This years International Photography Contest is now closed! I wanted to give a very warm thank you to everyone who entered. I really appreciate you taking the time, and I can pretty much promise you are about to see some of the best images you have ever laid your eyes on. I am always impressed with how much talent there is out there. Please do not be offended if you do not make a cut or win, this is all about sharing talent and getting better.

Its hard to say exactly how many submissions we have, but my guess is it is between 6,000-7,000 entries. I have hired some extra hands to help me organize everything and it is going to take us some time to get squared away, just know this:

1. I will personally look at every image submitted.
2. We are going as fast as we can.

My guess is that we will have the first round of nominees up within a week. It will probably be Sports (the fewest received). Portraits and Landscapes dominated.

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The Lighting Crash Course has been in the works for 3.5 years now and it is taking up all of my working time to develop. I spent 3 full days this week editing a 4 minute video for it. Typically Adam does most of my editing, but because I had been planning this one particular video for so long I felt I had to do everything from start to finish and I am relived it is done.

I need to be honest though, I have mixed feelings about taking so dang long on one 4 minute video. The video itself is quite good and I am happy with how it came out because it teaches something I don’t think anyone else is teaching, but once you know it…wow…it’s powerful. 95% of all photographers who watch it will have a completely new skill set.

On the other hand, I feel kind of embarrassed and disappointed with myself that it took so long to make and edit that one video. It shouldn’t take that long…but it does….and drives me crazy!! I wish I could just sit down and crank out these videos as fast as I can think of them.

I have a spreadsheet that lists all the lessons planned on this one Lighting Tutorial DVD, and right now it is at 142 lessons!! (And it is growing). While the lessons are typically very short (2-3 minutes each) that equates to a TON of work. I am very torn by this, I know so many of you have been waiting patiently, but the video will not be released until I believe it is the best product I could possibly make on the subject. While I am very pleased with it, its looking to be at least another 2-3 months, maybe longer.

What I am finding is that I start in the morning, and the next thing I know, it is evening and I haven’t even left my place yet.

I have decided I need a new outlet and need to enjoy Maui more, at least 1-2 times a week. I am talking about Kayaking, Stand-Up-Paddle Boarding, Surfing and Windsurfing. The one major problem I had with this was that I didn’t have a way to transport the equipment (kayak, etc) from my place to the beach, even though I live 4-5 minutes walking.

The answer: Sports Racks. My brother Justin works at a surf shop and he got a great deal for me on these which I had installed today.

I plan on spending a good part of Saturday looking around for my new purchase: A Kayak! I have rented a Kayak several times here, but I think it’s time I would like to own one and go whenever I like. I also know that the whales are coming back soon and with my 400mm Lens on my 7D I should be able to get some really incredible shots. Should also be fun to take out on the water, maybe film a lesson or two out there.
This years International Photography Contest is now closed! I wanted to give a very warm thank you to everyone who entered. I really appreciate you taking the time, and I can pretty much promise you are about to see some of the best images you have ever laid your eyes on. I am always impressed with how much talent there is out there. Please do not be offended if you do not make a cut or win, this is all about sharing talent and getting better.

Its hard to say exactly how many submissions we have, but my guess is it is between 6,000-7,000 entries. I have hired some extra hands to help me organize everything and it is going to take us some time to get squared away, just know this:

1. I will personally look at every image submitted.
2. We are going as fast as we can.

My guess is that we will have the first round of nominees up within a week. It will probably be Sports (the fewest received). Portraits and Landscapes dominated.

—

The Lighting Crash Course has been in the works for 3.5 years now and it is taking up all of my working time to develop. I spent 3 full days this week editing a 4 minute video for it. Typically Adam does most of my editing, but because I had been planning this one particular video for so long I felt I had to do everything from start to finish and I am relived it is done.

I need to be honest though, I have mixed feelings about taking so dang long on one 4 minute video. The video itself is quite good and I am happy with how it came out because it teaches something I don’t think anyone else is teaching, but once you know it…wow…it’s powerful. 95% of all photographers who watch it will have a completely new skill set.

On the other hand, I feel kind of embarrassed and disappointed with myself that it took so long to make and edit that one video. It shouldn’t take that long…but it does….and drives me crazy!! I wish I could just sit down and crank out these videos as fast as I can think of them.

I have a spreadsheet that lists all the lessons planned on this one Lighting Tutorial DVD, and right now it is at 142 lessons!! (And it is growing). While the lessons are typically very short (2-3 minutes each) that equates to a TON of work. I am very torn by this, I know so many of you have been waiting patiently, but the video will not be released until I believe it is the best product I could possibly make on the subject. While I am very pleased with it, its looking to be at least another 2-3 months, maybe longer.

What I am finding is that I start in the morning, and the next thing I know, it is evening and I haven’t even left my place yet.

I have decided I need a new outlet and need to enjoy Maui more, at least 1-2 times a week. I am talking about Kayaking, Stand-Up-Paddle Boarding, Surfing and Windsurfing. The one major problem I had with this was that I didn’t have a way to transport the equipment (kayak, etc) from my place to the beach, even though I live 4-5 minutes walking.

The answer: Sports Racks. My brother Justin works at a surf shop and he got a great deal for me on these which I had installed today.

I plan on spending a good part of Saturday looking around for my new purchase: A Kayak! I have rented a Kayak several times here, but I think it’s time I would like to own one and go whenever I like. I also know that the whales are coming back soon and with my 400mm Lens on my 7D I should be able to get some really incredible shots. Should also be fun to take out on the water, maybe film a lesson or two out there.