Yesterday I attended a one day long intensive off camera lighting intensive with Syl Arena. I’ve followed Syl’s blog called Pixsylated for about a year. I jumped at the chance to drive so close by and attend this workshop as I REALLY want to learn more about light and lighting.

I’ve been secretly drooling over, but way too scared to take one of, Joe McNally’s lighting workshops which would require lot’s of $$ and more time away from home. When I saw Syl’s Speedliter’s Intensive – Canon Flash Seminar in Phoenix listed on his blog, I didn’t hesitate. I signed right up.

I arrived at the seminar/workshop a little early and noticed Syl parked outside beginning to empty his car getting ready for his 12 registered attendees. I’d parked at the far end of the parking lot. I watched him unpacking. I was a little nervous and didn’t want him to see me there so early. You know, I didn’t want to give away how excited I was. Silly, I know. But that old idea that I don’t want you to know how I’m really feeling dies hard. ‘Cause if you know what I’m thinking, what I’m really feeling, I don’t have the upper hand or you can hurt me or something like that.

I did what I was not comfortable doing, walked over to Syl and introduced myself. I knew from the first words out of his mouth, he was the real deal, meaning, he is humble, confident, engaging and easy to be around. Entering the amazing converted photography studio called Legend City made me feel the adrenaline rush I live for when I’m first learning something new. I had arrived. A photography studio that I was actually going to learn/do some photography work in rather than visit. Wow.

I had a great day. I highly recommend attending one of Sly’s 14 remaining 2010 Speedlighter’s Intensive Lighting Workshops. Learned enough that I now feel comfortable to jump in and experiment with lighting equipment and practice, practice, practice.

Hopefully some of the many photos I took throughout the day shooting Sly and the other attendees will tell the tale of just how special the day was. I never know why I shoot people “doing” things, but I do. Shooting while the workshop was going on was no different. I do know one thing, I rarely get photos of me taken so maybe I project that other photographers rarely get photos of them taken. I also knew Legend City has a special meaning to Syl from childhood days, AND, this was Syl’s 1st of 15 Speedlite Intensives.

What I liked most about Syl and this seminar was how relaxed and available he was throughout the day. Being the least knowledgeable of the group, Syl’s ways helped me relax enough to hear and understand what he was teaching. He has a very fun and interesting, clear, and organized way of communicating. If a teacher is all over the place I tend to get lost.

I realized yesterday, that I am very comfortable shooting people; I actually like shooting people and, I also feel comfortable being shot. Maybe I’m onto something here. When I’m going through change, I never know where I’m headed until I’m more on the other side of the change. I wonder if this is one of those times.

Here is Syl.

Awww. Thanks so much Syl.

Everyone was interested, ALL day long.

Inside one area of the Legend City photography studio.

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