Photography workshop with Graham Owen

[fly_baby]

It sounds like a great trip. My only concern is dropping my DSLR in the water - especially with my long glass attached. I think I'll give my insurance agent a call and add a loss policy to my account.

Count me in!

[Graham Owen]

Hey Mark and Eric, it was GREAT seeing you guys yesterday! It was a fun day!!!

Last night I spent some time looking at older photos taken with a point and shoot camera, and came to the conclusion that these cameras have tremendous potential to not only capture beautiful memories, they also have the capability to allow the operator to express creativity. For example, using the zoom and stepping further back from the subject allows for a much different look when compared to filling the viewfinder with the exact foreground scene, using a wider angle perspective. At the very least, using this zoom option will allow you to keep your shadow off the subject at hand. Trying not to cast your shadow on the fish is important… Point and shoot camera really excel at capturing close up macro images, such as fish faces, insects, flowers, etc, because the smaller image provides greater depth of field. In effect, more of the subject will be in focus, at faster shutter speeds, and the key to separating the subject from the background, to make the image pop, would mean trying to have as much distance to background objects as possible. Over the years I’ve received a few nice emails from people I met on stream, who I photographed with their point and shoot, expressing appreciation. Little things make a big difference, especially with respect to composition, such as trying to have diagonal lines instead of straight horizontal and vertical lines. I always look for ways to compose my images with diagonal lines, if possible. Also, while on stream, I try to observe the surroundings to preconceive the best background to compliment things I want to photograph. I keep an eye on where there are colored reflections upon the water; how that changes during the day, as well as stream bank vegetation and trees.

Below is the first cover shot I took, nothing is diagonal, but I did try to balance and compliment the subject with the background. I took this photo before investing in an SLR, and I’ve learned a lot since…




The book cover below has two photos I took, (on the left side,) using a small point and shoot film camera, and there are 11 more of my photos inside the book. A fly shop owner took credit for the photos, although I was later compensated... I gave the fly shop owner some small prints to hang on his wall, at his request...

[Graham Owen]

On another note, which might convince some pros that I’m a little whacky… When fishing trips conclude, I typically use my laptop to burn disks, and give high resolution files to friends, that show them in action. Perhaps even wackier, I have never contacted any magazines or photo editors attempting to sell images. I like to sell prints! The highlight of my day yesterday, at the Federation of Fly Fishers SW Council meeting, was when legendary fly tyer Bill Blackstone’s wife came up to me mentioning that her mandarin duck print has “become part of the family, they see it and admire it every day”. I get so much more satisfaction from that than something published that will likely end up in the trash someday. That said, I have been very proud to have images in magazines, mostly fish and bird specialty publications, but that is not where I focus my marketing activities, and the magazines contacted me instead of the other way around. I’ve never had a California wildflower or poppy photo published, but I sell more of those than anything else. I guess I’m just rambling on now, too much coffee…

Looks like we need to decide upon the best date for the workshop.... I think a LO regular would know if late March or mid April would be best....

[Graham Owen]

One issue that I’ve been contemplation with respect to our fly fishing photography workshop, is if I should be shooting as well. Several times now I’ve provided bird photography lessons at the local L.A. city lake where I shoot most of my bird photos, and I only use my camera to help with metering and exposure suggestions. I think a photography guide should work the same way as a fishing guide, standing behind the students shoulder, completely focused upon helping them achieve success. I’ve read stories about photography workshops in the sierra where the instructor brings students to a certain location, and lets them loose, while he seeks images for his portfolio. I think that is a bad approach, unless the student(s) suggests otherwise. While fishing with guides in Chile a number of years ago, I insisted to the guides that they fish, they don’t need to tye flies onto my tippet, etc, and they reluctantly obliged, and I felt much more comfortable. Plus, I’m not an elegant master caster…LOL…

Perhaps I can do both, spend dedicated time with individuals, and shoot a few frames as well… I can fish another day...

[midger]

...... I think a photography guide should work the same way as a fishing guide, standing behind the students shoulder, completely focused upon helping them achieve success. I’ve read stories about photography workshops in the sierra where the instructor brings students to a certain location, and lets them loose, while he seeks images for his portfolio. I think that is a bad approach, unless the student(s) suggests otherwise. ..........

Perhaps I can do both, spend dedicated time with individuals, and shoot a few frames as well… I can fish another day...

I like that approach for instructing. Letting folks go on their own is marginal for improving skills when fishing and I'd assume it would work the same with photography.

You're going to want to fish, especially if there is a blizzard caddis hatch coming off like is possible in mid to late March. I'd say scheduling in mid March would be preferable to later April, but depends on the type lighting you are looking for. I prefer the fishing in March, personally.

[Graham Owen]

Ultimately, I’d like to do both, March and April. I missed a few years of being in the sierra often, due to family obligations, and have a lot of catching up to do. *, I haven’t even attended an ECV doins in years, back in the day I felt like a local in Bridgeport, and the annual Bodie chapter get-together was a blast…

I’m looking at my calendar and wondering about March 27 and/or 28… I’d likely drive up on the 26 and return on the 29th, as I’d like to have some time alone as well… I can go a week, or two earlier, or April 17 &18. I guess I’m leaning more towards the late March trip, and if David and wildfly want to do some photography in April, I’ll be up for that! I think it will be a lot of fun!

[Graham Owen]

I spent some time last night looking through old photos, and the ones that bring me the most pleasure are often simple snap shots, allowing one to re-live seeing o'l buddies as carefree and happy as school boys....

[KRoberts1]

Craig/Graham,

Depending on timing, I'd like to be included. I'm home the first half of April but have to return to Africa on the 13th. Graham would lovwe to me you in person.

keith

[aaron otto]

Graham is the crap. ( so I wrote something that is like crap but not crap) when I looked at post it said crap. Think about when you eat a burrito and twenty minutes later, "YOU HAVE TO TAKE A S**T".

Add that into where it says "CRAP".

[darrin terry]

Graham is the crap. ( so I wrote something that is like crap but not crap) when I looked at post it said crap. Think about when you eat a burrito and twenty minutes later, "YOU HAVE TO TAKE A S**T".

Add that into where it says "CRAP".

It's true Graham. You are the crap, uh I mean the…what Aaron said.

I would love to do this workshop, but I need to make time to go visit my dad in Redding (I know, don't feel bad for me ) and I've a nephew getting married in April in OC. Plus his brother just had a kid last month. Gots to go see him too. One day Graham, I'd love to hit the LO and hear some stories first hand about the browns.

[Graham Owen]

Thanks guys!! I'm hoping some of the crap rubs off Aaron, your comments really mean a lot to me, thank you!

Honestly, I think I've gotten to the point where photographing on stream is just as much fun as fishing, especially when the bite slows down...

Here's a fun composition, a trout rising to eat a fly fisher....

[Eric]

Jaws
Eric

[Graham Owen]

Jaws...

[sasuga2]

I'd like to sign up for the photo workshop.

I'm good any weekend except April 16th.

Cheers,

Al

[sasuga2]

I'm In!

Craig (wildfly)
2. Benny
3. Bill (beachbum)
4. Al (sasuga2)