Chris Keating Photo Course

Saturday I was able to attend a Chris Keating Photo Workshop. He is a local photographer that has a studio in SE Calgary and I found out about the course through dealfind. Of course I bought it - it's not every day that a deal like that comes up. It was also $39 for a whole day course and I was not about to let that one get away. It was held at the University of Calgary and there were about 700 people in attendance.

At first I thought it wouldn't be very good if there was that many people that were all trying to learn all at once. Luckily I was very wrong. The course couldn't have been better! Chris is a very vibrant and excited person. He is very passionate in his work and it shows. He also has the energy of a 2 year old that has just drunk a cup or 3 or espresso. He was amazing - jumping around the stage, just truly excited about what he did and the fact that he was able to share it with us. He also had a bunch of other experts helping us out if we had a problem or question. It was very well done.

He taught us 3 things about photography - and he said that if you are looking for an advanced course, there isn't one. All you need to know are those 3 things and have the desire to take pictures. He also said that if you can't take a good picture, it's not your camera or the other equipment you use - it's you. He was so open and honest - it was very refreshing to be around such an interesting person.

I learned so much about how to utilize my camera better and I can't wait to try it out. I know that I take good pictures and I am only using the presets on my camera. Imagine what I can do once I take the pictures knowing what I know now!

At one point, Chris asked the audience how many people wanted to use this knowledge to make money on our photography. Out of 700 people, myself and 3 others raised their hand. I was astonished. I thought it would be at least half. But I was wrong, and I guess better for me. I'd like to put out a coffee table book at some point, do more work for offices and maybe do portraits for profit, but that's not really where my interests lie. I don't even care at this point, I just want to take pictures. If I make money off it eventually, that would just be a bonus.

It's been a while

I have been really slacking here. I have been getting "my room" or perhaps "my studio" ready. Maybe I will call it my studio - it sounds better.

I have kicked out any house guests I might have had and taken the spare room over for myself. I have painted and redecorated, got new furniture and today I put up my back drops for portraits. I have a few props and I am going to start shooting my first portraits as early as tomorrow! My lovely daughter will be my fist victim...I mean model. I have a few of my photo's up on the walls already and they look good. I have stocked up on frames, I thought I should have some stock just in case!

I have also booked myself into a course, to learn anything that I don't already know about my camera and photography. I am looking forward to that and I hope it's worth my time. My kids go back to school on Monday so I will have some time to get stuff done again. The plan is to get the photo's I already have water marked this week and put up on my website. I have a few very specific goals this year, so I have something to work towards. I find that I work better when I have specific things planned. That way I am not running around doing lots and getting nothing done!

2012 has been a good year so far and I plan on making it the best I've had in years.