New Instructor at the Photographer's Lounge - Hal Schmitt



Photo courtesy of Hal Schmitt

I have wanted to work with Hal since I was first introduced to his work and his workshops by my friend, Rick Sammon. Hal is a fantastic photographer and runs top notch workshops.

Hal is the Director and Lead Instructor of LIGHT Photographic Workshops in Los Osos, California. Hal instructs all levels of photography, Lightroom, and Photoshop with a incredibly approachable and easy to understand method.  His workshops and photo tours are recognized around the world as incredible learning experiences.

Most people know the word TOPGUN because of the 1980s action movie of the same name.  In reality, TOPGUN or the Navy Fighter Weapons School is one of the most intense, professional, and demanding schools found anywhere.  The preparation, knowledge, execution, and standards of performance of the staff are without equal.  Hal served two tours as a TOPGUN instructor.

After the crucible of the “murderboard” process Hal became the Navy’s air-to-air training expert, completely revamped the tactics to meet current threats, and delivered hundreds of hours of training and discussion worldwide.  When life and death are involved, the training better be good.

As Director of Light Workshops, Hal was fortunate to train with photography and Photoshop’s best and brightest and is now an expert in all aspects of the digital workflow.  Although the subject matter is a little slower and safer, Hal teaches his digital courses using the same techniques he mastered at TOPGUN.  Polished and confident but down to earth and approachable, Hal delivers an incredible workshop experience.

Hal’s teaching style delivers results.  He believes in teaching the theory and basics of everything necessary in the digital workflow.  More importantly, he takes the mystery and technical complexity out of a subject allowing access for everyone.  Hal will ensure you know the basics, teaching the why in addition to the how.  With a strong foundation, it is amazing how quickly you can learn and improve.

Check out Hal's photography company and some awesome images at http://lightworkshops.com/

The first workshops Hal and I will be working on are our new aviation workshops.

New Photography Instructor at the Photographers Lounge - Scott Slocum

We are extremely pleased to announce that Scott Slocum will be joining the family at the Photographer's Lounge. Scott's awesome experience in avaition is going to really benefit the attendees to our new aviation workshops that we will be running.

So who is Paul “Scott” Slocum?

As a frustrated artist, Scott turned to photography as the outlet he was searching for since taking all of those art classes, drawing airplanes as a kid.

His love of aviation and war birds goes back to attending CAF air shows when young watching B-17’s and Mustangs in the skies of Harlingen Texas.

After 22 years in the graphics business, starting out as a camera technician and finally to COO of a full digital production house, he retired in 2004 and purchased a small aviation magazine franchise. He started shooting for the magazine and developed a knack and love for Air-to-Air photography that he continues today, shooting and writing for many different magazines and clients with over 50 covers to date.

Scott started flying when he was 19 and has about 2,500 hours. He owns a Beech A-36 Bonanza.

A native Texan, “Scott” lives in Dallas with wife Katherine and daughter Taylor.

Interests:

Real estate investing, Flying, Photography

Drums

Sail boat racing

Vintage cars

Home Base – Dallas Texas

Operation - North America

Equipment – Nikon, Kenyon, Canon Video

Check out Scott's work at www.aeromediagroup.com and www.mybombshells.com

Scott will be running our aviation workshops that will be announced in November of 2012... stay tuned for the announcement of those workshops... they are going to be awesome!