This was to be a vertically oriented shot that could serve as a magazine cover (so we had to leave room for copy someplace on the page). The following are the two images I submitted for the critique session.
Monday, October 21, 2013
San Miguel Day 6 - October 18
This being our last day in San Miguel, we went out to shoot first thing in the morning. Breakfast at the hotel was moved up to 7:30 as we were out the door at 8:00. The location was a lot closer than most of the others that we used, taking about 20 minutes by car to reach. We had some of the same models/dancers again today. We only had four models so some of the teams consisted of three participants, but I was glad that I got to work with just Virginia again. Our model today was Denise, who had been with our group previously but neither of us had photographed her before.
This was to be a vertically oriented shot that could serve as a magazine cover (so we had to leave room for copy someplace on the page). The following are the two images I submitted for the critique session.
From the week's submissions the instructors chose photos to include in the end of the workshop slide show. In a few days I expect to receive an email with a link to that slide show and will post it here. It was quite interesting to see the differences in the photographs taken by both workshop's participant and the different approaches taken by those within each workshop. All in all I would say this was definitely worthwhile and I learned a lot. Not that I have been turned into a professional photographer by any means but I have had the opportunity to try some advanced techniques under the tutelage of one of the world's best and have been inspired to continue to experiment and learn on my own.
This was to be a vertically oriented shot that could serve as a magazine cover (so we had to leave room for copy someplace on the page). The following are the two images I submitted for the critique session.
San Miguel Day Five - October 17
Today we shot at "Pedro's Castle", a work in progress. The owner apparently has run short of money but the layout of this place is one that is destined to be a magnificent home if it is ever finished.
I was teamed with Virginia, who was really easy to work with and very encouraging when it was my turn to play photographer. . The assignment here was to shoot a double spread, a photo that would stretch across two pages of a magazine and we were warned not to put anything that was important in the "gutter", the place where the magazine is bound. Our first model was Paul. Fortunately he had a wardrobe that included the vest you see below. My idea was to portray him as an important hotel magnate looking over the construction of his latest property.
Our next model was Lovey. She was a delight to work with, the first real professional model I have ever photographed. A former New York City model she needed no direction at all. In fact she was making helpful suggestions to us as to how to set up the lighting. I like this frame because of her expression which looks like something that could be used for a mystery magazine story.
Tonight we all convened on a beautiful rooftop restaurant for dinner. Here's a shot from our table.
San Miguel Day Four - October 16
Today's shoot is at a beautiful Hacienda about an hour's drive away. Here's a link to their website: http://www.haciendalastrancas.com.
Saw some of the same models. Saw Nico and Kimberly again to say hello to but did not get to work with them again. Today I shot with Rosie. We had two male models/dancers, Kalyana and Jose. When we first met with Kaly, Rosie asked him about his wardrobe. "Oh, I didn't bring much", he said, "because I was told this was a nude shoot". Oh, boy! What are we going to do with this tall, thin, Norwegian looking dude in his undies? Well, here's an idea!
OK. First of all, he does have clothes on. Just not a lot. The shot got a lot of giggles from the other participants at the next morning's critique session. The only criticism I remember from Joe was that I had lit the model's butt better than his face.
I made some other frames of Kaly as well. I think this one was pretty decent. For some reason I did not include it in the five shots we were to submit for the critique. 
We ended up having our "group dinner" at the hacienda. I have to say, most of the food I've had down here is markedly different than the TexMex stuff you get at home. Much lighter with fewer sauces. But the salsa that was on the table at the hotel restaurant was really spicy.
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Wednesday, October 16, 2013
San Miguel Day Three - October 15
Woke up at 6:30 again. Really didn't need my wristwatch alarm as the church down the road starts to gently toll it's bell about that time. But by 7:00 it's clanging like a fire bell, "Get your lazy ass out of bed!" So I'm up and in the shower by then.
Same routine as yesterday, breakfast then class. This time that was a critique of some of our pictures from yesterday. We were allowed to show a few from previous work so I included one of Benjamin from that little photo shoot I did in Rochester. Joe liked my picture of Will and remarked about Benjamin's angelic look. No comment. Just kidding. So it was a learning situation. Hate to say it but I was glad to see that I was not the only one struggling.
After lunch we hauled all our gear to a couple of vans and headed out of town. Have no idea where we were but it was in the boonies. An American couple own a small "ranch", with a beautiful stone house, servant's quarters, private old chapel, horse stables, etc. on property.
The dancers we worked with were fantastic. The energy and exuberance were phenomenal. They literally bent over backwards for us. No pun intended. Here are a few of my better shots of the two I worked with.
Same routine as yesterday, breakfast then class. This time that was a critique of some of our pictures from yesterday. We were allowed to show a few from previous work so I included one of Benjamin from that little photo shoot I did in Rochester. Joe liked my picture of Will and remarked about Benjamin's angelic look. No comment. Just kidding. So it was a learning situation. Hate to say it but I was glad to see that I was not the only one struggling.
After lunch we hauled all our gear to a couple of vans and headed out of town. Have no idea where we were but it was in the boonies. An American couple own a small "ranch", with a beautiful stone house, servant's quarters, private old chapel, horse stables, etc. on property. 
The dancers we worked with were fantastic. The energy and exuberance were phenomenal. They literally bent over backwards for us. No pun intended. Here are a few of my better shots of the two I worked with.  |
| The Beautiful Kimberly |
 |
| Nico |
San Miguel Day Two
Got up early, glad to see most of the swelling was gone. Showered and off to breakfast. Really nice buffet, but I didn't expect to be serenaded. The guy playing the guitar had a really great voice too.
After breakfast we had our first class session. This began with a presentation of some of Joe McNally's work, both from magazine assignments and his own personal projects. He's been a professional photographer for over 30 years and has photographed all over the world, taking on some of the most complex and dangerous assignments. Below is one of his photos. Those are his feet atop the world's tallest man made structure, the Burj Khalifa, in Abu Dhabi. Believe me, as much as I admire his work, I have absolutely no interest in attempting anything like that.
We are here to learn about lighting in photography and how to craft a lighting situation using relatively small flash units, and a variety of light shaping tools to create a lighting environment that will present a subject in a profound way.
The presentation was followed by demonstrations of some of the techniques Joe uses to produce those exciting, high impact photos.
Following lunch, we split into groups of three and took turns photographing each other. One would do the photographing, one would act as the model and the other would be the "grip", setting up the lighting as directed by the "photographer". Then we would rotate positions, photographing just within the confines of the hotel property. My team started out using a tunnel on property as a location.
My thought was to make this kind of an ominous shot, but I really had no idea how to do that as you can see in the following photo of Luly.
I did a little better with the shot of Will.
After our photo shoot, we had some time to relax before marching up to a local theatre where we were treated to a multimedia show put on by the two instructors. The local inhabitants were invited as well and the place was packed. Seeing a compilation of the work of Art Meyerson and Joe McNally would be a great opportunity for anyone interested in photographic art.
After the show a small group of us gathered for dinner in a restaurant across the street from the theatre.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
After breakfast we had our first class session. This began with a presentation of some of Joe McNally's work, both from magazine assignments and his own personal projects. He's been a professional photographer for over 30 years and has photographed all over the world, taking on some of the most complex and dangerous assignments. Below is one of his photos. Those are his feet atop the world's tallest man made structure, the Burj Khalifa, in Abu Dhabi. Believe me, as much as I admire his work, I have absolutely no interest in attempting anything like that.
We are here to learn about lighting in photography and how to craft a lighting situation using relatively small flash units, and a variety of light shaping tools to create a lighting environment that will present a subject in a profound way.
The presentation was followed by demonstrations of some of the techniques Joe uses to produce those exciting, high impact photos. 
Following lunch, we split into groups of three and took turns photographing each other. One would do the photographing, one would act as the model and the other would be the "grip", setting up the lighting as directed by the "photographer". Then we would rotate positions, photographing just within the confines of the hotel property. My team started out using a tunnel on property as a location.
My thought was to make this kind of an ominous shot, but I really had no idea how to do that as you can see in the following photo of Luly.
I did a little better with the shot of Will.
After our photo shoot, we had some time to relax before marching up to a local theatre where we were treated to a multimedia show put on by the two instructors. The local inhabitants were invited as well and the place was packed. Seeing a compilation of the work of Art Meyerson and Joe McNally would be a great opportunity for anyone interested in photographic art.
After the show a small group of us gathered for dinner in a restaurant across the street from the theatre.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Syracuse to Queretaro Second Attempt - October 12
Here we go again. This time it's a 5:45 departure so I'm getting up at 3:00, showering, taking the dog out to pee and waking up the wife, who has graciously agreed to drive me to the airport again. Smooth checkin and I've got my boarding passes. Up at security, something as yesterday, I've been "randomly" selected for "pre-screening". Random? Really, twice in a row? But I'm not complaining, cause that puts me way ahead of those poor SOBs in the regular line.
This time my flight boards and takes off on time.every connection was precisely on time. At Dulles I had about 50 minutes, just enough time to hustle to the next gate in time to board. Same thing at Houston. I barely had time to wolf down a soggy, tasteless Uno's pizza before boarding. The gate agent said the flight to Queretaro was overbooked and the we're looking for volunteers to give up their seats. So there was no way I was going to look around for better chow. After boarding thye held the plane for some people whose connecting flight had arrived a bit late. I was surprised at this, given it was over booked.
Finally arriving in Mexico, I got my bags, went through customs and found my shuttle ride. Shared the van with two Canadians who were taking the other workshop that Santa Fe Photographic was running concurrently in San Miguel, entitled "The Color of Mexico". I very surprised at how clean this small terminal was. Before departing I had used the "facilities" and they were modern and immaculate.
It was about an hour and a half ride to San Miguel. Mostly on four lane highway. These people drive fast and we all had our seat belts fastened. The countryside was a beautiful desert scene with great visibility, blue sky's and disturbingly bright sunlight.
We passed several large industrial facilities. Don't know what they were for.
The last several miles were rougher two lane roads and then we arrived at San Miguel. The city had been established in the 1500's and it was all narrow winding cobble stone streets. Finally arriving at Posada de La Aldea, we were met by a porter who took our bags and we proceeded to check in. Up in my room met my room mate, Gerry Balnchard.
I can see why they picked this hotel to work from. It has a variety of architectural features and a great courtyard, so no lack of shooting locations right here.
At six, both workshop groups meet in the courtyard where an outside bar had been set up an everyone mingled. There was a mix of amateur and professional photographers, and everyone seemed to mix well. Some had taken workshops together before and renewed old acquaintances. I recognized Dustin Samman, who works for Santa Fe, from the Cuba trip. Nice kid. Then we went in to dinner, which was served buffet style. I was expecting Mexican or TexMex, but instead there was a pasta dish, salmon, beef ; nothing exciting. But that was ok.
After dinner we met with our instructor, Joe McNally. He welcomed us and laid out the general outline for the week. Joe's a really nice guy, very humble about his position in the photography world. He was the last staff photographer at Life magazine and jokingly attributes their demise to that fact.
Finally it was off to bed! It had been a long day and I was glad to finally get my shoes off. But OMG I could not believe what my ankles looked like! I have never seen such swelling. But I was too tired to worry about it and went to sleep.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
This time my flight boards and takes off on time.every connection was precisely on time. At Dulles I had about 50 minutes, just enough time to hustle to the next gate in time to board. Same thing at Houston. I barely had time to wolf down a soggy, tasteless Uno's pizza before boarding. The gate agent said the flight to Queretaro was overbooked and the we're looking for volunteers to give up their seats. So there was no way I was going to look around for better chow. After boarding thye held the plane for some people whose connecting flight had arrived a bit late. I was surprised at this, given it was over booked.
Finally arriving in Mexico, I got my bags, went through customs and found my shuttle ride. Shared the van with two Canadians who were taking the other workshop that Santa Fe Photographic was running concurrently in San Miguel, entitled "The Color of Mexico". I very surprised at how clean this small terminal was. Before departing I had used the "facilities" and they were modern and immaculate.
It was about an hour and a half ride to San Miguel. Mostly on four lane highway. These people drive fast and we all had our seat belts fastened. The countryside was a beautiful desert scene with great visibility, blue sky's and disturbingly bright sunlight. We passed several large industrial facilities. Don't know what they were for.
The last several miles were rougher two lane roads and then we arrived at San Miguel. The city had been established in the 1500's and it was all narrow winding cobble stone streets. Finally arriving at Posada de La Aldea, we were met by a porter who took our bags and we proceeded to check in. Up in my room met my room mate, Gerry Balnchard.
I can see why they picked this hotel to work from. It has a variety of architectural features and a great courtyard, so no lack of shooting locations right here.At six, both workshop groups meet in the courtyard where an outside bar had been set up an everyone mingled. There was a mix of amateur and professional photographers, and everyone seemed to mix well. Some had taken workshops together before and renewed old acquaintances. I recognized Dustin Samman, who works for Santa Fe, from the Cuba trip. Nice kid. Then we went in to dinner, which was served buffet style. I was expecting Mexican or TexMex, but instead there was a pasta dish, salmon, beef ; nothing exciting. But that was ok.
After dinner we met with our instructor, Joe McNally. He welcomed us and laid out the general outline for the week. Joe's a really nice guy, very humble about his position in the photography world. He was the last staff photographer at Life magazine and jokingly attributes their demise to that fact.
Finally it was off to bed! It had been a long day and I was glad to finally get my shoes off. But OMG I could not believe what my ankles looked like! I have never seen such swelling. But I was too tired to worry about it and went to sleep.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Syracuse to Queretaro October 12 2013
Been looking forward to this trip. On my way to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico for a photo workshop with non other than Joe McNally, IMHO one of the best photographer working today! Got what I hope is the tail end of a cold. Feeling better today than yesterday, but still coughing and blowing. I load my big suitcase with the normal clothing assortment and in addition a couple of lights stands, umbrellas (photographic), and several pounds of other assorted lighting gear, into the car. Then plop in my "carry on", a backpack with close to 40 pounds of camera gear. Hope to hell they don't ask to weigh this. The plan is to walk up to the agent with this on my back so they will think, "Can't be that heavy if that old guy has it on his back."
After Ev dropped me at Syracuse Airport, I went to the United desk. Everything is self service today. Put my checked bag on the scale and swiped my Amex card in the kiosk like it instructed. "No reservation for F. Fazekas" is said. Crap! I don't really need this. Tried scanning my passport, same result. Now I'm pissed and frantically looking through my Expedia paperwork for the correct booking code to enter into the kiosk. Tried the Expedia booking number to no avail. Finally a very nice agent came over and asked me if I was OK. (Probably heard me cursing under my breath.) I handed her my paperwork and after a couple of minutes she found the correct code to enter. This was a three hopper and the code was annotated on the second leg, not the first. Oh, well, everyone has their own logic I suppose.
Next I go up to security and when they scan my boarding pass, a red light comes on and the screen on their little handheld device shows a big yellow circle with an exclamation point on the middle. WTF!
"You've been selected for pre-screening" they tell me and hand me off to some big guy who takes me to another screening line where I half expect to be strip searched. I'm ready to pull out my retired Air Force ID card and bitch about how they are about to treat someone who served his country for over 21 years! Discretion being the better part and all that stuff, I keep my mouth shut. Big guy tells me I get to just throw my backpack on the conveyor and I don't have to take out my laptop. They let me keep my shoes on and I only have to remove my vest if it contains substantial metal objects. Does it! Hell I've got my iPad, iPhone, flashlight, pens, etc. in there. But I'm glad to take that off and put it in the bin. So that was a nice surprise.
Once through security, down at gate 21 I have another, not so nice, surprise. My flight has been delayed. Exactly the reason I never book groups out of this airport. Well, at least my connection in Newark is not a close one.
Oh, crap! The counter agent just said the flight is delayed for several hours! There goes my connection. No way to get there today! Too late to cancel the hotel room too. At least I was able to reach the shuttle company to rearrange my transport from Queretaro to San Miguel. Now I get to do all this fun stuff again tomorrow, at 5:00 AM!
After Ev dropped me at Syracuse Airport, I went to the United desk. Everything is self service today. Put my checked bag on the scale and swiped my Amex card in the kiosk like it instructed. "No reservation for F. Fazekas" is said. Crap! I don't really need this. Tried scanning my passport, same result. Now I'm pissed and frantically looking through my Expedia paperwork for the correct booking code to enter into the kiosk. Tried the Expedia booking number to no avail. Finally a very nice agent came over and asked me if I was OK. (Probably heard me cursing under my breath.) I handed her my paperwork and after a couple of minutes she found the correct code to enter. This was a three hopper and the code was annotated on the second leg, not the first. Oh, well, everyone has their own logic I suppose.
Next I go up to security and when they scan my boarding pass, a red light comes on and the screen on their little handheld device shows a big yellow circle with an exclamation point on the middle. WTF!
"You've been selected for pre-screening" they tell me and hand me off to some big guy who takes me to another screening line where I half expect to be strip searched. I'm ready to pull out my retired Air Force ID card and bitch about how they are about to treat someone who served his country for over 21 years! Discretion being the better part and all that stuff, I keep my mouth shut. Big guy tells me I get to just throw my backpack on the conveyor and I don't have to take out my laptop. They let me keep my shoes on and I only have to remove my vest if it contains substantial metal objects. Does it! Hell I've got my iPad, iPhone, flashlight, pens, etc. in there. But I'm glad to take that off and put it in the bin. So that was a nice surprise.
Once through security, down at gate 21 I have another, not so nice, surprise. My flight has been delayed. Exactly the reason I never book groups out of this airport. Well, at least my connection in Newark is not a close one.
Oh, crap! The counter agent just said the flight is delayed for several hours! There goes my connection. No way to get there today! Too late to cancel the hotel room too. At least I was able to reach the shuttle company to rearrange my transport from Queretaro to San Miguel. Now I get to do all this fun stuff again tomorrow, at 5:00 AM!
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