Finding Color Workshop, San Diego

What a fun 3 days it's been in San Diego. I'm exhausted and waiting for my flight right now. Only 2 more hours... Our host Melissa of Just Hatched Photography and her husband Ed took great care of us and it would not have been possible without their help.

The students were awesome! Seriously a fun crowd and eager to learn and ALWAYS pushing me harder to stay ahead of them.

Also, big thanks to Kevin King of Radiopopper for taking time out of his busy schedule and driving out to San Diego to show us the new toy.


Kevin had asked me if I could do a product shoot for him while he was there. Of course I was more than happy to. But since this was the last day of the SD Workshop, I figured how cool would it be if I turned that honor over to the students.

The image below was shot by James Hays, utilizing e-TTL technology. Basically a 3 light setup. Daniel is holding one light with no diffuser aimed at Kevin. 2nd 580ex was zoomed to 105mm to spot the Radiopopper. 3rd light is the lunchtime sun giving us a backlight



Basically a 3 light setup. Kevin is holding one light with a stofen diffuser aimed at his feet. 2nd 580ex was zoomed to 105mm to spot the Radiopopper. 3rd light is the lunchtime sun giving us a backlight.


Here's a link to our Flickr Radiopopper subset.

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Finding Colors Workshop in Dallas

TriCoast headed up to Dallas for a one day workshop involving, workflow, photoshop, bridge, lightroom, and pickled quail eggs. Our host, Scott Watters was also there to clean up and guard the pickled eggs.


Our day started out around 7:30am. We've just eaten our complimentary continental breatkast at the West End Hotel. Now, the best treat for a full stomach of a complimentary continental breakfast at the West End Hotel, is of course a nice mixture of bleach and hot water...complimentary of Scott Watters.


Our initial attempt at setting up the projector. Of course there were complaints about the display being backwards, but we gave the attendants 3-D glasses, so they were ok with it.


9am rolls around and the zombies rolled in. Cody offers coffee service. Multiple times, in case anyone misses it. And it was damm fine coffee at that. Scott however, sat in a corner and hung on to his de-caf, Macbook and Tiff files.



So, now everyone has had their coffee, with exellent service from Cody. Class begins. Of course, with a wi-fi equipped studio, there will be some slackers. Usually sitting at the back of the class. In the corners. Especially the right corner.


During the afternoon break, Cody gave away one of my favorite camera straps. Here is Cody demonstrating the use of the Black Rapid strap from concealment to taking the shot.


Here's a video shot by Larry McCormick, demonstrating how to shoot, release and relocate. For the faint of heart, please do not watch. Expensive camera equipment being tossed around like a football on Superbowl.

In case you were wondering, that is a Canon 5D with a Canon 70-200 IS L lens attached. And no this is not rehearsed. And hopefully the insurance folks aren't monitoring this...

So, a free strap giveaway. What's the catch? How do we determine who gets one of these Black Rapid straps? If you were paying attention earlier, you'll know what this is.


The strap, my personal Black Rapid strap, will go to the person that could eat the most eggs.


Our buddy Ramblin' Ray ate 5 of these suckers to win the strap. I think we should have raised the egg count...


Congrat's Ray! I'll autograph it for you the next time I see you.


And here's Mike making one more final offer to the class.


Well, thats pretty much it. Special thanks to Rene Kent for the tables and chairs. (FYI, Rene has the funky accent thingy over the last "e" but I haven't figured out how to do that on the keyboard yet) Also thanks to Scott Watters, Greg Daniels and Jeff Medlin for the studio space. Although not advertised, the studio is for rent so give them a call or send them an email if interested.

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Collages Ad - The Actual Ad...

Just got an online version of it :) What do you think?





- Jordan

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Collages full page Ad

Collages launched a full page ad in the Professional Photographer Jan 2008 magazine. If anyone sees a copy at Imaging USA, flip over to page 67 and let us know what you think. Big thanks to Tracy Hicks Photography for coming through in a pinch for us.

Also, if you see a copy of the ad on another magazine, please leave a comment :)

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Finding Color in McKinney, Texas

TriCoast stopped in McKinney for their two day Finding Color workshop. Here are some images worked up from the workshop. Great job everyone and I hope to see more!

There will also some behind the scene photos coming up, so stay tuned!

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Tell Your Story: Renee

TriCoast+Galveston+Renee=Fun!
Time flies when you're having fun. Especially when you have a great senior and mom exploring the in's and out's of the alleyways in Galveston. Not to mention that we forgot about the Daylight Savings Time and lost about an hour of daylight :) But that's just a great excuse to bring out our wireless flash and video light. Well, that's my excuse...




We started off with Renee stopping traffic. Literally. If anyone was on The Strand on Nov. 5th and wondered, "Why am I stuck in traffic on a Monday afternooon???" Now you know.


Causing an uproar of motorist along the coastal highway is quite tiring. But fun :)




But angry motorists still chased Renee down to an alleyway.


Sitting down on the job. Again.


If you look closely, you'll see a ghost or phantom or spirit that got caught on film.

No really, keep looking.



Future so bright, you gotta wear shades.

If you just got that song stuck in your head, you just dated yourself. Ha!

Believe it or not, Renee climbed up there by herself.

Ok, no, not really. Mike boosted her up. I threw eggs up there while she tried to dodge them. It was great fun for everyone.

Well, that's it. End of the line. See you next time!

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Finding Colors Workshop in Biloxi, MS

TriCoast got on the road in August for the Finding Colors Workshop in Biloxi, Mississippi. It was a short 4...5...8...13 hr drive to the Hard Rock Casino where we finally roosted down for the night.

One of the best parts of a workshop is the Road Trip through different states. You never know what you get to see. And sometimes the things you see, will make you turn the car around, dodge traffic, cut off tractors, fight off crickets, just so you can get a photo next to a bear crossing sign.



For all the curious, there is a tourist info across the street. Please be advised that the bears do have the right of way. And will pose if you have a pot of honey.



Our perilous driving conditions. Just so you know how much we love you guys!


Good thing we got on the right bridge...


Houma, LA. I think these guys need to work on some attractions. Maybe a carnival or circus. Like the ones with the sideshow that has bigfoot in a cage or a liger(my favoritest animal ever!!!), or the worlds tallest midget, and maybe a squirrel fish. I mean, it's not like they have a shortage of lodging...


After Houma, we crossed over to the outskirts of New Orleans. Because of the severe thunderstorm/tsunami/big rain cloud like conditions, we seeked shelter in Bourget's of the South.


Public Service Announcement. Don't drive and shoot at the same time. This will happen. Unless of course you're putting on makeup, while on the cellphone, and driving a manual shift.


Couple of the bikes in the showroom.
















After Bourget's, we headed straight to Bourbon St to meet up with a small group of photographers that were already enjoying the historical part of New Orleans.

Here's Gerri. A Canadian. Hi Gerri!


Here's Pete. A New Yorker. Demonstrating the Statue of Liberty pose. Well done Pete!


Here's Mike. A Texan. Checking out that...er...package...


Pre-class tidbits :) Remember, No Secrets!


I think Angel was ok with it... Mayhem #498032


Here's Gerri. Again. Hi Gerri!


Here's MyKey, showing off his My Key, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, where all Rockstars stay.


Fanciest roll of toilet paper. Not exactly the softest though...



All this shenanigans were just day one...

Day two is the actual class day. The location is inside an old school house, slowly re-renovated and preserved. It's a neat location, with lots of natural lighting shooting locations. But we're not here about the natural lighting :D





Later, we headed back to the Hotel after Dinner. Everyone wanted to take a nap after full belly. Even the model...


We took a group shot after she woke up.


Vacation snapshot.


And Day 3. Class. With a candygram.


Everyone wants to take photos "The Rockstar" :D


Processing a Raw image.


Hope to see ya'll at the next class!!!



- Jordan

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