A week of photographic communications class in Kailua-Kona Hawaii

Nikon D4, 14-24mm, ISO 400, ƒ/2.8, 30 sec

Today I wrap up a week long training of young photographers from nine different nations who were part of the School of Photographic Communication at the University of Nations here in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. This is on The Big Island.

I started the week by taking some tourist photos around The Big Island. I had never been to the top of Mauna Kea. Often above the clouds, the night skies are often clear and bright, rivaling any other stargazing location in the world!

Nikon D4, 28-300mm, ISO 12800, ƒ/8, 1/50

This is most of the students and staff at the school. We spent a lot of time at the computers this week rather than behind our cameras, because I was teaching them how to use Adobe Lightroom.

Fujifilm X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 6400, ƒ/4, 1/140

The purpose of this school was to not just teach photographic skills but leadership skills. Paul Childers is one of the founders of the school and teaches here to the class some of the skills for teams.

This class will teach photography, some lighting, a little video, design and leadership skills so these students can then lead communication teams overseas to help document things like human trafficking, orphanages and other social justice issues.

Fujifilm X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 6400, ƒ/3.6, 1/210

I chose to break up some of the Lightroom with what I call sidebar topics on photography. I showed them how to use off camera flash and here I Skyped in three time pulitzer prize winning photographer Anacleto Rapping.

The class is going to the Southwestern Photojournalism Conference in Fort Worth, TX next month to take part of the student workshop and the rest of the conference.

I offered to meet with each student one-on-one and talk about whatever they wanted to ask me or talk about. Here are some of the students who took me up on that offer.

Fujifilm X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 1000, ƒ/2.8, 1/500

Nadia Otake who is from Brazil.

Fujifilm X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 640, ƒ/3.6, 1/500

 Ana Cláudia D' Carlos who is also from Brazil.

Fujifilm X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 1600, ƒ/4, 1/500

 Joyce Schoonenberg who is from Netherlands.

Fujifilm X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 5000, ƒ/3.6, 1/500

Lisa Peter from Germany also showed me some of her photos.

Fujifilm X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 6400, ƒ/3.6, 1/20

This has been a good week to get to know the students, to see their work and to see their passion to use photography to tell stories of people around the globe.

Teaching helps me grow so much. The students questions are very intentional and make you think about why you do the things you do. Is this the industry standard or is this my preference. I don't want to mislead them and think this is how you have to do something when other photographers do it another way and are successful.

There is a synergy when you get this many people together studying photography. They are not just learning from the instructor, they learn from one another. I cannot recommend enough the value of a class with working professionals can make in your life as this school is doing here.

They have already had Gary Chapman teach. They have Robin Nelson, Greg Schneider and Esther Havens coming later to teach them as well.  Everyone of the speakers has already said they wanted to be in the class and hear the other speakers as well.

If you are interested in this type of a class then click here to learn more.

Check back to see how my last day went with the students.