Now don’t cringe, but if you want to create jaw-dropping images, then you will need to develop your skills through practice, practice, practice, and that does not mean practice by just pointing your camera and clicking as much as possible at whatever may be standing right in front of you. I know this sounds elementary, but what I love to say to photographers is, “when a player is drafted in the NFL he doesn’t stop practicing only to show up at games to play, he then practices harder than ever. “
Digital photography is deceiving! With the transition into the digital world came an unrealistic fantasy that creating impactful images is easy. Snap, look at the back of your screen, NOT satisfied, delete it, and take another shot. Yes, the learning curve has become much shorter, and it might have become a whole lot less painful than waiting for the film to develop where you had to wait for weeks to discover that you made the wrong decision on exposure, loaded the film incorrectly, or chose the wrong film speed. And, to learn that most of what you captured is unusable.
BUT, what seems to have been forgotten is the basic, but critical skills of really learning exposure- evaluating the light and the background; two of the most important things one must do before they raise their camera and randomly fire because one has an unlimited amount of ammunition so to speak. Personally, I think it is a given that if you are raising your camera, you find your subject exotic; whether your subject is a tribal person in the Omo Valley, a lion on the hunt, or a rock. However, if you did not evaluate the light and how the background enhances your image, how do you even know what your settings should be to capture what you are envisioning?
I can still remember one of my first experiences behind the lens in Africa (15 years ago), when the talented photographer who became my mentor in the business said, “wow, the light goes flat out here fast”; I remember thinking what the heck is he talking about, the light is fine…LOL. As I slowly developed my skills I came to realize that light is the brush of the photographic artist and it was not over the shoulder light that created the images I envisioned.
Self-taught in my style of capturing a moment through always evaluating the light, background, and having an awareness of what my settings need to be, usually manipulating them for my vision, is what inspired me to create the Spirit-N-Light workshops series, Spirit-Ni-Light, Dust-N-Light workshop, and Sprit-N-Light it up. Looking back on my earlier days, I could not think of a workshop that I could have taken that would have been able to elevate my skills quickly and easily, which is exactly what I am striving to do in these workshops.
When you are in the field, every moment counts, especially when photographing wildlife or tribes in a remote destination. You have only seconds to evaluate the light, background, and adjust your settings to capture an incredible moment. I can put you in the right position, and I can get you to the right place at the right time, but ultimately you have to evaluate the scene, create the frame, dial in your settings, and then click to create the photograph you are envisioning!
Below are some powerful examples of the skills taught at the workshop and how they apply in the field –
Evaluating and positioning yourself for dramatic light is critical. This skill needs to become second nature so that when your in the field, where every second counts, lining up for the light and dialing your settings is like being on autopilot.
Developing your eye for strong creative compositions will confidently inspire creativity in the field.
Practice taking risk until you are very confident in taking them. Carry that confidence with you into the field, rather than fear of never having tried a creative technique and being too worried to miss the shot that you panic and click off 25+ images of the same subject, light, and composition just to ensure you captured one safe shot.
Shooting into the light is tougher than it looks especially when working in the field with erratic subjects where you need to focus your experience in predicting the behavior and lining up for the action in the light. The light during the Dust-N-Light workshop is magical.
Shooting in high key is a great way to still produce high quality creative images when the light is harsh or grey.
Learning just a few key lighting techniques will allow you to create stunning portraits, throughout most of the day, even in a bright cluttered field. Directly below is an image of where we were shooing when creating the portrait and detail shot below it. Most all my tribal and people images are captured throughout the entire day, using natural light.
If you really desire to be a visionary with your photography, rather than a reactionary, wildly shooting thoughtlessly at whatever is directly in front of you, then these skill building workshops will really help take your photography to the next level.
Recent testimonials –
Dust-N-Light 2019
I would wholeheartedly recommend the Dust N Light workshop to anyone who has a passion and commitment to raise their level of photography. Piper works with you on a one to one basis and constantly challenges you to get better. This workshop isn’t for the faint of heart or for the non-committed. If you don’t want to grow or be challenged then find some friends who think every image you produce is great and spend years toiling in futility. BUT, if you are one who thirsts for greatness and growth, then you should sign up for any workshop Piper Mackay offers. The return on your investment will be immediate and substantial as far as your creativity and results are concerned.- Wayne Hoover
Dust-N-Light 2019
Dust-n-Light is the workshop that every aspiring wildlife, cultural or street photographer should attend before going out in the field. First, Piper shares her simple, effective mantra “what is my background, what is my light”, with participants, and then teaches them the skills that will help them create more dramatic and impactful images. Piper is a hands-on teacher, and her methods include working in the field and in the classroom. This was my second experience with Piper; after traveling to India with her, I knew I needed to work and practice with her again. There is a reason that most of her workshop and tour participants are repeat clients, and that is because of her passion—for photography, for sharing her skills with others, and for pushing her participants to the next level of photography. I have already signed up for my next two trips with Piper and cannot wait. – Katherine Bristor
Spirit-N-Light 2018
This is a great workshop for those seeking to improve their images though innovative use of light and composition. The setting for the workshop is the beautiful Central California coastal region, and Piper takes full advantage of this location. With the help of local cowhands, the participant gets repeated changes to capture images possessing unique lighting and motion. I especially appreciated Piper’s consistent and uniform style of teaching. Very pleasurable three days, I must say. – Dr Robert Katibah
