Announcing Two New Fall Color Tours

In these tough economic times, API is always looking for new cost-effective ways to get photographers out into the field to do what they love: Create images! Due to their combination of lower cost and less time commitment, tours are becoming a more and more popular alternative to the traditional photo workshop.

We are pleased to announce two new tour offerings for 2009: Fall color tours to Letchworth State Park and the Hudson River Valley. Led by Joe LeFevre and Greg Miller, respectively, these tours were chosen for their outstanding fall color potential, as well as their proximity to major metro areas.

Registration is open now for these two great opportunities!

East Branch Friends of the Arts to Hold PHOTOSHO 09

East Branch Friends of the Arts presents PHOTOSHO 09, their 4th annual Photography Exhibition and Sale. PHOTOSHO 09 will be held at Keene Central School, 33 Market Street, Keene Valley, NY. The Opening Reception is Friday July 31st from 5-8 p.m. Hours on Saturday, August 1st are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, August 2nd from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Keene Valley is nestled in the High Peaks of the Adirondacks on Route 73 about 15 minutes from Exit 30 of the Northway and 25 minutes southeast of Lake Placid. For additional information, call 518-576-4769 or visit their website here. The Adirondack Photography Institute is a proud sponsor of this event.

API Partners with Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts

API is pleased to announce a partnership with the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts (ALCA), to bring digital photography workshops to the arts center in Blue Mountain Lake, New York. ALCA is a non-profit organization offering classes, workshops, visual, and performing arts to a local, regional, and national audience.

This summer, two photography workshops led by API instructor Carl Rubino, will be held at the Arts Center. IMPROVING YOUR DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY – “THE BASIC SKILLS” will take place on Monday, July 20th, 9:00am – 5:00pm. In this one-day course, you’ll learn many of the fundamental concepts for making better photographs. DIGITAL SLR PHOTOGRAPHY – BEYOND THE BASICS, a two-day workshop will be held on Wednesday, August 19th, 9:00am-5:00pm & Thursday, August 20th, 6:30am-4:00pm. In this two day workshop, you’ll learn some more advanced principles of composition, learn how to use natural lighting to increase or decrease the intensity of color, to make texture “pop”, to emphasize line or shape, getting the best exposure out of your camera and much more.

For information and to register for the workshops, visit www.adirondackarts.org or call 518-352-7715. The Arts Center is open September – June: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm. July and August: Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 12 noon – 4pm

API Partners with onOne software

API is pleased to announce it's first affiliate relationship... onOne Software! now your question is "what is an affiliate relationship?" and "what does that have to do with me?" well, it's kinda like a partner, a friend in the business, or your favorite family member.

because onOne software has the same philosophies / interests / mindset about photography as API, we approached Patrick Smith a couple of months ago and asked if he would be interested in promoting our workshop discount to all onOne customers. well one thing led to another and we have several exciting programs and discount offers planned for this year.

probably the most exciting (and the first to kick off this partnerships) is that onOne has extended a generous 25% discount on all software purchases (til the end of June), to all attendees of API workshops (both past, present anf future). onOne's flagship software is Plug-in Suite 4, which includes genuine fractals, mask pro, photoframe, phototune, focalpoint and phototools. while most of you know that genuine fractals is the industry standard for increasing image size well over 1000%, without the loss of sharpness or detail, this photographer is here to say that the other PS4 plug-ins are just as important for image manipulation, ultimely saving post production time and money.

to take advantage of this discount, simply go to www.ononesoftware.com and use the code ADKPI at time if checkout.

stay tuned for more earth-shattering announcements like this. check the API blog periodically for exclusive discounts, last minute workshop updates and offers, amazing tips and tricks from your friendly neighborhood instructors, and the occasional sneak peak into...

carpe diem, lightwriters

top 5 things i take in the field

i'm no les stroud but survival is very important to me. isn't it to you?
these are the top 5 things i must take with me when i pack up my gear and head out in the field:

1. head lamp or mag light (sometimes both). remember, you've hiked deep into the woods to get that perfect sunset shot with the reflections and mist you finally take a peak outside your view finder and holy $@%#... it's pitch black. where's the trail? LIGHT.
2. WATER. my lowepro dryzone has a small bladder (as do i) and a hose, but if i'm traveling light, i take a nalgene bottle (sometimes i mix in gatorade). can you find the two (shameless) product plugs in that sentence?
3. emergency pauncho. this could be something as simple as an extra large trash bag. something i can cut a few holes in and wear, cover my gear or cut open like a tarp to make a quick shelter. SHELTER.
4. swiss army knife... including magnifying lens (fire - ugh), various screw drivers, knife, saw, tweezers, toothpick (you never know), scissors, bottle opener (what if your rescuer arrives with a cold brew). WEAPON.
5. energy bar. remember, you got up before the coffee, it's about 10 am and you got some great sunrise shots but now you're stomach is reminding you that you missed the most important meal of the day. break out that carrot cake clif bar and wash it down with some orange gatorade! FOOD.

a lot of this goes way back to the days when i was a boy scout. yes, i was a scout... loved every minute of it. in fact my motto has always been "be prepared". in fact, i'm thinking that might just be my next tattoo.