I knew that going to After Dark would push me. I knew it would probably make me question my skill. And I knew I would be surrounded, and inspired by some of the best photographers around the world. What I thought it would be – proved to be 10 times more! So what am I talking about? What is After Dark? I’ll tell you!
After Dark is a photography conference I attended just a few weeks ago in St. Louis. A very good photo friend of mine filled me in on the details (he’s a 5x After Dark guy) after I expressed my desire to go to WPPI this year. I had never gone to a conference – or really a workshop of any kind for that matter. That always sounded so crazy to me – given that I’m self taught. Don’t get me wrong, I had thought about it – but I guess never really actively sought out information to make it happen. Why? I honestly don’t know! LOL I know I tend to procrastinate when I don’t know how to do something, maybe that was it? I also know that I believe more and more that things happen when they are suppose to, when you are ready for for them. Maybe it was a combination of the two. As soon as I started to look into After Dark I knew I would be attending. Clearly, this would be the perfect hands on experience I was looking for!
I went as an assistant – which basically meant that I would be assisting mentors (the best in the business) some of the time, and then could attend other components that interested me. Although there were a few experiences that I missed because I was assigned to assist during the same time – what I learned working so closely with the mentors was incredible! I used lighting products that I’d never heard of, and may not have had the chance to actual manipulate otherwise.
To keep this post from becoming it’s own book – LOL I’m going to break here – showing you some images from one shoot where LED lights, and an ICE LIGHT were used. Not at all how I normally light a shoot, and not at all the style I typically generate. From composing, to lighting, and post-processing these images – I had to think out of the box. It’s a bit hard for me to explain how stimulating this whole process has been for me. Creative sparks, energizing me, and at the same time bringing more self doubt than I’m used to! All good things, all creative energy – enjoy these different images – and of course feel free to let me know what you think 😉
