The Thankful Project

Here it’s Friday.  We have just about made it through another busy week!  Thank God It’s Friday!  TGIF!

I am a real believer that we photographers will create better photographs if we intentionally make it a practice to take in ALL the beauty and wonder of the world around us.  The first step in doing that is to STOP TAKING IT ALL FOR GRANTED.

The stuff we take for granted is most likely what we will overlook in our photography. It might be the simplest of things… the daily routine of getting the kids out of bed, making breakfast in a hurry, driving to work, our family, our kids, our parents, our home, our job, our friends, our coworkers, the car we drive, the air we breath, the water we drink, the sunrise each morning, the list goes on and on.

The next time you think you have nothing to photograph, just start making a “gratitude list”.  Think of all the things and people you are grateful for. Then make it your project to photograph those things! You may discover this project will result in your most meaningful photographs, especially later on in life.

So, instead of TGIF, practice gratitude EVERY day.

Kevin Gourley

P.S. Want more ideas on how to be re-inspired in your photography?
Join us for our ‘Rekindle Workshop‘ in 2017!

 

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Give a Photography Class as a Holiday Gift

If you are looking for the perfect gift idea for photographers, you have come to the right place!  I teach a variety of photography classes in Austin, TX, plus some very fun destination workshops! You can give these as GIFTS!

Photography Classes in Austin, TexasOur Austin photography classes are conveniently located in NW Austin, just off Hwy 183.

PLUS A SPECIAL INVITATION
We invite you to come to a free event on January 17, 2017 to an evening with Kevin & Gail Gourley, sharing photos and stories from their adventures in leading photography workshops in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.  CLICK HERE

Please help us spread the word! Share on Facebook and other social media!

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Free Event for Photographers

Tuesday January 17, 2017 7pm

Kevin and Gail Gourley have been leading photography workshops in Rocky Mountain National Park for several years. Please join us as we share photographs and stories about our adventures in this magnificent park.

  • The event is FREE to attend!
  • Space is limited!
  • Door Prize Drawing – Discount for future classes!
  • Enjoy photography of mountains, nature, wildlife, waterfalls, and stories about our adventures
  • If you have been thinking about signing up for one of Rocky Mountain National Parkthese workshops, this is a great opportunity to learn more.
  • If you have been on one of our previous Rocky Mountain Photography Workshops, you are invited also!
  • Light snacks and beverages will be provided
  • Location: Kevin Gourley Photography Studio, 11740 Jollyville Rd, Suite 400, Austin, TX

Click Here to Learn More and SIGN UP!

 

 

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Another Painting with Light Workshop Completed!

We just finished another Painting with Light Workshop last evening.  We had a lot of fun, as usual!  Lots of creativity.  Lots of crazy activities with time and motion and light.  I have included in this post a few images from this most recent workshop.

Painting with LightA student from last night’s class said:

“The Painting with Light class was so much fun! Kevin had lots of ideas to start with but he entertained students ideas also which made for some great photos.”

You’re in luck!  If you wanted to take this class but didn’t sign up before it filled up, you have second chance!  We have another Painting with Light Workshop scheduled for January 15th! 

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Here are a few images from our participants in the most recent workshop!

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Quality Over Quantity

I was just reflecting on NUMBER of photographs we are all creating these days… thousands, tens of thousands… It’s overwhelming. In fact, it is so overwhelming, that we see articles all the time about optimizing our workflow, tips for maximizing our productivity in cranking out even MORE photographs, presets and plugins that increase our efficiency in pumping out quality images with less editing time.

Don’t get me wrong, we ARE able to create excellent images with the currently available tools, but so much of the focus seems to be on QUANTITY.  We have to get those pictures edited quickly so we can get them posted on instagram, facebook, on our blogs, and a long list of other social media and image sharing websites.  That way we can get our affirmation from the world about how great we are.  We want more “likes” because if we get more “likes”, we must be doing something right. We want to win more online photo contests, because, well more is better, I guess.  (?)

Having learned photography back in the “good old days” of film, and knowing the long hours I spent in my darkroom painstakingly working on creating one good image, I am finding myself sort of missing those days. The focus was more on “let me get this ONE image just right”, rather than the stress of “how do I quickly perfect  these 4000 photographs I took last week on vacation?”  Who the heck is going to look at all those photos anyway? 😉

Sometimes I feel like I am on this treadmill of cranking out more and more images, and someone keeps turning up the speed faster and faster. Who the heck is turning up that treadmill??  Wait, is it ME?

Maybe it is time to slow down, and focus on creating a few great images, and ignore all this talk about optimizing workflows and pumping out large quantities of images.

“Twelve significant photographs in any one year is a good crop.” – Ansel Adams

Dear Ansel Adams, What would you have done in this “digital age” of photography?  Instead of using your view camera, if you were using a digital camera, would you still say that twelve significant photographs in any one year is a good crop? Somehow I think you would have.

Note to self:  S-L-O-W D-O-W-N
Focus on quality over quantity.

Kevin Gourley

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Photography: Painting with Light Workshop is So Much Fun!

ALERT: January 15 Painting with Light Workshop is ALMOST FULL! REGISTER SOON AND SAVE $20!  Plus participants and our former Painting with Light Students get to participate in a FREE fun activity with a PixelStick on January 18th!

Of all the photography workshops we host, one of the most fun ones is our Painting with Light Workshop! I keep the class size small, limited to only five students. After a couple of hours of teaching the concepts and techniques, the LIGHTS GO OUT and we do some Painting with Lightreally fun photography with a professional model.

Every participant gets involved in the creativity, as we produce all kinds of fun and sometimes wild images using time and light and motion.

Student regularly say this is the most fun photography workshop they have ever participated in.

Painting with LightHere’s what students are saying online:

  • “This was an absolute blast. Kevin’s sense of humor kept us laughing and his creativity kept us in awe. It was wonderful to get in there with the other class members and play with light! He keeps the class size small so we have a lot of hands-on learning and fun.”
  • “Your Painting with Light class really opened my eyes to a whole new way to take pictures. SO FUN!”
  • “Kevin’s “Painting with light” class was a blast. I have taken various classes from Kevin so far and this one was my favorite. It’s one of those classes that promotes creativity, provides hands on experience for each student, and the class is so fun that it ends before you want it to. Not only was it fun to watch the model being painted, but equally as much fun to see what each student ended up with. Kevin is passionate about taking photos as well as teaching photography to others. He’s kind, compassionate, respectable, and displays an abundance of patience with his students. I highly recommend this class to anyone wanting to take fun and creative photos in a friendly, safe environment.”
  • Click Here for More Student Comments

Painting with Light

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The Best Christmas Gift for a Photographer

This is the “season of giving”. Family is asking “what do you want for Christmas?” You’re trying to figure out what to give to your loved ones. Regardless of what you celebrate this time of year, for most of us, it is a time of gift giving.

If you love photography or have a loved-one who loves photography, you might put various camera gear on the giving list. Maybe a new camera, new lenses, a tripod, a flash, etc.

Many folks think that if they “just get that new camera, their photos are going to turn out so much nicer”. While that is sometimes true, the real key to better photographs is how you USE your camera. That matters way more than what specific camera you are using. Look at it this way, simply buying better pots and pans won’t necessarily make you a better cook.  😉 What matters is how you use them!

Ansel Adams said it this way:

“The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it!”

The key to great photographs has more to do with the photographer behind the camera rather than the camera itself.  Want better photographs? Become a better photographer!

Our photographs are so very important to us. They capture priceless memories. They help us remember special moments with loved ones. They tell the stories of our various travels and vacations.

I encourage you to consider taking one of my photography workshops, or GIVING one of my workshops as a GIFT this holiday season to that photographer in your life. All of my classes and private teaching options can be given as gifts!

Here are some to consider:

Photography 101 Fundamentals of Great Photography
Photography Beyond the Basics – Mastering the Fundamentals
Photography Painting with Light
Photography – An Expression of Faith Workshop
Rekindle Workshop
Private Instruction on Almost All Photography Topics
Rocky Mountain Photography Workshops

Learn about all these great workshops by clicking here.

5-Star Rated by Students! Offering the best school of photography in Austin and Central Texas.
“Kevin’s classes rise above all the rest” – “Surpasses everyone else.” – “His classes are fun and challenging! Kevin goes the extra mile to teach students photography using hands-on techniques.” – “His sense of humor and deep understanding of all things photographic have inspired me to get better with my camera.” – “Kevin’s class was amazing.” – More…

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Light & Photography Workshop

We just wrapped up another Light & Photography Workshop!  This course is a comprehensive look at light in its various forms, both natural and artificial, and we look at the many ways we photographers can control and manipulate light to create great photographs!

Over several sessions, we explore the ways light works its magic to make images beautiful, and then dig into the details about how to operate electronic flashes (speedlights) and studio strobes (monolights).

studio lighting workshopThe course ends with a session done in my studio where the participants have a chance to photograph a couple of models, putting into practice what we covered in class.

Student Comment: “Kevin’s Light and Photography class is fantastic. The small class size ensures everyone get personalized instructions. His tips for using every type of lighting from flashlights and household lighting to pro photography lighting make this class a must for every level of photographer. His demos were the highlight of the class. Every photographer can learn from this class. The add-on model shoot session is also a must.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE and let us know if you’d like us to add another session soon!  Your input is important!

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Here are some photos taken by participant, Sandy O’Connor:

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Exploring the Aspect of “Faith” and Our Photography

I just announced this new photography workshop called “Photography: An Expression of Faith“. It’s actually quite different from my other classes.

We are looking at the topic of “photography” from a different angle.   Rather than focusing on camera techniques, settings, exposure, light, composition, and all the other things that really matter a lot to create great images, we will be exploring how the topic of “faith” shapes what you photograph, and participants will take on a project to use their photography as an expression of their faith.  You can take this workshop using any type of camera, whether it is a DSLR, mirrorless camera, point-and-shoot, or even a smart-phone.

Granted we all see matters of “faith” differently. This workshop embraces our diversity and insights and challenges participants to really reflect on this aspect of photography.

I encourage you to read more about this workshop.  I have introduced it with a super low introductory price of only $39 if you register by December 24th.  The class is filling up fast!!

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE “PHOTOGRAPHY: AN EXPRESSION OF FAITH” WORKSHOP

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Make the Choice to Improve Your Photography

DSLR, photography classMost people start out using a camera using its most automatic settings. Many stay in that mode of taking photos, not really knowing what they are doing, but sometimes getting good results, and sometimes not. If you’re not satisfied with that, I encourage you to learn more about how to best use your camera.

The starting point for you to get better images is to attain more control over your camera. That can be intimidating to dive into all those settings and options, especially on any of the modern day digital cameras.

While camera manufacturers have tried to add more and more fancy features and more ‘automatic’ options, they have added lots of complexity. In fact, I think they have maybe pushed this a little too far. But then, the real key is to learn which of those settings are really important and which are not.

Photography 101, Austin, Photography Class, WorkshopIn my Photography 101 Workshops, we focus on covering the important fundamentals of photography that every photographer should know. Learn what options really matter and which settings you SHOULD be adjusting to get the best shots. You really can create better images if you do not have your camera in its fully automatic mode. It is just a machine. It is not the artist. You are!

Photography 101, Austin, Texas, photography class, workshopWe spend time looking at technical details, but also explore various other factors such as light and composition and the importance of YOU and how you see the world around you.

Photography is a very powerful and meaningful art medium. We capture images that have great value to us. Our photographs tell our life story. We remember those special moments with loved ones. We embrace moments we will never get to experience again. I encourage you to make those images you capture the best you possibly can.  Some of the images you create will be of priceless value to you and your family later on.

So, if you have not already taken my Photography 101 Workshop, I encourage you to consider it. And if you have taken my Photography 101 Workshop, I encourage you to consider taking my Photography – Mastering the Fundamentals Class or one of my other classes to expand your photographic skills even further!

Student Comment:  “I thoroughly enjoyed the Photography 101 class. I learned so much about my camera that I’m much more comfortable pushing myself and my photos. The classroom setting is comfortable and Kevin is a really great teacher – combining technical information and answering questions readily. Kevin’s way of teaching is friendly and you feel that he listens to you and understands what your needs are. I can’t wait to take another class! I will be telling all my photo friends about Kevin and definitely encourage them to take some classes!”

I also offer Private Teaching on virtually all aspects of photography, meeting your time schedule and specific photographic needs.

Want to have some fun on a real photographic adventure? Join us on our Rocky Mountain Photography Workshop!  Get prepared for the trip first by taking my Photography 101 class!

Rocky Mountain Photography Workshop, RMNP, Colorado, Workshop, Photography

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Kevin Gourley Photography Workshops, Austin, TX – Austin Photography Classes