Upcoming Speakers
2024-2025 Season
"10 Things to Strive for in Your Images ". Presented by David Blecman. August 28, 2024 6:30-8:00PM
Description:
David will be discussing the 10 things to strive for in your images.
Bio:
David Blecman is an award winning, internationally recognized photographer and instructor, having taught on four continents and in over 17 countries. His one-on-one mentoring programs for photographers and commercial models continue to grow in popularity.
David has photographed projects for such clientele as Maggianos Little Italy, Sears, Color Me Beautiful, JCPenney, Bath & Body Works, Foot Action, Kaybee Toys, Littman Jewelers, Seagrams Americas, Holiday Inn, Wyndham Hotels, Days Inn, Hilton Hotels, The White House, Black Market, Water Water Everywhere, Cornell University, etc.
He had also been hired to photograph such celebrities as President George W. Bush, Christina Aguilera, Jimmy Buffett, Steely Dan, Moody Blues, Beyonce and Destiny’s Child, Celine Dion, Gene Simmons and KISS, and numerous others.
David also speaks at photography venues, judges at beauty pageants and photography competitions, and continues to teach and mentor photographers and models internationally.
David Blecman owns Positive Negatives, an Arnold, MD based photography studio, as well as The Annapolis Photography Workshop Group, which is comprised of over 1500 photographers, and is free to join. Not only does he teach workshops internationally, but he also produces the Free Weekend Wisdom photography training videos every weekend, as well as the Terrific Tuesday Tip newsletter every Tuesday to help educate the photography community.
His fine art photography has been on display in several galleries.
Website: www.posneg.com
The Annapolis Photography Workshop Group’s Website:
www.meetup.com/annapolisphoto
Registration:
Eventbrite Link:
" Finding Your Creative Voice". Presented by Richard Lewis. September 11, 2024 6:30-8:00PM
Learn how one simple word and 4 questions can change your photography.
Description:
Every photographer needs to find their unique creative voice. It is the basic building block of creating a unique photographic style that allows a photographer to make photographs that do not look like everyone else.
So how does someone develop a style? It was something I struggled with for years until I realized a simple solution… Ask questions. In this presentation I teach you 4 simple questions whose answers will lead you to define your style. I also teach one important key word that will drive everything you do with your photography, and possibly your life.
This presentation is full of examples of how this questioning approach leads to creative solutions based on a unique creative voice.
Bio:
Richard Lewis, Photographer
Richard Lewis has been a professional and fine art photographer since the 1970’s with a passion for landscapes, abandoned history, and interesting people. While he travels to find unique landscapes, his favorite location is the New Jersey Pine Barrens. He uses both a professional digital camera, drone, and an iPhone to create his work.
Richard’s inspiration comes from landscape painters and has developed a style he calls "Painting with a Camera”. This involves equal effort in both creating and post processing an image.
Richard is an active photography blogger, lecturer, instructor and conducts workshops in the New Jersey Pine Barrens and other places to help photographers find their unique creative voice. He also has published a book titled “Photographing the New Jersey Pine Barrens, the Ultimate Guide”.
Website: RichardLewisPhotography.com
" Texture Photography ". Presented by Lori Lankford. October 9, 2024 6:30-8:00PM
Description:
Photographer Lori Lankford will share all the fine details of texture photography. She will help us explore this genre of photography, including how to find textures, capture them, and bring out the details in editing.
Bios:
I am Lori, a creative photographer, digital artist, entrepreneur, and photography educator.
With a passion for nature and flowers, much of my photography is shot from my personal English cutting garden and in my potting shed. My goal with each image is to evoke emotion, showcasing parts of nature that you don’t typically notice.
I use creative shooting and post-processing techniques to bring my images to life avid gardener. I teach photography and editing online courses and private workshops in my home flower garden. I share my passion for creative digital arts through my YouTube channel.
My imagery is featured in printed publications, galleries, botanical gardens, and commercial spaces.
Web site: https://www.lorilankford.com
"The Digital Darkroom Mindset. Your Photography Taken to a Whole New Level " Presented by Kate Silvia. October 30, 2024 6:30-8:00PM
Description:
When we think of “creativity” in post processing, our minds usually envision anything from applying a simple texture, to fine art conceptual photography and creating fantasy worlds. However, creativity begins in the field, and is only limited by your imagination…and a touch of skill of course. We’re going to learn how to PLAN for post processing while we’re still collecting images in the field. We’ll blend time and motion, create different moods, combine light and darkness, and so much more. I’m going to introduce you to ideas that you may not have thought of, techniques you might want to try, and workflow options to make it as painless as possible to get more creative with your imagery. Included is a short demonstration in Adobe Photoshop to achieve many of the results you’ll see during the presentation. Most importantly, this is meant to be fun and engaging. I look forward to seeing you there!
Bio:
Kate Silvia is a professional landscape photographer, digital artist, and educator based in Charleston, South Carolina. Coming from a background in Marine Science, she has a natural appreciation for the environment, and her pursuit of photography was born out of a desire to share that appreciation with others. She’s never far from her roots and spends her free time handling sharks and alligators as a volunteer at the South Carolina Aquarium, hoping to inspire others to cherish the world we all share. Kate is a natural teacher, and is often requested to speak at camera clubs and photo organizations throughout the U.S. and Canada. She produces on-line classes covering all aspects of nature photography, has written several E-Books, and maintains a YouTube channel with photo editing and field technique tutorials. Kate leads field and classroom workshops throughout the year, and is available for in-person and on-line tutoring and mentoring. It’s all about helping others become better photographers. “Being a good photographer is not all about what kind of camera you own. It’s about studying the light, crafting a great composition, and expressing your vision through practice and dedication”.
Web site: https://www.katesilviaphotography.com/
" Working with Textures & Overlays - Turn Ho-Hum into a Work of Art ". Presented by Hazel Meredith, APSA, HonNEC. November 13, 2024 6:30-8:00PM
Description:
Don’t delete that digital image! Do you sometimes have a shot that you
really like…. a subject that is hard to capture…. a place you may not get to
again…. but it’s not perfect? Turn that “almost” good shot into a work of art
by utilizing textures and overlays.
Maybe it’s a bird in flight – the bird looks great, but the sky is blah. Use
another sky image as an overlay or add a texture – or both! Maybe it’s a
nice flower shot – good color and composition, but it’s not quite tack sharp.
Use textures to turn it into a fine art image! Of course, you can also add
textures to your best images and make them spectacular!
Textures are everywhere – there are many free and for-purchase ones
online. You can create your own textures within Photoshop or from photos
of everyday objects. Working with layers and blending modes, there are
many things you can do to create a beautiful work of art – I’ll show you how!
Bios:
Hazel Meredith is an award-winning photographer and a sought-after teacher, speaker, and competition judge. She began teaching in 2007, and now does seminars at camera clubs and conferences across the U.S. – both in-person and virtual. She offers her own workshops and webinars, and has done webinars for several software companies.
She has written two eBooks on working with textures and released two creative courses. She and her husband, Dave, produce the “Virtual Creative Photography Conference” with attendees from around the world. Hazel loves the creative aspect of photography and postprocessing, especially the use of textures and software to create unique images.
She is actively involved with the photographic community and has held leadership roles and received honorary distinctions from several organizations. In the Fall of 2020, she was the recipient of the Ashbrook Award for Digital Imaging Instruction from the Photographic Society of America.
Web sites: https://meredithimages.com/
https://www.facebook.com/MeredithImages
" The Four Seasons of Macro" Presented by Mike Moats. December 4, 2024 6;30-8:00PM
Description:
Mike will cover each season of the year and show the life cycles of the plants and open the macro photographers' eyes to the amazing variety of subject matter. This will inspire you to get out and shoot more.
Bio:
Mike Moats is an international award-winning full time pro macro photographer from Michigan. He is a Tamron Image Master, Vanguard Pro, and his articles and images have been published in many photo magazines for over 17 years. He has a Macro Photo Club online with over 2,800 members, from 28 countries. Mike teaches workshops and speaks at photo conferences throughout the US.
Web site: https://www.tinylandscapes.com/
"How to Take Amazing Wide-Angle Photos" Presented by Ian Plant. January 8, 2025 6:30-8:00PM
Description:
Pro photographer Ian Plant will teach you how to use your wide-angle lens to create compelling and unique landscape, wildlife, and travel photos. You'll learn both the technical and artistic considerations unique to wide-angle photography, including composition, dealing with the distortion inherent to wide-angle lens designs, and the importance of carefully selecting your position.
Bio:
Whether hanging over the rim of an active volcano, braving the elements to photograph critically-endangered species, or trekking deep into the wilderness to places most people will never see, world-renowned professional photographer Ian Plant travels the globe seeking out amazing places and subjects in his never-ending quest to capture the beauty of our world with his camera. Known for his inspiring images and single-minded dedication to creating the perfect photo, Ian has reached hundreds of thousands of people around the world in his mission to inspire and educate others in the art of photography. Ian's work has appeared in numerous photo magazines including Outdoor Photographer, Popular Photography, and Landscape Photography, among many others. Ian has spoken at leading photo conferences including KelbyOne, Out of Chicago, and many others. Ian is also the author of dozens of books and instructional videos and founder of Photo Masters
Web site: https://www.photomasters.com/
" Still Life Photography " Presented by Mark Battista. January 29, 2025 6:30-8:00PM
Description:
Mark Battista, a nationally recognized Fine Art Photographer and Painter, will discuss the “Art of Still Life Photography” and share his approach for creating images that tell a story, communicate an idea, and express a mood. Through this workshop you will be inspired to create impactful still life imagery through the use of simple tools such as natural light, single light flashes and constant light. Emphasis will be placed on how to modify light and use directional light to create drama.
Bio:
Mark Battista is a painter and fine art photographer specializing in portrait and still life photography. He graduated from Paier College of with a B.F.A. After working for several years as a fine artist and illustrator, Mark received a M.S. in Art Education degree from S.C.S.U and has recently retired from teaching art after 35 years.
He is a sought-after speaker who has presented across the US bringing insight and inspiration to painters and photographers.
Mark's artwork and photography has been internationally recognized and has won awards from organizations such as the Salmagundi Art Club in NYC, the New York Center For Photographic Arts, the American Artists Professional League and the CT Watercolor Society. He recently won the Grand Prize and Second Place in an international exhibit through nyc4pa.
Mark is an elected member of the Salmagundi Club, as well as the American Artist Professional League, and the American Watercolor Society. He is represented by the Salmagundi Club in NYC.
Mark recently published two ebooks on Still Life Photography and composition which helps others create images with impact and meaning.
Feel free to visit his website at www.markbattista.com for more information.
Web site: http://www.markbattista.com
"Expressing Mood and Capturing the Essence" Presented by Franka Gabler. February 11, 2025 6:30-8:00PM
Description:
It is not enough to just correctly expose and compose. To resonate with the viewer, a successful photograph needs to tell a story. Also, to connect with a viewer, a photograph needs to evoke emotions – by telling a little bit more about the place than just being a mere record of the place.
It is important to be able to recognize the essence and the potential of the scene and find out what speaks to us before we decide how to interpret it and which aspects to emphasize. Some scenes would best tell the story if we emphasize the dark side. Other scenes might better tell the story if we emphasize vibrancy and lightness. The emotional impact of a landscape photograph is usually achieved by capturing the essence of the scene, often by depicting and conveying a mood – and there are many ways to convey a mood. The presentation will analyze several essential components that contribute to expressing and conveying mood such as choice of light, color, contrast, weather, and/or shutter speed exposure.
Bio:
Franka Gabler is a native of Croatia, Franka moved to California in the late 1990s and fell in love with the Sierra Nevada, after her first backpacking trip. The magnificence of Yosemite and California landscapes inspired her to become a landscape photographer.
For many years, she has been drawing her inspiration from subtle, moody, often intimate landscapes - compositions somewhere between abstract and the wider view, beyond mere documentation of a particular location. Her approach is to capture the essence of the place – often by isolating a smaller scene from a larger vista or an iconic view. Expressing mood and capturing the essence is what she strives for in her photography. The light and atmosphere portrayed in her photographs often result in sentimental impact and ethereal feeling. She often photographs in misty and foggy conditions which helps with simplifying her compositions by concealing distracting elements and leaving only the essence.
Franka’s photographs have been recognized internationally. In 2022 she was the overall winner of the Landscape Photography World Awards. In 2021, her photograph received a 1st place award for the “Intimate and Abstract” category of the Natural Landscape Photography Awards, and in 2023, she was recognized as a highly commended Photographer of the Year. Her black & white portfolio “Expressive Yosemite” is published in Issue No. 159 of the LensWork Photography Magazine.
Franka lives in the Sierra foothills, in the small mountain town of Coarsegold, not far from Yosemite National Park. You can learn more at www.frankagabler.com.
Website: http://www.frankagabler.com
" Personal Expressive Black and White Landscape Photography " Presented by Huibo Hou. March 12, 2025 6:30-8:00PM
Description:
Black and white photography has a timeless appeal, often can touch viewers in a more profound level. Some landscape photographers may find it difficult to work without color. In the first half of this talk, Huibo will delve into the development of one’s personal vision, drawing from her own evolution in B&W landscape photography. In the second half, she will explore various compositional and tonal control techniques, including her postprocessing flow, with the aim of improving one’s vision of seeing and editing in black and white.
Bio:
Huibo Hou, is a landscape photographer based in San Diego, California. She fell in love with photography about 25 years ago as a hobbyist while working in the wireless communication industry. Then life got in the way, and she had to set aside her photography pursuit for quite some time. In early 2015 she rekindled her love for photography and gradually became more serious about the craft. Her work has been recognized internationally in recent years with multiple awards and publications. Landscape photography, especially in black and white, is the art medium that she is passionate about. It serves as her creative outlet to express how she observes, interprets, and connects with nature.
Web site: https://www.huibohou.com
"Creating Colorful, Abstract Works of Art from a Single Photograph " Presented by Phil Atiyeh. April 9, 2025 6:30-8:00PM
Description:
Explore your artistic side by creating dozens of colorful, abstract images from a single photograph. The presentation will take you step-by-step through the process where a select array of Photoshop tools are used to create a large, colorful master file – or tapestry – where images are ultimately extracted. A number of other examples are presented showing variations of the process and the boundless image styles that can be created.
Bio:
Phil’s past life in helping companies develop and launch new products has offered a natural path into photography where similar technical and aesthetic elements must work together. While he’s always had an interest in photography, it wasn’t until he left the workforce in 2019 (and joined the ‘playforce’), where he accelerated and expanded his photography with greater passion.
Phil has received numerous awards as a member of the New Haven Camera Club as well as merit awards from various photography associations. His work has been displayed at the Small Stones Festival of the Arts in Grafton, MA as well as the Milford Arts Council in CT. Perhaps most notable, he was awarded the cover photo of the Alpaca Owners Guide (yes, believe it or not, there’s a magazine for this!) for his image.
An avid woodworker, all of Phil’s framed images from the photographic print to the matting or a hand-made frame, is all created and assembled by him as a finished work of art.
Web site: PhilAtiyeh.com