This workshop will be limited to 10 photographers. There are still
a few spaces available!
Send me an e-mail
to join us, or get on the mailing list for priority registration
for future workshops. Sometimes these workshops fill in a
few hours, just from this mailing list. Getting
on this list is strongly recommended. Description:
• 24 hours of day and night photography in this spectacular
location.
• Over 8 hours of invaluable classroom time.
Paul's Junkyard contains hundreds
of vehicles, many used as props in the television and film industry.
There are police cars, ambulances, fire
trucks, buses, limousines, taxis, armored cars, garbage trucks,
travel trailers/RVs, semi-trucks and heavy equipment. There
are also a few aircraft, helicopters
and (fake) subway cars. Hundreds
of vehicles of every shape and description. The site also
contains a full blown recycling operation as well as decrepit
and collapsing garage buildings. There are enough subjects for
20 nights of shooting!
For the last workshop, the owner of the yard cut
a car in half, and left another car suspended in the air,
just for us to shoot. We can expect
simlar first-class treatment in the fall. The entire experience
is just crazy cool!
This
is a rare opportunity to learn from, and night shoot with night
photography and light painting innovator Troy Paiva in a classic
Lost America-style location on 3 full moon
nights. Complementing Troy's style, Joe Reifer is a seasoned
night photographer and professional educator with a subtle, naturalistic
approach to light painting.
As
your instructors, our intention is to shoot minimally, for demonstration
purposes only. We'll spend our time helping you hone
and improve your night photography and light painting
skills.
We'll also be conducting several hours of
technique demos and lectures on the afternoon of the first
day, and a critique of your first night's
shooting on the second afternoon and an in-depth look at
Troy and Joe's post-production techniques
using Photoshop and Lightroom on the third afternoon. We will
have 6+ hours of legal access each
night for photography, as well as daytime access for scouting.
A full schedule is outlined below.
Technical
Requirements:
While there are no requirements that you be an experienced night
shooter, we recommend you have at least attempted low-light time-exposure
work in the past. Be prepared to provide
us with a link to some work you have online, or e-mail
us samples. You must feel comfortable operating your camera in
manual mode and understand the relationship
between f-stop and shutter speed.
A
DSLR, cable release, tripod, and spare batteries
are required. We highly recommend bringing
a wide-angle lens, strobe-flash and a few flashlights.
We'll be giving you some gel material samples as well, but if
you already have any, bring them. You'll also need a laptop,
card reader, and image processing software. A very detailed
equipment check-list will be provided via email after you sign
up.
Between us we have over 25 years experience night
shooting on film. We are happy to have you along shooting
film, however, your film work won't be available for critique
during our 2nd day classroom session. Let us know if you plan
on shooting film and we'll give you film recommendations.
Physical
Requirements:
You will be spending 3 long nights outside in a high desert junkyard.
Wind and extreme temperatures are common in this region, though
the fall is usually pretty mild.
A hat and sunscreen are important for the daytime, even if it's
cold. Strong,
comfortable boots and layered, durable clothes are a must.
You will be on your feet for 8+ hours each
day and night. You will also be spending a lot of time
crouching and kneeling while you
are shooting. We strongly recommend you be in good
physical condition to attend this workshop.
Weather: Expect
mild weather this time of year. At night temps will likely
dip into the 50s after being in the 80s during the day, but you
should be prepared for any weather.
Be prepared
for wind. Check the local
weather the week of the workshop. The rainfall average for September
in Lancaster is 0.00 inches, so you should expect it to be dry.
Regardless, there are no rainchecks, we will be shooting, no matter
the weather.
Accommodations:
The official hotel for the workshop
is the shiny new Hampton
Inn in Lancaster. This is where Troy and Joe are staying and
where the classroom lectures will be held. We've reserved a block
of rooms at a very good discount rate here, so take advantage
of it. When you sign up for the workshop, simply contact the hotel
to reserve your room.
Paul's
Junkyard is about a 20 minute drive
from the hotel.
Accommodations can fill up early, so make
sure and reserve a room when you know you're coming to
the workshop.
Schedule:
Lancaster is a 6+ hour drive from the San Francisco Bay Area,
and 2+ hour drive from the Los Angeles area. If you're traveling
by air, the closest international airport is Los Angeles.
Please allow plenty of time for the drive and make sure you're
well rested for a late night of photography the first night. For
those traveling a long distance we strongly suggest arriving the
day before the workshop begins so you're fresh. We can
e-mail you some suggestions for nearby places to explore before,
or after the workshop.
The following schedule for September is subject to change:
Day 1
12:00 Noon -- Arrive at the workshop,
meet and greet at the Hampton Inn, Lancaster.
12:30 -- Lecture: NP and LP Technique
overview, review of Troy and Joe's Junkyard photos, and logistics/shooting
strategies.
3:30 -- Classroom ends. Travel to
the yard, stock up on food and drinks.
6:00 -- Meet at the yard for daylight
scouting, photography.
7:25 -- Sunset.
6:00-2:00
a.m. -- Shooting in the yard.
Day 2
12:30 -- Lecture: Critique images
shot the previous night to help you improve your shooting tonight.
Bring your best 4 images from night 1.
3:30 -- Classroom ends. Travel to
the yard, stock up on food and drinks.
6:00 -- Meet at the yard for daylight
scouting, photography.
7:25 -- Sunset.
6:00-2:00
a.m. -- Shooting in the yard.
Day
3
12:30 -- Lecture: Post-production
techniques using Photoshop and Lightroom.
3:30 -- Classroom ends. Travel to
the yard, stock up on food and drinks.
6:00 -- Meet at the yard for daylight
scouting, photography.
7:25 -- Sunset.
6:00-2:00 a.m. -- Shooting in the yard.
The workshop concludes with the Day 3 night shoot.
Cancellation policy:
If the workshop is full and someone from the waiting list can
take your spot, your tuition is refundable minus a $200 cancellation
fee. Otherwise your tuition is non-refundable. If the workshop
must be cancelled due to low enrollment, your deposit will be
refunded in full if you paid by check, or minus a $25 processing
fee if you paid via Paypal.
We are not responsible for cancellations due to medical or other
reasons. No fees will be refunded if you withdraw after the workshop
begins. We are not responsible for any fees associated with non-refundable
air travel, and recommend the purchase of travel insurance.
Testimonials:
"This was AWESOME. It was so surreal being in a junkyard
on 3 full moon nights in a row. The lighting was exceptional,
the place out of this world, the people really cool and the hosts
funny, knowledgeable, helpful, accomplished and ready, willing
and able to share the secrets and skills they have honed over
many years of light painting." - Mark S.
"I
really enjoyed my time with you guys.... Forget the photography....
you guys could be a Vegas comedy act." Art N.
"These guys compliment each other perfectly. They are both
friendly and approachable, but speak knowledgeably about all aspects
of photography: light painting, equipment, composition, film characteristics,
post processing, old cars and trucks, etc. Their enthusiasm for
the genre of night photography is infectious, and it makes me
want to go out and scout for things to photograph after dark.
The venue is unbelievable--there is no way to even scratch the
surface of the things available to shoot in a year of full moons.
If you have even remotely considered taking this workshop, then
do not hesitate." - Dave E.
Description:
