Photographers at Painter’s...at April Point

Twelve of Western Canada's premier photographers came to April Point for workshops, discussions and hands-on demonstrations. Read about the event and put your name on the list to attend the 2013 event.

Picture yourself spending the weekend with some of Western Canada’s premier professional photographers.

If photography is your passion or just your pastime, this weekend will broaden your horizons, polish your skills and inspire your creativity.

Learn personal techniques from professional photographers amidst the intimate settings of workshops and panel discussions. Each of the presenters' work will be displayed in our gallery.

2012 Presenters included Mitch Stringer, Gregg Eligh, Dave Montizambert, Sharron Milstein Janet Dwyer, Tony Bounsall, Christina Craft, Nancy Brown, Terry Zlot, Dave Pollock, Helene Cyr and Darren Stone.

Photography Getaway Package
Rates noted below are subject to change - 2013 dates and rates are yet to be determined

Your photography getaway includes:

Package price is $329 per person, based on double occupancy. Space is limited for this unique event. To book your getaway, call 1-800-663-7090 or visit our reservations web page.

You’re encourage to bring one of your own, unframed photos (no bigger than 8” x 10”) for the critique and to display in the gallery.

Day Passes

Day passes are also available. Saturday is $75 and includes brunch and the wine and cheese reception. Sunday is $60 and includes brunch.

Please note the Spa at April Point is fully booked on Friday, May 4 and Saturday, May 5. For those who would like to visit the spa on Sunday, please arrange a late check out with the front desk.

2012 Photographers and Workshops

Click here for the 2012 Photographers Itinerary

Click on the photographers' names below for more information on their work. 

Janet Dwyer - Scanography

For the past decade, Janet Dwyer has been using a flatbed scanner to create a personal series of images that have garnered international attention and recognition. Join her for a discussion of the entire process from pre-visualization to print and an opportunity to view some of her large scale work.

 Dave Montizambert - One Light Madness!

Learn how to create incredible portrait & fashion/glamour lighting using only one light in this in-depth session by international lighting wizard, Dave Montizambert. Using his patented step by step lighting progression images & lighting diagrams, Dave shows how he forces one light to do the work of three to five lights. He also simplifies and makes easy - for even the most nontechnical mind - the necessary lighting theory & concepts that are required knowledge for any lighting job. No fluff here, just solid nuts & bolts lighting information that every photographer should know. 

Mitch Stringer - f8 and be there. Outdoor photography without a meter!

Of course your camera does everything. So many buttons, so many options, so many menu settings. It's enough to drive you crazy sometimes. Wouldn't it be great to get outside and just shoot? Join Mitch as he walks you through some of the options available for doing your photography without looking at your exposure meter. Get the exposure pretty well dialed in, consider the appropriate use of the aperture for the depth of field and then just shoot. Instead of getting all wound up with the technical, use this technique to help vitalize your photography. Bring your camera (full manual control is required) to the session and time and weather permitting, we can get outside to apply what was talked about in the session.

 

Christina Craft - Seeing in the Dark

One of the biggest challenges in wedding photography is photographing people in low light. Christina has developed some great ways to add drama with ambient light - including during the candid moments of the day and the portrait session. You'll learn some great tips and tricks for spotting available light, and interpreting a scene in way that's different than the norm. Christina's approach is a mixture of  of photojournalism, fine art, fashion, the unusual and the "funky" and she'll show you some simple techniques to change the way you shoot. While the examples will be from weddings, this talk will help you with any genre of photography.

Sharron Milstein - The Art of Seeing

Central to the creative process and the making of visually expressive photographs is seeing. Really seeing. Seeing with your unique eye and unfettered imagination. A 'good' eye and competent camera skills will, in time, join forces to produce first rate images. Sharron will offer a variety of useful techniques and tips and include a slide/sound presentation.

Tony Bounsall - Getting Out of the Monkey Trap

Getting out of the Monkey Trap is a lively presentation that links the past and present use of Mixed Media approaches to photography. Learn how to use your photography as a departure point for further creative exploration. This presentation asks us to question the basic tenants of "correct" photography and start applying a broader aesthetic to photographic style. If you feel the need to go beyond the "same old, same old", this presentation is for you.

Gregg Eligh - Don't Fear the Flash

Making use of an auxiliary or accessory flash can give a photographer seriously increased freedom to shoot in locations and conditions that might otherwise prove to be unworkable. When a photographer finds confidence in his/her ability to make sure of this simple tool they can find they have control over much more that what is simply in front of their lens. This talk is designed to provide simple tools and suggestions for using built-in flash, or external flashes when shooting on location.

Nancy Brown - Discussing the Mystical Beast: Copyright

Learn how the law of copyright affects you as a photographer. How will Canada’s proposed Copyright Modernization Act change the rules? How can you protect your photographs from use by others? What rights do those that commission photographs have to “your” work? Find out more about how the law impacts photography and what tools are available to prevent copyright infringement and to preserve your work product. We will also discuss the use and limitations of releases.

 Terry Zlot - Technical Landscape Photography

Most of us don't have the luxury of camping out all day with our 4 x 5 to get that perfect shot. Join Terry as he covers techniques to get the most from the scene, even under less than ideal conditions. Terry will walk through a series of shots from camera raw to finished print, and cover topics including shooting for your light, subtle HDF, panorama stitching, and photoshop tweaking along the way. The emphasis will be on maximizing the impact of your landscape without over processing or creating "fake" looking imagery.

David Pollock – The Cultural Landscape - 4x5 Landscape Photography

What motivates a photographer and what influences the way they see and create? David photographs in a landscape style using a 4x5 camera and this method of making images is an important component of his pictures. His work springs from an interaction between himself and the world we live in and is designed to create experiences for the viewer that are both thought provoking and involving. His essential subject is always a cultural landscape that reflects our complex relationship to the natural world. Join David for a talk about his work, process and sources of inspiration.

Helene Cyr - Communicating Visually

Becoming aware of your photographic intent and how to achieve the results. Thinking beyond the snap shot… and recognizing the difference. One must be able to convey his or her own inspiration to the viewer. We will explore some samples in a short slide show followed by taking our own cameras into the field and surroundings with a new understanding of our visual intent.

Darren Stone – The News Photographer

Newspaper photographers shoot concerts, sporting events, portraits, landscapes, wildlife and more in all kinds of lighting conditions on tight deadlines.

Using examples from ten years at the Victoria Times Colonist, Darren will show you some of the techniques a news photographer uses to capture life in a compelling way, where content is everything , and you can't rely on Photoshop.