Saturday, January 6, 2018

Cuba -- the people

When we went to Cuba we knew that we were going to love the classic cars (seeing so many driving around never got old, we usually see them in a junkyard here in the USA so every one was a treat), and we knew that we were going to enjoy the decayed architecture of this amazing place. We knew that we would find empty chairs waiting to be sat upon and interesting old people to photograph, But we wanted more, we wanted to make sure that we intereacted with the people on more than a tourist level. And what a joy that was. The people were open and friendly and just amazing.

You can check out our galleries for more images, although we have sooooo many great images yet to edit, we will be updating this gallery for a while. 


I loved taking photos of the children. I asked the parents first, they all said yes, I took a lot of the photos in the early monring hours, often catching the mom or dad walking their child to school in the morning.

   
 
   
 
  
 





Cuba -- Tom's favorite image

This was Tom's favorite photo from our recent trip to Cuba, it was from a small village where the people were "not poor" (our guide told us, but they have nothing, no shoes for the kids, no toilets, nothing). We brought puzzles for the kids and since it was Feliz Navidad we brought chocolate and we brought cheater glasses for the adults. Our guide said that they were "not poor" because that had enough to eat. There is a sort of irony, with so many children in the USA going hungry every day, that even in the poorest village where the people had nothing, that the children were not hungry.

This was Tom's favorite image because the couple ended up comfortable enough with us that towards the end of our visit, after introducing us to her children's families she sat on her husband's lap and Tom created this image of the two of them. Tom earned this photo, because of who he is inside.


Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Lisa Cuchara, PhD, Cr.Photog., HonNEC, and Tom Cuchara, MNEC

When we presented at the (awesome and well run) Smokey Mountain FotoFest our title slide up before my introduction, and the audience inquired "what are all those initials after your name?"

Lisa Cuchara, PhD, Cr.Photog., HonNEC, and Tom Cuchara, MNEC

The Photographic Craftsman (Cr.Photog.) degree is awarded by the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) for service as an orator, author or mentor. This degree shows that you have gone beyond the creation of images and dedicated your time to move the industry forward and encourage education. Cr.Photog. is one of the highest recognitions for speaking, writing, or mentoring on photography; it positions the photographer as an authority in the industry.

MNEC is awarded to those who have performed exceptional service for the Council during a period of not less than five years, and/or have substantially advanced photography in the New England area through lecturing, teaching, judging, and through other administrative activities in photographic organizations for the same period. This honor is limited to a maximum of five each year. The New England Camera Club Council (NECCC) is a non-profit umbrella group for over 70 camera clubs in the New England states. Tom and I were awarded MNEC in 2010.

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 “in 2015 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 local camera organizations; for her tireless efforts to promote the photographic arts; she routinely lectures for New England Camera Club Council and camera clubs and conferences 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.”

and lastly, I have a PhD in Molecular Immunology, after which I worked at the National Cancer Institute in Maryland and then at Yale University School of Medicine where I was in charge of the Organ Transplant Laboratory. 

Monday, December 18, 2017

Our book "Create Fine Art Photographs from Historic Places and Rusty Things" makes a great gift for that photographer in your life

Looking for a special holiday gift for that photographer in your life? Check out our book "Create Fine Art Photographs from Historic Places and Rusty Things" - it has something for all levels of photography. You can find the book on sale at Amazon http://amzn.to/2jGh8uz and at your local Barnes & Noble store and at Hunt's Photo and Video store in Melrose. 


 If you are local (CT), we would be more than happy to sign your copy. You can email us at photographybyLisaAndTom@comcast.net to set up a time to meet at the studio. We have signed copies for sale too. 




Join us for a hands-on photo setup workshop -- great for beginners and advanced photographers

Join us for a hands-on photo setup workshop -- great for beginners and advanced photographers


Come join us a Photo Hi-Jinx (photo setup) Workshop. 

This workshop is great for beginners and advanced photographers. 

Come join us at a Macro, Closeup, Creative photo setup workshop
Saturday, February 24, 2018 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM Hamden CT
Email us at photographybyLisaandTom@comcast.net for more information 

Saturday, December 16, 2017

Workshop -- Light Painting at Night -- at Old Car City

Wahoo, announcing something that we have been working on for yearsLight Painting at Night -- at Old Car City!!!!

Most of you know what Old Car City is...34 acres of amazing old cars and junk and nature reclaiming the cars. It is an awesome place, no place else on earth is like this place! 4,200 whole American cars 1972 and older. "Detroit may have designed these rides, but Mother Nature has done all the detailing"

This workshop is Jan 12 Friday 6pm-10pm -- we are going to have a blast light painting!!

Tom and I do a lot of light painting. We have light-painted at many different places, including other smaller car yards, but this one will be a real treat! Tom and I have been to Old Car City a bunch of times, and we can help direct you to make the most of your time there. You can view a few images from a previous trip here: http://www.breaphotosgalleries.com/Old-Cars/Old-Car-City/

The price for this workshop also includes your admission for two daytime shoots: Friday 9am to 4pm and for Saturday 9am to 4pm Jan 13.

Register here: https://www.meetup.com/photography-by-lisa-and-tom/events/245908075/


"Old Car City USA in White, Georgia contains the world’s largest known classic car junkyard. Visitors enjoy the beautiful vegetation of the deep south that intertwines with the hundreds of cars that reside in Old Car City. Old Car City started as a Car Dealership in 1931 and is still family owned and operated. Come enjoy the Old South environment, folk art, ghosts of beautiful classic cars, and much more. "

Most people chose to fly into Atlanta and then drive up (~45 miles)  to Cartersville. We are staying at the Best Western again, but we have also stayed at the cheaper Red Roof Inn and Super 8 across the street and we know lots of people that have stayed at the Hilton and Hampton Inn right down the next exit too. Travel expenses, hotel and food are not included in the admission price. 

FYI, There is a bathroom at Old Car City. There is also a diner across the street for lunch.

Things to bring:

  • tripod
  • cable release (you will want to have exposures greater than 30 seconds so a sable release is needed for most cameras, unless your camera has a built-in timer like a few of the newer models, but even then a cable release is often easier at night)
  • Camera and lots of memory cards and extra batteries
  • wide angle lens
  • if you own a macro or a 70-200 type you can bring that too, you have access to your car all day. 
  • Sturdy shoes, we wear hiking boots
  • headlight with a red light for seeing at night http://amzn.to/1N9vLLQ
  • red flashlight for seeing your camera dials at night http://amzn.to/2AFwUkV
  • flashlight for light painting http://amzn.to/2kuFxU6
  • You do NOT need to have any night photography experience to attend. You should know how to change your ISO and your aperture, but Tom can show you that during the daylight hours if you do not. 
  • You can choose to stay with us and light paint with us, or you can work on your own, we will suggest that those that choose to work on their own go off with a partner.
Old Car City USA is more than a classic car junkyard. It’s “the promise land for junkyard dreamers!”



If you have Monday off and choose to fly home Monday instead of Sunday there is a pretty cool old jail with tons of professional graffiti [Atlanta Prison Farm]

Please note that all of our workshops require the participants sign a liability waiver. Download it; then print, read, and sign it and bring it with you -- Thank you! http://tinyurl.com/cuchara-waiver16  Please note that some locations will have you sign their liability waiver at the site as well. 

Please note that this and all classes/workshops have no refunds. By signing up for our classes/tours/workshops, you agree to our terms and conditions, see http://www.photographybylisaandtom.com/p/workshops.html

Sunday, December 3, 2017

Looking for a special holiday gift for that photographer in your life?

Looking for a special holiday gift for that photographer in your life? Check out our book "Create Fine Art Photographs from Historic Places and Rusty Things" - it has something for all levels of photography. You can find the book on sale at Amazon http://amzn.to/2jGh8uz and at your local Barnes & Noble store and at Hunt's Photo and Video store in Melrose. 


 If you are local (CT), we would be more than happy to sign your copy. You can email us at photographybyLisaAndTom@comcast.net to set up a time to meet at the studio. We have signed copies for sale too.