Boyce Thompson Arboretum photowalk

July 12, 2010

When you tweet about photography you tend to gravitate towards other local photos and them to you. This is how I came to know Tom Boggan a local former East Valley Tribune photographer who is now a professional freelancer. Prior to Easter I’d heard about this photowalk where Tom answered questions and shared whatever information you wanted to know. The classes are held at Bryce Arboretum near Superior, AZ out route 60. I decided to sign up for the June class but was wait listed to July. I signed up even though it was the morning after I flew back from a month vacation. The course was well worth it.

Tom helping out Paul, one of the neophyte photos.

A few things Tom mentioned right away in the eight person class was being prepared to shoot the “peak moment” and how to find the perfect lighting. While many of the comments he made for the group initially I’d already been practicing, it’s always refreshing to hear the technical aspects of photography in a new way. For example, he uses F8 a lot for photojournalism work and keeps the shutter around 500. I’ve always shot nearer F2.8 (and sometimes Tom does, too). Also, the shutter speed should only be one number lower than the focal length. Tom pointed out (and I completely agree) that we all break these rules often. Even my friends and colleagues who shoot often sometimes don’t even understand the Rule of Thirds. With my artist’s eye, this comes natural to me and I choose to break it at times, too.

Tom showed me how to use my light meter so I can shoot without removing my eye from the eye piece. He showed me how to view my histogram, and we discussed ISO and telezooms. All great information; take his class and follow him on twitter.

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