Thursday, February 18, 2016

CAN/AM Photo Expo

CAN/AM Photo Expo. April  8, 9, 10, 2016. Buffalo Niagara Marriott, Buffalo, NY

Join us for three days of  photography education with the industry’s top photographers, including Speakers from throughout the country: Matt Kloskowski, Ellen Anon, Denis Reggie, Mark Bowie, Fay Sirkis, Lisa Cuchara, James Schnelzer, Jeff Allen, Denis Reggie, James Schmelzer, Rick Friedman, Ron Magill, Mary Lou Frost, Cheryl Belczak, Ray Sopczuk, William Potter, John Walrath
and more!

We will have model shoots and other photo opportunities, a trade show, conference workshops in a variety of levels that will appeal to all photographers from beginner to professional, as well as print and slide salons.

EVENTS AT THE EXPO: Hands on Workshops, Photoshoots, Print and Digital Image Salons, Trade Show, NFRCC Golden Horseshoe Competition, Awards Celebration and Gala, After Hours Party.

Register online at http://www.canamphotoexpo.com/store. The CanAm Photo Expo registration is now open.  Your convention pass gets you full access to all of our fantastic speakers, access to the print salon judging, the Golden Horseshoe Competition, photo shoots, hands on workshops, awards presentation and gala as well as the trade show.

Our Classes:

Friday

“Macro and Closeup photography” a photography program by Lisa Cuchara
Learn to see, be see we mean notice the “everyday details” around us all the time. This program will introduce the equipment and techniques needed to photograph the beauty and drama of the closeup and macro world. Discover another universe, the small world. We will discuss the technical, aesthetic, and creative aspects of Closeup and Macro Photography. We will discuss tools that could be used to capture and light small objects: tripods, macro rails, macro lenses,  zoom lenses with macro capability, extension tubes, macro diopters, the Canon 500D close-up lens, focus stacking, etc. This presentation will concentrate on  “Closeup and Macro Photography for flowers and critters”

Saturday

“Working with Light Tents” a photography program by Lisa Cuchara
Learn about lighting flowers, macro, still-life, critters, etc. using a light tent. Presented at the 2nd annual Mike Moats Macro Conference October 2015

“Non-critters/non-Flower closeup and Macro Photography” a photography program by Lisa and Tom Cuchara. 
This is a variation of our program “For the love of Rust, Dirt, Dust” a program about our approach to historic and abandoned buildings, urban decay, etc. This program is about seeing and finding the “trees in the forest” so to speak and telling the story thru closeups and details found at the location. HDR, EDR and light painting will also be discussed in this program.

“Post-processing: Applying Textures to photographs of closeup subjects, flowers, critter, gears, etc.”  a photography program by Lisa Cuchara
Lisa will discuss the basics of textures and then go into Photoshop and demonstrate textures using some closeup and macro images. What is a texture? We know texture when we see it, but when we refer to a “Texture” as photographic tool we mean a photograph that is placed on top of another photograph and then “blended” or adjusted to affect how it is portrayed. “Textures” can be just that, photographs of rust, peeling paint, old paper, etc., but they can also be clouds, bokeh, bubbles, water drops, wallpaper, walls, words, old letters, grass, etc. The specific texture that you pick will affect how your photograph underneath looks, but you have additional choices by changing the blending mode (there are 20 blend mode, but a handful that are commonly used when blending textures) for that texture later. Changing the blending modes alters the way that particular texture interacts with the photograph underneath. Join Lisa Cuchara as she shows you how to edit some of your photographs to give them a different feel by applying textures to them. Textures can add a mood or a feel to an image; making the photograph softer, warmer, grungier, older, etc. In this intermediate workshop (assumes knowledge of layers and masks) Lisa will show you how to collect your own textures, how to use textures, how to remove textures from part of an image, how to remove color from a texture and change the color of the texture and how to prevent the texture from affecting of the photograph below while leaving the color.

Sunday
— two sessions of a hands on macro shooting workshop

We will bring some items to be photographed. We would also bring some textures to shoot so participants can take home some of their own texture photos to use. We will work with participants for the duration of the macro workshop, exposure, depth of field, exploring tripod use, lens choice, creative in camera techniques, etc.



















Thursday, January 21, 2016

The ultimate keyboard shortcut cheat sheet for Photoshop and Lightroom.

The ultimate keyboard shortcut cheat sheet for Photoshop and Lightroom. If you’re interested in a high-res PDF, you can nab them here: PHOTOSHOP | LIGHTROOM

Adobe Cheat Sheet
Via Make A Website Hub

Friday, January 15, 2016

Local Photographers Attends International Photographic Convention

Local Photographers Attends International Photographic Convention

New things are in store for clients of BREAPhotos.com and PhotographybyLisaandTom.com after Lisa and Tom Cuchara 's attendance at Imaging USA.

Hamden CT — Lisa and Tom Cuchara of BREAPhotos.com and PhotographybyLisaandTom.com in Hamden expanded their skills by attending Imaging USA, the premier professional photographic convention in the United States. They joined thousands of industry professionals attending this event January 10-12, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. Lisa states “I got to see live demonstrations of equipment, such as the Westcott eyelighter which I purchased in order to enhance the quality of lighting and catchlights for our headshots. I also learned a few tricks to help with portraits of both furry and non-furry subjects.”

Imaging USA is the longest-running international photographic convention, tradeshow and image exhibition in the world. The event dates back to 1869, when PPA began organizing its annual convention and tradeshow, ran by professional photographers for professional photographers. “Over the years, we have attended many conventions, but the highlight of each year was and still is attending Imaging USA,” adds PPA President Michael Timmons, M.Photog.M.Artist.Cr., CPP, F-ASP. “The education everyone has access to here is nearly unlimited, from speaker after speaker presenting their messages, to when friends come together and share.”

More than 10,000 photography enthusiasts descended upon Atlanta for three days of photography education and inspiration as well as some exclusive photography-related shopping. Highlights of this year’s event included the three-day Imaging Expo tradeshow, featuring more than 600 booths, giving photographers the opportunity to demo and purchase the latest products at deeply discounted and tradeshow-only prices. The event also hosted more than one hundred speeches, presentations and hands-on demonstrations by some of the most respected names in the industry. Photographers also found mentoring opportunities, portfolio reviews and 10,000+ photographers to network with and create career-spanning relationships—a real bonus for photographers, who typically work for themselves. The photography learning and networking extravaganza helps photographers like Lisa Cuchara become better photographers and businesspeople, allowing them to better serve their clients in the process. For more information on Imaging USA visit ImagingUSA.org. To learn about booking your next photography session with us, visit BREAPhotos.com and PhotographybyLisaandTom.com.


About PPA: Professional Photographers of America (PPA) is the largest international nonprofit association created by professional photographers, for professional photographers. Almost as long-lived as photography itself, PPA’s roots date back to 1869. It assists more than 28,500 members through protection, education and resources for their continued success. See how PPA helps photographers be more at PPA.com. Contact: Lisa Cuchara 203-2880-8151 BREAPhotos@comcast.net or PhotographybyLisaandTom@comcast.net

Thursday, January 14, 2016

PHOTOGRAPHY WITH TLC (TOM AND LISA CUCHARA)

PHOTOGRAPHY WITH TLC (TOM AND LISA CUCHARA)













Check out our: 
  • Workshops (learn about photography and/or post-processing) and Photo tours (come with us to photo shoots at interesting places)

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Lisa Earn HonNEC

Lisa Cuchara, PhD, MNEC, was recently recognized by the New England Camera Club Council for her superior photographic leadership. Lisa, who teaches Biomedical photography and is the QU photography club advisor, was awarded HonNEC (Honorary Member, New England Camera Club Council). HonNEC is awarded for superior leadership in the operation of our Council and superior photographic leadership in the New England area. For achieving substantial and outstanding recognition in the field of photography through activities for a minimum of ten years through lecturing, judging, writing, and administrative activities in the New England area.

Lisa received the designation of HonNEC “For her outstanding dedication to New England Camera Club Council using her extensive organizational skills and knowledge to serve as its blog master, social media liaison, webmaster and executive board member; for her longstanding continued service in many diverse roles for New Haven Camera Club, Connecticut Association of Photographers and Connecticut Professional Photographers Association; for her tireless efforts to promote the photographic arts; she routinely lectures for New England Camera Club Council and camera clubs in the New England area; she constantly provides formal and informal teaching leading classes in photography concepts in the classroom as well as in field workshops; for her role as a sought after judge providing dynamic and constructive critiques; for her photographic achievements and exemplary exhibition records. With her commitment and vast knowledge of photography, Lisa epitomizes the concept of the dedicated professional.”


This honor is limited to a maximum of two each year. Applicants are evaluated by a three-person honors committee and ratified by a quorum vote of the council. Honors are given out to the most deserving candidates, based on the applicants’ contributions to the New England photographic community. The presentation took place at the 70th Annual NECCC Conference, in the Fine Arts Auditorium on Saturday, July 18, 2015.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

photo contest winners

Photo Contest Winners!
 
No doubt it wasn't easy choosing winners here.

Ok, first to the winners, congratulations Lisa, Tom and Joseph!

We received many great images from birds building nests and feeding young to birds seen visiting backyard feeders.  The winning images along with about 50 others can be seen on the digital display at the shop.  Truth is, we wish we had a lot more prizes! Speaking of prizes, a big thanks to Vortex and Aspects, two of our favorite suppliers for their help with these and other items celebrating our 20th anniversary!

First Place and winner of a Diamondback 8x42 Binocular.
Osprey with fish by Lisa Cuchara
Tons of action with this beautiful osprey.  Perfect wing position, great eye contact and what a catch.  Congratulations Lisa!


Second Place and winner of an Aspects antique brass feeder with tray.
Tri-colored Heron by Tom Cuchara
Photography is all about painting with light which can make or break an image.  The warm soft buttery light on this just doesn't get any better.  Congratulations Tom!

Sunday, August 3, 2014

Lisa Cuchara offering a class on HDR as part of a nationwide educational event by Professional Photographers of America (PPA)

Lisa Cuchara offering a class on HDR as part of a nationwide educational event by Professional Photographers of America (PPA)


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 1, 2014

Coming to a Studio Near You!

Hamden, CT—Many people have an interest in photography, but how many actually have the skills and knowledge to become a professional? On Wednesday, October 15, 2014, Lisa Cuchara of BREA Photos in Hamden will be sharing her expertise as a professional photographer, helping you learn how to shoot and prcoess HDR (High dynamic range)

Lisa Cuchara's class, HDR, is part of a nationwide educational event by Professional Photographers of America (PPA). Called Super 1 Day, these classes occur during a two-week period and have been a huge success each year. Known for individual and focused attention, Super 1 Day features educational classes on diverse topics around the country, hosted by professional photographers.

Step into the world of HDR and discover the techniques you need to create incredible images! Lisa starts with some basics in camera set-up and what you need to capture the highlights and shadows of a scene. Discuss what you need, in-camera, and learn how to tone map and process high dynamic range images. You’ll explore both stylized and natural post processing, as well as selective HDR. This is your chance to get  in-depth with HDR and unlock its potential!

Discover more about Lisa Cuchara's Super 1 Day class at ppa.com/super1day.


Lisa Cuchara, PhD, MNEC, is very passionate about photography, both behind the lens and in the digital darkroom. She and her husband teach photography a variety of image capture and post-processing workshops and seminars, in the classroom and in the field. They have been photographing professionally for over 15 years and have their own Photography Studio in Hamden, CT.  Find out more about them, their classes and workshops and view their photographs here: www.BREAphotos.com

Professional Photographers of America (PPA), a worldwide association, exists to assist more than 26,000 members in achieving their professional, artistic, and fraternal goals; to promote public awareness of the profession; and to advance the making of images in all of its disciplines as an art, a science and a visual recorder of history. For more information, visit ppa.com/super1day.