The first Image Makers Workshop of the year will be about how to make the best photographs of products to sell  on for-sale and auction web sites.

Outstanding pictures will really help you get the best price for your items. They’ll sell faster because your buyers will see what they need to see.

Our guest expert, Terry Takaki, will conduct a hands-on workshop on how to make images of products using a table-top lightbox, lighting and backgrounds. You will learn how to use light to bring out the best features of your product. You will also receive instructions on how to make your very own lightbox from inexpensive materials.

Bring your camera and bring your for-sale items to the workshop and you will take your money-making images home that day.

This class will be limited to 12 participants. Camera, memory card and any other suitable equipment will be helpful, but not needed. There is no fee to attend this workshop, but registration is needed so we will be able to provide sufficient class material.

Date: Saturday, January 23
Time: 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Location: ING Direct Waikiki

More information and registration here.

The Image Makers Workshop’s field trip held this past Sunday at the Queen Liliuokalani Botanical Gardens gave participants a hands-on opportunity to learn how to create memorable outdoor portraits.  The Nishikis, Scott, Cheryl and their daughter Sierra, participated as models for the event.

Instructor Terry Takaki reviewed some of the techniques and esthetics for outdoor portraits which the participants could immediately apply. Tips included adjusting aperture settings to produce out of focus backgrounds, the effect of focal length on subjects, proper exposure and posing.

Participants were even given the opportunity to try their hands at shooting with a macro lens.

HMAUS members who participated in the workshop were Terrence Young, Joan Matsukawa, Gregg Kamei, Elizabeth Hammond, Lisa Oi and Junie Hayashi.

After the morning workshop participants stopped at Zippy’s on Vineyard Boulevard for lunch, sharing ideas and viewing the event images.

Joan Matsukawa brought the Nishikis to serve as the models for the workshop. They will be given the best images of the lot. Cheryl is Joan’s niece.

Selected images from the workshop can be seen at the HMAUS Flickr home page at: http://flickr.com/hmaus

The Image Makers Workshop is an HMAUS workshop for those interested in graphic design, video, image creation, photography and visual expression. Learn more about the workshop here.

Registration and information here.