Exclusive Patron Seminars: The Archives (Patreon)

This is a link to the Seminar Archives (available only to Patrons and YouTube Paid Members) and includes over 25-hours of exclusive learning support. Most of these seminars are the same duration as the lectures I used to deliver at RMIT University (the oldest photography course in the world and one of the best programs to study commercial photography). This seminar content would be approximately two semesters (one year) worth of lectures.

In the comments section below each movie (when viewed on YouTube) I have added a 'Topics' Covered' list and provided time stamp links you can navigate or jump to specific sections of the seminar.

Note > I strongly recommend watching the first seminar called 'PAL workflow Masterclass' if you have used the eBook to set up your camera. I then recommend watching my Photographic Passion seminar if you want to know what keeps getting me out of bed each morning to shoot for the last four decades.

PAL Workflow Masterclass Seminar: https://youtu.be/_8w5FtIWgVk

This video seminar is an in-depth look at my use of memories to quickly recall groups of camera settings. This workflow ensures that I rarely miss a shot. The video runs for nearly 2-hours.

Photographic Passion: 90 Minute Masterclass - Inspiration & Motivation https://youtu.be/irMEawnyGMc

In this masterclass I discuss how I have managed to keep my passion for photography alive over a 40 year career. I provide ideas and make suggestions how you can fuel your own passion and motivation to capture photographs that tell a story (narrative) to express your own personal vision. I suggest that photography can be much more than capturing hero shots driven by the need to collect likes on social media. The 90-minute movie uses lots of examples from my own folio of images captured predominantly with Sony Alpha Mirrorless cameras (Full-Frame and APS-C) over the last decade.

Patreon Lens Choice 2: https://youtu.be/3llAEWmc-uU

This is an updated seminar to the one that I released in 2021. Hopefully the information may help you to make a decision about which lenses would best suit your own photographic needs. It's worth noting that these are my personal choices and they may not suit your needs. The criteria that I use to make my decisions may be different to the criteria you bring to the decision making table. I am also not able to cover all lenses in this 2-hour seminar as I only review the lenses I am considering adding to my own personal equipment and I wanted to cover the lenses that are in most frequent use.

A New Era Dawns: Mark's 2023 Keynote Talk: https://www.patreon.com/posts/new-era-dawns-92482619 

This seminar looks at recent developments in both hardware and software that heralds a new era for creative image makers (photographers), especially those wanting to spend less and carry less.
Some of the slides in this presentation will undoubtedly be familiar, as I have drafted in pieces of the 'narrative' or 'puzzle' from various camera and lens review videos that I created in 2023 (plus a few more from a number of Patreon seminars). Separately these slides don't paint a picture of the 'master plan' I think Sony had for 2023. Hopefully presented together this Seminar will give you an idea of what I think that master plan was.

Aspect Ratio: https://www.patreon.com/posts/aspect-ratio-90870508 

This is a short seminar to outline how I will now sometimes change to shooting with a 16:9 aspect ratio as part of PAL workflow.

A9III Preview: https://www.patreon.com/posts/a9iii-preview-93270354 

The A9III featuring a ground-breaking full-frame 'Global Shutter Imaging Sensor'.
This camera may not be the best choice for your current imaging needs, but it will change everything from this day on. This new sensor will change how we perceive all new cameras that follow the A9III. This seminar will raise some of the important discussion points and showcase how this technology differs from everything that came before it.

AI Discussion + Generative Fill AI: https://youtu.be/ra1IYTl5mtY

This is a 90-minute seminar that looks at the new Generative Fill feature developed by Adobe using its Firefly AI engine. It looks at the implications of AI for photographers and the practical application of some of the AI tools. This Seminar has a shorter 30-minute companion video.

Lightroom Editing Seminar 2023: https://youtu.be/-ThZvNMKJcY

This seminar showcases my typical editing workflows using Lightroom (formerly known as Lightroom CC). I strongly recommend learning how to use Lightroom, as well as Lightroom Classic, as this gives the photographer the option to edit on location using Mobile devices such as iPads as well as laptop computers.

INSPIRE: https://youtu.be/8DO76ndJc0E

INSPIRE: A discussion about how images from key photographers in history could inspire the work of others who follow them.

Download the Slide deck (complete with links) that was used for this presentation: https://www.dropbox.com/s/rm82ic0g3uhya7s/INSPIRE.pdf?dl=0

Travel Photography 2023: https://youtu.be/6ihbl11UqhY

This 2.5-hour extended seminar provides advice for photographers wanting to travel very light (no checked luggage). It looks at planning the trip, advice to help pack down to only the essentials, choice of lightweight camera gear, advice for creative image capture and narrative building (story-telling) and the post-production workflows required to ensure all images are safely backed up after editing and sharing.

Mighty Mekong: Travel Photography with the A6700 and A7CII cameras: https://www.patreon.com/posts/mighty-mekong-95408485

In this extended 100-minute Patreon Seminar I provide you with the information behind the planning and making of  'The Mighty Mekong' - a 10-minute video that showcases the images captured during my travels in South-East Asia in November/December 2023. Cameras used on this trip was the A6700 and A7CII.

Close-up + Macro Photography: https://youtu.be/w4VxHGwjw-8

In this Close-up photography seminar special I look at Sony's Macro lenses and also the Sony lenses that have both a close-focusing distance and high magnification ratio. Many photographers don't actually need to own a macro lens to photograph small subjects, as they can simply use one of their existing lenses. I provide some tips and techniques as to how to increase the magnification ratio of your existing lenses and show example of how close you can get without owning a Macro lens. I also make some camera setting recommendations for shooting close-up when using tripod and when shooting hand-held and also throw in some tips for lighting on location and when using a wind break would prove useful.

Vlogging Seminar: https://youtu.be/NpU1mIsaRyU

In this Vlogging seminar I outline the camera and microphone settings I choose to use when vlogging with the A7C or A7IV cameras. As someone who chooses to work with the minimum amount of gear I outline settings required to get smooth footage when NOT using a gimbal. I also prioritise Auto exposure rather than fully manual Movie settings so that the clips I am recording can be more spontaneous.

Digitizing Film Seminar: https://youtu.be/fE_w8Bm9VM4

In this seminar I outline my workflows for digitising 35mm film using a Sony Macro lens and either a home-made copy stand or the Nikon ES-2 Digitising Film Adapter.

Medium Format vs Full Frame: Battle of the Formats: https://youtu.be/fkXDEdqlko8

Medium Format versus Full Frame: Battle of the Formats A discussion about the relative merits of the affordable medium format cameras currently available compared to Sony's Full Frame Cameras.

Resolution & Noise Special: https://youtu.be/LMuwBJNBwl8

This seminar discusses image, print and lens resolution followed by a discussion about High ISO noise and ways of suppressing the noise in post-production editing.

Landscape Masterclass: https://www.patreon.com/posts/landscape-52648213 

This Landscape special complements my PAL workflow that is promoted in the eBooks. It looks at various aspects of the craft of creating magnificent Landscape photographs.

Black & White Special: https://youtu.be/FUKIVy1Viwc

The slide deck for this presentation is available to download as an 80-page eBook: https://www.dropbox.com/s/0w8nkk6aqcqqhh6/Black-White-Seminar.pdf?dl=0

Image Editing Special-November 2021: https://youtu.be/-dwR8qmf8GY

This Image-editing Special demonstrates how to make Triptych images showcases the new Masking Tools + 7 image edit workflows.

• The Raw files can be downloaded from this link:
• https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5ppcw9kx1co2zly/AAAeTjWV-_Gxa_0WSO0fTcO9a?dl=0

Image Editing Special-September 2021: https://youtu.be/nURskDQrubc

Topics include:

• Creating a Panoramic Image in Lightroom Classic using Photo Merge
• Creating a new Develop Default in Lightroom Classic
• Lightroom Classic and Photoshop CC Workflow
• Image editing Raw files
• The Raw files can be downloaded from this link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/pye06isdoxzxzwz/AABcI9rHYyv4f4gMkqoRKraOa?dl=0

Photographic Accessories: https://youtu.be/NrPi5Imw42o

This seminar outlines all the photography accessories I use and may also give you some ideas for a gift for someone who loves photography.

Accessories and Gifts Special

• Download the Supporting PDF Guide with Links to Purchase Items: https://www.dropbox.com/s/dptqaelnresqt60/Accessories-April-23.pdf?dl=0

Image Editing Special-June 2021: https://youtu.be/cZOWEGBIvgE

• Image Editing Special
• The Raw files can be downloaded from this link: https://www.patreon.com/posts/52785171

APS-C Special: https://youtu.be/dlh46V6rm1c

This months' seminar focuses on Sony's APS-C system and questions whether it has a future now that its full-frame system is diverse and mature. This seminar will also be of interest to owners of Sony Alpha full-frame cameras who want to understand what advantages cameras using smaller sensors can offer and whether an APS-C body would be a good backup camera or second body.

Image Editing Special-April 2021: https://youtu.be/QgWPhNvPIcE

Primary Topic: Post Production Special including Topaz DeNoise AI & Adobe's Enhance Super Resolution

The Photowalk (Street Photography): https://youtu.be/c4wB_0qA0eI

Primary Topic: The Photowalk (lens choice and the art of photographing strangers).

SEMINAR 22

Part One: https://youtu.be/DBx97Mtm7Og

• Intro & News
• Fake news and Bad Reviews
• Accurate Color
• Nisi 15mm Full-Frame prime
• Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM
• Zeiss Batis 2.8/135
• Primary Topic: Choosing the Right Gear

Part Two: https://youtu.be/SOYLb7Vj8A4

• Choosing the Right Gear (Part 2)
• Straight out of Camera (SOOC)

SEMINAR 21: https://youtu.be/3UOnaA2jVHo

• Dealing with Flare
• Tamron 70-300
• Sigma L Series Primes
• F/1.8 Primes
• Does the Lens Mount Matter?
• Wide Aperture Primes
• Street Settings
• Mobile Workflows
• Macro AF Extension Tubes
• Fill Flash Settings
• Off-Camera Flash Settings
• 4K Video Settings (A7SIII Settings)
• Editing a B&W Portrait

SEMINAR 20: https://youtu.be/5Q_qOyBYImM

Primary Topic: Traveling Compact & Light

SEMINAR 19

Part 1: https://youtu.be/wEw88NLV0WY

• Triptych Portrait Project
• Sony A7C - Sony A7SIII
• Noise Reduction
• Considering a Home Studio and using Sony Flashes

Part 2: https://youtu.be/DwN9o2n8Suw

• Topic 1: Real Estate Photography Settings
• Topic 2: Wide Angle Distortion
• Topic 3: Adobe's DNG file format
• Topic 4: Pixel Shift Multi-Shooting
• Topic 5: 10 years of Sony's E-Mount cameras

SEMINAR 18

Part 1: https://youtu.be/BAvRuzAXYgU

Capturing Birds in Flight and High ISO Performance

Part 2: https://youtu.be/L_GvULmR3C8

• Composition
• Workflow
• Making Money from your photography
• Tethering
• Should I Migrate from Lightroom Classic to Lightroom CC?
• Astro Settings
• Fill Flash for Portraits

SEMINAR 17: https://youtu.be/IZXYN5rCsLY

• FE 12-24 GM - Why is it so Expensive?
• What would it take to upgrade to a future A7RV?
• BenQ SW321C
• My recommendations for Sharing Images Online

SEMINAR 16: https://youtu.be/88T_4zfNoew

• New Sony Imaging Products (ZV-1 and FE 20 f/1.8 G)
• Posters of Mark's images for Sale -
• Digital Imaging Essential Skills (Free chapters): Download Links
• Misinformation being shared by vloggers (ISO is Fake)
• Alpha A7RIV High ISO Performance
• Dot point sights for bird photographers
• High ISO Performance of cropped sensor cameras
• Flash Photography
• High Key & Low Key portraits
• Bracketing Exposure (HDR)
• Freewell Magnetic Filters
• FE 20 F/1.8 G comparison test with FE 24 f/1.4 GM
• In defence of the FE 16-35 F/4 ZA
• Keeping photography simple for beginners

SEMINAR 14

Part One: https://youtu.be/ZwodpEN9PP0

Part Two: https://youtu.be/Ag0QmGxFlzU

• Adobe has changed how you create a new Default Develop Setting. This seminar briefly discusses how to set up this new workflow,
• A folio-based discussion about some of the techniques I use when creating my photographs on location. The techniques strengthen the communication and design of the images.

SEMINAR 13 (Last of the Live Seminars): https://www.youtube.com/live/ctTQl2oU0Bs?feature=share&t=21

• An issue of working with an f/1.4 lens on an APS-C camera
• SteadyShot Mode II
• The Power of One: One Camera, One Lens, One Aperture - a personal challenge.
• The Wrong Lens: Capturing landscapes and Street images with telephoto lenses.

SEMINAR 12 (Where to from Here?): https://youtu.be/ze-TsaD8yv0?t=1056

• 2020 Vision - What does the future hold for Sony Alpha cameras? - NOTE > the main topic of this seminar starts 17-minutes and 35-seconds into the presentation.
• Cloud Backup Options