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I’m caked in fine, white desert dust and rivers of sweat travel down my sunburned, bikini-clad back. The temperature exceeds 100 degrees; the sun is stark against the cerulean sky and its light bounces off the desert floor, blinding my eyes. “How did I get here?” I wonder. “What has brought me, and all of these people, to this exact moment?”
Every September, nearly 50,000 people from all over the world make the pilgrimage to the remote Nevada Black Rock desert to participate in Burning Man, a weeklong arts and culture festival. A unique social experiment in intentional community-building and en masse collective-camping, Burning Man attracts metallurgists, curiosity seekers from America’s heartland, fire artists, corporate lawyers eager to shed their suits, belly dancers, and Silicon Valley execs–in short, anybody willing to approach the distinctive experience with an open heart and mind.
A gritty, money-free event, Burning Man’s celebratory atmosphere, stark landscape, and eclectic attendees are a photographer’s field day. While there last year, I snapped thousands of pictures to document the wildness and beauty of a white-sand desert landscape teeming with art, culture, and freedom of expression.
If you haven’t yet secured tickets to Burning Man, perhaps the opportunity to check out my metal-print photography installation at “Electric Ladyland” theme camp will give you incentive to join me at America’s most influential, alternative arts festival. I will debut large-scale, metal-print images culled from my 2009 Burning Man Album, which Wedding and Portrait Photographers International recently honored with a second-place award in its Album Category.
Metal art is a focal point at Burning Man, and I am proud that this year Catherine Hall Studios’ innovative metal prints will contribute to aesthetic conversation among the thousands of world-class art installations that comprise the festival. Bay Photo Lab, California’s premier metal-prints specialist, is sponsoring the production of the installation. Metal-printing is an innovative process in which coated metal sheets are infused with dye, creating a durable (and desert-resistant!) product.
I still haven’t made the final decision about which photographs to transfer to metal: Can you help? Below are three options. Pick your favorite and post a comment letting me know which image should be chosen!
Is it Mad-Hatters, No-Judgment, or Desert-Cowboy? Your top pick will be featured at Burning Man! I can’t wait to hear from you.
In the fast paced viral world we live in today, traditional marketing does not always cut it anymore. In this WPPI Radio interview with Scott Sheppard I speak about my Marketing Resource Guide and the Master Class I taught at WPPI 2010 based on these ideas.
I hope this interview encourages people to take a look at alternative forms of marketing. Social media outlets provide cost effective and far reaching ways to get your name out there. As I tell Scott, taking advantage of current technology is a smart way to move ahead. I firmly believe in the power of social media and even share which outlets I prefer and why. Plus I explain how getting involved in the the social media world has been both challenging and inspiring. Take a minute to listen to my interview with Scott.
To listen to my interview select interview # 92 Here.I would love to hear how you are utilizing viral and social media marketing in your business. Please share via comments!
Lighting Journey: Working It All Out
Tips + Tricks 
4
Tue 05.04.2010
Lighting Journal Entry #3 – One year ago…
Our journey started off with a bang. Ryan and I were in complete agreement that Profoto was the only lights we wanted to use. Since the company is internationally recognized as the best, neither of us thought otherwise.
We walked up to the Profoto booth at WPPI holding hands and excited to embark on this experience that would surely bring us closer. Unfortunately, our bliss was cut short when Ryan, with his film industry background, exclaimed that we were looking for the second biggest generator Profoto makes and happens to be incredibly heavy. Plus, this generator he was looking for is one their most expensive pieces of gear (we’re talking double digits here).
Ok, I admit it… as a chick, I like compressed, cute stuff. Easy to move, easy to store, and well, cute to look at. We discovered our differences on the Profoto Booth floor and had a bit of a tiff. Needless to say the two sales reps eagerly helping us slowly backed away and disengaged — awkward!! I felt like we had all been part of a domestic dispute. Good thing I made a lasting impression on my sponsor… and hopefully entertained a few people passing by.
We laughed over our argument later and turned it into a point of discussion, finally coming to a synonymous decision on what was best for Catherine Hall Studios. I’m looking forward to sharing my choice soon!
Lighting Blog Series Sponsored By: Profoto, California Sunbounce, Manfrotto, and Gitzo
Lighting Journey: The Challenge
Reflections 3
Sun 04.11.2010
I guess it started a while ago when I realized that for most wedding photographers, myself included, “I exclusively work with natural light” translates into “I am afraid of strobe.” For many years, I lived by this mantra understanding and celebrating pure, natural light. However, despite the ability to manipulate this light, I have to admit that my photography was ultimately being restricted by the oh so glorious Sun.
As an album judge for WPPI over the years, I watched the albums go through and noticed a trend – flat light. As technology advances with higher ISOs and cheap digital cameras, people appear to be skipping over lighting theory. In reality, wedding photographers are probably the guiltiest of this in the photography genre.
While I have my reservations, I realized I had become quite comfortable and skilled working with natural light. I also understood that to be the best possible photographer for my clients and myself I needed take advantage of all the lighting tools available. This of course, included manipulation of artificial light and thus facing my apprehension head on. It was scary but also exciting.
After all, one of the greatest attributes of being an artist and a photographer is the ability to always be challenged and the never-ending opportunity to learn and grow. Last year, I choose to push myself out of my comfort zone of natural lighting and now I would like to share my journey into the world of enhanced lighting with a blog series, “Lighting Journey.” I hope you enjoy the ride.
Selected to Instruct a MasterClass at WPPI
From The Studio, Out + About 2
Wed 10.28.2009
WPPI REGISTRATION OPENS AT NOON PST. REGISTER NOW BEFORE IT SELLS OUT!
I am honored, proud, and excited to announce my upcoming MasterClass at WPPI 2010.
Tuesday, March 9th3:30 p.m .- 5:30 p.m.
Catherine Hall – No-Name to Household-Name
Facebook, Twitter, podcasts, blogs, editorial features, awards, gallery exhibitions, scholarships, etc. The list goes on! How do you take advantage of the myriad of promotional and marketing opportunities thriving in the 21st century? Join internationally renowned 2008 Young Gun Catherine Hall on an innovative exploration of creating a PR campaign that utilizes both traditional marketing and new age social media networks. Self-promote the *bleep* out of yourself and get where you want to go fast! First enrolled student to tweat @catherine_hall WPPI 2010 Rocks! wins an amazing prize (compliments of Lowepro)!
WPPI is the place professional photographers come for the very best in education and the 2010 lineup of MasterClasses is all part of the appeal! MasterClasses are offered as an add-on to your full-convention registration at just $50 each or 3 for $100
