Gavin Johnson, Jeff Taylor and Brian Kimmel gave a seminar on this topic, which mainly focused on taking photos at origin, and branching off into technical skills, with some advanced stuff bandied about.

During the Q&A, They got lots of technical questions, and some really advanced stuff was discussed, including backlighting, using a camera's Fstop as well as possible (along with shutter speed), and more. Reading the manual was heavily stressed.

Jeff Taylor mentioned "magic hour" and how National Geographic Magazine has an informal policy in place that they only shoot during that last hour or so the sun is still out, and at the horizon. It's because it makes skin tones look absolutely fantastic, creates muted, soft shadows, and is ideal for any photo situation.

The panel kind of poo-poohed the use of Photoshop, saying the good image should be taken in the camera, and the photographers on the panel were saying they avoid using photoshop as much as possible, instead preferring to create the ideal image at the source - in the camera. I dunno if I would want to say that to a seminar group - many want to go there to get answers, not to hear "just be good enough". But that was only a minor point for me.

Overall, it was a very interesting seminar, and though not a packed room, there were about 25 people in attendance and they seemed to get a lot out of the discussion.

More to come...