Retro Workshop Recipe. In a tall frosted glass, Mix together 2 parts retro pinup theme, 5 parts super fun, enthusiastic workshop participants,5 parts congenial, supportive and informative Aperture Academy instructors, 2 parts studio strobe equipment, one Aperture gallery and 8 parts beautiful retro models and you've got the makings for one outstanding day of good times and professional quality images for all. Here at Aperture, we heard this was a tasty recipe and had to give it a try and we are so glad we did. It was a resounding success and all our participants left the table with full CF cards and a wealth of new information, skills and I'm sure an appetite for more.

Due to popular demand, Aperture Academy instructors Glen McDowell and Scott Davis, on a beautiful sunny Sunday day, conducted 3 separate portraiture workshops at our Aperture gallery. By all measures, everyone got into the spirit of the day and everyone had a great time. As one workshop attendee declared, "Its like fishing in a barrel", as picture perfect image after image kept popping up on camera's LCD. It was mentioned on more than one occasion by participants that these images were the best portrait images they had ever gotten in the lives. For many, this was the first time they had ever worked in full manual mode, not to mention with a strobe of any kind so it was especially thrilling to finally understand the workings of their camera and how to figure settings for the optimum exposure.

For each class, after a quick round of introductions, the class immediately got down to the nitty gritty of how to get professional quality results with their own gear. Rather than lecture, we like to stress learning by doing having found this method really seems cement the learning process. By keeping the class size intentionally small (limited to 10 students) the instructors are able to work with individually with students throughout the workshop to ensure that each participant is receiving the instruction that best suits their needs and skill level. Covering a wide range topics including reference materials for inspiration, working with and directing your subject, cheat sheets of popular pose positions, arranging directional lighting patterns to convey a certain mood and/or look, specific equipment as well as how to determine proper strobe power output and camera settings for best exposure. In addition, although this was primarily a portraiture workshop utilizing various indoor and strobe lighting techniques, we also touched upon natural lighting techniques. The great thing about this workshop that the students soon realized what that the techniques and tips learned could be easily applied to all forms of portraiture, be it husbands or wives, friends or family. The same principles apply.

By the end of the workshop, everyone was shooting like a pro and the results were truly outstanding. Both Scott and Glen commented to each other how envious they were of the images the students were walking away with, images that anyone would be incredibly proud to have in their portfolios. It was a certainly full day but time flew by and before we knew it, it was a wrap. Instructors had a great time, our wonderful models had a great time, and most importantly, our three classes that day had a great time, walking away with great images and skills that will last long after the class. We're really looking forward to the next one. So if you' re in the neighborhood, stop on by and we'll fix you up a cool tall glass of retro.

Until next time...Glen, Scott and the rest of the Aperture Academy team!

P.S. If you'd like to join us at one of our workshops, you can find the schedule/sign up here.