy is challenging.

The book is about seeing the subject, and seeing the light on the subject. I call it “Subject Centric Lighting” and it does have a couple of new concepts on how we light images. I hope it is received well, and helps others see the light and the image and the tools all at one time… or at least work toward that end.

I took a little longer to write it and this week I have been doing a bit of decompression. And building websites for 5 clients… heh.

Upcoming News:
Lighting Essentials will be doing something unique next year. I want to provide a roadmap for someone wanting to (or needing to) go into the profession of photography. My site is not really about how to use speedlights or what kind of tripod one should buy if one only has $36.78. I try to keep it focused on the serious amateur and pro-am shooters who want to do more than shoot MM models in skimpies. (Not that there is anything wrong with that…)

Each Monday, in the Going Pro category, there will be an assignment to do. We will cover all aspects of developing a style, finding a voice, building a portfolio, getting critiques, building (updating) a website, working through business/marketing strategies and of course, making cool images. We start January 3, and the assignments will start with some fun exercises. I have a private group area that will allow us to speak frankly about the work and make sure that there is camaraderie and support.

There will be two levels: Free for the assignments, initial videos, the workbook pages, and the fun. For those wanting a bit more, there will be a paid (not expensive) option that will have additional video and live chat discussions.

I am also bringing back the Wednesday evening chats. Every Wednesday evening (may be moved due to assignments and such) we will open the lines for a topic of interest to photographers. There will be interviews, book/gear reviews and portfolio critiques. We will be positive in our approach. If something is not of interest to me, I simply ignore it. We will be looking for good stuff, not bashing stuff we find lacking.

Also – the re-instituting the Tech Sheets (PDF’s) and making them iPod/iPad friendly. Hopefully at the end of the year you will have a dozen soup-to-nuts tutorials on food, fashion, environment and more.

I will be featured at the Clarion Call Project with Selina Maitreya. It will be fun sharing a digital stage with the likes of Rob Haggert, Heather Morton, Rosh Sillars, Jack Hollingsworth and more. This project will simply rock. You can see more here, so click out and take a look at is shaping up to be one hell of a great teleseminar… and it is free!

There is much to do – and this year of 2011 will bring Lighting Essentials into its own.

Enjoy these images I shot in Florida, and watch for more from the Anna Maria Workshop coming real soon. Follow me on twitter to keep abreast of this project and watch for more info here.

My Bud, Keith Taylor, a photographer in Atlanta.

Rio on the Beach.

Katlyn at Bean Point, Anna Maria Island, Florida.