September 20, 2010
A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of being flown out to Las Vegas' Photoshop World to help my LA photographer bud Nick Saglimbeni and his studio crew promote his Mastering Retouching series DVD and the launch of PhotoKamp- a 2.5 day clinic for photographers looking to improve their skills. We stayed at the Mandalay Bay hotel, which is a beautifully designed adult playground complete with beaches and tropical sensations outdoors, with classy restaurants, clubs and shopping indoors. Photoshop World is in my opinion more about photography than software. Most of the vendors there are photo-gear suppliers, print houses and instructional resources. There are some great classes to take as well, with some being taught by world renowned photographers like Joe McNally. Plus, there's a lot of great deals on equipment at the dealer expo, and I love good deals. It's a great place for me to connect with my photography friends and colleagues whom I mostly get to "talk to" online, but rarely get to hang out with in person.
While I was there, I took some time to go check out City Center, a modern/futuristic hotel and residential complex with a beautiful shopping area featuring top designer labels. I love how Vegas always has to "one up" the last hotel or shopping area that was built. The style and panache just keeps getting better and better. I didn't have very much time to shoot anything, and to add to my lame excuses, my feet were killing me after doing so much walking around. But I did want to shoot the City Center area, and I did, until the tripod police ran me off- 3 times. There's a lot of stuff to shoot in Vegas, but it can take some effort to not shoot the cliche', touristy-looking stuff. So I'll climb around looking for a better angle until some security guard stops me. They always ask me the same thing too, in the same, stern, accusing-type of manner: "Who are you working for?" For once I just want to answer with, "I'm on her majesty's secret service, and that's all you need to know." Anyway, it's just pictures, mate. Don't get your shiny fake badge all crooked on your donut-crumbed uniform.
So to my friends Clint Davis, Michael Green, Rob Humanski (long time no see!), and industry guys Jack Rezniki and Ed Greenberg, it was great connecting with you and I hope we can do it again in yet another city. Oh, and thanks to the crew for introducing me to Korean barbecue, it was great!
