Mark Kumar – Wedding And Portrait Photographer

I think photography workshops are one of the best ways to meet some A-W-E-S-O-M-E people whom I can share my knowledge with. In all of my workshops there is one thing I absolute love to do and that is H-A-V-E F-U-N!!!

I strongly believe that when you are having fun you will learn a lot more. I am not sure why this works but I know it does. I have done many workshops and in every single one of them we have a blast. We talk… we learn…we laugh… we try new and creative ideas…it doesn’t feel like we are in school. Yeah… I know school is boring!!! It more so feels like we are just friends hanging out. At the end of the workshop we captured some AWESOME photographs and learned boat load of new things.

Before we apart, people tell me how much they really appreciate the workshop and they have learned a lot! Just take a look at the video below. I think you will know what I am talking about….

Here is to doing many more workshops and meeting and making new F-R-I-E-N-D-S!!!

Gary and I had a blast with Hope and Jen (our models) for his 1on1 workshop with me!!! The weather was cloudy which gave us this awesome diffused light for our workshop. I started the workshop by asking Gary what he already knew. That way I knew where I needed to start from and not go over the stuff that he already knew.

Gary told me he had very good understanding of camera settings and he was very comfortable shooting in aperture priority mode. AKA – AV. So, I suggested he should shoot in a mode that he is not comfortable in. Like “Manual” mode. I wanted him to challenge himself to get out of his comfort zone. So, he can learn to shoot in a different mode and grow as a photographer. 

Gary switched to the “Manual” mode and he asked me what Aperture and ISO I normally shoot at in manual mode. I told him I like my ISO to be between 100 to 400 (depending on the weather and available light) and my Aperture to be between F-4 and F-6. That way I have details in my foreground and my background is blurred just enough. Also, I told him I adjust my exposure with my shutter speed by looking at the camera light meter (I call it that but its real name is “exposure compensation”).

I know what you are thinking why not just shoot in “AV” mode being your aperture is not going to change once you set it. I’ll tell you why because sometimes depending if I want more details in my shot and I don’t have to worry about my shutter speed being really low (like 1/30 or 1/10) because its control by the camera. If your shutter speed is low and you don’t know about it (because its control by the camera), then you photographs will turn out blurry!!! In the “Manual” mode I have full control over my exposure (ISO, Aperture, and Shutter speed).

With our exposure set, we moved to learn to see the light and posing. I showed him where he should position his models for lighting. Also, how I start my poses and then adjust them as I go. And I showed him how he can get 3 to 8 different shots with just 1 pose.

He was starting to see and understand what I was talking. So, I encouraged him to start posing our models that way he would like to. Like they say – I hear I forget…I see I remember…I do I understand. The way I look at it if you understand something you will never forget it. For example, you know (2 + 6) – 4 = 4. Why??? Because you understand it. Makes sense doesn’t it???

I think what made learning to pose easier was our AWESOME models (Hope and Jen). They were very friendly, easy going, and full of energy and boat load of fun to work with!!! So, THANK YOU ladies for coming and helping us!!! Here are few of my favorite shots of them:

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I got an email from Mike and he asked how my workshops are different from other photographer’s workshops. First of all, THANKS Mike for asking that question!!! I think many people may have wondered it but didn’t ask. So, I figure I write a blog post about it.

Whether you are a model or a photographer, when you come to my workshop, I promise you one thing – YOU WILL HAVE FUN!!!

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I am really excited to offer one lucky person (could be you) 1on1 workshop with me. In this workshop, I’ll teach you everything I know from camera settings to posing. So, if you need help getting off from “P” mode, I will cover all that and then some more. Also, you and I will have “Awesome Location and a wonderful Model”. I promise you it will be fun full workshop!!! For people who know me, they KNOW I love to have FUN while I am photographing.

Here is what you need to do:
Go on my facebook fan page (http://www.facebook.com/MarkKumarPhotographer) and post (tell me) on the wall the following:

1. How you got into photography?
2. What is it that you really love about photography?
3. How this workshop will help you get to the next level?
4. Anything else you want to tell me…

I will read all the posts and pick one luck winner on 5-14-11. If you are ready to have FUN and learn, let’s get this party started…

Oh.. here is a awesome video from my past workshop:

When I thought about doing my first portrait workshop, there were several thoughts running through my head. Should I do it indoor, outdoor, and etc? If I decided to do it indoor, how many strobes would I need? How many soft boxes would I need? If I decided to do it outside with natural light (my favorite light!!!), I would have to worry weather. If it rained, I would be SOL. But if it doesn’t, I would get some really awesome shots!!!

So, I figure I would take my chances doing my first portrait workshop outdoor with natural light. I titled my workshop “Creating Awesome Out Door Portraits”.  All week along I watched the weather channel as if it was my favorite TV channel (it’s not). One day, it would say it will rain which made me nervous. Next day, it would say it will sunny. That would put a smile on my face. The weather channel would go back and forward. Rain… No Rain… Rain… No Rain….Rain…. No Rain… I was getting little frustrated. I wish they would just make up their mind!!! I said to my self, self think positive. It will all work out. With that said I set the day for 3-5-2011 and let other photographers sign for the workshop.

I guess luck was on my side and it DID NOT RAIN!!! Wwoooohhhoooo…. We got some really awesome shots of “Stephanie Cizek” our model for the workshop.

Take a look:

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