I love this new series from Tamron USA, because they introduce us to great artists with terrific backstories. It's those backstories that made me start "Why?" and with each one we've learned a little more about the artists. 

Meet Hernan Rodriguez who's been featured several times here at SCU. He's a Tamron Image Master and simply a great artist to work with. Hernan and I go back to my early WPPI days and every time we catch up, it's like the last conversation ended with a comma. As I've written many times before, the best thing about this industry is the friendships that come out of everyone's love for the craft.

There's a great line about "the eyes being the gateway to the soul.," which by the way was really Shakespeare's and went "The eyes are the window to your soul." Either way, from the moment you hit Hernan's home page to the images in his portfolio he practices what he preaches. By building relationships with his clients, regardless of how little time he might have, he's always capturing their personality, most often in their eyes.

With the picture of Evander Holyfield and Muhammad Ali, Hernan's comment says so much,

                                             "It was once in a lifetime for me. I could die now and that's my shot!"  

Tamron USA is creating some serious buzz with this new series, because every one of the featured artists is somebody who should be on your radar. Even more important is the inspiration they bring with each story.

That's one of the things I love about working with the team at Tamron. They not only manufacture some of the finest glass in the world, but are helping to raise the bar on your skill set with their focus on education - in videos like this along with their tech team on the road throughout the United States teaching, and each workshop/program they sponsor.

There's only a short time left to take advantage of some terrific rebates on Tamron lenses. Just click on the banner below and then find the Tamron dealer nearest you. 

by Skip Cohen

Before those of you who are veteran artists roll your eyes, I want to preface this by reminding you how many photographers out there have taken too many shortcuts and simply don't understand the basics. I'm not criticizing their passion only their lack of patience, and how they don't understand the craft enough to truly be ready for clients. 

Roberto Valenzuela has said, "Practice doesn't make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect. What if you're practicing it wrong?"

Well, I found two more one minute videos in Tamron USA's archives.  They might be old, but they hit on two more points so many of you need help with.  I look at hundreds of images on websites and in Facebook forums every day. I totally respect the motivation and the passion behind artists sharing their images, but over and over again, I see so many of the same mistakes. Many times they're really not mistakes, but things people missed to make their images stronger.

This first two videos are prime examples, and I'll use two of my images to make the point.
​
Learn to use a polarizer filter: In Japan in 2005 I was traveling with a little Fuji 12 megapixel point and shoot. It was in my pocket all the time and went everywhere with me. Since this was primarily a business trip, I chose to travel light, which was a huge mistake. I'd never do that today! Still, I managed to capture some great images.

We were at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo and I wanted to get a shot of the Koi in one of the ponds. It was almost impossible due to the reflection on top of the water - exactly what Ken Hubbard demonstrates in this first video. However, I did have on polarized sunglasses and experimented with turning them to get the right angle in front of the camera. Remember, I'm working with a $249 point and shoot. The results were terrific, and thanks to the skill set of a friend who knew Photoshop far better than I ever will, the original frame was the foundation for the image on the right, which was printed to 20x30 and hangs over our fireplace today.

Learn to understand depth of field: Andre Costantini couldn't be more basic in how well he explains aperture and its relationship to depth of field. By sharing this I'm hoping to get more of you to shoot aperture priority.

Years ago we had a Hassellbad customer come by the booth at a trade show. He wanted to buy everything Denis Reggie had in his gear bag.  He came back a year later, furious, because none of his images looked even close to what Denis was capturing. Well, everything he shot was at f8/125.

My own headshot by Gregory Heisler is a perfect example. One of Gregory's signatures is a narrow dept of field.

We were both working on doing portfolio review of the students at Hallmark Institute for three weeks straight. My birthday came up during the project, and before heading out to dinner one night he offered to do my portrait. I obviously jumped at the opportunity. He's one of the finest photographers in the world, and at that time had at least 75 covers of Time Magazine!

He knew exactly how he wanted to do the portrait and it took, at best, ten minutes. He shot wide open and was probably no more than 18-20 inches away from me. He used the modeling light on a studio strobe to my left, and an assistant to hold an opaque card between me and the camera, just to avoid lens flare.

The two videos below represent less than a three minute investment of your time. While technology and the features on your cameras have changed a lot over the last six years - both videos are great back to basics reminders that as much as things change, some things never change.

Another thing that never changes is Tamron's dedication to helping photographers raise the bar on their skill set. They not only manufacturer incredible glass, but their tech team spends most of their time in the field working with photographers and Tamron's retail network. They're always working to help photographers raise the bar on their skill set. There's also great information being shared regularly in their newsletter. If you're not on their subscription list for their FREE newsletter, it's just a click away and always loaded with great content.

Find a Tamron retailer nearest you.  Check out Tamron's lens line - you'll never be disapointed in the quality their optics can produce.

Intro by Skip Cohen

About a month ago Tamron USA started this series, "The Inspiration Behind the Images." Each video is a 3-4 minute profile of an artist who should be on your radar.

Meet Arthur Rainville, who I consider one of my very dearest friends. We've known each other going back to my Hasselblad days. We don't catch up to each other as often as I'd like, but that doesn't change the love and respect I have for him. As I've written before, his program on creativity, which I saw twenty years ago, is still one of the best presentations I've ever attended. 

Arthur's also responsible for one of my favorite guest posts, which he shared here at SCU in 2013. He's a phenomenal educator and if you see him on the schedule at any of 2017's conventions - run, don't walk to get a seat.

As a member of the SCU faculty, the images above are featured on his faculty page. Arthur then shared this advice to new photographers:

Let’s face it…you’re a creative! But creatives can often find themselves with ‘starving artist’ syndrome.  Somewhere in the middle, the balance thing becomes your quest – discovering your ‘artistic heart-light’ while also finding a path to fame and fortune.  Pleasing clients and pleasing self is the delicate dance all artists face.  In the end… “do what you love and the money will follow” can become your life with savvy business skills and a professional ‘personal’ style of imagery to back it all up….Live, Love, Laugh…you were put on this earth to leave a tender trail."

Tamron USA is bringing so much to education with this new series. They're much more than just a manufacturer of outstanding lenses. They support education and are continuously helping photographers raise the bar on the quality of their images and techniques. This video is a prime example, of not only their commitment, but Arthur's, as he packs a lot of wisdom into just three minutes!

There are only two days left for you to take advantage of some outstanding rebates on Tamron lenses. Here's your chance to expand the creative tools in your camera bag, and save a little money at the same time. Just click on the banner below for more information.