Better Photos Now

Posted on July 21, 2011 by samys431| Leave a comment

Photographer Gregg Cobarr launched his Better Photos Now workshop this past weekend at Samy’s Camera EDU here in Los Angeles.  This photo class was a crash course in photography that included lighting tips and how to take manual control of your camera using the shutter speed, aperture and ISO settings.  Gregg’s infectious energy and enthusiasm really made the class fun for all that attended and Ana the beautiful model didn’t hurt either.  This class is sponsored by Nikon but is open to anyone with a DSLR.

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We’re going to offer this class in rotation at several Samy’s locations so keep an eye on the schedule for the next class.

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G2 Gallery Pet Adoption/Pet Portrait Event

Posted on July 18, 2011 by samys431| Leave a comment

Dog Portrait by Ron Henry

Samy’s Camera and Black Rapid are pleased to support the G2 Gallery Pet adoption event on Sunday July 24th from 12-3PM .  Jo and I will be representing Samy’s Camera and Ron Henry will be shooting dog street portraits for anyone who adopts a pet or comes by with their pet.

Ron travels the world for his company Black Rapid Straps and I noticed that his facebook page was full of great shots of dogs.  When Sarah from G2 asked me to sponsor the 3rd annual pet adoption by sending a photographer, I immediately thought of Ron and his street style dog shots.   I’d only met Ron briefly in the airport after WPPI earlier this year but I gave it a shot and asked him if he was interested in participating.  To my surprise, he agreed and is coming down from Seattle to be our primary photographer for the pet adoption.

Come by the G2 Gallery to see the dogs and cats up for adoption and bring your pets for a street style portrait.  We will be posting the photos online for you to download.  Here are some more of Ron’s dog shots:

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The G2 Gallery believes in the union between environmental causes and the power of photographic art to change the world. We share this passion with the world’s best photographers, who use their camera as a tool to inspire conservation.  The G2 Gallery is located at 1503 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291.

Black Rapid makes the R-Strap which is the most innovative camera strap ever to hit the market. This patent-pending piece of equipment offers unparalleled ease of access to your camera and peace of mind.

You can find more of Ron Henry’s images on his Flickr site and on Facebook.

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Posted in Announcement, Events

Sony Backlot HDSLR Video Event

Posted on July 18, 2011 by samys431| Leave a comment

On August 13th, Samy’s Camera and Sony Electronics proudly present the Sony Backlot HDSLR Video Academy. This event will take place in Culver City at the historic Sony Entertainment backlot. Participants will have the opportunity to learn pro filmmaking video techniques while on an actual Backlot set. Come see the video-capable Sony DLSRs, the new large chip Sony VG10 video camera, and the exciting NEX line of cameras.

Station 1 will focus on setting up the menus and settings on Sony HDSLR cameras to get the best video results. At this station, attendees will also take a look at using the VG10 video camera and the Sony NEX system cameras for video.

Station 2 will showcase HDSLR accessories that will help you achieve pro results when shooting video. Gear covered will include support rigging from companies like Redrock Micro, Cinevate and Genus; Manfrotto Fluid heads; Sony external battery powered monitors; microphones and audio gear.

Station 3 is for hands on shooting. Attendees will get to see and participate in the filming of a live action scene with actors just like they do in the movies.

This 5 hour event is a bargain at $100 per ticket but it’s even better if you bought an HDSLR Sony camera or Vg10 video camera from Samy’s, then it’s free. Imagine getting to shoot on the Sony Studios backlot with your new camera with top HDSLR instructors and Sony technical reps along with all the gear you need and actors ready to perform.

Don’t miss this great opportunity to learn about digital filmmaking on the historic Sony Entertainment backlot.

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Posted in Announcement, DSLR Video, Workshops

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Lensbabies on Broadway

Posted on July 5, 2011 by samys431| Leave a comment

We’re taking the Lensbaby workshop on the road to Downtown LA.  Each attendee will be assigned a Lensbaby Composer for their DSLR camera during this fun field trip.  You can drive to DTLA or you can take the metro to the Pershing Square station and walk over to the El Dorado lofts building in the Historic Core where we will have an orientation on using Lensbabies in the gorgeous Beaux-Arts lobby.  After that it’s on to Broadway with all the grand old theaters and the bustling street scene.  This is a great opportunity to experience a new photographic technique and to immerse yourself in downtown historical architecture.  Your going to get some great photos so hurry and sign up because this excursion only has room for a limited number of attendees.  Register Here.

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Leica Compact Camera Workshop in Santa Barbara

Posted on July 1, 2011 by samys431| Leave a comment

This isn’t a Samy’s event but for those of you that missed our Leica M9 street photography workshop, you can still get your Leica on by stopping in on the Compact Camera workshop that Leica is presenting at Brooks in Santa Barbara on July 10th from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.

More information about Leica Akademie events is available online at www.leicaakademie.com

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Posted in Workshops

Fireworks Tips for 4th of July

Posted on June 28, 2011 by samys431| Leave a comment

Student Image From Loreen Wilson

Recently Pat Gee taught a fireworks workshop here at Samy’s.  Pat works on the third floor of the Fairfax store selling cameras, lenses and accessories.  He is also one of the Dodger’s photographers who shoots the fireworks shows.  This workshop is part of our “Shoot Like A Pro” series where we have a pro photographer with a unique specialty share the secrets that they have learned in the field.  The next workshop in this series is “Shoot Soccer Like a Pro” where we will shooting a private Chivas USA game on the practice field at Home Depot Center.

This workshop started in the classroom on a Sunday afternoon and then resumed in Pat’s secret spot above Dodger stadium on Friday night for the post-game fireworks display.

During the seminar portion of the workshop Pat gave these tips for shooting fireworks:

  • Set the focus to manual
  • Set the aperture around f:8 (smaller apertures create fat and mushy light trails)
  • Set the shutter speed to bulb
  • Use a tripod
  • Use a remote shutter release to minimize vibration
  • Frame the image to show background elements for scale
  • Trigger the shutter when the fireworks are launched and hold it open for no longer than 8 seconds
  • Try to capture multiple burst for more drama
  • Try and get your shot early before the smoke builds up and diffuses the light
These tips and a little luck will help you get great fireworks photos this 4th of July.  Here’s another student shot from the workshop for your enjoyment:

Student Image from Jerry H. Jacobs


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Canon Intro To DSLR

Posted on June 26, 2011 by samys431| Leave a comment

We hold the Canon Intro to DSLR on the last Sunday of every month and it’s one of our most popular classes.  Canon instructor Michael Monezis leads the class through the Canon DSLR menu system giving photo tips along the way.  He goes over how to use the cool features in your camera to get better flash photos as well as the differences in Raw versus JPG.  This class starts at 9:15AM and is over by Noon so that you can have the rest of your weekend to get out and take pictures.

The best part is that this $29.95 seminar is free if you purchased a Canon DLSR at Samy’s Camera.  Just email your ticket number, full name, address and phone number along with the date of the class you want to take and we will sign you up free of charge.  The next class is July 31st and you can register here.

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Samy’s Camera Invites the Community to Photo Camp Event

Posted on June 22, 2011 by samys431| Leave a comment

Samy’s Camera, the largest imaging retailer on the West Coast, is offering 15 students, selected by Virginia Road Elementary School, a course in photography at no cost to the students or the school. Samy’s Camera will showcase all the students’ artwork in a silent auction gallery show. All proceeds raised will be donated back to the school, courtesy of Samy’s Camera. The ceremony will be held at Virginia Road Elementary School on Thursday June 23rd at 2:30pm.  Parents and the community at large will have the opportunity to see the fruit of the children’s labor. The camera retailer will gift each student a diploma, a DVD slideshow and a personalized photo book with 40 photos taken by their graduating class.

Samy’s Camera Photo Camp is an 8-week course that covers the fundamentals of photography, including perspective, framing and composition. Each week, instructors delve into the various fields of photography, including sports, fashion, food, photojournalism and more. Each student was equipped with a digital point-and-shoot camera, camera case, 2GB card, and a Samy’s Camera Photo Camp t-shirt and hat. All to keep!

“State money is tight and schools have been hit hard with budget cuts,” said Mike Wood, Project Coordinator for Samy’s Camera Photo Camp. “Art programs are Continue reading →

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Posted in Announcement, Photo Camp

Samy’s Has Gone To the Birds

Posted on June 9, 2011 by samys431| Leave a comment

Samy’s Camera is offering Audubon supporters a 10% discount off all bird and wildlife designated classes and workshops at Samys.com/edu. The company is also donating 10% of the workshops’ fees to Audubon California to support their invaluable conservation and advocacy efforts.

The series will begin with “Photographing Birds In Their Natural Habitat” led by UCLA professor Hartmut S. Walter  and co taught by Photographer Frank Schlegel on Thursday July 7th 7-9pm for classroom instruction and on Saturday July 9th from 9AM-12PM for an excursion shoot at the Malibu Lagoon.

Be sure to reserve your spot today at Samys.com/EDU – use the discount code GONE2BIRDS if you are a member or facebook fan of Audubon CA.

Read more about the Samy’s Camera and Audubon CA deal here.

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Posted in Audubon, Workshops

Shoot Vintage at Heritage Square

Posted on June 7, 2011 by samys431| Leave a comment

Imagine stepping through time into historic Southern California  between the Civil War and the early 20th Century.  Now imagine being able to spend a day photographing the elegant buildings and people that populated the era — all while learning about location shooting and outdoor lighting!

Samy’s is bringing that opportunity to life!  Spend the day with models dressed in vintage costumes to complement the beautiful Heritage Square Museum Location, with their restored Victorian homes and buildings, generously provided for our students by the Museum.

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This workshop will focus on the intricacies of shooting on location and finding the sweet spots within a lighting situation. Instructors E.K. Waller and Brian Leng will demonstrate and students will shoot using overhead silks, diffusion modifiers, fill cards and on-camera flash.

Whether you like shooting models or architecture, you won’t want to miss this immersive photo experience taking place Sat, June 25, 9am-4pm at the Heritage Square Museum  located off the Pasadena freeway at Avenue 26th.  The fees for this photo workshop cover all day shooting at Heritage Square Museum, photo instruction from E.K. Waller and Brian Leng, a delicious catered lunch, and a make up artist with models to pose and photograph. This is a great workshop to build your portfolio or to just have a fun day of photography with other like minded people.  Get details and register online.

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Posted in Destination, Workshops