MARS in May
For the last three years I have attend a photography workshop in Cape May, NJ. The workshop is called MARS (The Mid-Atlantic Regional School of Professional Photography). MARS is a nonprofit organization made up of professional photographers, whose primary goal is to provide students with a rewarding experience in education. The workshop takes place the first week of May at the Grand Hotel, which is right on the beach in Cape May.
So what is so special about this school? MARS offers a one week all inclusive package that include your hotel room, most of your meals and a full week worth of training.
MARS has anywhere from 5 to 7 instructors each year that teach an assortment of topics related to photography. Students sign up for one of the instructors and then spend the week with that instructor. These classes are not sessions where you sit and look at power point slides all day long. These classes are “see and do” session! Most of the time the instructor covers a topic and then you break out into groups and try out what you were just shown. Since classes are small with anywhere from 10 to 15 students in the class, your instructor is able to work with you during the session. MARS also has models on hand so you have a chance to work with models to try out your skills.
But that is not all the training you get. They offer additional sessions thought out the week, so you get even more exposure to many different aspects of photography. Many of the speakers are on the cutting edge of photography and talk about things you may have never though of. I have learned more in one week at these sessions then all of the little workshops I have attended combined.
My instructor last year was Dennis Craft. Dennis is a well know portrait photographers who specializes in portraits of children. He also happens to be the past president of the Professional Photography Association, and a great guy, I might add. Dennis shared with us many great tips on photographing people in natural light. As part of the class we had three field trips where we went out into the Cape May area and tried out the techniques he showed us. Dennis then critiqued the work of each. The learning experience was incredible.
The instructors are always icons in the world of Professional Photography. Some of the past instructors were Eddie Tapp, Hanson Fong, Jane Connor, Suette Allen, Fuzzy Duenel, and Nancy Emmerich just to name a few.
You may be thinking that MARS is for “Professional Photographers” and someone from a “Camera Club” does not belong there. NOT True!!! The school is open to anyone who would like to advance their knowledge and skill in photography.
The 2011 program is the 15th year and the program looks awesome. Check out the list of instructors for 2011:
* Mark Campbell – Photoshop –
“Turbo Charge Your Workflow. The Need For Speed” (beginner to intermediate)
* Paul Gero – Wedding/Portrait –
“IN THE MOMENT – Incredible Wedding and Portrait Images Using Simple Techniques and Tools” (all levels)
* Bruce and Josh Hudson – Portraiture –
“A Week With Hudson And Hudson” (all levels)
* Dave Newman – Portraiture –
“… With Dave Newman” (all levels)
* Garrett Nudd – Wedding –
“The Complete Wedding Photographer” (all levels)
* Art Rainville – Inspirational –
“An Artistic Journey Through Creative Expressionism” (intermediate to advanced)
* Tony Sweet – Environmental Art -
“Creative Nature and Outdoor Photography” (all levels)
If you are interested in advancing your photography and having a great time doing it, you should consider attending May 1 through May 6, 2011 classes.
If you do sign up please mention my name. (Nath Kaplan)
You can find out more about the MARS program at their web site:
http://www.marsschool.com/courses.htm
Posted by: admin | 08-25-2010 | 04:08 PM
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