Resource Magazine Article, PhotoPlus, and some fun upcoming events

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Night Photography with Gabriel Biderman by Billy Murray-1

I’m thrilled to be featured in the latest issue of Resource Magazine.  The Biz section focuses on educators in the industry and I gotta say, it was the coolest interview I’ve ever done.  I met up with writer, Billy Murray, one night this summer – it ended up being a mix of one-on-one workshop and just hanging out and talking about creativity.  Billy’s weapon of choice is the pen, so he was blown away with the type of images you can capture when you let those long exposures rip for more than a fraction of a second.  The above photo was one of Billy’s first successful shots taken that night.

Resource Magazine Fall 2014 Issue Cover

The main spread in the Fall Issue of Resource Magazine focuses on YouTube icon and renowned filmmaker, Casey Niestat.  I’m a big fan of Casey, and was psyched to slurp down some Vietnamese food with him and (founder/president of Resource Mag) Alex during one of the videos they were making for the issue.  I’m inspired by Casey , who continually questions the rules that most of society accepts.  His classic videos – iPod’s Dirty Secret and Bike Lanes were pivotal in changing Apple and NYC’s policies.

 You can order the Fall Issue to be delivered or purchase the interactive online version.

This week is “Photo Week” in NYC, as the largest photographic tradeshow in the States – PhotoPlus Expo – comes to the Javits Center.  PPE is a great place to network and meet and geek out with friends!  The expo hall features all the latest gear from vendors from around the world and hundreds of influencers in the industry offer lectures, portfolio critiques, and lead photowalks.

You can pick up a free Expo Only pass until October 28th by registering here.

B&H kicks off this famous photo week by hosting their annual Maine Media Workshop Party at a special after-hours party!   Come see Gabe wear his famous clown tie and mingle with the who’s who in the photo community!  There will be a photo booth, Canon will have a print station, and you’ll have a chance to win some very cool prizes.  Plus did I mention how cool it is to party at B&H once the store is closed?  In order to get past security – you’ll have to RSVP here.

If you can’t come to the party – make sure you get those free expo passes and come check out the show.  I’ll be at the B&H booth (455) Thursday and Friday – we will be handing out our famous Show Specials and candy!  I’ll also be speaking with Jill Waterman and Matt Hill on Saturday November 1st from 10:15am-12:15pm.  Yes, I know that is an early time for any night photographer to be up but  a cup of coffee and our lecture Night Photography:  Step by Step is a great combo to start your day!  After the lecture, I’ll be signing copies of my book, Night Photography:  From Snapshots to Great Shots on the Expo Floor.  This is the first year that Photo Plus has featured an official Book Signing and they have gathered some amazing artists.  So come by and say hello to me or one of your favorite photographers!

PPE_Book Signing[7][3][13][1]

 

 

Woodlawn Cemetery Night Photography Workshop

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Photo on left by Matt Hill and Right by Gabriel Biderman

 

Woodlawn Cemetery is a 400-acre outdoor museum with an unrivaled collection of monuments, over 1300 significant mausoleums, which were designed by legendary architects, landscape designers, and sculptors. You will be transported in time as you walk the grounds and take in Art Nouveau, Egyptian, Greek, and Romanesque Revival architecture styles.

Since it’s inception in 1863, Woodlawn has become one of New York City’s irreplaceable treasures and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2011.

Photo on left by Matt Hill - Right by Gabriel Biderman

And now you have an opportunity to capture this magnificent place at night. Matt Hill and I are offering a two-night workshop on November 14th-15th. There will be no moon while we are shooting, so this is a great workshop to hone your light painting skills. We will have access to go inside several grand mausoleums, illuminate beautiful stain glass, and get lots of hands on training from Matt and I.

You can choose to shoot just one night – or if you take both you will be able to get feedback on your work at the critique on Saturday.   We also feel that by shooting on consecutive nights you will become more proficient with your night photography skills as well as explore more of this amazing location.

Tuition, per night$150 

REGISTER HERE
Date: Friday November 14th from 4pm-11pm and Saturday November 15th from 2pm – 11pm
Instructors: Gabriel Biderman and Matt Hill
Where: Woodlawn Cemetery, Jerome Avenue Entrance, Bronx, NY
Required Gear: (Film or Digital): camera, tripod, and cable release. A full gear guide will be sent to you upon registration.

The above photos were taken by Matt and Gabe from previous workshops at the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.

The below images are examples from the Woodlawn Cemetery and taken by workshop coordinator Peter Nagy.

Woodlawn Cemetery Photo by Peter Nagy

Woodlawn Cemetery Photo by Peter Nagy

Seize the Night Workshop at Woodstock’s Center for Photography

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LightuptheMountain Woodstock Promo

 

I’m very excited to be returning to the Center for Photography to teach a 2 1/2 day workshop on Night Photography.  The school is located in Woodstock, NY and we will spend our nights exploring the celestial skies and historic locations around the beautiful Catskill region.  The daylight hours will be filled with a variety of lectures, priming you to get the best out of your nocturnal visions.  After shooting, we will share our images and give valuable feedback of your work.  This, and plenty of hands-on learning in the field, will help you take your images to the next level.

Whether you are new to the night or want to improve your technique, you are bound to gain more inspiration during this weekend workshop.

The dates are Friday September 19th – Sunday September 21st.  Class size is limited to 15 people and the Tuition is $340 or $310 if you are a member of CPW.

To find out more or register go to:  Seize the Night at Center for Photography 

 

New Moon Bannerman Night Photography Workshop

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Bannerman SE entrance ~ Nikon D800 & 16-35 lens ~ 8 minutes at f/5.6 ~ ISO 100
Bannerman SE entrance ~ Nikon D800 & 16-35 lens ~ 8 minutes at f/5.6 ~ ISO 100

 

You heard it folks – for the first time Matt Hill and I will be offering a New Moon Night Photography Workshop on Bannerman Island!

This will mean lots of opportunities to do light painting and play with the more stars than ever before – rumor has it we might even be able to see the Milky Way!

Bannerman Castle is a turn of the century “castle” that rests upon the small, lonely island of Pollepel about an hour north of NYC in the middle of the Hudson River. Perhaps you’ve seen it on a train ride north or on a boat tour from Beacon; it has mystified generations of people and now you will have the opportunity to photograph it at night.  This will be a rare overnight excursion, so bring a tent if you think you will sleep, though last time we shot until 9am!  Thom Johnson, co-founder of the trust and author of the book Bannerman Castle (NY) (Images of America), will be on the island for a historical tour before we set up our tripods and focus on creating some truly outstanding images.

Gabriel and Matt will go over the basics of night photography and how to successfully meter, capture star trails, star points, paint with light, and hone your “night vision”. The majestic Castle and Residence will be the main focus but there are many little details on the island that will be yours to capture, including the Twin Towers, rising from the water, that guard the south harbor. This will be a very hands-on, one-night workshop that is sure to add some amazing images to your portfolio.  We work with the Bannerman Trust to get this unique access to the island.  There are basic facilities on Bannerman, but think of it as a camping adventure – and bring with a tent and sleeping bag….though don’t expect to sleep much!  The armoury, or castle as most people call it, has recently added several stabilization poles to it continue to stand tall against the elements.  I don’t see these being removed any time soon and your photographs can either embrace them or there are shots like the one above which is an angle that doesn’t have the supports in it.  Below is what the castle looks like now and was taken by good friend Rob Yasinsac whose book Hudson Valley Ruins: Forgotten Landmarks of an American Landscape is a wonderful history and guide to some of New Yorks finest and forgotten ruins.

 

20110913_Bannerman_Fuji_027
Fuji X100 ~ 10m at f/11 ~ ISO 200
Photo by Rob Yasinsac
Photo by Rob Yasinsac

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Logistics:

Saturday August 23rd from 5pm until 9am Sunday August 24th.

Fee: $350 for one night.  Payable by check/money order to the Bannerman Castle Trust. All money goes to support the Trust and help stabilize the castle and island.  Please contact me for this information.

Boat transportation to the island and from Cornwall on the Hudson are included in the price. We recommend that you bring your own food, snacks, and water. Tents and sleeping bags are recommended, if you want to sleep. No animals live on the island but there can be poison ivy.  Please wear the appropriate shoes and clothing (shorts are not recommended). Portable toilets are located on one side of the island.

This is an extraordinary night adventure and is limited to 6 people.

Technical Requirements:
Film and/or Digital SLR Camera, Tripod, & Cable Release

Who should attend: You must be familiar with your camera, especially in Manual Mode. A full list of suggested gear will be sent to you upon payment.

Cancellation Policy:   $50 cancellation fee if you need to cancel once you have paid. If we need to cancel due to weather, we will do our best to reschedule for later this year, and full refund would be available.

To check out more of my 2014 night photography workshops, including an epic 10 day adventure to Namibia – one of the clearest places in the world for stargazing, go to the recently updated workshop page.

 

Twilight on Bannerman ~ Fuji X100 ~ 2m at f/8 ~ ISO 200

6/14 Bannerman Island Workshop with Matt Hill

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Bannerman Castle 03 ~ Mamiya 7 with 43mm lens ~ 1 1/2 hours at f/11 ~ Fuji Acros 100 filmBannerman Castle 03 ~ Mamiya 7 with 43mm lens ~ 1 1/2 hours at f/11 ~ Fuji Acros 100 film

Join photographers Gabriel Biderman and Matt Hill as we lead you on a night photography tour of one of the oldest and most inspiring locations in all of NY – Bannerman Castle. This turn of the century castle rests upon the small, lonely island of Pollepel about an hour north of NYC in the middle of the Hudson River. Perhaps you’ve seen it on a train ride north or on a boat tour from Beacon; it has mystified generations of people and now you will have the opportunity to photograph it at night.

This will be a rare overnight excursion, so bring a tent if you think you will sleep, last time we shot until 9am! Thom Johnson, co-founder of the trust and author of the book Bannerman Castle (NY) (Images of America), will be on the island for a historical tour before we set up our tripods and focus on creating some truly outstanding images under the full moon.

Gabriel and Matt will go over the basics of night photography and how to successfully meter, capture star trails, star points, paint with light, and hone your “night vision”. The majestic Castle and Residence will be the main focus but there are many little details on the island that will be yours to capture, including the Twin Towers, rising from the water, that guard the south harbor. This will be a very hands-on, one-night workshop that is sure to add some amazing images to your portfolio.

Logistics:

We are making this unique opportunity available only one time in 2014:

Saturday June 14th from 6pm until 9am Sunday June 15th.

Fee: $350 for one night.  Payable by check/money order to the Bannerman Castle Trust. Please contact me for this information.

Boat transportation to the island and from Cornwall on the Hudson are included in the price. We recommend that you bring your own food, snacks, and water. Tents and sleeping bags are recommended, if you want to sleep. No animals live on the island but there is poison ivy.  Please wear the appropriate shoes and clothing (shorts are not recommended). Portable toilets are located on one side of the island.

This is an extraordinary night adventure and is limited to 6 people.

Technical Requirements:
Film and/or Digital SLR Camera, Tripod, & Cable Release

Who should attend: You must be familiar with your camera, especially in Manual Mode. A full list of suggested gear will be sent to you upon payment.

Cancellation Policy:   $50 cancellation fee if you need to cancel once you have paid. If we need to cancel due to weather, we will do our best to reschedule for later this year, and full refund would be available.

To check out more of my 2014 night photography workshops, including an epic 10 day adventure to Namibia – one of the clearest places in the world for stargazing, go to the recently updated workshop page.

 

Carpe Noctem!
Bannerman Fogrise - Photo by Matt Hill

Photo by Matt Hill