After Dark photography education

This photograph was taken at one of the stations at the After Dark workshops in Las Vegas. Two strip lights on either side, freezing this Cirque du Soleil performer doing jumps on his board. Pretty wild, I think.

“Pretty wild” would also sum up the entire three day experience of attending the After Dark workshop, if I had to go by the Friday evening that I was able to attend. This is where After Dark differs from other workshops and conventions, in my opinion.  Just a simple description of the workshop as being 3 days of a series of seminars and demonstrations, doesn’t quite encompass it …

After Dark is a hands on, creative learning environment.  In Las Vegas there were around 10 booths where lighting techniques are being demonstrated; and 10 pods with presenters discussing anything from business to Photoshop processing … all running simultaneously for the greater part of the 3 days. Sounds chaotic? In a way it is. In a good way. Structured chaos. And I mean that in the best possible way.

Photographers that attend, can pick which presentations they want to attend, and either linger there … or float around to another presentation. It’s that laid-back and chill. So you can intensively attend a few presentations; or sit in on any event, and listen a while, and move on. This would suit some better, being able to soak up a lot of different things. After Dark is about the practical experience as well, so you do get to shoot at the areas where there are lighting setups. At times there might be available space without an instructor, and you can try your own thing. Perfect. We all learn in different ways.

The After Dark Las Vegas workshop was held just prior to WPPI this year. Unfortunately I had already booked my flight to WPPI in Vegas prior to meeting Dave Junion, so I wasn’t able to attend the full three days. But Dave was kind enough to invite me to come have a look around the last night of After Dark when I arrive in Las Vegas. And it is obvious that I was mightily impressed with what I saw. It’s fun. It’s educational … and you get to socialize.  All the best aspects of a photography workshop in a friendly nurturing environment. And surprisingly affordable. Oh, and it is called ‘After Dark’, since most of the activity takes place in the evening, until late late late. In fact, the seminars only start at 1:30pm. My kinda people.

For more info, follow the link:
(There is a discount code for readers of the Tangents blog: enter the code NEIL which will lower the cost of registration by $75. The discount code will be valid until March 10.)

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