What DOES a photography workshop look like?

I'm sure all of you have asked yourself this same exact question countless times in your life right? What does a photography workshop look like? It's EXACTLY what you imagine it to be - a whole bunch of photographers looking into a scene, or model, graciously being taught by some (great, awesome, terrific) instructor. It's almost paparazzi-ish. In a good way.

Our last day at the Anti-Workshop had us shooting at the neon boneyard, which is a lot smaller than I imagined. All this time I thought it was as large as a couple of football fields! But no, it's just two sectioned off lots about the size of a mini-mall parking lot. What's cool about this place is the history of the signs that now lie in their own desert graveyard. You can actually see some of the old signs of hotels that have long since been demolished, or renovated. Artwork and architecture of a forgotten past. It's neat to see these old signs and to think that at one point in their lives, they lit up the night sky beckoning passerbyers to come on in and spend some money! (Isn't that why they're built?).

To shoot with these fabulous signs as backgrounds is awesome! Of course, in order to do so, you have to fill out a release form stating that you won't use the images commercially, etc. due to the fact that some of the signs are from companies that are still doing business today. A lot of leagalese sad to say. If you ever get a chance though, go visit them. You won't regret it.

With that said, here are a few photos of the "workshop" going on at the Neon Boneyard. Good stuff!

Here's a photo of John teaching us how to use "hard light".
There's another row of photographers to the right just off the photo

The "man" himself, John Michael Cooper - this brutha's got skilz!


In the middle here is Chenin Boutwell showing us her laid back, one knee on the ground, back bend, arm-raised photo technique!


Here's the dynamic duo of Mr. and Mrs. Doug Boutwell using studio lights to illuminate this scene.
Note the Anti-workshop paparazzi all over the place.


A close up of the Boutwells in action.

If any of you reading this is a photographer, with wedding photography in mind, I highly, and I mean HIGHLY recommend going to the Anti-workshop! Not only will you learn some great stuff, but you'll get to meet some of the nicest people in the Boutwells and Coopers. These guys exemplify what we should aspire to as professional photographers. Seriously!

So there you have it, the answer to this entry's question. Maybe next time I'll answer (and show) you what a anteater sees from the end of its snout. You never know!