Many photographers don't choose--in the beginning--to be a professional photographer. Often, it happens in stages, helped along by various opportunities. Then, one day, you make a conscious, serious decision that changes your life and career--a decision that often includes professional education. Super Monday Instructor Kenneth Martin, M.Photog., of Martin Photography in De Pere, Wis., had a beginning like that. And he chose to give photography (and his clients) his all.Martin simply enjoyed taking scenic portraits. In fact, he had never considered making portraits of people until a co-worker asked him to take senior portraits of his daughter. "Wow! I became a little nervous about that new assignment and started to search for some kind of instruction," Martin remembers.
That educational search led Martin to the Winona School of Photography in Winona Lake, Ind.
"On arrival to the school, I walked the halls and was amazed with the images on the walls," he says. "They were lined with the Loan Collection--talk about being intimidated!"
Luckily for Martin, he overcame the intimidation and was quickly hooked,
attending two classes at Winona a year. Eventually, all that education
paid off in the form of his own portrait business, which he has operated
for the last 25 years.
Of all the work he does in his studio, senior portraits are his favorites (perhaps a reflection on what drew him into the professional realm!). "The change in styles, the different personalities, and the variety of props they bring in keeps you on your toes," explains Martin about why he loves this specialty.
Recently, Martin's love of scenic photography was rekindled, too, thanks to trips to some of the country's national parks. His return to scenic photography also led him into the world of HDR imaging.
"In some of the scenes you come upon, the light ranges are too great to capture with just one exposure," says Martin, recalling his urge to learn HDR. "Using HDR has become a useful tool."
Want to see if HDR imaging is a useful tool to you, too? Don't miss Martin's "HDR from Capture to Tone Mapping" Super Monday class in De Pere, Wis., on May 16.
With him you'll learn about the capture techniques of HDR, the use of Photomatix and Nik HDR software programs, even the finishing touches with Adobe Photoshop and some of the third-party filters. "I'll even cover preparation of the prints for competition," adds Martin. Who knows where that education could take you!
Learn more about Martin's class and browse more Super Monday classes in more locations at http://www.ppa.com/education-events/sm_new.php.
Super Monday is an educational program sponsored by PPA every spring and fall. These daylong, interactive workshops are conducted in locations around the country, allowing PPA members to earn merits for sharing their craft and enabling all photographers to learn new skills and develop professional networking contacts.
Read more about Martin, the 2007 and 2009 WPPA Photographer of the Year, here.
Original Image
ALL IMAGES © KENNETH MARTIN
Of all the work he does in his studio, senior portraits are his favorites (perhaps a reflection on what drew him into the professional realm!). "The change in styles, the different personalities, and the variety of props they bring in keeps you on your toes," explains Martin about why he loves this specialty.
Recently, Martin's love of scenic photography was rekindled, too, thanks to trips to some of the country's national parks. His return to scenic photography also led him into the world of HDR imaging.
"In some of the scenes you come upon, the light ranges are too great to capture with just one exposure," says Martin, recalling his urge to learn HDR. "Using HDR has become a useful tool."
Want to see if HDR imaging is a useful tool to you, too? Don't miss Martin's "HDR from Capture to Tone Mapping" Super Monday class in De Pere, Wis., on May 16.
With him you'll learn about the capture techniques of HDR, the use of Photomatix and Nik HDR software programs, even the finishing touches with Adobe Photoshop and some of the third-party filters. "I'll even cover preparation of the prints for competition," adds Martin. Who knows where that education could take you!
Learn more about Martin's class and browse more Super Monday classes in more locations at http://www.ppa.com/education-events/sm_new.php.
Super Monday is an educational program sponsored by PPA every spring and fall. These daylong, interactive workshops are conducted in locations around the country, allowing PPA members to earn merits for sharing their craft and enabling all photographers to learn new skills and develop professional networking contacts.
Read more about Martin, the 2007 and 2009 WPPA Photographer of the Year, here.
Original Image
ALL IMAGES © KENNETH MARTIN
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