I will be assisting veteran pro photographer Don Smith (http://www.donsmithphotography.com) in teaching two professional photographic workshops during the next two weeks. Have you considered attending such a workshop? Let me tell you that these workshops do much, much more for your photography than spending money on a new camera. A new expensive camera is not going to make you a better photographer. Learning from top photographers such as Don will teach you so much. Here is why I believe in their benefit:

          1. How much would it cost you to travel to so many places to figure out when the best time of the year is, where the best shots are, how long it takes to drive from shooting location one to location two, where to stay, etc. etc? Don and his assistants have done all the work for you at their expense. I have personally accompanied Don on many such scouting trips. We work hard, walk far, examine the place, read and study about the place, and know the place well before we schedule any workshop. Last year the National Parks Service shut down the park during the government shut down. We were in the middle of a workshop with another one to follow. Where were we going to shoot, where were we going to take the workshop participants? This is what you pay for. While Don was teaching file processing two of us went out scouting for new locations. Good alternate locations were found and the participants got good images. We know the area well (especially from a photographer's point of view) and can adapt to the weather and problems. We even read the local doppler radar to know more about what the weather is going to do and to go to the right places accordingly. Everything is well planned.

          2. You are taken to the right places at the right times. You will get more good shots than you will ever get trying this on your own in such a short time.

          3. You get personal attention. The teacher student ration is never more than 1-6. We are not there to shoot for ourselves (although we shoot when not needed), we are there to serve you. Because this ratio is low we can work with you regardless of your skill level.

          4. You get taught to process your files by a pro who has spent a lifetime learning and perfecting techniques. Just this alone is worth so much. You get to interact and act questions. Everything is done live right before you.

          5. You are totally immersed in photography and learn much faster.

          6. You are with like minded photographers, having a good time.

          7. Your own shots get critiqued to help you improve and learn (don't worry, we know the shots have not been edited yet and we are not critical; we are there to help).

Give Don a call. See you on the next workshop.