Last week I attended the Google+ Photographer’s Conference in San Francisco, May 22-23, 2012 at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. The day before, I attended a photowalk at Golden Gate Park which I blogged about already.
Some things I observed and learned at the conference:
- Adobe Lightroom 4, Bridge, and Photoshop seem to be the digital tools of choice of many photographers.
- There are just as many Nikon users as there are Canon users.
- Be a good editor and curator of your work/portfolio. Only show your best work, and when you are ready, organize by a theme.
- When writing Google+ posts, write to share, not to impress.
One of my favorite sessions were the Blind Photo Critiques, where photographers submit a set of photos (two to five pictures) to be critiqued live on stage, in front of everyone on the big screen. I just learned a lot listening to the panel on what makes a good photograph in terms of composition, lighting, focus, and so forth. Some Day 1 Video Sessions:
- Google+ Photographer’s Conference Opening Keynote with Scott Kelby and Bradley Horowitz
- How to Host a Successful Hangout with Trey Ratcliff and RC Concepcion
- Building your brand on G+ with Guy Kawasaki
- Tips and Tricks for G+ Panel with Brian Rose, Mike Wiacek, Vincent Mo, and Chris Chabot
- An Evening with Jeremy Cowart
Some Day 2 Video Sessions:
- 10 Things to help Photographers on G+ with Matt Kloskowski, Trey Ratcliff, and Colby Brown
- Optimizing your Images for G+ with RC Concepcion
- What do you want next from G+ with Brian Rose and Mike Wiacek
- An Evening with Trey Ratcliff and Closing (along with Scott Kelby)
A quote that I really enjoyed from Trey Ratcliff:
The left brain is for getting through life, but the right brain is for living.
Sunrise at Golden Gate Bridge from Battery Spencer at 6am.
I used the Canon 5D Mark 3’s HDR feature to take the picture above. I post processed with Adobe Lightroom 4.1 (RC2). I took about a dozen shots of the bridge, but chose only to show my favorite. Again, editing which was a little difficult.
Pictures
The registration desk
The lounge
Scott Kelby giving the opening keynote
Scott Kelby speaking with Bradley Horowitz
Catherine Hall
Matt Kloskowski
Colbey Brown
Adobe showcasing Photoshop CS6 and Lightroom 4
Guy Kawasaki on building brand on G+
Trey Ratcliff taking a picture of Jeremy Cowart
Blind Photo Critique
Live photoshoot
Some tai-chi going on early morning outside
RC Concepcion joining in for the second blind photo critique