"Make Light Real" Seminar w. Neil Cowley & SUNSHINE!!!

Hey Blog-World!!

Just coming off the heels of an amazing workshop held right here in Rochester w. lighting guru Neil Cowley. What a great experience!! Neil is a super-accessable guy who encouraged us to pull from within and trust both ourselves and our environment when approaching a shoot. The technical focus of the workshop was lighting...hence the title "Make Light Real". We learned about contrast, color temperatures, equipment, surveying a space and the like. We touched on processing techniques, workflow, actions and other technology-related applications. But the most important lessons, in my opinion, came by way of philosophy and approach. The biggest lesson that I took from the experience...

"You have not begun to reach your potential as a photographer."

The path is open-ended...therefore, a specific destination does not exist. This rings true not only in photo, but in all aspects of life. Stay open-minded...listen to the cues around you...be adaptable...always believe that the best is yet to come. Don't ever accept complacency...always demand the most from yourself and your expericence. Thanks for re-inforcing that Neil!!
I was fortunate enough to share this experience with a small group of talented, encouraging photographers. Rachel Gracie hosted the event at her studio in the Park Ave. Area. Thanks Rachel,for your hospitality...I look forward to getting to know you better in the future. Scott McQuarrie and Tim Forbes made it all the way from Canada for the event. It was a real pleasure meeting you guys - stay in touch!! Lou Gonzalez of Steadfast Designs and, of course, my man...Mr. Erich Camping. We need to do more of these events in the future E...they recharge the batteries and get the wheels turning.

OK...a couple of photos...
Neil and Erich looking over some images...what's with that scarry fuzzy thing you're holding Neil??Inside Rachel's home...what an amazing abode!!Rock Star Headshot captured by Neil...One more thing to report....

IT'S SUNNY IN ROCHESTER TODAY!!! I REPEAT...IT'S SUNNY IN ROCHESTER TODAY!!

I was beginning to think that home would look like this forever:
I won't jinx the weather by saying that it's turning for the better...but it just might be!!

I hope this finds you all well. Remember you can subscribe to this blog by entering your email in the fancy little subscribe box on the right. C'mon...you know you wanna!!

All the best,
t

WPPI, The Decemberists and bands you need to know about...

Hey Everyone!!

I was away from my post for a bit and denied all of my loyal readers a glimpse into the wild and wacky world that is tomas flint. So here's a breakdown of how it all went down...

1st - WPPI. Huge Tradeshow/Convention/Seminar Series/Networking Event/Party in Vegas. It's held annually so if you're in the industry, i recommend it as a 'must do'. Check out WPPI Online for details. Spent 4 days strengthening bonds, forging new friendships and drawing inspiration from anything and everything represented. Photography is so freekin cool...sometimes I can't believe it!! We did manage to set the indoor 'jam into a photobooth' record while we were there. This was a crowning achievement for all of us involved. Many thanks to Tiffany Aicklen for scanning and sending this over.


Tiffany and I attended a Mike Colon Seminar together in February and I swear, she is not only one of the most talented photographers on the planet, she is one of the finest people I have ever met. So blessed by your energy Tiff. Reunion in the plans...Fall/Winter '07. Get fired up!!

2nd - I got home early Friday morning and had to hustle to Buffalo to claim my front row ticket the greatest show in live music today - The Decemberists. Seriously amazing...life altering really. I managed to sneak my camera and a few lenses in and fired off nearly 700 pics. I love shooting live music. Especially since I was hanging on every note...every kick drum. I'm a little behind in my workload right now...but will be sure to post those images as soon as I can give them a little attention. Remember, you can sign up with my feedblitz registration box along the right hand side. I won't spam, just send over a quick reminder when new posts are available.

...in other news...

just put the finishing touches on CD designs for two bands whom I admire greatly.

The Buddhahood is reissuing their 2006 masterpiece..."muddy roots".

The Buddhahood has an energy and sound all of it's own. If you EVER get a chance to check them out live, DO IT!

The other CD is "Life in a Glass House" by the Upstate New York soon-to-be next big thing...Coersion. These guys are really onto something. The audio on the CD blew me away!! Here's the visual i came up with for the front cover...



Thanks for trusting me with those projects guys!! I loved working on them.

Other than that, I've been working overtime to tweak my workflow. I'm beginning to incorporate Adobe Lightroom into the front end of my processing and it's now clear that this is what i've been missing. Thanks to all you guys who took the time with me in Vegas to explain your workflow and offer suggestions on tweaking mine. Posts forthcoming

I hope this finds you all well,
t

"When you stand in the present moment you are timeless." -Rodney Yee

Babies, Butterflies & Big Bird

Hey World!!

Yesterday I was blessed by the magic of the Maternity Shoot. Chris & Lauren, dear friends from right here in Rochester, are expecting their baby girl in less than a month. I was so excited when they contacted me about commemorating this huge event. They were completely open to my creative input so I figured I'd mix it up with a little studio time and a little time out and about. So without further adieu (or ado...I've seen it spelled both ways!)


...from the studio it was out to the Newly Renovated Rochester Children's Museum which houses the Strong Museum International Museum of Play.


...because who wouldn't want a shot with big bird, right?? Seriously though...if you have little one's and happen to be in or around the Rochester area, I highly recommend a visit. If you need a place to stay, my doors are always open.

A big, fat thank you to Lauren and Chris for trusting me with such an enormous project. You guys were troopers all afternoon!! I'll have the proofs ready soon.

I'm off to Vegas this Sunday for WPPI. So fired up!! Can't wait to see all you guys again and talk shop. It will be a blast, no doubt!

Please remember that you can sign up to have notifications sent to you about future blog postings. Just drop your email address in the fancy little subscription box along the right side and we'll take it from there. No need to worry subscribing is 100% spam-free. Also, I've been steadily updating my website...www.flintweddings.com...so stop by often to see what's new!!

I sincerely hope that this finds you all well. I shall now leave you with a quote...

"Wheresoever you should go, go with all of your heart."
-Confucius

Now go y'all...live every moment and love it!!

Best,
t

"It all started with a mouse..."

...in the words of the great Walt Disney..."always remember, it all started with a mouse".

What an amazing trip I had!! 4 days of paradise aboard a Disney Cruise Ship sailing through the Caribbean, basking in the sunshine and crystal-blue waters. Surrounded by calmness and great company. It was truly wonderful. Thank you to the Marsh Family, for including me and making me feel so welcome. Thank you to the Disney Staff, who run, far and away, the tightest ship in the biz. Thank you to the equator for proving such an amazing climate. thank you. thank you.

What I loved about the Disney Experience was the constant theme of believing in your dreams, living life to the fullest and never giving up. I know it seems utopian, but is it really?? I mean, who really knows?? We get so busy running from a to b and b to c and back to a again that we forget how simple it all really is. What's wrong with wishing upon a star or realizing that it's a small world after all?? What's wrong with visualizing and living a much simpler life?? Aside from a decent tan and serious recharge, I'm taking the spirit of my childhood away from that trip and appling it to my adult life going forward. I owe that to myself...I owe that to everyone whom I come into contact with.

So...some pics...




we stopped off in Nassau in the Bahamas for a day and I felt a rush of inspiration to break out the often overlooked LensBaby in my bag. Sooo much fun!! Here's some of what i came up with...










just a small sample...plenty more where that came from. If you'd like to see more, let me know and i'll post them on an online picture gallery at my secondary site...www.mindzyeart.com.

so the moral here...nothing is too big...nothing too small. If Disney started with something as small as a mouse and inspired something so huge for generations and generations...what can we do with our seemingly small things?? Believe there are no boundaries but the sky.

All the best friends...I wish you the world!
t

The Bahamas & A New Website!!

Hey world. It's 4am and i'm sticking it out for another hour until head to the airport to catch a flight to Cocoa Beach, Fl. From there it's a 4 day sand and sea spectacular!! Kelli (my main squeeze) and her family were gracious enough to invite me on a their family trip. Can't wait to get out of the Northeast. There is freezing rain falling tonight...how romantic. no, not really. Of course, I've only been back for a week...but who's counting??

Haven't gotten much a chance to settle in yet so to all the wonderful, amazing, supportive, inspiring people i got to meet at Mike's workshop last week...i'll be updating and distributing as soon as i return from the trip and get back into my groove.

The Diesel (Mr. Andy Peterson) was cool enough to furnish me with this photo from last week.



Man, what a good time we had. I've posted links to some of the amazing artists i found at the workshop. Check 'em out world...talented, passionate people.

also...and this is pretty big news!!

I think that I've finally got all of the technicalities with my hosting company squared away and they're telling me that the new site will be live sometime tomorrow. I'll be sure to make an announcement when it is. I'm pretty amped up about it...please let me know what you think. I've even done the music for it...

other news...
If you'd like to subscribe to my blog to receive auto-notifications, i've added this fancy little 'subscribe' button on the right. So c'mon, fire your email in there...it's spam-free and a whole lot of fun!!

alright y'all...
i'm off in the wide open. i'll be sure to post stories and images along the way.

i hope this finds you all well,
t

Hello Blog World

I'm finally getting this blog thing underway. Brace yourself...a live, somewhat interactive journey awaits. I will attempt to learn to blog on this blog posting. cant be too hard to figure out, right?? I'm currently putting the finishing touches on my new flash site. Blu Domain.com. Super easy to assemble w tons of super-cool features. Check em out if you're looking to get a site together. good times.

so, yeah...back to the blog thing...

wait...www.flintweddings.com
should be a doozy.

yes...blogging. let's see...



sweet...easy enough to upload images. good thing!

I just got back from a killer workshop in Southern California with mike colon. amazing experience. i'm so jazzed up right now. a million thank you's to mike for getting us all together and being so damn cool. ...and to my new friends...you are all an inspiration. glad to know there are some people out there that are as nut-so as me!! i'll be postin photos in upcoming blogs...so stay tuned.

back to learning this blog interface...

Here's a link to my temporary site...in case you have some time to kill. setting a link seemed easy enough. man, i'm flying here. anyway...the site will be moved over to my domain by the end of the week. www.flintweddings.com feedback always appreciated.

Flaming Lips on the stereo...yeah, life's pretty good.



how cool is wayne coyne?? if you haven't seen 'The Fearless Freaks', check it out...soon. excellent documentary.

cool...so i have pics and links. what else?? i have to change my screen layout soon. maybe i'll go do that now. yeah, seems like i've exhaused my options here. thanks for sticking around while i futzed about.

take care fellow bloggers,
t