Colombian Caribbean RELAX and SHOOT!!! (part 1 & 2)

Lightenupandshoot.com heads to Covenas, Colombia for some Caribbean relaxation...and photos of some of the locals.  Andy and I decided to bring both the Backpacker's Studio and Backpacker's Studio Plus (addition of the Alien Bee 1600 head and the Vagabond II for battery power).  I suspect to receive a few emails for carrying something other than the Backpacker's Studio.  But,  when on vacation it's nice to bring out the big toys.

More after the break...

The Free Running Shoot! Crapola, Crapola, Crapola!

Curse you nap time, because of you we screwed up!  Not to say there aren't some cool shots, just not what we planned...and that sucks! Ok, frustration rant over, lesson learned, here's what happened...

Photos, the rest of the story and where you can comment cursing nap time after the break!!

FIREFOX USERS, YOU MIGHT HAVE TO HIT READ MORE TO SEE THE VIDEO!!

LIVE PORTFOLIO REVIEWS! YAY!

Okay everyone, we're not even one week into the new year and crazy/might work idea numero uno has already flourished.

We have received a lot of emails asking for portfolio reviews from different photographers. We thought it would be an amazing idea to not only review the portfolio online, but to also have a conversation with the photographer while we are doing the review. A one on one that could help not only the photographer better their photos, but just about anyone else that is watching. And don't worry folks IT'S FREE!! YAY!! (But of course, donations are always welcome but not necessary...hint hint...wink wink!)

More info after the break!
FIREFOX USERS MIGHT NOT SEE THE VIDEO UNLESS THEY CLICK ON READ MORE!

Happy New Year! Manizales - Behind the Scenes

Happy New Year everyone!! We're very excited to start this new year and see what lightenupandshoot.com turns into! We're all very excited to have the amount of followers, visitors, facebook friends, skype contacts that have boarded this lightenupandshoot.com bus! So buckle your seatbelts, this 2010 is going to be an amazing year for all of us!

We have a ton of fun stuff planned for all of you folks and we can't wait to share all of it. But, first thing is first. The ebook!! The ebook should be done shortly, like we said in the video we just keep adding and adding and adding stuff to it, so delivery has been a little delayed! Don't worry you should have it by 2011, Just kidding!!

More info and pics after the break!

VERY BIG NOTE: FIREFOX USERS MIGHT HAVE TO CLICK READ MORE TO SEE VIDEO!

El Carmen - Behind the Scenes (day 2)

In this video Andy and I head to El Carmen to do our version of Help-Portrait.  The concept behind Help-Portrait is take a picture of someone less fortunate and hand deliver their photo.  After a delicious lunch at Cata's finca located about 30 minutes outside of El Carmen,  Andy and I jumped on a local bus and ventured to El Carmen not knowing what to expect.  We arrived in El Carmen with the Backpacker's Studio strapped to our back, a 25 lbs Vagabond, a 1600 Alien Bees flash and a small Canon printer.

more after the break...

Los Mamos de la Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta lightenupandshoot.com

Andy and I had the rare opportunity to take photos of the Mamos de la Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (note: an indigenous tribe from the mountainous region of Sierra Nevada). The Mamos don't normally allow people to photograph them because of their spiritual beliefs. This particular family fled to the region of Antioquia to escape persecution from the FARC (guerillas).  We drove deep into the mountains to meet with the family, and when we arrived the smell of roasted tobacco and burning herbs permeated the crisp air.  Andy and I took time to get acquainted before asking if we could photograph them.  I even had a chance to play some guitar with the head chief before taking Josca with the family (Josca is powdered tobacco mixed with other plants that when inhaled is supposed to cleans the mind of bad thoughts)

Pictures after the break...

Behind The Scenes: La Ceja: lightenupandshoot.com

So we were sitting at my apartment deciding where to go and shoot for the official help portrait day (12-12-09). Over peanut butter and jelly we decided on two towns, the first day we would hit La Ceja (means Eyebrow in English) and the second, El Carmen (no direct translation). They are about 25 minutes apart and they would be easy to reach by Colombia's very good public transportation system.

We pack up our backpacker's studio along with the, what feels like 100 pound vagabond battery and canon printer. A full set of ink cartridges and 40 sheets of paper...oh yeah!!!

Photos and more details of our trip after the break...

Lightenupandshoot.com WEBINAR Dec. 17th, 2009 8:00PM EST

Andy and I are hosting a Webinar for 75 attendees December 17 at 8:00PM EST. The Webinar will cover: tips and tricks on how to approach people and how to take better shots, learn what inspires us, we'll break down the 5 variables of exposure, discuss how to spontaneously find a model and location, talk about how less is more, the importance of blogging and promoting yourself, and a few other surprises. Lastly, we will also answer questions for the attendees.

**Update:  we have some really cool stuff to give away!!!**

http://lightenupandshoot.eventbrite.com

Backpacker's Studio Part Dos y Tres : Light Modifiers Explained!

Alright folks, part 2 of the Backpacker's Studio is up! Note: part 2 is split into two videos because we went over the 10 minute mark on youtube.

 Examples after the break...

Help-Portrait (part 1)

Jeremy Cowart started an awesome project called help-portrait.  Help-portrait encourages photographers around the world to use their equipment, time and talent to take pictures of people that are less fortunate this holiday season.  Be sure to check out the link above and get involved;  it's not only easy...it's fun!

In this video Andy and Michael hit the streets of Medellin, Colombia to find people to photograph for help-portrait.  We grabbed our Backpacker's Studio, a Canon portable printer and a Vagabond battery (heavy little beast) and had some fun.  This is part 1 of a series we are going to do over the next couple of weeks.   Lightenupandshoot encourages everyone following this site to join us this holiday season;  grab your camera, take a picture of someone less fortunate and deliver the photo.  Lighten up and shoot...help-portrait style, this 12.12.09

Michael and Andy