The blog of adventure photographer Michael Clark

On assignment with the Red Bull Air Force Team

06.18.10

In late May I had the pleasure of working with three members of the Red Bull Air Force team while shooting an assignment for Red Bull. Jon DeVore, Mike Swanson and Miles Daisher were headed to a very remote location in Utah near the Utah/Nevada border to jump off a 3,200-foot cliff. It was my job to shoot still images alongside a video crew from ABC who were doing a Nightline special that just aired a few days ago. Above is an image of Jon Devore jumping off the 3,200-foot cliff face.

As you might imagine, this was a fun assignment. Jon, Mike and Miles were a blast to hang out with and watching them leap off a 3,200-foot cliff and get 40+ seconds of flight time in their wingsuits really made me want to try this wild sport. They made it look easy. But just like any other sport, they have put in their dues with over 15,000 jumps previous to this one. As Miles put it this was a triple black diamond wingsuit jump. They dropped a rock off the top (above) and realized they had exactly six seconds to get enough speed and start flying away from the wall before they would hit the sizable ledge a thousand feet below. On top of that they had to make a left hand turn as soon as they started flying since the canyon they were jumping into was quite narrow. While they had the skills to do this jump comfortably, it was no cake walk.

If you’d like to see the interviews and footage that was shown on Nightline you can view that on www.abc.com. The interviews they did with the crew and their wives are quite interesting and the video footage of these guys leaping off the cliff face takes your breath away. There is also a teaser video that was shot while we were out there which is on the Red Bull Air Force website. Below is an image of Miles Daisher being interviewed by the ABC crew.

It isn’t often I meet a bunch of guys having this much fun while making a living. My thanks to the team and to Red Bull for the assignment. I hope to work with these guys again here soon. Of course as you might have guessed there will be an article about this assignment in the upcoming issue of my newsletter later this summer. Stay tuned for that.

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New Outdoor Photographer Blog featuring Michael Clark

05.29.10

While I was out in Los Angeles in January this year doing some seminars and book signings for my new book Adventure Photography: Capturing the World of Outdoor Sports, I was able to meet with Christopher Robinson, the editor of Outdoor Photographer and Digital Photo Pro magazines. Christopher was one of the editors at Outdoor Photographer way back in the mid 90s that helped me get one of my first articles and images published in Outdoor Photographer so it was great to meet with him and talk shop.

In the last few weeks I was honored to be included among a select group of photographers asked to blog for Outdoor Photographer’s brand new Blog. Among the other photographers included in the mix are Ian Shive and Rob Sheppard among others. I was asked to be a part of this new blog because of you who follow my work and have signed on for the newsletter. My blog posts on the Outdoor Photographer Blog will mimic those posted here so you won’t find any new posts there that you won’t find here already. But by working with Outdoor Photographer, which is the second largest photography magazine on the planet, I hope to add significantly to the mix of folks that come visit both my website and blog. Plus, the other contributors are also posting some very interesting and helpful articles on a variety of topics related to outdoor photography. If you are interested in shooting outdoors, do yourself a favor and head on over to the OP Blog and check out some of the new posts.

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Rangefinder Magazine Feature Article on Michael Clark

05.07.10

I am honored to be included in the latest issue of Rangefinder Magazine. The May 2010 issue has a five page article entitled “Caution to the Wind” featuring my work and an extensive interview discussing many topics about my photography including how I approach and shoot specific adventure sports, my influences, equipment, workflow and some advice for those looking to license their work as a professional. My thanks to Paul Slaughter who put the article together and to the fine folks at Rangefinder Magazine for including me in this issue. If you’d like to read the article pick up a copy at your local newsstand or check it out online here.

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Digital Masters: Adventure Photography included in Best Photography Books Collection

04.28.10

I am honored to see that my book Adventure Photography: Capturing the World of Outdoor Sports was included as one of the best Action photography books on the website BestPhotographyBooks.com.

Also included in the action category are Galen Rowell’s Vision: The Art of Adventure Photography by Galen Rowell, To the Ends of the Earth: Adventures of an Expedition Photographer by Gordon Wiltsie and BlaBac Photo: The Art of Skateboarding Photography by Mike Blabac, J. Grant Brittian, Jake Phelps and Skin Phillips. My book is in position number three just behind Galen Rowell, which I have to say is amazing since that is one of the books I read years ago that really inspired me.

The website also lists a whole host of other photography books in many different categories. It is worth checking out if you are looking for inspiration.

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Adobe Photoshop Lightroom – 2 Day Digital Workflow Workshops

04.26.10

START to FINISH WORKFLOW FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS

2 Day Hands On Workshop with Michael Clark – in a city near you!

Lightroom is the essential software of choice for digital photographers on both Mac and Windows. This unique hands-on application experience is an intensive two-day workshop focused on Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3.0, in which participants learn to download, organize, manage, develop, and present digital photography using their own laptops. Led by Michael Clark, a master teacher of digital imaging, this workshop ensures a smooth transition to the digital workflow.

We begin with an introductory overview of Lightroom, which starts with covering the database components, catalog files, previews, the metadata structure, and the steps for setting up application preferences specific to your personal workflow requirements. Topics include digital camera setup, choosing appropriate file formats for image capture, efficiently downloading images from the camera or a hard drive, sorting, rating, editing, global tone and color corrections, critical local corrections, input and output sharpening, presenting slideshows, and printing photographic images using Lightroom from start to finish.

Michael emphasizes using Lightroom to its fullest potential by generating time-saving keywords and metadata searches, presets, and templates. Once images are processed, participants learn how to produce slideshows and web sites within Lightroom. We also study slide presentations and look at ways to integrate Photoshop or Elements for further image processing if desired.

Michael shares his recommendations and strategies for making clear decisions based on how Lightroom benefits each participant’s personal approach and workflow needs. Under Michael’s expert guidance, participants come to see why Lightroom puts deliberate focus on the word “speed”. This program allows photographers to spend less time in front of their computers and more time behind their cameras.

The Lightroom tutorial exercises provided supply a broad assortment of images to work on, so you can continue to revisit the exercises when you finish the workshop. Jerry Courvoisier’s book Lessons in DSLR Workflow with Lightroom and Photoshop, provided to workshop participants, is a brilliant companion to this workshop. Of course Michael’s e-book Adobe Photoshop Lightroom: A Professional Photographer’s Workflow, is also available for purchase for workshop participants.

Sponsors: Adobe, X-rite, Blurb, Data Robotics, Nik Software, onOne Software

Cost: $395.00 (Discounts available for photography students or members of photography organizations)

Dates:

Calgary, Alberta – October 16th-17th, 2010

Austin, TX – November 6th-7th, 2010

The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom workshops are taught as part of a larger series of workshops on Adobe Lightroom via Lightroomworkshops.com. The dates listed above are for those workshops taught by Michael Clark. Other instructors, including Nevada Wier, George Jardine and photoshop guru Jerry Courvoisier, will be taught at other locations. For a complete overview of locations and instructors visit the Lightroomworkshops.com website.

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Adventure Photography Workshop

04.22.10

June 20 – June 26, 2010
This workshop is filling quickly. Please call soon to register (505) 983-1400, ext. 11.

Adventure photography can be an adventure in itself, involving breathtaking locations, extreme conditions, and working with elite athletes in risky situations. It requires a host of skills, including technical excellence with the camera, familiarity with a sport, and the ability to be mindful of your goals and your safety at all times.

Designed for intermediate to experienced photographers, this workshop concentrates on creating unique images of rock climbing, kayaking, mountain biking and trail running, as well as photographing on a working ranch. Using elite athletes as our models and northern New Mexico’s incredible landscape as our backdrop, we explore innovative ways to capture the essence of each sport and location. Topics covered during the week include research and preparation, composition and camera angles, equipment selection and use, using natural light, fill flash, and battery-powered strobes, and autofocus techniques. We also learn how to work with athletes who are putting themselves at risk and how to capture the intensity of the action. Each day finds us in a new location working with expert athletes.

Classroom time includes daily editing and critiquing sessions and one-on-one meetings with Michael. In addition, Michael shares his insights and experiences in the adventure marketplace, including career development, portfolios, and how to shoot for stock, editorial, and commercial clients.

Instructor
Michael Clark is an internationally published outdoor adventure photographer. His intense, raw images of athletes pushing their sports to the limit in remote locations around the world feature unique angles, bold colors, strong graphics, and dramatic lighting. Balancing extreme action with subtle details, striking portraits, and wild landscapes, Michael creates photographs for editorial, advertising, and stock markets worldwide. His clients include Nike, Nikon, Red Bull, Gatorade, Patagonia, National Geographic, Sports Illustrated, Men’s Journal, Outside, Backpacker, Outdoor Photographer, and Climbing, to name just a few. Michael is the author of Digital Masters: Adventure Photography. His web site is www.michaelclarkphoto.com.

Who Should Attend:
Advanced Amateurs and Professionals

What You Should Know:
Working knowledge of digital workflow and manual mode on your digital SLR camera

Accommodations Available:
On-campus housing available. Click here for pricing information and suggestions for off-campus housing.

Meals:
Meal plan required
Breakfast available

Tuition & Fees:
Tuition: $1,095.00
Model and Location Fee: $125.00

For more information and to register for this workshop visit the Santa Fe Workshops website or call (505) 983-1400, ext. 11.

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Spring 2010 Newsletter

04.19.10

The Spring 2010 issue of the Michael Clark Photography Newsletter is now available for download. If you’d like to sign up for the Newsletter just drop me an email and I’ll add you to the mailing list.

This issue includes an editorial with updates on recent assignments, once in a lifetime opportunities, a reason why this issue of the newsletter is so late, an equipment review of the Elinchrom Quadra strobe system, a special portfolio section detailing how I ended up shooting the 2009/2010 Quicksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau big wave surfing competition, a feature article on covering the 2010 Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race, a perspective article on how the new iPad from Apple will fit into my marketing and much more.

The Michael Clark Photography Newsletter goes out to approximately 5,000 thousand photo editors, photographers and photo enthusiasts around the world. You can download the Spring 2010 issue on my website at:

http://www.michaelclarkphoto.com/spring_2010.pdf

If you’d like to check out back issues of the newsletter they are available here.

Please note that the newsletter is best viewed in the latest Adobe Acrobat reader which is available for free at www.adobe.com.

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