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- Limit to 10 People so you get the upmost time and attention learning and shooting
- For Advanced Students that are looking to learn REAL and Useful tips for the longterm.
- Real Models, Real Shooting
Spend the day with Melissa shooting in a real studio with real models.
- Learn from a PRO Fashion Photographer
Melissa Rodwell's Portfolio speaks for itself.
- The Business Side
Includes Q&A with Melissa on how to promote and organize your photography career.
- Professional Retouching
You will learn Non-Destructive PRO secrets that will boost your photos to the next level!
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2 Professional Models; One for Fashion, One for Beauty...
It seems like everybody now wants to be a fashion photographer! and why not? It's an exciting career set in a fast-paced world where travel to exotic places and meeting fascinating people is part of the job description. But it's also an incredibly competitive industry and demanding of not only photography skills, but understanding of fashion and the industry itself. My seminar is unique to other seminars because this is strictly about fashion photography. From lighting to styling, from retouching fashion photographs to how to organize a portfolio to get work, it's all about fashion photography and how to become a stronger one to make your mark in the industry.
So many seminars bring in mediocre models with little or no styling and have them do their own make up. Not at mine! I bring in professional, working models from some of the biggest agency names in the world, hire working hair stylists, make up artists and wardrobe stylists. I show you how to communicate with them in order to get the looks you're after so your photography comes out shining. I remind my students, repeatedly, that your crew and model are tantamount to a successful shoot!
Fashion and Beauty; Learning How to Light, Organically...
My seminar is limited to 10 people in order to give everyone fair and equal time shooting the looks we create. In the morning, we conquer beauty lighting. I go through at least 3 lighting set-ups on how to light for beauty. Our model goes through 3 changes and I explain the lighting set up that I think works best for each look. After we break for lunch, we head straight into fashion lighting. I show you how to light for the different fabrics and styles. I'll explain the lighting set ups as we go through each one.
The thing that sets my seminars apart from other ones is that no two seminars are like. There is no script, there is no formula, I believe in letting the day develop organically. I have no idea what the stylist will bring, so it's like a real job in that we have to tackle the issues that come up with a fashion shoot. Even as we are in the middle of shooting one look, if we want to change the light around then, we'll work together to do that.
Promotion, Portfolios, Agents, Websites, and Everything In Between..
On Sunday, after David is finished showing you some top pro retouching tips for retouching fashion and beauty photographs, I will speak about the business side of fashion photography. I will bring my own portfolio in, along with my promo pieces and explain how to market yourself as a fashion photographer.
We'll go through estimates, call sheets, budgets, etc. My seminars are small, private and intimate. It quickly starts to feel like a family getting together to figure out the ins and outs of shooting fashion industry.
We work together as a team to set up the lighting because I believe that you'll learn more if you are part of that process. You are welcome to watch the make up and hair team work on our models. You can talk to the wardrobe stylist and ask her questions as we go through the day. This is a top of the line, totally professional workshop that conquers the ever growing, hugely expanding and overwhelming competitiveness of the fashion photography industry! If you want to hone your skills, learn some creative ways to conquer beauty and fashion lighting, learn about marketing and promoting yourself in the market you're in, then this workshop is for you!
Retouching Portion; What's in Store?
David Skyler has been a professional retouch artist for over 5 years. He spent 3 years working at one of the top Post-Production Houses in the world. Where he got the chance to learn some of the most coveted retouching techniques in the industry. Aside from his freelancing jobs he has also been Melissa Rodwell's exclusive Retouch Artist for the past 4 years and is the designer and creator of the fashionphotographyblog.com.
A Short List of His Clients Include:
| Biotherm |
Vogue |
Barneys New York |
| Dell Computers |
Philosophy |
Interview Magazine |
| Genlux |
Flaunt |
Douglas Little |
What is Non-Destructive Retouching and Why should I learn it?
Non-Destructive Retouching is working with a very fine tooth comb and using tested techniques toensure you don't degredate the quality of your images and are careful to keep every pixel intact. Over the years and because of the "Digital Age", the photography industry has been inundated with quick, easy, fast, techniques/plug-ins to enhance an image without ever taking into account the integrity of the photograph. When you use these techniques, you can very easily start to blur, distort, and damage the quality of your images.
These methods become easily noticeable to a trained eye and are almost impossible to print without some level in loss of quality. Because of mis-information, these techniques are becoming very popular among the new generation of digital photographers. What people seem to forget is that before "Photoshop" and Digital Photography ever existed, there was only way one way to do things, "Get it in the Camera". Now that we have these tools, art directors, agencies, and clients expect an even higher caliber of work and flawless output for photographs. BUT, with one thing in mind, they still want the images to look as if they where taken "Directly From the Camera". The ONLY way to reproduce this effect is to work non-destructively when retouching your photographs.
David has learned that High-End advertising and Fashion Publications EXPECT this as an industry standard to be maintained in your images. When you learn how to work NON-DESTRUCTIVELY you will gain that "X-Factor" that potential clients are looking for and you will open up a whole new level of possibilities when working to create Stunning images using Post Production Techniques
One of the Most Coveted Secrets of the Industry; Revealed
The origin of the Dodge and Burn Technique dates back to before photoshop ever existed and is the quintessential tool in every professional retouch artists arsenal. With Dodge and Burn, you can work "Non-Destructively" to correct almost anything on an image. From re-creating and smoothing out shadows to de-wrinkling clothing and erasing blemishes without jeopordizing even a single pixel. The technique can vary widely and although some may tell you it is a "Well Known" method. Most techniques only touch the "Surface" of its true power in creating flawless images. Thats why we say "You have to see it, to Believe it!"
Stretch, Slim, Scale, Re-Shape and More.
Liquify is the most common tool used in photoshop for Reshaping and Slmming down a Models Figure; their waist, hips, face, etc. But did you know that 9 times out of 10 people have little to no knowledge about the other and sometimes better technique known as the "Warp" tool? Most people have no idea how to use these tools correctly and which one to use in a certain situation. David will open your eyes to new techniques to accomplish virtually any Re-shaping task you may have. Knowing how to use these tools correctly, you will finally have the right knowledge to accomplish any shaping task without jeopordizing the quality of your image.
Other Things you will Learn...
Utilizing the idea that there are only 4 tools that you need to know how to use correctly to achieve great results when retouching your images; David Believes he can effectively teach you some of the most important tools in a short amount of time so that you can start adding them into your workflow immediately. David will also be teaching how to correctly use the Healing Brush and Clone tools. As well as a quick introduction on Camera RAW and how to get the best quality and exposure out of your image before you start retouching. You will also gain tips on finalizing your image for print/media output and Color Correction. Industry Standards and Techniques. All of the techniques are meant to be simple yet effective.
"If you are serious about becoming a fashion photographer, this is the workshop to take. Melissa and David are very serious about teaching you the skills needed to help you succeed and they are coming from a place of personal success and experience in this industry. From the different lighting setups, tips on working with models more effectively, to learning about how the fashion business runs and finally, the non-destructive post-processing lessons, you come away with a new understanding of techniques on how to improve your own work. Just looking at Melissa's tear sheets and book [which you actually get the opportunity to do] speaks volumes to her's and David's skills and talent for teaching these subjects. I wish I had taken this workshop a long time ago as it would have saved me a lot of time and money in making unnecessary mistakes that I wouldn't have made had I taken this workshop first.
There is also a sense of camaraderie with the other students as we are all there for the same reason. The lessons are really important to learn to succeed but is presented in a way that is not intense nor feels intimidating. It is open and easy going to allow students to relax, ask questions and make comments. In fact, questions are welcomed and that is one thing you want to do; ask as much as you can while you have the chance to talk to people who know what they are talking about and can help you tremendously with their knowledge.
I would recommend Melissa's workshop over any other being offered in this field. No other workshop I have taken offers this level of personal success, expertise and knowledge from it's instructors and is so well thought out as to what is necessary to teach those who truly want to learn how to increase their chances for success in fashion photography"
Nicole Armand
"The seminar was, in a word, Inspiring. This next level workshop lived up to its name. From the moment I stepped in to the studios at Smashbox, I knew that this was going to be special. Working with top notch stylists, hair, makeup artists, and agency models was a real treat. I was able to create some pretty amazing images in the studio that day. It was cool to watch Melissa work and to learn from her throughout the seminar. She fielded all questions about the business and she never shied away from any topic. David rocked the retouching portion of the seminar with his mind blowing photoshop mastery. All in all, I was very pleased with the seminar and would definitely recommend it to others!"
Greg Neighbors
"If you are looking for a seminar with hourly breaks and a tight lesson plan with stuff to sell you at the end of the day, this may not be for you.
If you want to have the rare opportunity to spend some time with a truly gifted and creative photographer that does not rely on the accoutrements of reputation and status but instead demonstrates a sincere desire to impart some of her hard learned lessons in a long career of shooting fashion honestly and openly, then check your ego at the door and be prepared to listen and ask lots of questions. Melissa does not provide platform lectures and structured bullet points to lead you to "success", but when she speaks, you realize you are being given real world knowledge on not just technical aspects of shooting but hard won jewels of information you would expect to get from a friend over a coffee.
I've learned that really smart people surround themselves with really smart people. Melissa has an excellent staff that supports her and very willingly shares their knowledge with you in a very open and friendly manner. Everything is done in a relaxed manner which means the environment is not only very conducive to learning, but leaves lots of openings for considering all the things you are being exposed to and Melissa is very patient, approachable, and ready to answer your endless questions.
David's session on Photoshop techniques was a major revelation to me and may require a total paradigm shift in the way I consider the process of retouch and work flow. I will leave it at that. You will have to take the seminar if you would like to learn more!
If you want to get a better understanding of fashion photography and the business of fashion, then take this seminar."
Bill Downey
"Getting the opportunity to ask questions and learn first hand from a highly experienced fashion
photographer is an invaluable experience. Melissa is fun, real, and left me feeling inspired about fashion photography."
Jeremiah Hull
"The seminar was everything I needed at this point in my career. Being in a real environment on set with Melissa was extremely eye-opening and rewarding. She is very laid-back, and extremely savvy in her fashion expertise. I loved meeting her and her team, and being able to ask questions and absorb a wealth of knowledge. I took away a priceless amount of information that I have already applied to my new work. I am excited to know that I am on the right path with my career, and apply the confidence Melissa gave me in the future. I loved every minute of her seminar and would recommend it to anyone on a career path of becoming a fashion photographer."
Michelle Moore
"I came across Melissa's fantastic blog a while back and was really impressed with her exquisite work and attention to details. But it wasn't until I watched a video of her in shooting mode and being able to see a little of how passionate she is for what she does, that I became a fan. There are a lot of photogra phers out there, but not too many I can relate to and feel as if I could get a glimpse of their soul through their work. Melissa's work is inspiring! Attending the seminar and working together with her for 2 whole days was an amazing experience! I am a big fan!"
Amanda Elkins
"My favorite part was watching the ways in which you interacted with the make up, hair, and the model. When you shot the model on the third look and you talked with her about the male model, their was obvious chemistry between the two of you. She smiled like she didn't smile with anyone else. She felt the least tense. Thank you so much for all your advise. I truly did have a ball. YOU KICK ASS!"
Nicky Watts
"This is a not to be missed seminar with Melissa for anyone who is questioning. I went to the July seminar and I will say that you get the real deal from her. The ins and outs, the struggles of the biz...etc Not to mention you shoot right in front of her. She is ultimately one of the most approachable people I have met in this industry as new as I am. Cheers to ya and I wish I would be able to show again."
Greg Cunningham
"First, thank you for putting the workshop together. I learned a valuable lesson about myself and my love for photography. I was drawn into you as you began to dive into the ins and outs of the fashion photography world. It was humbling and a privilege to sit down with you and talk about your life as a photographer. I can tell you were digging pretty deep, and with each recalled memory, you were reliving each milestone in your career, whether that memory was good or bad. But I saw it in your eyes the pains and the joys you've gone through. You were genuine. For a moment I though were part of "Inside the Actors Studio" starring Melissa Rodwell, we were just missing the host James Lipton haha.
You were telling me a story about how you idolized this particular photographer, that you recently just met... and it was a bit surreal because your expectation of him, was completely wrong... and that he was genuinely nice person. That’s exactly how I felt meeting you. You were genuine and so young at heart, with so much experience and wisdom.
Ok enough blowing smoke up your ass. Seriously, you're an amazing photographer, but most of all you're an amazing person."
Jaymer Delapena
"I gained Immeasurable experience and confidence in two days with Melissa and David. Melissa's "open book" approach to any question asked was awesome—all I had to do was ask. I even spent time asking the assistants and the stylist questions. Everyone was there to teach. David's retouching session was amazing; In one day, he revealed the secrets to retouching the right way—something I have struggled with for years. Incorporating new lighting techniques and knowing how to retouch have elevated my images to a professional level. The business side of photography was also something that was vague until that weekend, but I now have a bearing on the path to becoming a professional fashion photographer."
Jon Santana
Jan Klier
