Category Archives: Slot Canyon Workshops
Charleston, S Carolina – Photographic Workshop Tour
April 2 – 6 2017 $695.00, Limited to 8 Students

Charleston’s Gas Lights
Botany Bay – Boneyard Photographic Workshop Tour
April 6-7, 2017 $175/ Limited to 8 Students

Botany Bay’s Skeleton trees processed with Topaz Labs Star Effects
Smoky Mountains – Photographic Workshop Tour
April 23-26 2017 $495.00, Limited to 8 Students

Spring Dogwoods at rustic cabin Smoky Mountains
Amalfi Coast – Photographic Workshop Tour
June 25 – June 30 2017 $1150.00/ Limited to 8 Students

Provence Photographic – Workshop Tour
July 2 – 6 2017 $1,150.00/ Limited to 8 Students

Sunflowers in Provence
Lake Michigan Lighthouse – Photographic Workshop Tour
Aug 13-16 2017 $345.00/ Limited to 8 Students

Big Sable Lighthouse – Ludington
Zion National Park and Painted Desert – Photographic Workshop
Nov. 5-9 2017 $695 Limited to 8 Students

Cottonwoods along the Virgin River
Southwest Slot Canyon – Photographic Workshop Tour
Nov. 9-11 2017 $350 Limited to 5 Students

Tumble Weed – Antelope Canyon – Camera raw
I Hope you rang in the New Year with peace and joy in your heart!!
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Leave a comment | tags: Charleston Spring Photo workshop, Nik Software, Paul Christopher James, Smoky Mountain Photo Workshop, Southwest Photo Workshop, Topaz Clarity, Topaz Labs, Tuscany photo workshop | posted in Boneyard, Botany Bay, Charleston Photographic Workshop, Italian Photographic Workshop, Lower Antelope Canyon, Michigan Photographic Workshop, Nik software, Paul Christopher James, Photoshop CS6, Provence Photo Workshop, Slot Canyon Workshops, Smokey Mountain National Park, Southwest Photo Workshop, Topaz Clarity
I hate to leave 2015 behind, it has been a year filled with family, new and old friends, travel and wonderful new images. Whether your New Year’s Eve is filled with City Lights or Quiet Meditation, I hope you ring in the New Year with peace and joy in your heart!!

Heaven and Earth – Valley of Fire

City Lights – Las Vegas
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Leave a comment | tags: Southwest Photo Workshop, Topaz Labs | posted in HDR, Las Vegas, Lightroom, Navajo Nation, Nevada, Nik Software, Paul Christopher James, Photoshop CS6, Pink Slot Canyon, Slot Canyon Workshops, Topaz Labs, Valley of Fire
The streams and waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains are great to photograph any time of year but when the Mountains are in their fall colors it is magical.

Fall in the Smoky Mountains
When working along the rivers I usually want to create a fluid movement and sharp focus through the image. When the light is a little brighter light a Neutral Density filter will give me a longer exposure. In low light conditions I can usually create this effect with a 3 or 4 second exposure without having to use the Neutral Density filters.

Man and Nature
For me watching the clients capturing images and having fun is the best part of teaching at any of the location. When capturing images whether you shooting a candid portrait or landscape timing is everything. You can see the enthusiasm in Steve’s face for the image he has just taken.

Having fun along the River
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Leave a comment | tags: Charleston Photographic Workshop, Italian Photographic Workshop, Paul Christopher James, Rome photo workshop, Smoky Mountain Photo Workshop, Southwest Photo Workshop, Topaz Clarity, Tuscany photo workshop | posted in Adobe CS6, Cades Cove, Charleston Photographic Workshop, Fall Colors, Fall Smoky Mountain photo workshop, Greenbrier, Gregg Cabin, Gregg-Cable house, Lake Michigan Lighthouse photo workshop, Little River Road, Michigan Photo Workshop, Paul Christopher James, Photographic Workshops, River time exposure, Rome Photo Workshop, Slot Canyon Workshops, Smoky Mountain Photo Workshop, Southwest Photographic Workshop Tour, Spring Smoky Mountain Workshop, Topaz Clarity, Tuscan Photo Workkshop, Venice Photographic Workshop Tour
In the spring when the dogwoods are in bloom along the fast flowing rivers and stream the compositions are the best the Smokies have to offer. I used Topaz BW Effects 2 and then blended the image with the original image to give it the look of a hand painted B&W image.

Topaz BW Effects 2 blended with the original image
Which processed image do you like best. The Color image or the B&W with touches of color?

Image processed with Topaz Clarity
Which processed image do you like best. The
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Leave a comment | tags: Charleston Photographic Workshop, Digital Photographic Workshop, Italian Photographic Workshop, Nik Software, Paul Christopher James, Rome photo workshop, Smoky Mountain Photo Workshop, Southwest Photo Workshop, Topaz BW Effects 2, Tuscany photo workshop, Venice Photo Workshop | posted in Cades Cove, Charleston Photographic Workshop, Dogwoods, Fall Colors, Fall Smoky Mountain photo workshop, Fall Smoky Mountain workshop, Greenbrier, Gregg-Cable house, Little River, Michigan photographic workshops, Paul Christopher James, Photographic Workshops, River time exposure, Rome Photgraphic Workshop, Slot Canyon Workshops, Smoky Mountain spring photo workshop, Smoky Mountains National Park, Southwest Photo Workshop, Venice Italy Photographic Workshop
On cold winter nights like this I find my thoughts wandering to the warm shooting locations that I have planned for this spring. In late March and early April Charleston emerges from its winter sleep and explodes in vibrant color. Hope you are able to join me Charleston for early an early spring location shoot in some of Americas best gardens.

Southern Charm – Charleston Spring
In lightroom 5.7 I used the Develop module to for a few basic adjustments and then exported Southern Charm into Topaz Clarity to make this image pop.

Southern Charm – Charleston Spring – Raw adj. in lightroom
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Leave a comment | tags: Charleston Photographic Workshop, Charleston Spring Photo workshop, Digital Photographic Workshop, Italian Photographic Workshop, Paul Christopher James, Rome photo workshop, Smoky Mountain Photo Workshop, Topaz Clarity, Venice Photo Workshop | posted in Ashley River, Audubon Swamp, Azaleas, Battery Park, Black and White, Bonaventure Cemetery, Boneyard, Botany Bay, Bridge of Angles, Capturing Highlights and Shadows, Charleston Churches, Charleston Doorways, Charleston Graveyards, Charleston Photographic Workshop, Crape Myrtle, Cypress Trees, Depth of field, Dogwood Tree, Edisto Beach, Fall Smoky Mountain photo workshop, Foley Beach Pier, Italian Photographic Workshop, Live Oak, Magnolia Plantation, Michigan photographic workshops, Paul Christopher James, Paul Christopher James, Photographic Workshops, Rome Photgraphic Workshop, Sheldon Church ruins, Slave Cabins, Slot Canyon Workshops, Southwest Photo Workshop, Southwest Photographic Workshop Tour, Spanish Moss, Topaz BW effects 2, Topaz Clarity, Topaz Simplify, Tuscan Photo Workkshop, Venice Carnival - Photographic Workshop Tour, Venice Italy Photographic Workshop, Wild Rose, Windows
After teaching last springs Charleston workshop Jonathan sent me a nice email and a few of the great images that he captured while we were on location.

Civil War Memorial
This infrared composition that Jonathan shot in a Charleston graveyard that we visited is amazing.

Old Charleston Church
Hi Paul, Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your workshop. I learned so much on this workshop that I am looking forward to going out with you to Las Vegas next year. I was really touched by the way you welcomed me and Gina into your group even though I was the only shooter you did not leave out the non shooters. It was a pleasure to meet you and learn from you. You are a very gifted photographer and teacher. Here are a couple of images I processed.Thank you again for sharing your knowledge and friendship.
Great Workshop!
Jonathan and Regina Davis
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Leave a comment | tags: Charleston Photographic Workshop, Digital Photographic Workshop, Italian Photographic Workshop, Paul Christopher James, Topaz Labs | posted in 2012 Magnolia Plantation and Gardens Photo Contest winners, Charleston Churches, Charleston Doorways, Charleston Graveyards, Charleston Photographic Workshop, Depth of field, Dogwood Tree, Edisto Beach, Fall Smoky Mountain workshop, Foley Beach Pier, Italian Photographic Workshop, Live Oak, Magnolia Plantation, Michigan Photographic Workshop, Nik software, Paul Christopher James, Photographic Workshops, Slave Cabins, Slot Canyon Photo Workshop, Slot Canyon Workshops, Smokey Mountain National Park, Southwest Photo Workshop, Topaz BW effects 2, Venice Italy Photographic Workshop
Hope your holidays are filled with family and friends!

Christmas Eve
Often I am focused in on too many details and sometimes a wide angle lens helps me see a little more order in a chaotic world.
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Leave a comment | tags: Charleston Spring Photo workshop, Christmas Eve, Digital Photographic Workshop, Italian Photographic Workshop, Paul Christopher James, Smoky Mountain Photo Workshop, Tuscany photo workshop, Venice Photo Workshop | posted in Charleston Photographic Workshop, Fall Smoky Mountain photo workshop, Italian Photographic Workshop, Michigan photographic workshops, Paul Christopher James, Rome Photgraphic Workshop, Slot Canyon Workshops, Smokey Mountain National Park, Smoky Mountain Photo Workshop, Southwest Photo Workshop, Venice Italy Photographic Workshop
This morning Charlie W and I worked on a early morning reflection image he captured during last spring’s workshop in Charleston. Charlie’s composition and exposure were great and we only needed to spend a few minutes working in Lightroom 5.7 to make the image sing.

Live Oaks Charleston processed in Lightroom
On this cold winter night I am looking forward to capturing images and working with clients in late March and early April when Charleston’s spring colors explode.

Live Oaks Charleston unprocessed
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Leave a comment | tags: Charleston Photographic Workshop, Charleston Spring Photo workshop, Digital Photographic Workshop, Italian Photographic Workshop, Nik Software, Paul Christopher James, Topaz Labs | posted in 2012 Magnolia Plantation and Gardens Photo Contest winners, Adobe CS6, Ann Arbor Art Fair, Ashley River, Audubon Swamp, Azaleas, Battery Park, Black and White, Bonaventure Cemetery, Boneyard, Botany Bay, Capturing Highlights and Shadows, Charleston, Charleston Churches, Charleston Doorways, Charleston Graveyards, Charleston Photographic Workshop, Charleston South Carolina, Crape Myrtle, Fall Smoky Mountain photo workshop, Italian Photographic Workshop, Magnolia Plantation, Magnolia Plantation, Michigan photographic workshops, Nik software, Paul Christopher James, Savannah, Savannah Georgia, Sheldon Church ruins, Slave Cabins, Slot Canyon Workshops, Smoky Mountains National Park, Southwest Photographic Workshop Tour, Spanish Moss, Topaz BW effects 2, Topaz Clarity, Topaz Simplify, Wild Rose, Windows, Wisteria
The morning mist that the Smoky Mountains famous also makes it a great photographic venue. This lone tree silhouetted in the mist with the moon rising behind it in Cades Cove is a wonderful example of how the Smokies gives us unique photographic opportunities.

Moon over tree silhouetted by the morning fog
Using Topaz B&W Effects 2 in the Platinum Collection I used Platinum VI to turn this lone tree into a great B&W.

Moon over tree in Cades Cove silhouetted by morning fog Topaz B&W Effects
I used Topaz Clarity to process and pop the color which I also like but I think that the Black and White gives this image more impact.

Cades Cove tree in the morning fog

Morning fog Cades Cove processed using Topaz Clarity

Cades Cove tree – Raw CR2
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Leave a comment | tags: Charleston Spring Photo workshop, Nik Software, Paul Christopher James, Smoky Mountain Photo Workshop, Topaz Clarity, Tuscany photo workshop, Venice Photo Workshop | posted in Cades Cove, Fog Bow, Gregg Cabin, Gregg-Cable house, Little River Road, Ogle Cabin, Paul Christopher James, Rime Ice, River time exposure, Slot Canyon Workshops, Smokies, Smoky Mountain Photo Workshop, Smoky Mountains National Park, Topaz Clarity, topaz simplify, Tremont, White Rainbow
During the Lighthouse working along the West Coast of Michigan we spent some time photographing some of Michigan’s wonderful barns.

Northern Michigan Barn Processed with Topaz Software
Barns are normally red and to have a white barn in perfect condition was fun to capture. This barn in the northern Lower Peninsula is one of the best I have ever seen and I will be visiting it with clients for every workshop I give in Northern Michigan.

Unprocessed barn image
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Leave a comment | tags: Digital Photographic Workshop, Paul Christopher James, Topaz Clarity, Topaz Labs | posted in Barns, Michigan Photo Workshop, Michigan photographic workshops, Nik software, River time exposure, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Slot Canyon Workshops, Smokies, Smoky Mountains National Park, South Haven, South Haven Lighthouse, Topaz Clarity, Topaz Simplify, Tremont