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.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Lisa and Tom's Photographs Earns Awards at Connecticut Professional Photography Association Convention

Lisa and Tom's Photographs Earns Awards at Connecticut Professional Photography Association Convention

Six photographs created by Lisa Cuchara of BREA Photos and an additional six photographs created by her husband Tom Cuchara, both of Hamden, CT, recently won awards at the Connecticut Professional Photography Association (CTPPA) 65th annual convention held at the Hartford/Windsor Marriott.  Lisa and Tom co-own BREA Photos (www.BREAphotos.com) where they love newborn, children, and portrait photography, as well as teaching photography classes and workshops. You can view their images galleries here: http://www.breaphotosgalleries.com/

All told Lisa's six photographic entries earned her sixteen (16) awards: the 2014 Treskunoff Award (for the highest total point score for the 6 prints entered at the convention), Photographer of the Year in the ART/EI category (based on the total accumulated points) from all four quarterly competitions, Photographer of the Year in the unclassified category (based on the total accumulated points) from all four quarterly competitions, 2014 Court of Honor Winners for ART/EI, 2014 Court of Honor Winners for unclassified, Best in Show in the unclassified category, First place in the unclassified category, The 2014 BWC Printmakers Award "Most Creative" ART/EI image, The 2014 Sunset Award (for the "Best print in Exhibition" (selected by the judges from the top ten scoring images), The 2014 Kodak Award, 2014 Artist Images Award (Most Creative image in the unclassified Category), the People's Choice Award (voted on by attendees), and three Judges Choice Awards.






Four of Lisa's photographs ("Feeling out of Place", "Sunflowers Remind me of VanGogh", "Red-Eyed Green Tree Frog" and "Red Chair in the Prison") won Blue ribbons depicting Awards of Expert, and "Never and Line in the Men's Room" and "Contemplation in the Stairway" won Red ribbons depicting Awards of Excellence". "Red-Eyed Green Tree Frog" also earned People's Choice and one of the six Judge's Choice Awards. "Feeling out of Place" also earned one of the six Judge's Choice and the Sunset Award. "Sunflowers Remind me of VanGogh" also earned one of the six Judge's Choice Awards.









Five of Tom's photographs ("Abandoned roses on old glass", "Muscleman", Proud Older Brother", "Romance under the Moon" and "Spring Flowers in the Ornamental Grasses" won Red ribbons depicting Awards of Excellence" and his " Magnolia Tree blooming" won a Blue ribbon depicting an Award of Expert.








"Founded in 1947, the Connecticut Professional Photographers’ Association (CTPPA) is composed of hundreds of professional photographers whose common goal is the ethical advancement of photography. The CTPPA is an affiliate of the Professional Photographers of America. Members of the CTPPA include professionals with diverse photographic talents and interests; including, but not limited to; portrait, commercial, wedding, medical, legal and school photography. The majority of the members are studio owners and their assistants. All members have a common goal: to provide quality images that fulfill the client’s desires in an ethical, professional and artistic manner. http://www.ctppa.com/."