Greenbrier – Smokey Mountain National Park

 Just north and east of Gatlinburg there is an amazing area in the great smoky national park called Greenbrier. The rock formations in Greenbrier look like the formations you would find on the Moon.  It is an amazing place to photograph especially after a fresh rain.  The crevices fill with water and create wonderful reflection pools of the surrounding trees. I like to visit this area in the late afternoon when the light is being blocked by the surrounding hills and trees.  You can get some amazing reflections on the water lying in small pools between the rocks

Greenbrier Moonscape – Great Smokey Mountain Park, Tennessee

I came in at a low angle and Captured my images at F16 through F32 so my depth of field would not only keep the rocks and small reflection pools in the foreground in focus but also keep the waterfalls and trees in the background in focus.

Greenbrier – Great Smokey Mountain Park, Tennessee

Image number 16, 17 and 18 in the Smokey Mountain gallery were photographed in the Greenbrier area.

Greenbrier – Great Smokey Mountain Park, Tennessee

I selected my camera White Balance for Auto and selected my Camera Profile for Neutral in Adobe Camera Raw and then opened the images into Photoshop CS 5 so I could do my adjustments using Nik software. With these single images I found that running them through the Nik HDR program game me amazing contrast that I couldn’t achieve with any other tools I had used.

29 avenue Rapp, 7th Arrondissement

On one of my photographic trips to Paris I spent some time strolling the side streets near the Eiffel Tower. Just a few blocks from the Eiffel Tower is 29 avenue Rapp, 7th arrondissement built by Jules Aimé Lavirotte in 1901 which is my all time favorite buildings and I think the most unique of the Art Nouveau Period.  

Art Nouveau - Paris, France

After making a few adjustments in Photoshop I used Nik software HDR effects Realistic (Subtle) and then I used Nik software RAW Presharpener on all three images.

Art Nouveau - Paris, FranceArt Nouveau - Paris, France

 

 

29 avenue Rapp, 7th arrondissement

Vernice Carnival – Photographic Workshop Tour Febuary 12-16

       Carnival – Venice, Italy

                 February 12 – 16

                 $750, Limit 5 students

Gondolas - Piazza San Marco

 The rich colorful palette of Venice with its canals, bridges and the amazing architecture of San Marco Piazza and the Rialto bridge provide some of my favorite compositions to photograph. This February during historic Carnival I will be taking a small group to capture the architectural images as well as a the historic costumes of Carnival. The Colors of the and medieval architecture that Venice provides for our backdrops will give you breathtaking images, some of the best images you will ever capture. This Island City is a great time to shoot through the year. Capturing images during Carnival when residents and visitors compete with each other for the most authentic and sometimes the most outrageous costumes is a must for every photographer.

• Learn tips and tricks used by the professionals to create impressive photographs.
• Discover new viewpoints, interesting details which might be overlooked, see the
world photographically.
• Learn to sense the direction of light and how to capture the magic moment.
• Improve your photographic technique.
• Learn your camera and how to get the most out of it.
• Have fun

Brief Itinerary:

Day One: 5 pm get together in Veniceto go over equipment and if time allows Photograph at sunset.
Day Two– Four: Photograph at sunrise and sunset and when the light is right.
Day six: PhotographSunrise and go over final thoughts before saying goodbye.

A Journey shared is truly a Journey remembered

Charleston, South Carolina – Photographic Workshop Tour March 27-April 1

     Charleston, South Carolina

               March 27 – April 1 2012

              $700.00, Limited to 8 Students

Charleston, South Carolina

 

Charleston is a city rich in history, tradition, Southern charm and beauty. The Battery Park area is one of the oldest communities in the U.S. and offers a wide range of photographic opportunities. We will be spending time photographing gardens, reflection ponds and cypress swamps. Angle Oak a 1500 year old Live Oak is the oldest living tree east of the Rockies and is one of the locations we will be visiting during the workshop. Our field time will be spent on composition and proper use of light. We will spend sometime processing images using Photoshop and Nik Software to help you with your processing skills. A training video is included that you will be able reference when you are processing images at home. Our goal is to teach you how to capture beautiful images and explore how to create the images that continue to inspire.

• Learn tips and tricks used by the professionals to create impressive photographs.
• Discover new viewpoints, interesting details which might be overlooked, see the
world photographically.
• Learn to sense the direction of light and how to capture the magic moment.
• Improve your photographic technique.
• Learn your camera and how to get the most out of it.
• Have fun!

Brief Itinerary:

Day One: 5 pm get together in Charleston to go over equipment and if time allows Photograph at sunset.
Day Two– Five: Photograph at sunrise in the Old Charleston and when the light is right.
Day six: Photograph Sunrise and go over final thoughts before saying goodbye.

A Journey shared is truly a Journey remembered

SmokeyMountain Workshop Tour April 22 – April 17, 2012

     SmokeyMountains, Tennessee

                 April 22-27 2012   

                 $700.00, Limited to 8 Students

 

Bonsai Dogwood - Smokey Mountains

 

The Smokey Mountains come alive during the spring. This is the time that the dogwoods come into bloom and the streams run fast from spring rains and winter run off. This is the time that early morning mist looks like early morning mist can give you some dramatic images. Our field time will be spent on composition and proper use of light. We will spend sometime processing Raw images using Photoshop and Nik Software to help you with your processing skills. A training video is included that you will be able reference when you are processing images at home. Our goal is to teach you how to capture beautiful images and explore how to create the images that continue to inspire.

• Learn tips and tricks used by the professionals to create impressive photographs.
• Discover new viewpoints, interesting details which might be overlooked, see the
world photographically.
• Learn to sense the direction of light and how to capture the magic moment.
• Improve your photographic technique.
• Learn your camera and how to get the most out of it.
• Have fun!

Brief Itinerary:

Day One: 5pm get together in Townsend to go over equipment and if time allows Photograph at sunset.
Day Two– Five: Photograph at sunrise in the Smokies and when the light is right.
Day six: Photograph Sunrise and go over final thoughts before saying goodbye.

A Journey shared is truly a Journey remembered

Venice, Cinque Terre and Pisa Oct. 18-24 2012

      Venice, Cinque Terre andPisa 

                 Oct. 18-24 2012

                 $750.00, Limited to 8 Students

Romance Awaits-Venice

The colorful palette of Venice, The Cinque Terre and Pisa with there rich history is the perfect photographic venue. In Venice the Piazza San Marco and the Canals offer a variety of images that are wonderfully unique. The Cinque Terre a beautifully rugged stretch of coastline with five tiny villages set like jewels into the Ligurian Coast, we’ll capture it’s charm and beauty. It is one of those places people tend to read about once and then dream about forever. Pisa famous for its Leaning Tower and the Piazza dei Miracoli is a great place to spend our last day capturing images. Pisa is a wonderful hub where you can catch a train for Florence or Rome, or a flights home. We will photograph sunrise and sunset in these wonderful cities. Our field time will be spent on composition and proper use of light. We will spend some time processing images using Photoshop and Nik Software to help you with your processing skills. There is a training video at my website that you will be able to reference when you are processing images at home. Our goal is to teach you how to capture beautiful images and explore how to create the images that continue to inspire.

Brief Itinerary

Day One: 5pm get together in Venice to go over equipment and if time allows Photograph at sunset.
Day Two: Photograph at sunrise and sunset and when the light is right.
Day Three: Photograph at Sun rise in Venice have breakfast and Travel to Cinque Terre for afternoon and evening images.
Day Four and Five: Photograph at sunrise and sunset and when the light is right.
Day Six: Photograph at sunrise have breakfast and Travel to Pisa for afternoon and evening images. .
Day Seven: Photograph Sunrise and go over final thoughts over breakfast before saying goodbye.

• Learn tips and tricks used by the professionals to create impressive photographs.
• Discover new viewpoints, interesting details which might be overlooked, see the
world photographically.
• Learn to sense the direction of light and how to capture the magic moment.
• Improve your photographic technique.
• Learn your camera and how to get the most out of it.
• Have fun!

Workshop Information

In these workshops we will capture landscape images that excite and move, images that trace where the mind has been and form a unique vision that will last a lifetime. These workshops are about applying new skills learned daily and sharing our collective knowledge to take that next step in a supportive environment. We hold a deep passion for the places we travel to, and will help you explore how to create the images that continue to inspire. What takes time to create, time respects, good images don’t just happen. Most often, our best images lie just beyond our greatest failures. We believe through photography and an open mind the best is yet to come.

Paul James is a published, award winning photographer from Southeastern Michigan who offers the best in personalized photographic instruction on every level; whether you’re just beginning or a seasoned veteran. Paul takes great pride in his work, and this translates to some great teaching techniques. He has vast experience in both the artistic and technical aspects of photography; he is adept in Digital, Medium and Large format Cameras, which includes a large range of camera brands and models. He welcomes photographers of all formats and skill levels; however, this class will be geared for the digital photographer.

The October – November 2011 Florence Tuscan and Roma photographic workshops trips were a great success. Each groups came home with some wonderful images and some wonderful memories. I have been posting some of the new images on the website and hope that you enjoy them as much as we enjoyed taking them. Many thanks to my two wonderful friends Steve and Grazia who helped make the Rome workshop very special. For anyone traveling to Roma for a holiday, taking one of their personalized day tours is a must.

Pisa Chianti and Rome Workshop Tour – Oct. 24-31 2012

        Pisa, Chianti and Rome 

                      Oct. 24-31 2012

                      $795.00, Limited to 8 Students

Chianti Farmhouse in the Mist

Pisa famous for its Leaning Tower and the Piazza dei Miracoli is a great place to spend our first day capturing images. In the Heart of the Tuscan region we’ll be capturing images while staying in the Chianti countryside that boasts impressive Etruscan roots, with time for wine tasting a cooking class and some Photoshop work. Ancient Rome beckons to be photographed from the Vatican to the Colosseum and so much more. Our field time will be spent on composition and proper use of light. We will spend some time processing images using Photoshop and Nik Software to help you with your processing skills. There is a training video at my website that you will be able to reference when you are processing images at home. Our goal is to teach you how to capture beautiful images and explore how to create the images that continue to inspire.

Workshop Information

In these workshops we will capture landscape images that excite and move, images that trace where the mind has been and form a unique vision that will last a lifetime. These workshops are about applying new skills learned daily and sharing our collective knowledge to take that next step in a supportive environment. We hold a deep passion for the places we travel to, and will help you explore how to create the images that continue to inspire. What takes time to create, time respects, good images don’t just happen. Most often, our best images lie just beyond our greatest failures. We believe through photography and an open mind the best is yet to come.

Paul James is a published, award winning photographer from Southeastern Michigan who offers the best in personalized photographic instruction on every level; whether you’re just beginning or a seasoned veteran. Paul takes great pride in his work, and this translates to some great teaching techniques. He has vast experience in both the artistic and technical aspects of photography; he is adept in Digital, Medium and Large format Cameras, which includes a large range of camera brands and models. He welcomes photographers of all formats and skill levels; however, this class will be geared for the digital photographer.

Brief Itinerary:

Day One–5pm get together in Pisa to go over equipment and if time allows Photograph at sunset.
Day Two–Photograph at sunrise in Pisa and drive to farmhouse in Chianti for afternoon and sunset.
Day Three–Five: Photograph at Sunrise and Travel to Rome for afternoon and evening images.
Day Six–seven: Photograph at sunrise and sunset and when the light is right.
Day eight: Photograph Sunrise and go over final thoughts before saying goodbye or taking guided tours with Steve and Grazia where we will be capturing more images.

• Learn tips and tricks used by the professionals to create impressive photographs.
• Discover new viewpoints, interesting details which might be overlooked, see the world
photographically.
• Learn to sense the direction of light and how to capture the magic moment.
• Improve your photographic technique.
• Learn your camera and how to get the most out of it.
• Have fun!

A Journey shared is truly a Journey remembered

The October 2012 Florence Tuscan and Roma photographic workshops trips were a great success. Each groups came home with some wonderful images and some wonderful memories. I have been posting some of the new images on the website and hope that you enjoy them as much as we enjoyed taking them. Many thanks to my two wonderful friends Steve and Grazia who helped make the Rome workshop very special. For anyone traveling to Roma for a holiday, taking one of their personalized day tours is a must.

Happy Holidays 2012

Madonalla near the Compo di Fiore In Rome

Madonna watching over the streets of Rome

Madonalla’s have been protecting the residents of Roma since the Middle ages. When I am walking the neighborhoods before sunrise on my way to a the early mornings location shoot or on my way to dinner after the last light of the day and see a Madonalla I feel protected. TodayRomeis one of the safest cities to walk but it is ancient and walking cobblestone streets that Saint Peter walked 2000 years ago makes the mind wonder to times when there were barbarians around the corner.  Seeing a Madonalla gives me a inner feeling that I am safe and being looked after while I am under her watchful eye.

Smokey Mountain Spring Workshop River Video

While Capturing images in the Smokey Mountains I also captured several movie clips on my 5D Mark II. Combined them into a video clip for my workshop clients to experience the sound and movement of the Rushing Mountain Rivers that flow by as we capture the images. Nature uplifts ones spirit and brings us back to a more centered place we all need to spend more time

Sunset on the Ashley River

The Spring Charleston photographic workshop has ended after our morning shoot on the 9th of April. We started our last morning shoot photographing Rainbow Row, in the historic Battery Park section of Charleston. As the light shifted we zigzagged our way through the narrow streets capturing a few last images before the morning light was gone. After the soft morning light had gone we walked down to White Point Gardens and enjoyed the walk up Meeting St. enjoying each others company and taking a few last images along the way. When we arrived at Meeting St. and Broad St. we found a breakfast spot to have coffee, tea and a chocolate muffin while we spent a little time going over the locations we had enjoyed together before saying our goodbye’s.

We enjoyed good weather and shooting conditions through most of the trip and we were able to capture some extraordinary images. After everyone experienced photographing on a cloudy morning where we have extended shooting time before the morning sun oversaturated the colors they started to understand the concept of soft light.

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,

but by the moments that take our breath away”

One of the sunsets we were able to capture was truly exceptional

  It started out with a subtle beauty that often happens at sunset

Subtle Sunset on the Ashley River Charleston, South Carolina

The reflections in the Water were amazing to watch as the day changed into night

Reflections on the Ashley River

 This sunset over the Ashley River was truly one of those moments for me

       That Took My Breath Away

Moments that take your breath away - Last Light, Ashley River

 I want to thank everyone in the group for their Friendship and the experiences we

shared in Charleston