Master Photo Workshops : Photography How-To Videos
Join a Photo Legend in the field and the studio (Visual Literacy Review)
I’ve always been a fan of Tony Sweet – he’s got a unique eye and creative style that help to improve my creativity.
Tony Sweet’s Visual Literacy is an intimate look in the field with Tony to learn how one of Nikon’s Legends approaches a variety of opportunities.
This is a two DVD set. The first DVD takes the viewer along with Tony for a multi-day shoot in the Smokies in the Spring of 2008. Tony visits Cades Cove, Roaring Fork, Greenbrier, Tremont, and Clingman’s Dome to create images at some of the prime locations in the park. Having been to the Smokies many times, these locations were very familiar. But it was interesting to see how Tony worked the locations and the lighting.
Here’s an example of how the DVD flows. At the Ogle cabin in Roaring Fork, Tony goes to a familiar composition and talks you through his thought process for composition. Tony creates multiple compositions to work the site with everything from long lenses to close ups and IR and talks you through everything he is doing and why.
The second DVD takes the viewer into the studio to explore a variety of close up and macro techniques for florals. Then the DVD covers the editing process, the commercial side of professional photography, and the gear Tony uses in the field and the studio for photographs, editing and printing. I found the section about photographing flowers in the studio a little slow, but worth it to pick up important nuggets.
Each DVD has extra features that are worth a look. The Extra feature of the first DVD puts you in the car with Tony while he scouts locations in Cades Cove. Buckle your seat belt!
This is certainly one of the better purchases I’ve made. I own several of Tony’s books, and have spent a great deal of time in the Smokies at these locations. But there is something about seeing these locations and the thought process of a great photographer at work. What’s more – Tony is just a nice guy – intense about his craft but genuinely interested in helping those who view this DVD set.
More Reviews...
Visual Artistry – Review
Amazing!!!, October 19, 2010
This was the first photography video that I’ve purchased and it set a very high bar.
Every Picture Tells a Story – Review
Tremendous, August 18, 2011
Steve is a talented photographer who has a great communication style. He has thought provoking compositional commentary as well as reviewing his image making style. The film crew did a wonderful job with the area and in getting the most out of this format of film. Very well done, instructive, and useful.
Completing Your Outdoor Photography – Review
Landscape Photography at its best!, April 5, 2010
Completing Your Outdoor Photography with Landscape Filters DVD video is really informative! This package contains 2 DVD, one for the field and one for the studio. The field trips takes you along on 7 separate photo shoot each having Adam Barker illustrating the use of various filters into your shooting. All photo shoots are very scenic and Adams illustrates many techniques to improve your shooting in the field, just like a pro. This is an awesome video. You will enjoy watching it time and time again. Many of us may never go to these locations but through this excellent DVD we can visit there with Adam and learn his techniques.
Completing Your Outdoor Photography – Review
Easily understood and presented, June 3, 2010
For me, I am a visual person who needs to see how things work to fully understand their benefits. Mr. Barker presents that wonderfully in this instructional video, especially in regard to how filters work and their added benefits. Furthermore, how a dynamic image is tamed by use of a filter and without is demonstrated with photos to show the real gains. For the money, it is worth it to watch the film to see if investing in filters is worth the expense to you. If you already have filters, then this is a great how-to video on how to use them properly.
Like sitting side-by-side with a master – Photoshop Guru Review
D. Parker
It’s like sitting side-by-side with a master while he works, April 29, 2010
Amazing, absolutely amazing. If you’ve ever wanted to look over the shoulder of a master photographer in his “lab”, this is your chance.
Jim moves these projects along at a perfect pace, explaining the how’s and why’s as he goes. He has a real easy going style and is very articulate. As someone said earlier, you can watch these videos over and over again.
I also purchased Jim’s “Dazzling Photoshop” video, and feel the same about it. In that DVD, he emphasizes particular photo projects with the way he groups the lessons, rather than by different skills as in this one. Both are packed with information and technique.
While these videos are not specific to any particular version of Photoshop, they are geared somewhat toward the most recent versions up to CS4 — I can hardly wait to see what Jim does with CS5!