I'm not really into posting a whole lot of business-related stuff here on my blog because quite honestly, it bores me, but I sent out this email to all the students in my past classes and on my waiting list and wanted to pass it along here too:
I always run a workshop during the summer because I know it works out well with my student's schedules, but that means my kids are always at some sort of summer programs so the only real quality time I get with them during the summer is on the weekends and I just don't want to do that this summer. I've always had jobs that wouldln't permit me to take the summer off with my kids, but I need to remember that I'm my own boss now and my kids are growing up fast and I really want to take advantage of this opportunity - so I'm going to go for it.
So I'm moving the next registration for The Photographers' Workshop to Wednesday, February 15th at 9 a.m. Pacific Time, for my next workshop beginning April 2, 2012, but I will not be offering a summer workshop.
If you would like to take the class, you've got two options:
1. Register as a regular student/$395
2. Register as an auditing student/$245 (You can ask questios and upload photos, the ONLY difference is that I do not provide evaluations for auditing students. However, this is an ideal option for students with busy schedules who need to work at their own pace. And you can always schedule a telephone consult with me if you'd like to have your images evaluated.)
And remember too that Erin Cobb will be available in the class forum for one week to help students with her Clean Color editing process so it's a great opportunity to work with her and to learn to fine-tune her editing process. (You'll love her!)
To register for the class, all you need to do is:
- Go to www.snapshotsofagoodlife.com at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on February 15th.
- Select 'photography classes' and then 'register for a class.'
- Add the class to your shopping cart as either a regular student or as an auditor and then complete the check-out process. (Please remember that your seat in class cannot be held unless payment is complete.)
- After you've registered, you will receive a confirmation email and a Welcome Letter with more details.
At this point in time, I'm only teaching the workshop three times per year and I limit the number of students, so registration is always on a first-come, first-served basis. I have no idea how this particular registration will go, but in the past, classes have filled up quickly, so type fast!
And for anyone who is wondering, it's a nine-week online photography workshop designed for beginners to intermediates with 45 lessons, nine assignments and a Q&A Board where you can ask all your questions.
And it's tons of fun if I do say so myself.
And....
I'm getting ready to box up the Canon 7D that I rented so I can send it back to BorrowLenses.com. (I rented it to use while my Nikon gear is getting serviced.)
It's a great camera. It's solid, it's got a great focusing system, it's got a high maximum ISO and my favorite thing about it is the little 'Q' button on the back because when you press it, your LCD displays a screen with just about every setting you might want to adjust in one convenient location - all you have to do is highlight a specific option and you can change it right there. It's the coolest thing ever. So smart.
I did't make time to shoot as much as I had hoped to, but I think I got some good shots with it. I really struggled with focus, but quite honestly, two weeks just isn't enough time to adjust to a camera and given a few months with it, I think I would have been able to get the whole focus thing ironed out. I also feel like maybe the lens I rented (the Canon 50mm f1.2) was a soft copy. I tried doing some calibration of the lens and though it helped a bit, I still felt like the lens was a bit soft.
So on a Siskel & Ebert scale, I'd give the Canon 7D two thumbs up.
I've been recommending it to my Canon students for awhile now based off of reviews, but I'm glad to have shot with one so I can recommend it even more confidently.
It's just a good camera.
Oh, and BorrowLenses.com gets a two big thumbs up as well.
And...
I've received a bazillion emails (No...I never exaggerate.) from people who are wondering which photo lab I'm using since ScrapbookPictures went out of business. Right now, I'm not sure who I'm going to use. My plan is to do some research and to get some test prints dones and once I make a decision, I'll be sure to pass it along.
And...
This video cracks me up.
And...
So does this one.
And...
Aren't you impressed with my ability to embed videos?
And...
No, I'm not planning on upgrading to the new Nikon D800. It shoots slower than the Nikon D700 (which I already own) and it doesn't appear that the focusing system or the maximum ISO is any different than the D700 either, so I (much to my husband's delight) I'll be saving my money.
And...
If you have any questions, please post them in the comments section and I'll add my answers right here in red.
1. Courtney Lee calls me K.K. - it's just a nickname she made up a few years back and it stuck. And it puts a smile on my face every time I hear it. (I'm Courtney's step-mom.)
2. The chair in this post is one that I ordered from Thomasville a few years back. It's called an Anton chair and I had them put a teal microfiber fabric on it. I think the color was #55.
3. In the past, I have only sent my cameras in to Nikon to get their sensors cleaned on a yearly basis and if that ended up being the only service they provided, it cost about $50 per camera and usually just takes a few days. This time though, I asked them to calibrate the focus on each of my lenses with each of my cameras and was sent an estimate for over $2000 in repairs and fees.
They said that my Nikon D700 would cost about $400 to fix, which totally made sense to me since the camera flew off the top of my car while driving 30 mph. But they also said that both of my zoom lenses needed serious repairs to the tune of $500 each which fried me, because I take really good care of my lenses. They also wanted $220 per lens to clean and calibrate the focus on them. Yes, $220 per lens.
And of course, NONE of this was covered under warranty.
And I'm not proud of this, but my response included several cuss words and a request to talk to the manager.
After talking to the manager several times, he reduced the price on several of the repairs and was somehow, miraculously able to get my warranty to cover a few things that it didn't originally cover.
It's been two weeks since I shipped my gear off though (and I have since, had to return the Canon that I rented) and just today, we were finally able to come to an agreement on the cost so they could begin repairs.
So, no...I feel bad saying this (because I love Nikon so much) but I have not been happy with their service department and will be hesitant to send my gear in again for anything other than sensor cleaning.
4. No, I haven't scrapbooked in a very long time. (For the first time ever, I have the scrapbook room of my dreams, but I don't scrapbook...perhaps that should tell me something about chasing material dreams.) I think I'll scrapbook again someday. I just think it will be in a different season of my life.
5. I don't think that Nikons have better focusing systems than Canons straight across the board. When I switched to Nikon, it was because I wanted a full frame camera for under $3000 and Nikon simply offered a better camera in that category. In general though, you'll find that the focusing system in both Nikons and Canons will vary, depending upon the camera model. Higher end Nikons oftentimes have more autofocus points than equivalent Canons, but 'more' autofocus points doesn't necessarily equate to a 'better' focusing system. In fact, my D700 has 51 autofocus points and that's way too many autofocus points for me to toggle between so I actually set my camera so it shows fewer autofocus points - so for me, 51 autofocus points is overkill. I'm actually more interested in how many cross-sensor autofocus points a camera has since cross-sensor autofocus points are the most sensitive type of autofocus point. For example, the Canon 7D has 19 autofocus points and ALL of them are cross-sensors, while the Nikon D7000 has 35 autofocus points, but only 9 of them are cross-sensors. Personally, I'd rather have 19 autofocus points than 35, if all 19 are cross-sensors. So I don't really buy into the notion that one camera brand is better than another. I think Canon and Nikon are big contenders in the photography world and I think they'll just continue to outdo one another with each new release.
And...
A post just isn't a post without a few pictures...
That's my 'My-husband-is-snoring-and-I-can't-sleep bed' that is located in my office.
It's also doubles as a jungle-gym, a bed for kids with nightmares, a toybox and an area of general congregation.
Coley was making a puppet for Annie.
And Annie was...being Annie...inside-out pajamas and all.
And if you're reading this Josh Downs...We should try that whole Skype thing again as I am confident it will be better this time. I love you.
Wonderful post...still hoping you are thinking of an in person workshop in your area for Making the Shot alums....we WOULD come and we WOULD LOVE you! I have to say, I adore that library card catalog in the photos...I have wanted one of those since I was a little girl. Again...great post....time is passing and you all will be all together SOON. Thanks for your talent and your ability to share it.
Posted by: janel | February 08, 2012 at 06:29 AM
can you do a workshop on how to use skype now?? wink!!
Posted by: karlalala | February 08, 2012 at 09:25 AM
I recommend Karen's workshop to anyone who wants to learn how to use their camera to its potential! It's awesome!!! Best workshop I've seen yet!!!
Posted by: Gayle Shrader | February 08, 2012 at 10:15 AM
I was so happy to read this...You will be so incredibly glad that you arranged to take the summer off with the kiddos!!
Posted by: Alaina | February 08, 2012 at 11:30 AM
Seriously made my day to hear you say that it takes a few months to get used to a different camera focusing system. I thought I was the worst photographer in the world when I switched to the D7000. I am getting the hang of it now. How long does it take if you send your camera in to be calibrated with lenses? How often should it be done?
Posted by: Monica | February 08, 2012 at 11:35 AM
HEY! i thought that was MY bed ;)
Posted by: twebster | February 08, 2012 at 12:22 PM
Do you scrapbook anymore? Or just print your photos and enjoy them in photo albums?
Posted by: TracyBzz | February 08, 2012 at 12:36 PM
I owned a Nikon and now a Canon...how is the focusing different?
Posted by: Malia | February 08, 2012 at 12:51 PM
Phew........I have a 7D and am glad you didn't hate it :)
and.....oh gosh....... I SO need one of those beds too!!!! my office is cold though so I settle for the couch!
Posted by: KarenP(kphike) | February 08, 2012 at 01:47 PM
I think that's so sweet that Cole is making a puppet for his sister!
Posted by: Kelli | February 08, 2012 at 01:53 PM
ROFLMAO........Laughing so hard I have tears STREAMING down my face from those videos!! Glad you had an opportunity to check out the 7D!
I ♥ the 'Q' button, it's one of my favorite features!!
Posted by: ♥ Debbie | February 08, 2012 at 04:07 PM
When does Josh get home???
Posted by: Colleen | February 09, 2012 at 03:34 PM
Focus, can it ever be too sharp??? I toiled with my D7000 from March to December but alas, the lovely focus I've seen here, eluded me. During my Christmas visit to family I carried my camera +50mm cross-country, straight in to Nikon's suberb new HQ in PTA and after 20 minutes they called me to say there was "nothing wrong" bar my high ISO/low SS. Suffice to say, it's doing exactly what I'd hoped for now! I loved the whole experience, drooled over their high-end equipment and with their tweaking, learning from Karen's class last year + 9 months practising I now have some photo's I'll be happy for Karen to critique. On skype. For sure. Also, I'm in line to get my sister into the next class - she's gonna love the boost for her photography and as for finding out which cake to eat and which to leave, that's Karen's built in bonus!!!
Posted by: caro | February 10, 2012 at 06:17 AM
And thank you SO much, Karen, for answering the question about what you will do since our favorite Scrapbookpictures.com has gone away! As one of the "bazillions",we appreciate that you care enough to answer our questions! You are totally awesome! :-)
Posted by: Holly Preslar | February 10, 2012 at 09:33 PM
Hi Karen! I've got a question for you about how you did those amazing hearts that hung from the ceiling. My mom and I think you had some sort of grid to hang them all from, but we can't figure it out - do tell. Thanks!
Posted by: Jen CT | February 11, 2012 at 01:14 PM
see you in April :)
xx
Posted by: diane herman | February 11, 2012 at 10:19 PM
Hi Karen! I use www.persnicketyprints.com out of Orem UT and they are wonderful! They are a small shop so they give a lot of attention to detail. I first heard of them through Rhonna Farrer then saw their work at an event i attended. I have ordered prints from them with great satisfaction! Might be worth looking into them :) Hugs from Conroe, TX
Posted by: Nancy Wyatt | February 15, 2012 at 01:31 AM