You want to learn how to take better photos.
You want to understand “light” and how to “see” it
You want to learn to work with people better
You want to get your workflow under control so you have some free time
You want to learn in a way that is very hands on
You want a personal experience – small class
And, everyone is shooting with Off Camera Flash and you want to master it
Is this you?
“Chuck has a way of making the technical side of photography fun and easy to learn”
En-Lighten, Chuck’s 3 day workshop will challenge you to be a better more knowledgable photographer. His work speaks for itself. Emotional and edgy while still remaining timeless. He is recognized worldwide for his ability and willingness to share with other photographers.
_______________________________________________________
Please register here. There are 17 seats available. $950
_______________________________________________________
“It can be hard to grasp all of these techniques that take image-making to the next level. Photographers sometimes get trapped into being a “natural light” shooter. What I mean by that is, I see a lot of blown highlights and very shallow depth of field in many images. Not that there is anything wrong with that but I see it being a crutch to many photographers because it is so easy to produce. I want to expand a photographers knowledge and make them a more confidant photographer.”
Here are a few words from fellow photographers.
“Chuck Arlund is one of the industries great talents and wonderful characters. His work just blows me away. Although a large proportion of his life was devoted to being a (real actual) rock star (as in – in a band) he managed to sail through and over the madness with a pretty good grip on life and family – and an inability to succumb to even try drugs.
Like all of us, Chuck has his moments of self-doubt that pierce him every now and again – in spite of his brilliance – because we don’t always have the audience we need to appreciate what we do.”
Ask yourself
“What are our clients visually stimulated by? What do they see when they search for a photographer? Chameleon Chuck Arlund shape-shifts from Wedding to Commercial, Advertising and fashion photography – placing any style anywhere providing it makes the ‘wow’ factor for the customer. Is great image-making the result of some divine creative blessing? What are the mechanics behind this process?” David Williams
—————-
“Chuck Arlund is a constant inspiration to me. Not just with his infectious enthusiasm and desire to improve and push his own artistic boundaries – but also with the elegant beauty of his work. His style is evocative of the great masters in that respect – there is an elegance to his photography which is somehow surprising in its simplicity; yet has that can’t-take-your-eyes-away captivating quality. I know that there is nothing to stop Chuck Arlund from reaching the upper echelons of the photography industry. He certainly has the talent. Oodles of talent.” Neil van Niekerk
—————
“Chuck Arlund has been instrumental in the helping us showcase our professional photo products. His images clearly stand out among thousands of photographers that we deal with. Whenever a great image comes though our facility, I know it is an Arlund just by looking at the composition, style, and lighting. Arlund is defiantly a one of a kind.” Adam Fried CEO Simply Canvas
—————
In a DWF thread way back, someone asked for suggestions for posing. Instead of giving a three step posing how-to, this is how Chuck replied:
“The Almost Kiss…
Have a personality. Make fun of yourself. Think deep down what makes you feel sexy. For me it is the almost kiss, no matter how long I have been married if I need a fix of what it was like when we first got together I will close my eyes and almost kiss my wife, holding your lips so close but not touching, feeling the breath between each other, a gentle nuzzle of her nose against yours.. gently stroking her hair with the back of your fingers, eyes are still closed, you can smell her, not her perfume but her, her being. Your eyes are still closed as are hers and all they are thinking about is each other, you are whispering to them to do this and then she opens her eyes and glances at you. CLICK! ”
SWOON. and that is why I wanted to see Chuck Arlund…
So put that together with seeing shot after shot of delicious images, stickmen diagrams and helpful advice, it was a no brainer. Chuck in Michigan and better yet, at Finao HQ with Day 3 wrapping up with a trip to the Detroit Institute of Art to see the Avedon Exhibit. Count me in!!!
Chuck’s workshop agenda was a very comprehensive list of topics (from lighting, on location shooting, post processing, album design, and more) that I wondered how on earth he would cover it with a room full of eager students, all in various stages of their journey with wedding and/or portrait photography but then again, I really didn’t care if he did — I just wanted to watch him shoot. Chuck is fun (not just funny). Chuck is crazy. Chuck is a glam rocker and breaks into song and air guitar. Chuck cares about people. This good lookin’, funny, creative, brilliant artist who can make an entire class full of students weak at the knees just by describing how he kisses his wife also knows a thing or two about photography.
Other attendees can elaborate on what they found most helpful, for me it wasn’t so much the classroom lessons (although these were very good), it was watching him describe his thought process at a shooting scene, throwing out ideas rapid-fire as to what was inspiring him at the time, watching how he worked and talked with the models, choosing and setting up his light and seeing how he adjusted it, making his lens and camera setting choices and pretty much narrating the entire time what was in his head. Then it was our turn — when I shot he was asking and challenging, “tell me why you would choose to do it that way?” or politely suggesting alternative approaches. Exactly what I had hoped for. I couldn’t ask for more. But having said that, it was pretty cool to watch him put together a yummy Finao album on-site the way he does at his weddings and to guide us through an Avedon exhibit — wow.
Seeing ‘Dovima with Elephants’ was like having a delicious dessert after a multi-course, 3 day meal of photography goodness. Thank you for a fun and fabulous time. Thank you for the inspiration…. and of course, for “almost kiss”. Susan Ashe
—————
On Monday morning, I packed up my ugly minivan, with camera gear, computer and clothes, and drove across the border and to the town of Ann Arbor Michigan. Is it a city or a town? I don’t know, so sorry if i offend any residents! i was on a journey to the Finao head office, where they were hosting a workshop, lead by the incomparable Chuck Arlund .I have to admit, that 2 months ago, i had never heard of Chuck Arlund, let alone had the desire to take a workshop led by him.
That all changed when Finao decided to sponsor a workshop, and have Chuck come for 3 days to teach his rockstar skills and some off-camera lighting techniques.
Off-camera lighting has always been something i’ve wanted to learn and perfect, but i’ve never met a wedding photographer around Windsor, that even uses an off-camera flash, let alone wan to teach me!
I knew I was on my own, but eager to learn. I’ve been reading blogs, websites, and forum posts about the elusive off-camera flash, pocket wizards, and the like, but it doesn’t all make sense unless you can see it in action.
Chuck went over about a zillion items, from posing to photoshop, to art and beyond, and then out the door we went for a field trip! we were learning to find the perfect light, or the sweet spot and Chuck calls it.
Tuesday was flash day, and after we all got over our fear of taking the flash OFF the camera, and learning about pocket wizards and radio poppers, ring lights and video lights. We had another little field trip, with a cute little model, and spent the day trying to learn the technique of having light on our side, and not fighting with it so much.
it was inspiring.
It was a long day, but my head didn’t explode, so that makes it another awesome day! LOL!
the 3rd day was mostly spent just going over a few photos in class, and then we all headed out the door and to the Detroit Institute of Art, for and Avedon exhibit. wow, that’s quite the exhibit!
I don’t know what it is……
I just love getting the chance to meet new people, and make new friends. when making new friends is combined with learning and growing as an artist, then it’s even BETTER!!!!
In my heart of hearts, I know that photography is my way of being an artist. I am thrilled to have had to opportunity to have my eyes opened to new things, be inspired by artists I’d never heard of before, and get to meet Chuck.
It was a wonderful 3 days. Michele Bowman
I loved Ann Arbor so much I had to go back. I also want to thank Finao Albums for welcoming me back to their awesome headquarters.
I want to get you to overcome your fear of: light, people and yourself.
Day one we will get into light. Everything but flash. Using modifiers. Reflectors, mirrors, hot lights, foam core, really anything that can reflect light to create interesting light. I want you to shoot and let me mentor you so that is what we are going to do. Make a lot of photos.
Day two is all about flash. On camera and off camera. How flash works with your camera and how to manipulate it. Learn to use RadioPoppers. Light direction and creating mood.
On both day one and two we will delve into retouching and my workflow using Lightroom and Photoshop.
Day three we will be inspired. I will show you how to create a wedding album at a reception to give to the bride and groom for their honeymoon.
Then we will take a trip to Detroit where we will go explore the Detroit Institute of Art. There is nothing like looking at art to become inspired and also learn about posing and lighting. Who knows, last year there was a Richard Avedon exhibit. We might get lucky again.
Look at my work, ask some questions. Your money is hard earned and I realize there are a ton of shady things happening in the workshop world right now.
show hide 3 comments