iPhoneography Workshop - Conner Prairie

I will travel to pursue my creative passions. A great example of that was our "vacation" to Massachusetts in May, the end goal being that I could attend a Creative Photography Conference put together by Hazel Meredith of Meredith Images.

In my previous blog post about the conference, I shared that I fell in love with iPhone Photography again thanks to the presentation and class taught by Michael and Susan Karchmer. In their presentation they highlighted some of their photographer friends' iPhone work, one of them being Rad Drew. Immediately, I felt a connection to Rad's work, both in subject matter and in processing choices. Back in the hotel room that night I looked up his website, and then...even better I saw that he lived near Indianapolis, IN and did occasional workshops in his area. Indianapolis is only a three and a half hour drive from my house. I thought for sure I would have to wait months to attend something, because that how things usually work for me, but to my great delight there was a half day workshop coming up at the end of June. I waited until we returned home from "vacation" before I sprung upon my husband that I thought we should go to that and do it together.

This past weekend was the iPhone Photography workshop at Conner Prairie Museum in Fishers, IN. Fishers seems to be an up and coming suburb just outside Indianapolis. Lots of new construction, and some great restaurants. I will have dining recommendations for you at the end of this post.

Before and After - Sarah Huizenga

Conner Prairie is an interactive history park, a vast display of 1800's life and buildings, perfect for this girl who is obsessed with old buildings, especially if they are white clapboard.

The workshop was from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30ish p.m. We had a good hour and a half of instruction time, then forty-five minutes to go out into the park to shoot, and then we came back together to share images and walk through post-processing of our images we shot.

Before and After - Sarah Huizenga

I am not new to iPhone photography or processing, but I know that there is always more to learn. I love how each instructor I have ever seen has their own personal favorites - camera apps. to shoot with and post-processing apps. What a passionate teacher does is get you excited about the things he/she uses. Rad is all the things I value in an instructor whether in-person or on-line: creative, personable, passionate and has a genuine willingness to share and help.

Before and After - Sarah Huizenga

I have had the Camera+ app forever, it was one of the first apps. I ever bought. I discarded it when I got the iPhone 6 and the native camera was so much better than the one on my iPhone 4s. But Rad made me fall in love with it again, especially after touching on the macro feature. The macro feature I needed to be able to take flower photos with my phone for my 30 Day flower project. The other favorite camera app that he had us use was vividHDR, I have never enjoyed HDR photos, until now.

While Michael and Suz spent most of our hour long class with an in-depth look at Snapseed, the second step app that almost every iPhone photographer uses, Rad walked us briefly through his workflow in that and then it was on to other creative apps: Touch Retouch (great for telephone wire removal and object removal), Front View for building straightening (for a building lover that is very needed), and my two new favorites Artista Oil and Image Blender.

Before and After - Glen Huizenga

My husband and I are very different shooters. He is not afraid to ask people if he can take their photo, must be the salesman in him, unafraid of rejection. I think he had a good time. You can check out his Instagram @glenhuizenga, I know he would love more followers.

Glen Huizenga

I don't think this will be the only time that Rad sees us. He offers lots of location workshops. The one I have my eye on is this one, hopefully next year!

Dining Recommendations
I always put Glen in charge of restaurant research when we are away, and he comes up with some fabulous experiences.

Nickel Plate Bar & Grill

Nickel Plate Bar & Grill
Highly recommend the Chicken tenders. Beer selections were average. Ample parking nearby.

Sun King Brewery

Our usual question for Siri - "Breweries nearby?" A six minute walk from our hotel to a strip mall led us to a tasting room for Sun King Brewery. I always have to defer to Glen when choosing a beer, not being much of a beer drinker. Sun King allows a couple free tastes to help you decide (very helpful to me). I do like a Sour Ale, and there were two fine choices on tap, plus I always get the fancier glass.

LouVino

Since our small plate experience in Stowbridge, MA we are on the lookout for similar experiences. Though Louvino's website recommended reservations, and we did not have them, we were seated right away at 6:30 p.m. with a fabulous spot on the patio. Even if you don't like Brussel Sprouts, I highly recommend them, to die for! We also had Bacon Wrapped Tater Tots, yum! and Lamb and Veal Meatballs, also yummy. Wine selection was vast.