Grad Session Details...For the Parents

The pictures look fun, the poses have style, the locations are endless and the memories are forever, but what exactly does the Lucid Musings student Grad Sessions involve and what do they cost? Now in it's sophomore year, LM's student photography has begun to catch on locally and is making inroads throughout the area, offering the student a unique, hip and personal view, giving the entire family a document to this, probably the biggest moment in their lives so far.

The Beginnings: Modeled after the "Senior's Portrait", a driving force and right of passage South of the border, the concept is is not something new those who attended high school in the US, but it is something that students and parents in the Perth/Huron and Middlesex areas probably have never seen. With the push to expand this year, this will not be the case for long:-)

The Pre-Shoot: The "Stepping Out" Session begins with a consultation to determine the "feel" of how each sitting will play out, as it is not only my goal to show the grad in the best and most glamorous way, but also to paint in interests and personality to give a full and individual finished canvas.

Time Investment: Each session lasts roughly 1 1/2 to 2 hours and can be compressed multi-location affairs, studio/location blends, or distance travel shoots, the options can be as personal as your graduate.

Dress Code: Clothing (up to 3 outfits) and props add flare and detail, bringing in things like musical instruments, sporting equipment, hats, sunglasses...the list goes on:-)

The Post-Shoot: Online gallery included and options from individual "Rock Video" slide shows to beautiful book bound memory albums are all offered to give you the perfect package.

Financial Investment: Until May 15 all pre-bookings receive a base-rate $100.00 session fee. After May 15, the rate returns to $145.00 plus tax.

Questions? Love it and want to book a consultation? 519-284-0858
toll free 1-866-680-0858

If you've got someone who is "Stepping Out" this year, give them a thrill and make it a LM moment for them...and for you. :-)

The Drive By Truckers Come To Town

The story of the Drive By Truckers is as road wearied and oil stained as their name suggests. Almost 15 years of heavy touring, heavy drinking, marital break-ups in the Fleetwood Mac model, and the loss of an integral member have blew a few tires, but the core duo of Mike "Stroker Ace Cooley and Patterson Hood have powered on with a ferocity of artistic energy and mind blowing rock shows almost unmatched by any other bands out there at this moment.
My story of the DBT began as the clouds began to part after a downpour at the sophomore 2003 Bonnaroo. Stumbling along on a cloud after a stellar "Crazy Game of Poker" OAR set in "That Tent" and lost in the moment before G.Love took the 4 o'clock slot on "Which Stage", the beginning rough and ready notes of "Ronnie and Neil" caught my peripheral attention. I had in my late teens and early 20's been somewhat obsessive compulsive about Lynyrd Skynyrd, buying all their albums in the span of a year, digesting every sound and every lyric. The parallels of the song and the parallels of the DBT hit me like a bottle of Jack Daniels in the face. After another song, they really hit there stride with their signature piece Let There Be Rock....

Watching newly inducted Shonna Tucker and Jason Isbell rip apart the stage left while Mike Cooley etched his guitar stage right, cigarette dangling from his mouth and Brad Morgan hit the drum skins looking like a character straight out of some eastern Kentucky psycho-thriller. What totally gripped me, though was Patterson Hood's presence center stage spitting and sweating every word of this song about growing up in the 70's and 80's in the age of arena rock. Within a month I bought all of their CD's and became the biggest promoter of their salt-of-the-earth message.
I have been lucky enough to see their full show 5 times since, always front-of stage and every time leaving as shell shocked as the time before. In 2005 I got to meet Mike Cooley back stage at Bonnaroo, in 2007 I met Jason Isbell at The Phoenix in Toronto and their personal demeanor matches there pure, true and simple on stage persona. The Truckers are the real thing and they showed it again last Tuesday and Wednesday in Toronto, there is no glitter, there is no glam, no video screens with naked chicks, no flashing neon, no dry ice and no pot-flashes, there is no need. There are 3 singers, 6 musicians, 1 case of beer and 1 bottle of Jack Daniels. If Rock n' Roll is an old slang for a good screw, then the DBT hit the nail right on the head, leaving you rode hard and put away wet.
I had to stop and talk to a young lady standing glazed outside the show after Tuesday night's performance. Holding every album the DBT ever produced, all in the classic vinyl format, sealed and waiting for their virgin rotation, I said I was somewhat overcome by the shear size of her purchase. Like a teen defending her delinquent boyfriend, lost in the moment of shear physical attraction, her come back was straight and to the point "Why wouldn't I buy them all...they are the greatest band in the World". Welcome to Rock n' Roll show,lady, welcome to the Rock n' Roll show!

Tis' the Season

Well the Ides of March have yet once again passed in a safe manner and March Break has come and gone leaving a trail of weather records in its midst, so April must be right around the corner. The "season" has begun once again at Lucid Musings. A full slate of weddings are guaranteed, "Into the Heart of the Photo" beginners boot-camp a mere 3 weeks away, the phone and studio are beginning to buzz with Family Portrait requests and upcoming summer "get-togethers". But April also symbolizes the beginning of the "Kick Open the Doors" Graduation Bonanza. A pre-cursor to the sophomore year of LM's addition of cutting edge student photography to the portfolio. 2 lucky "Golden Tickets" (ode to Willy Wonka)will be awarded to 2 2010 graduating students for a full location session. No strings attached, just come on over to Facebook (come on, you are probably going there anyhow:-) and fan yourself Lucid Musings and simply indicate your school under the "Kick Open the Doors Golden Ticket" heading on the wall to mark that you indeed want to be a part of this opportunity to have some fun and scream "I've Graduated" with style:-) Nothing is much simpler, or more fun and not to have anyone left out, existing fans can simply email me Sean@lucidmusings.com and I will enter your name. Contest runs March 26-April 26....Make it LM in 2010...

A Legend and a Mentor Dies...Goodbye Mr. Rock n' Roll

What do images of Johnny Cash giving the finger at San Quentin prison, Janis Joplin lounging with a bottle of SoCo backstage at Winterland, Jimi Hendrix spraying lighter fluid on his guitar at Monterey and the classic Allman Brothers a la kit and guitar cases on the front of Fillmore East all have in common? They where all taken by Mr. Jim Marshall, music photographer extraordinaire of the classic period of rock n' roll. The lense cap was put on for the last time early this morning with Mr. Marshall passing away in his sleep. A true inspiration for my love of music photography, this small honour is the least I can do. Here's to hoping he is having one hell of a party with Janis, Brian, Keith, Duane, Jim and Jimmy....:-)

Time to Blog Again...Spring Course Details

It is with great excitement that I will be offering again my popular course for the digital photo beginner. In the spirit of getting those images you see in your mind, but have trouble realizing with your camera. A 4 session course, not only a follow-up to my level 1 'Into the Digital Age' which I offered in 2007, but a great starting point for any SLR camera (manual function/interchangeable lens) camera owner wanting to become more familiar with their camera and improve their photos. This course will get you using your camera on-location, help you visualize things in a new matter, give you projects that will get you out shooting independently and inspire open interaction. I created this brief, fun, unimposing and hopefully inspiring course in the belief that the digital camera is best learned if you get out and use it. The instant results a LCD screen gives and the freedom of a digital card to capture and capture again until we get it right has changed our opportunities to learn photography. With this in mind and my belief that learning is not only gained by ingesting information but by actually using this knowledge in an open forum that becomes knowledge itself. Get up, get out and ignite some photo fun this Spring with 'Into The Heart of The Photo'-you won't regret it:-)

What: Into The Heart of the Photo
4 session interactive course to better photos

Week 1 (April 13)

In Classroom instruction/discussion of:

-Manual Functions
-Depth of Field
-Metering
-Composition


Week 2 (April 20-6:00pm-field trip)

Location Shoot #1

-Composition 'On Location'
...take what you learned in Week 1 and put it into action

****Homework Assignment to be completed over next week and returned to me for critique the following week and reviewed in-classroom
May 4th:-)

Week 3 (April 27 6:00pm-field trip)

Location Shoot #2

-Candid Portrait Shoot and Low Light Fun

...will help you learn...

-metering
-Shutter speed and Aperture

...in a practical setting...

Week 4 (May 4)

Back to the Classroom

-Photo Showing
-Review
-Open Discussion

Where: Stone Willow Inn (St. Marys) http://www.stonewillow.com/
When: classroom sessions 7-9pm, this time around, the location sessions will be earlier evening 'field trip' style shoots and, if everyone is agreeable, the immediately following Tuesday nights will be used if the weather is a complete wash-out. Mother Nature can be temperamental, so keep our fingers crossed:-)

...you already know the dates

How: To enroll, or for more details, email me Sean@lucidmusings.com , call me at 519-284-0858, or come in and see me at the studio 147 Queen St. E., St. Marys. Course fee is $165.00.

New Website....Coming Soon!

Some of my fellow bloggers may be wondering why the drop in recent posts to Lucid Musings Light. Not to worry, it is not that LM has hit a wall, but quite the opposite and I am currently "in deep" creating a new online visual experience sure to take the website to a whole new level. The original site, masterfully created by Ted Fuller of Fullerworks back in January, 2004, with all its adjustments and tweaks has run its course. Overall congestion, and the lack of a full and conjoined representation of the energetic portfolio Lucid Musings has tried to attain with over 5 years under its belt, it was time. Stay tuned, be patient and be prepared for a grand launch before the end of February....Join the fun and "Make it LM in 2010".

Stepping Out...The Future is Bright:-)

With my first of many visits to the local high school this past week to speak to grade 10 students about a career in the world of photography, I created a new collection of last years student work as part of the presentation. As with every visit, their overall response, especially to the grad (and travel) photography portions was well above the bar. I can only hope that through these visits, I may inspire even a little and give fuel to these young, impressionable and open minds.
As I have become more adept at the "speaking circuit", I find myself talking not only about the potential ups and downs of one select industry (photography), but share an underlying message to these students to open up, give life 100%, and not be afraid to make that step. I let them know that the confusion and life change that haunts the mid teen is natural, absolute direction is a gift for the few, but the key is to never stray far from the path and, if you do that, someday your end goal will be reached.
Here's to all those stepping out this year....:-)

Framing Blowout-2 Weeks Left

Lucid Musings aim to provide top quality finishes to prints is now at an all time high and to celebrate, is offering 25% off all custom framing during the month of January. If you were thinking about upgrading your wall decor in 2010, then now is the time. Featuring an exclusive line of both North American and European moldings, we are your local answer to all your framing needs.