Focus on Photography: 
Seeing Photographically
May 4 – 5, 2012

Registration is closed

   

You already know the technical basics of digital photography, but there are still tools to learn and techniques to master. The Virginia Tech Alumni Association announces a special weekend event designed to take your photography to the next level. Sessions begin with fast and fun instructions, allowing plenty of time for hands-on activities that reinforce fundamental photography principles and lead participants on the journey to seeing photographically.

Lead instructor Kirk Carter and scheduled guest presenters Jon Beard, Cedric Rudisill, Dennis Neale, and Anna Metheny will guide participants through the weekend and be on hand to answer questions about photography gear and technique.

The weekend kicks off on Friday night with a welcome reception, introductory session on the formal tools of photography, and a session on evening light painting during the “blue hour” – that time of the evening when the sky will appear deep blue in photographs. Saturday’s schedule includes meals and a full day of sessions devoted to themed “photography hunts” on the Virginia Tech campus. At each of the day’s sessions, participants will receive instruction on photography techniques and then will be provided a list of subjects to photograph, with the challenge of achieving images that illustrate what they have just learned. The program culminates with a special banquet that includes a slideshow of photos taken during the weekend and discussion of images that are particularly successful at illustrating the weekend’s lessons.

Adults $135
Children ages 13–17 $79

SPECIAL ALUMNI LODGING PRICING!
The Inn at Virginia Tech
$99 per night*
*Based on availability. Taxes and gratuity not included.

Tentative Schedule of Events

Topics, times, and locations are subject to change

Light painting image courtesy of Curt Warwick
All other images courtesy of Kirk Carter

Friday, May 4

• 5 – 7 PM
  Registration
  Holtzman Alumni Center Foyer

• 6 – 7 PM
  Welcome Reception
  Holtzman Alumni Center Gallery
  Enjoy light hors d'oeuvres and wine as you stroll through a photography exhibit at the alumni center gallery.
• 7 – 7:50 PM
  Introduction to Seeing Photographically
  Presenter: Kirk Carter
     
  Learn to translate your intentions into photographic decisions. Emphasis on light quality and direction, focus and bokeh, shutter speed, vantage point, framing, frame shape, and selection. Subsequent sessions build on the overview provided in this session.
• 8 – 9:30 PM
  Blue Hour Light Painting
  Presenter: Jon Beard
     
  Outdoor photographs captured during the “blue hour” show a deep blue sky, which serves as a dramatic backdrop for light painting photography. After a short presentation on camera settings, head outside for long-exposure photographs of light trails created from colored flashlights and swirling illuminated toys. Also explore photographing with manual flash units.

  Participants bring: a camera with manual controls, tripod, flash unit (if you have one) and a flashlight (for safety).

  Rain Alternate: Similar session inside the dimmed auditorium.

Saturday, May 5

• Breakfast at Your Leisure
  Preston's Restaurant, The Inn at Virginia Tech 
  Enjoy The Inn's breakfast buffet on your own. Hours of operation are 7 –10 AM. Breakfast vouchers are in your registration bags.

• 8 – 9:30 AM
  Light, Quality, and Direction Photo Hunt
  Presenter: Cedric Rudisill
  

     

  The session begins with a short introduction to the format of the photo hunts taking place throughout the day, including examples of what to look for and do. Participants will then receive a reflector to use and a list of items to find and photograph. For this session, the objective is to actively observe the light, photograph in various types of natural light, and use the reflectors to modify the light. In case of clouds, the reflectors can be used to bounce light from camera flash.

  Participants bring: a camera, flash unit (if you have one).

  Rain Alternate: Tabletop Photography
  In groups of 5, participants photograph flowers and food using their flash units and reflectors.
  Participants bring: a camera, tripod, flash unit (if you have one). Can also bring a light stand and umbrella if you have those.

• 10 – 11:15 AM
  Vantage Point and Framing Photo Hunt
  Presenter: Kirk Carter
  

     

  After a short reminder about Vantage Point and Framing, participants are challenged to photograph everything on the photo hunt list from any vantage point except stand and shoot, and with any framing except “subject in the center.” 

  Participants bring: a camera

  Rain Alternate: Framing and Vantage Point - Live demonstration with camera tethered to computer and projector

• 11:30 – 12:30 PM
  Lunch
  Holtzman Alumni Center Terrace
  (Weather location – Assembly Hall)

• 1 – 2:15 PM
  Slow Shutter Photo Hunt
  Presenter: Dennis Neale
  

     

  Dennis explains camera settings and how to use the provided gel filter sheet for this photo hunt. Techniques to try include panning, walking, zooming, and blurring action on subjects including passersby, fountains, or the stream near the Duck Pond. 

  Participants bring: a camera and tripod

  Rain Alternate: Adobe Lightroom 4: New Features Tour and Explanation of Lightroom Workflow

• 2:30 – 3:45 PM
  Selective Focus Photo Hunt
  Presenter: Anna Metheny
  

     

  Anna explains how to set your camera to achieve a sharp subject with a blurry background. The objective of this photo hunt is to use focus as a means of expression.

  Participants bring: a camera and tripod; may want to use reflectors from the first photo hunt of the day

  Rain Alternate: Anna’s Top 10 Tips for Capturing Great Photographs

• 4 – 5 PM 
  Super Simplify Photo Hunt
  Presenter: Kirk Carter
  

     

  Kirk presents the concepts of simplicity vs. clutter and attention-getters vs. distractions in photographs. The objective of this photo hunt is to find the subject, take an initial photograph, review it on the camera’s screen, and consider how to simplify the photograph. Participants should make a few attempts to simplify the photograph further using principles from the first introductory session.

  Participants bring: a camera, flash unit, tripod, and reflector

  Rain Alternate: Light Box Photography
  Participants bring: a camera, flash unit, and remote triggering devices or flash cable. Participants without remote triggering can team up with others who have them, as all Canon gear works with all other Canon gear, and similarly with Nikon.

• 7 – 9 PM
  Dinner Banquet and Showing of Photographs
  Skelton Conference Center, Latham Ballroom D

  Participants are encouraged to share their best photos with Kirk after each photo hunt. During the banquet, Kirk will show a few of the best photographs from the weekend and explain what makes those photographs successful. All submitted photos will appear in a running slide show during the banquet. Kirk and the available guest presenters will also visit tables and answer questions.