Out of Chicago Flower and Garden Photography Conference

Out of Chicago Flower and Garden Photography Conference

August 2018

https://carloscardona.myportfolio.com

Yet another awesome photo conference by Out of Chicago was held from August 26-30 at the Chicago Botanic Garden (and an Embassy Suites nearby), with attendees from all over the United States. With teachers like Anne Belmont, Charles Needle, Mike Moats, Alan Shapiro and David Cobb (and a few others), it was bound to be a challenging experience! Would you get any sleep? Would you come away with a great flower (worthy of Anne), or garden (worthy of David) photo? Would Alan’s “in your face” approach lead to camera shake? You didn’t know when you started, but you knew you would learn some new approaches, and be challenged to go beyond “that shot you usually get” (thanks Alan, the eyebrow-raised New York Angel on my shoulder!)

Living 10 minutes from the Garden I decided to save $500 on the hotel and commute to the classes. Of course my wife picked that week to go to London, so I was stuck getting the kids to school and getting to the photowalks late every morning! I thought it would rain early in the week, but it only did a little, and the cloudy weather was perfect for shooting! I only got a little wet, once!

Anne’s opening presentation was nothing if not inspirational! Indeed, that desire to be inspired, to shoot emotionally, to go where no photographer has gone before (sorry), was one of the unexpected benefits of the week, with several instructors challenging you to see how the shot is a reflection of your inner self: what you actually “see” comes from deep inside you, from where you are most authentic. Also, criticism says more about the criticizer than it does about the target? I guess that’s most often the case, but probably not always? I digress…

So my schedule was chaotic, and not ideal, given my circumstances (darn family thing)! But the walks I did get to were great, and pointed out areas of the Garden I had never been too. Shari Miller, Charles Needle, Thomas Shahan, Alan Shapiro, Tony Reynes and David Cobb were all awesome to listen to and follow, and quite different in their approach to getting the shot, but all with an abiding passion for not only photography, but helping others become great photographers as well.

Alright, enough talk, let's get to some photos! Thanks Photo Inspirers! And thanks Out of Chicago!