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WPPI 2018
05th March 2018
What’s is WPPI?
Written by: Arnie Lee
Weddings, Portraits and More
11th February 2018
Upcoming WPPI 2018 Conference & Expo
Having been part of the software, computer and publishing industries since 1980, I’ve been to Las Vegas more times than I care to count.
However the thought of another laborious trip out West isn’t going to keep me away from the Wedding & Portrait Photography International event this year. For the past several years I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this meeting where 200+ classes are taught by professionals covering a wide range of photography topics including lighting, posing, drone, video, baby/child, sports, school, printing, retouching, marketing and business. Among the instructors are many recognizable names: Tamara Lackey, Lindsay Adler, Julieanne Kost, Sue Bryce, Jerry Ghionis, Roberto Valenzuela and Joe McNally who will share their skills with the attendees.
In addition to the standard classes, there are smaller and more intensive sessions aimed at a limited number of attendees. And for those who’d rather be in a non-classroom setting there are multiple scheduled Photo Walks that provide hands-on learning.
I’m especially interested in the WPPI Expo. In the large exhibit hall you’ll meet with manufacturers and suppliers of photo equipment, accessories, photofinishing, presentation and framing, software and services. On the expo floor, various manufacturers present live demonstrations of their equipment and techniques. It seems that all of the major brands are on hand to demonstrate their products and answer your questions. I’ve made many purchasing decisions after having met with sales reps at earlier WPPI events..

This audience is taking in a presentation at the Canon booth
If you’re anxious to sharpen your photography skills, take a look at the many classes that are offered at the conference. Last year WPPI hosted about 13,000 professional and advanced photographers.
WPPI will take place February 24 to 28 at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas. For more information please visit WPPI Conference & Expo.
By Arnie Lee
Summer Faces
31st May 2016
Just Faces
Here’s a small album of pictures that show you that Summer is here.
WPPI Conference & Expo
22nd February 2016
The Wedding & Portrait Photography International Conference and Expo
As I sit at my computer in crusty Michigan with the clouds building for another forecasted snow storm, I’m looking forward to escaping for a few days.
My destination is the WPPI Conference & Expo which begins March 3rd and runs through March 10th. For professional photographers and hobbyists alike, it’s a chance to learn from experts.
Additionally, you’ll travel to the warm climes of Las Vegas at the MGM Conference Center for extracurricular activities that are sure to add up to a practical education and fun packed week.
WPPI is comprised of hundreds of classes and seminars taught by noted photographers such as Joe McNally, Tamara Lackey, Lindsay Adler, Roberto Valenzuela, Bambi Cantrell, Hanson Fong, Kevin Kabota, Jerry Ghionis and Gary Fong to name a few.
Alongside the conference is the expo portion in which 80,000 square feet of space occupied by 300 exhibitors who will showcase the newest cameras, lenses, equipment, lighting, accessories, supplies, marketing material and services. All of the major camera manufacturers will set up booths to demonstrate their latest wares.
To look at the wide range of classes and seminars please visit WPPI Conference & Expo.
Written by: Arnie Lee
WPPI 2015
20th March 2015
2015 Wedding and Portrait Photographers Conference
Each March I make it a habit of leaving the cold climes of Michigan to enjoy some warmth and sun. My destination is the WPPI Conference in sin city, Las Vegas.
Another side of WPPI is its huge 75,000 square foot Expo where some 275 vendors demonstrate and sell their newest equipment, accessories, supplies, software and services.
As you walk around the exhibit hall you’ll see live demo shoots, discussions and displays.
![]() panel discussion at Nikon |
![]() entertainment at Plustek lighting |
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![]() Bambi Cantrell |
![]() lining up to speak to Sony reps |
To join the WPPI or learn more about the 2016 WPPI conference and expo, pleae visit WPPI Online site.
Please stay tuned for several upcoming articles about equipment and accessories that I reviewed at this year’s expo.
Written by Arnie Lee
Filling the frame
07th June 2011
Sometimes it pays to move in close
For portraits, conventional composition has you surrounding your main subject with a “border” – space around the face
For a more intimate look at your subject, throw away the rulebook!
By simply minimizing or eliminating the border, you’ll key in on the all important eyes and face of your subject. The next time you’re shooting faces, try filling the frame.
Written by Arnie Lee
Beyond the Faces
06th May 2011
Adding Action to Portraits
As a grandfather with a camera, I’m very often snapping away when the grandchildren are nearby. So it shouldn’t be surprising that I have hundreds (maybe thousands) of photos of these kids in my collection.
Yesterday, three of them were out playing in our backyard. Here’s a few snapshots that I took. I’m a big fan of trying to incorporate action into these portraits. You be the judge of whether the action helps to make the picture.
While each of the left-hand photos are OK, I’ve learned that adding a little action to the mix can turn my snapshots into real “keepers”.
Do you agree?
Written by Arnie Lee
LumiQuest Softbox III – review
27th March 2011
Add Soft Lighting to your off-camera flash
The modern day external flash unit is a vital accessory for indoor portraits, still life, food shots and more.
Light that originates from a small source such as an external flash unit is harsher than light that originates from a larger source. To “soften” the lighting especially for portraits, photographers often use “modifiers” to alter the lighting to something more pleasing. Most of the modifiers work by spreading the light out over a larger area.
LumiQuest has been a well-known maker of modifiers for many years. Among their bestsellers is the Softbox III. When I was attending the WPPI Expo, Heidi one of LumiQuest’s principals gave me a quick demonstration of this lightweight device. I was so impressed that I ordered one when I returned home.
The concentrated light from the flash bounces inside the reflector of the Softbox III and passes through the translucent material covering its face. Instead of harsh light originating from the small flash head, a softer light originates from a much larger reflector.
Follow along as I show you how I’ve used the Softbox III to improve the lighting on some of my recent portraits.
Walking around WPPI – Part 2
23rd February 2011
Wedding & Portrait Photographers International Convention – Part 2
Here’s a follow up to yesterday’s report from the WPPI Convention. Below are several more of the exhibitors with whom I stopped to talk about their products.
The Spider Pro Camera Holster is a safe, hands-free way to carry your camera. A study bracket mounts to the bottom of your camera and securely clips to a wide, padded belt. The unit can be locked to prevent the camera from accidentally falling. The price is about $135.
A second lightweight model is designed for smaller point-and-shoot cameras. For more information, contact Spiderholster |
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HiTi was showing their P110S portable, “on-the-go” printer.
This rechargeable battery-powered unit weighs less than five pounds and is typically carried in a shoulder bag and tethered to your camera. It prints 4″ x 6″ thermal prints in about a minute. The P110S is useful for fast, portable printing, for example event photographers who want to deliver “instant” prints. The price of the P110S is less than $400. For more information contact HiTi |
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Recently, I reviewed the Eye-Fi Wireless SD-card here. The Eye-Fi transfers your images from the SD card (while it is still in your camera) directly to your PC or Mac computer via your wi-fi network.
At WPPI, I ran into Ziv Gillat, one of the co-founders of the company. Ziv showed me this adapter into which you can insert an Eye-Fi card to add the wireless capability to DSLR cameras which use CF-cards. It’s compatible with later model DSLRs which support the UDMA protocol. He tells me that the CF adapter is available for about $20. |
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Ziv was also excited to tell me of an upcoming firmware upgrade for all Eye-Fi users in a few weeks. This upgrade lets you configure your Eye-Fi card to automatically upload your images to a server of your choice via a iPhone or Android phone. This is especially useful for making a backup of your images.
For more information, contact Eye-Fi |
I’m back tomorrow after I attend the last day of WPPI exhibits.
Written by Arnie Lee
Walking around WPPI – Part 1
22nd February 2011
Wedding & Portrait Photographers International Convention – Part 1
February 21, 2011
The WPPI holds its annual convention here in Las Vegas. My original plan was to fly here from Grand Rapids on Sunday. But the weather man kept telling me that Sunday was going to be a no-no because of the umteenth snow storm that was closing in on the midwest. So I rescheduled my flight and arrived here late Saturday and beat the foot of snow that closed highways, schools and activities.
The convention started on February 17 and runs through February 24th. There are two parts to the convention.
- the first part are dozens of seminars led by some of the best names in the wedding and portrait photography business. Many of these professionals are versed in the creative styling, equipment selection, lighting techniques, printing selection and workflow while others are experts in the selling, advertising, promotion and business end too. I counted more than 100 different seminars with diverse titles as: “The Art of Light and Motion”, “Lightroom – step by step workflow for beginners”, “Winning Marketing Strategies”, “High Fashion Meets Wedding”, “The Power of Video Marketing” and “Your Wedding Business from Scratch to Success”.
- The second part of the convention is the trade show with more than 300 exhibitors including the major camera, lighting and photo printer services.
The WPPI management was predicting 13,000 attendees – an impressive number mostly owing to a very full and robust set of seminars. The high attendance suggests that these individuals understand the importance of investing in their profession.
Today I spent some time at the trade show. Here’s a few of the exhibitors with whom I stopped to talk about their products.
Most of the recent cameras can now capture video. Switronix showed me this portable LED that provides lthe equivalent of 50 watts of daylight balanced lighting. This is the TL-50 and includes rechargeable NiMH batteries which can power the LED for an amazing 3 hours.
Dave was handholding the TL-50, but the unit is lightweight and conveniently mounts on the flash shoe. Price is about $250. For more information, contact Switronix. |
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For portable flash units, LumiQuest makes several models of diffusers and bounce devices. Here Heidi is showing me the company’s most popular model, the Softbox III. To use it, you unfold the 8″ x 9″ flat package to this shape and attached it to the flash with velcro straps.
I found that the unit was very study and can be used on-camera or off-camera. Price is about $45. For more information, contact LumiQuest. |
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At the Hoodman booth, I had a demo of their Cinema Kit Pro. Designed especially for the videographers, the mounting bracket sits on the flash shoe and swings up and down to provide a magnified view of the LCD without any reflection or interference from sun or room light.
If you have trouble seeing the LCD as you capture videos, this device makes it easy to monitor the detail. Price is about $180. For more information, contact Hoodman. |
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Epson had many of their professional line of printers on display.
I had my eye on the new Epson 4900. The printer was spewing out gorgeous samples of 17″ wide photos and uses ten color cartridges. Designed especially for high quality, professional applications, the printer includes an in-line X-Rite SpectroProofer for exacting color management. Price for the 4990 is about is about $2500. For more information, contact Epson. |
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I’ll have more news from the show shortly.
Written by Arnie Lee
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