HDR Photography with Rick Sammon at Kip's Castle

This past Sunday, July 18th 2010, Canon Explorer of Light Rick Sammon made his return to Unique Photo for his second Unique University class, "Exploring High Dynamic Range Photography"!

After class ended, the first 20 registrants of the class were taken on a special excursion to Kip's Castle in Verona, NJ with Rick and Unique's own Michael Downey and Mike Zawadzki.

There, everyone was able to take the HDR techniques and processes learned during class and apply them towards creating unique HDR images both inside and outside of Kip's Castle.

Appreciating HDR Images

By Mike Zawadzki, Technical Consultant

Photo Credit: Michael Downey

Many people would consider me to be a photo purist.  I still shoot large format film with a view camera and develop it myself.  When I have time, I go to a darkroom to make both black and white and color prints.  However, just like many other people I have spent the last few years using digital SLR cameras as well.  I have seen several things I love about using a digital camera and certain things I loathe.  Yet even with advanced knowledge of Photoshop, I have always preached the mantra of “Getting it right in camera”.  Understanding how to react to rapidly changing conditions is always more important than being able to fix something later in Photoshop.

Full crowd for "Between Heaven and Earth" with renowned photographer Art Wolfe this past Tuesday!

Thank you to everyone for attending this past Tuesday's presentation with renowned photographer and Canon Explorer of Light Art Wolfe at the Parsippany Hilton!

The turnout greatly exceeded expectations and we're extremely grateful to everyone for braving the weather!

Entitled "Between Heaven and Earth", the presentation centered on the Himalaya region and reflected Art Wolfe’s most personal statement to date.  The line of attendees outside of the ballroom began forming as early as an hour prior to the event and the room was quickly filled with over 500 attendees!

Those who registered early enough for the "VIP admission" also had the amazing opportunity to meet Art himself earlier that evening as autographed copies of one of Art's books were distributed.

A few photos of Art and the presentation can be viewed at the Unique Photo Flickr.

We'd also love to hear your thoughts about the event, and if you have your own photos, please share them with us at the Unique Photo Flickr Group!  Again, thanks to everyone for attending!

University Classes 4/26 - 5/1: Jamie Hayes, ASMP-NJ, Will Crockett, Parish Kohanim

LIGHTING AND POSING MADE SIMPLE with JAMIE HAYES 

Class Date: April 26th (Monday), 6:00pm - 8:00pm

For more information or to sign up, Click Here

Jamie Hayes, a master of lighting, will share with you all aspects of lighting and posing for children, families, brides, weddings, and seniors.  Even the most experienced photographer will gain a better understanding of working in any lighting condition with confidence, ease and repeatability. This is one of the most informational programs on lighting and posing offered anywhere. Don't miss it!

UNDERSTANDING YOUR DSLR III: COMPOSITION 

Class Date: April 27th (Tuesday), 6:00pm - 8:00pm

For more information or to sign up, Click Here

Knowing all the science and mathematics behind photography can only take you so far. The art of photography is 90 percent seeing and 10 percent photographing.  Students will learn the vital aspects and rules of image composition and graphic design as they apply them to taking photographs.

ASMP-NJ ANNUAL PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION DROP-OFF 

Class Date: April 29th (Thursday), 3:00pm - 9:00pm

For more information, Click Here

The ASMP-NJ Annual Photography Competition and Exhibition is open to all photographers, including non-members, amateurs, and professionals. All entries must be framed and ready for hanging (with wire running across the back of the frame for hanging) or they will not be accepted.

MANFROTTO: LIMITLESS LIGHTING with WILL CROCKETT

Class Date: April 30th (Friday), 1:00pm - 4:00pm

For more information, Click Here  |  *FREE WITH REGISTRATION*

Start with a digital camera and a shoe mounted flash – then get the flash off the camera for some easy and gorgeous portrait lighting!  World-renowned photographer Will Crockett from ShootSmarter.com shows you his own style of creating light using the simplest of tools.  No matter if you are new to flash, looking to get your first flash, or an experienced flash enthusiast, Will has plenty of tips for you.

ASMP-NJ ANNUAL PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION DROP-OFF 

Class Date: May 1st (Saturday), 12:00pm

For more information, Click Here  |  *FREE TO EVERYONE*

The winning photographs will be selected by a panel of jurors and the exhibition will run for the entire month of May. The exhibition's opening reception will be held in the Unique Gallery on Saturday, May 1st (12 - 2PM). Refreshments, wine, and cheese will be served.  Following the reception at 2:30PM, guest speaker Canon Explorer of Light Parish Kohanim will be speaking!

New at Unique University: Exploring High Dynamic Range Photography with Rick Sammon

EXPLORING HDR PHOTOGRAPHY W/ RICK SAMMON

Sunday, July 18th (1 - 3pm) | For more info or to sign up, Click Here

All registrants will also get a free copy of Rick's newest book, Rick Sammon's HDR Photography Secrets, due out in May 2010.

Attention: The first 20 registrants will also get an excursion to Kip's Castle with Rick Sammon after the seminar at 3:15pm. We will arrive back at Unique Photo at approximately 6pm. Transportation will be provided to and back from the excursion.

HDR (High Dynamic Range) is a revolutionary technique that transforms traditional photographs into eye popping images, revealing a wide range of exposures and tones that bring a scene to life.

If you're new to HDR, or would like to hone your existing skills, then this seminar is the perfect inspirational and instructional seminar for you!

Amazing Turnout for Rick Sammon's Seminar This Past Sunday!

Despite being postponed one day due to the weather forecasts, this past Sunday's "Exploring Digital Imaging" seminar with Canon Explorer of Light Rick Sammon had the largest turnout we've seen in the Unique University!  It was a busy day, and we'd like to thank Rick Sammon, Canon's Rick Berk and Matt Thompson, and everyone for making the effort to attend! To see more photos from the event, please visit the Unique Photo Flickr!  If you have your own photos, please be sure to join the Unique Photo Flickr Group and share them!

Photos courtesy of Mike Zawadzki and Robert Huber

Tyler Stableford wins Grand Prize in American Photo's "Images of the Year 2009" Competition!

Tyler poses for a photo with Cyclecraft's Fabian Autedo after his "High Adventure" seminar/workshop at Unique on 11/22/09.

Unique Photo would like to congratulate Tyler Stableford on winning the grand prize for the American Photo Images of the Year 2009 Competition!  His winning photograph of Nick Collard, a Colorado wildfire firefighter, is now featured on a 2-page spread as the 'Extreme' category winner, as well as on the cover of American Photo Magazine "2009 Images of the Year"!  “I’ve been in a lot of extreme situations, but inhaling hot ash was a new experience for me,” says adventure photographer Tyler Stableford, who got this shot while tagging along with firefighters in western Colorado while they set a controlled burn to stave off wildfires in the area. Rarely do fire departments allow any journalists this close to the action, but the Colorado team made an exception for Stableford after he photographed them for an assignment the previous year. In the middle of the scorching scene, a fireman is turned into a painterly blur by the waves of heat, evoking a sense of heroism and focus on the flames that creates a feeling of fire that practically burns through the page. Click here to read more and winners for the other categories!