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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
An Amazing Churchill Downs Photo Workshop
Rick Rickman, Photographer
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Laguna Niguel | CA | USA | Posted: 10:10 PM on 05.01.06 |
->> I just finished another fabulous life experience! I'm amazed! I forget sometimes how good the Churchill Downs Photo Workshop really is. Each time I seem to have forgotten I'm jolted back to consciousness. This year, it was the quality of the students that brought the realization back into play for me.
I had the great good fortune to be involved in the workshop as an instructor again this year and I'm so pleased by the quality of students that take part in this program. There were 24 student participants who came to Louisville Kentucky and the Churchill Down facility to work on their skills. The amazing thing for me is that the skill level of these student participants was exceptionally high. Their enthusiasm levels were off the charts high and their commitment to producing great imagery was by far the best I've ever seen.
This is one of the most intensively demanding shooting workshops in this country and the time demands and expectations that are placed on these students is extra-ordinarily high. This year each student stepped up to the plate and did their very best to swung for the fence. There were many home-runs! Every student did their very best to step outside their comfort zone and stretch their abilities. This is one of the hardest things for any photographer to do and when I see a group of 24 of them together working like they did to stretch, it signals to me that there is a desire on the part of some photographers in this country to commit to excellence.
Honestly, sometimes I fear for the future of photography and photojournalism in this country but after this workshop and my experiences with this group of photographers my confidence with photojournalism and it's future is assured again. I saw some of the finest images I've ever seen come out of this program produced by this years student participants and a growth on each students part that was exceptionally gratifying.
It's been the case in the past that many of the participants of the Churchill Downs Photo Workshop have gone on to make names for themselves as fine young photographers in many different ways. This year will be no exception. I believe the difference will be that the number of names on the exceptional list will number higher.
This year, Dave Black was exceptional! Rosanne Pinella brought a wonderful sense of excitement to the group and did amazing one on one shooting instruction with the students. She was fabulous! Porter Binks is one of the finest gentlemen in the industry today and brings his exceptional visual insight and wonderful wit to the group. His portfolio critiques were the talk of the session. Skip Dickstein's show sessions on remotes were a huge hit and taught all the students a brand new skill that they all put to use right way and captured some great images. This workshop is literally second to none.
I just wanted to say thanks to all the participants, many of whom are members here at Sports Shooter, for making this years experience one of the best ever for me. |
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Dustin Snipes, Student/Intern, Photographer
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CHENEY | Wa | United States | Posted: 1:21 AM on 05.02.06 |
->> Thank YOU Rick! You and the other instructors were fantastic and very inspiring. You guys (and gals) should give yourselves a nice pat on the back for making this a great event for all the aspiring photographers that attended this great workshop. I really would like to thank all the instructors, including
Rick Rickman
Dave Black
Porter Binks
Mike Corrado
Skip Dickstein
Jason Kaye
Weasie Gaines
Lucas Gilman
Max Morse
Rosanne Pennella
Brendan Smialowski
And Paul
Not to mention the ladies of Nikon. Anne and Carol! THANKS!
Thanks again for an awesome time and I recommend this to EVERYONE!
An A+ goes out to the Workshop.
Great job to all the students as well for making very inspiring photos during the event. |
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Andrew Mo, Student/Intern, Photographer
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San Diego | CA | USA | Posted: 1:58 AM on 05.02.06 |
->> I just got back from the airport in San Diego and I don't know if it's 1 AM or 10 PM. I don't know about everyone else but I'm still ready to pile into a van at 5:30 AM to go take more pictures at the track.
I want to thank everyone involved with putting the workshop together -- especially Skip Dickstein for getting me some awesome roommates :) -- the instructors, the staff, the Nikon personnel and the kind people at Churchill Downs Racetrack. Everyone I met during the past week was nicer than I could have imagined, and I have learned something from each and every person involved with the workshop -- especially my fellow students.
Everyone brought a unique view to share with others and the quality of work produced was a very humbling -- and inspiring -- experience for myself. I have high hopes for all of them and look forward to seeing the work they will produce in their very bright futures.
This experience is one of the best -- I have learned, matured and have made over thirty new friends during the past week. I highly recommend this workshop to everyone.
Without the instructors, staff, sponsors and students, this workshop would not be as great an experience as it is.
THANK YOU EVERYONE ! |
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Danielle Guerra, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Valparaiso | IN | U.S. | Posted: 5:05 PM on 05.02.06 |
->> Amazing doesn't even begin to describe the CHD Photo Workshop. I was never pushed as hard as I was in Louisville and came out with some pictures that I've never tried before. The staff couldn't have been better, they were inspirations and motivators. Thank you so much everyone, fellow photographers and teachers, you have all touched me more than you know.
Remember to go big or go home, thanks to Dave Black. And Skip..... C is always for Crunk.
come see the stuff I posted..... http://www.sportsshooter.com/guerra0 |
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Melissa Golden, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Athens | GA | USA | Posted: 6:30 PM on 05.02.06 |
->> After getting over my fear of either accidentally killing a $16 million horse or getting killed by one (still not sure which is worse), I fell in love with the track.
At this point, I don't remember a time when I didn't wake up before the sun to catch that sweet, sweet light. I only ever knew sunsets.
I am beyond honored that I had the opportunity to spend a week with instructors and fellow students whom I both admire and adore in a place where everything you see practically screams "take my picture."
Many thanks are in order:
Thank you instructors- your guidance has been taken to heart. I will do my best to exceed expectations and try to live up to the extraordinary examples that you have set.
Thank you staff- the efficiency of my workflow has increased exponentially. Way to keep things running like a bullet train.
Thank you fellow students- you guys were seriously good company and the quality of your work pushed me beyond myself.
Thank you Churchill Downs- for hosting this very special and important meeting of minds and cameras.
Thank you Nikon- even though I shoot Canon, the generosity of NPS that allowed me to shoot some quality Nikon glass all week was much appreciated. I won't soon forget what Nikon does for its customers.
And last but not least,
Thank you God- for holding the rain until after the last race. |
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Gwyneth Roberts, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Ventura | CA | USA | Posted: 10:11 AM on 05.03.06 |
->> I echo everyone's sentiments so far, especially the Thank Yous to all the staff and Nikon and my fellow students.
I had no idea I could grow so much as a photographer in so little time.
If you haven't had this experience yet, APPLY NEXT YEAR. |
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Skip Dickstein, Photographer
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Stillwater | NY | USA | Posted: 1:45 PM on 05.03.06 |
->> To all of the students that attended the 2006 edition of the Churchill Downs Photo Workshop. Thank You!
To all of at the dedicated faculty and staff. Thank You!
To all of our sponsors; NIKON INC., Brooks Institute of Photography, Churchill Downs, Lexar, Lowepro, Epson, MAC Group, Penn Camera, Thank You Very Much for your support.
Skip |
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Adron Gardner, Student/Intern
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Las Cruces | NM | USA | Posted: 7:36 PM on 05.05.06 |
| ->> Thanks to Nikon, CHD, all the instructors, Skip in particular, but most of all to the other students, who I learned so much from. What an experience to be with so many other people with the same passion. The energy just feeds into itself. |
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Notes:
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