BlogHer '08 Session Planning: What do you want from a Photography session?

In the first of what will probably be numerous such posts, I am here to ask you what you want.

We've lined up a fantabulous photography mentor for a session in BlogHer '08's How We Communicate track, and we want to know how you want her to focus the 75 minutes she will have for her session.

Meet Ma Ra Koh. This is a rare case where her About page tells you a really compelling story. As she says:

I didn’t find photography.

Photography found me.

And then it healed me.

You have to read her story in her own words, but suffice to say, it may make you look at the art and craft of photography a little differently.

But back to the session: you can learn more about Me Ra's approach to photography instruction at her Refuse to Say Cheese site, but she proposed four different topic areas she could focus on during the session. We'd like your feedback on the top two for you, and why. Here they are:

1. The Magic Three: Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO
Learn what these three technical words mean and have any possible intimidation and confusion completely dispelled. You’ll have a better understanding for how your SLR works and get better results overnight. These three features are magical for a reason!

2. Enhancing Your Images
How do you enhance your images after the photos have been taken? How do you decide whether an image is black or white or stays in color? Me Ra will walk you through her philosophy on enhancing images for your blog. She will also demo a major part of her post process with Lightroom’s software. You will leave with tips and tricks to enhance your photos, change the toning, add the vintage black and white looks and make your blog images pop!

3. Seven Secrets the Pros Don’t Want You to Know
Have you ever looked at photos in a magazine or on someone’s blog and wondered how they were getting those results? Come hear the seven secrets to getting better photos that the pros don’t want you to know. Me Ra will walk you through simple secrets behind composition, storytelling, blurred backgrounds and countless recipes behind beautiful images.

4. Refuse to Say Cheese and Capture the Story
We live in a society where everyone says “SAY CHEESE” the moment a camera comes out. But what happens if we step back and become an observer, documenter, even story teller of our families and friends’ lives. Me Ra brings perspective as both an author and a photographer to teach you storytelling elements that will visually enhance the stories you are sharing on your blogs!

Now, I'm a total photography amateur, so I actually had to ask Me Ra about a couple of the acronyms used above. So, in case any of you are at my level, here's a few definitions:

SLR refers to the type of camera where you can change the lens. The actual words to SLR are so wordy that I usually say (you can switch your lens with an SLR as opposed to a point and shoot).

ISO is a lot like film speed and the fact that most people don’t know what it is or stands for is the reason it’s so great to teach because it’s the very thing that can help you not have to use your flash ever again. Again, I don't use the acronym’s definition, but if you want it, ISO stands for International Organization for Standardization.

So, there you have it...options for taking better photos technically, better post-production on the photos you've taken, and/or better storytelling or, I suppose "storyboarding" of your photos before ever shooting.

What would you be most interested in focusing on if you attended this session at BlogHer '08? Me Ra and I are dying to know.

Submitted by Elisa Camahort (view blog

) on Thu, 04/17/2008 - 9:52am

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Just 2? Yikes

OK I need to think about this.

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Thu, 04/17/2008 - 09:56

Well, fewer subjects, more focus

Unless everyone says "No, we want an overview of all of the above!"

Which I guess we could also do.

Elisa Camahort
BlogHer
elisa@blogher.org

Submitted by Elisa Camahort on Thu, 04/17/2008 - 10:01

Too weird!

I came over here after your Twitter just now and was going to say, "I'd love to go to something about photography".

#1 and #2 please.

Busy Mom Blog

Submitted by Busy Mom on Thu, 04/17/2008 - 10:30

#2 and #4

#2 could easily include a brief look-see at aperture, shutter speed and ISO (which you understand better by using them out walking around, imho...) and #4 is CRITICAL for bloggers and anyone else who cares to tell a story in pictures. (I like 3, too, but again, 2 could touch on that.)

A lot of the best and most compelling images I see aren't technically perfect - they just serve the story. If we have someone in the house for whom photography was a healer, which is an experience I share and I'm thrilled to hear she's coming, Elisa - it would be a shame not to dig deeper into that story while we have her. It's especially fitting for this conference, considering that photography helps so many bloggers tell their own story every day. Truthfully, anyone can find a workshop or class on the technical stuff closer to home. Second best is online stuff that explains it. There's a bunch.

Off of weird soapbox, wow. Sorry. ;) I just get really worked up about this topic.

Laurie

Submitted by lauriewrites on Thu, 04/17/2008 - 10:47

Actually? Not that 4 isn't

Actually? Not that 4 isn't important, I feel there is a lot you can do from a blogger perspective with 1 and 2 that can't be done at a workshop or class close to home or even online necessarily.

It's important to me to be happy with my photos for my blog and that does include some technical information and I'd love to interact with other bloggers in person on these topics.

Submitted by Busy Mom on Thu, 04/17/2008 - 11:20

I wasn't voting to disagree with you...

Nor was I saying that it didn't matter how the pictures look, so I'm sorry if it seemed that way. I was just sharing my opinion, which is different from yours. I teach and take photo classes frequently so that's probably why I feel my time would be better spent in a less tech-driven section.

I only speak for me, not the rest of the bloggy photo masses, and I'll go either way so it's all good.

Laurie

Submitted by lauriewrites on Thu, 04/17/2008 - 13:04

Yippee

I love this session already.

I like topics 2 & 3 the best, if we have to narrow it down.

My camera has an auto setting, which I use most of the time, but I have to say that learning how to use the other settings, such as macro, landscape, twilight and others has helped me so much, that if I didn't already know that stuff I might go for topic 1.

http://www.webteacher.ws/
http://first50.wordpress.com/

Submitted by Virginia DeBolt on Thu, 04/17/2008 - 11:54

2 & 3

For me, item one is too basic, you can read about it in your manual, and item four is something I do already, whereas two and three represent all new info. to me.

That said, if 1 or 4 end up in the session, I'm still dying to go, and I know I'll learn stuff for sure!

Is it July yet???

Liz Rizzo

I blog at Everyday Goddess.

Submitted by Liz Rizzo on Thu, 04/17/2008 - 16:10

# 2 and # 3 for me also

I use Lightroom too (although my understanding of it is pretty basic) and I'd love to have a session entirely about that! I know that won't happen, but would love to learn more about using it.

Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen

Submitted by Kalyn Denny on Thu, 04/17/2008 - 16:49

And #1 too

And the more I think about it, I have a lot to learn about #1 too!

Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen

Submitted by Kalyn Denny on Thu, 04/17/2008 - 16:50

Lighting?

I'm hoping lighting will be disccused, it's my personal biggest issue (I run room to room and outdoors to get the best light I can).

Also, I don't think #4 would be too big of a topic, most bloggers i know of already incorporate the storytelling of pictures into blogging without the big cheeze factor.

Oh! Something else to cover -- angles. I find a lot of people do not think about the angle of the photographer to the subject and balancing the picture. (I'm guessing this would be covered in #3).

Submitted by laura capello on Fri, 04/18/2008 - 07:23

YAY!!

I'm so excited - my mind is running a million mph trying to think.

I would love it if she covered some of her favorite lenses? It would be great if she covered portraits - I agree with Laura above.. I try to use natural light as much as possible (since I don't have a studio) and it isn't second nature to know exactly where to place the person I'm shooting to get the most flattering shot.

Yay for a photography session. Sign me up now!!!

All you need is a little... Faith.
~ baby-faith.com ~

Submitted by hollibobolli on Fri, 04/18/2008 - 16:47

#3 and lighting?

I'm so excited about this session. I actually learned the most about #1 & #2 by using my camera and Photoshop myself. Maybe it's the way I learn, but I could not fully grasp the concepts of how ISO, aperture & shutterspeed work together until I did it for myself a lot. I took a photography class and, while I could *tell* you what I'd learned, I couldn't actually DO it until I practiced. So, that being said I vote for #3.

Another thing I'd love to hear more about is lighting. I use natural light whenever possible & I'm just starting to delve into flash photography with the purchase of my first bounce flash. I'd love to hear more about this!

Lawyer Mama http://lawyermama.blogspot.com http://MOMocrats.com http://DCMetroMoms.com http://lawyermamadabbles.com

Submitted by LawyerMama on Mon, 04/21/2008 - 14:16

I want 1,2 and 3

They all sound really important to me...

Eve, the Garden Of Eating
http://www.GardenOfEatingBlog.com

Submitted by Eve Fox on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 12:43

I vote for 1, 2 and 3!

I think 2 and 3 would be the most relevant for me, but if she goes with 1, I'll be happy too! I'm such a camera newbie so I'll be happy to learn anything that anyone is willing to teach me :)

Submitted by bonggamom on Wed, 05/21/2008 - 20:09

Can't lose here!

Well, I don't think we can lose here! :-) As I read the options I'm thrilled to see a presenter with this level of competence and sensibility.

It's always tough to address an audience with a wide range of skills but I get the sense that whatever the focus or whatever our skill level, we'll have a wonderful experience.

The only problem is the 75 minute time limit ... maybe there can be two sessions given over to this topic?!

...o0o...

The BEAUTY DIALOGUES:

http://www.beautydialogues.com/

“Everything has beauty but not everyone sees it.”
- Confucius

Submitted by Amy Lenzo on Mon, 06/23/2008 - 14:45

#1 and #3

I know I could learn about #1 on my own, but I won't, I'll just keep using that darn automatic feature. A quick overview by such a great photographer would be awesome and I bet helpful for more than just little ol' me!

As for #3, I'm almost drooling at the thought! I love those little tips and tricks!

Jessica
http://www.roseslife.blogspot.com

Submitted by kikadesa on Sun, 06/29/2008 - 08:57

#3, #1 and incognitoness

Would love to hear 3, followed by 1 as a second choice. Also curious about your experiences on how to take photos unobtrusively so as not to disrupt the rhythm and flow. How to you treat the "rights" of strangers if you take a nice photo of someone and would like to post it?

Submitted by Fourth Breakfast on Sun, 07/06/2008 - 18:46