Upper King Charleston: Photography

Second Monday Lecture Series, May 13th, Featuring Photographer Chris Smith

On Monday, May 13, at 7 pm, the Charleston Center for Photography will welcome Chris Smith. The Second Monday Lecture Series is FREE to attend and open to the public.

Classically trained, Smith has been doing photography of all types for quite a while -- weddings, commercial, travel and sports. An avid tennis player, Smith has been a leading photographer for Family Circle Cup for many years. Chris, with his wife, Cami, has photographed politicians (former president George Bush), celebrities (Steve Harvey, Misty May-Treanor, and Serena Williams). Their work has been featured in Family Circle Magazine, Sports Illustrated,Charleston Magazine, and Tennis Magazine.

“Being a full time photographer, it’s easy to get into a creative rut,” says Smith, of Chris & Cami Photography. “A trip is the best way I know how to regain my creative edge and fulfill my artistic soul.” Smith displays the artistic results of a trip to Belize.

His focus is on three main techniques he uses to bend the light in his favor: OCF (Off-Camera Flash), HDR (High-Dynamic Range), and Natural Light (not to be confused with Available Light). Chris conducts popular Lightbending 411 Workshops in Denver, Colorado.

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Dogrell Photography Photo of the Week: Baby and Dog

Summer 2011, bring on the BBQ, beach chair, buckets and bathing suits. No better moment to capture the children of summer. Forget those fancy clothes and fluffed hair, revel in the joy of less being so much more.

Doggrell Photography | 91 Broad St. 2nd FloorCharleston, SC 29401 | 843-793-3188 | www.doggrell.com

Second Monday Lecture Series with Wade Spees

On Monday July 11, 2011, the Charleston Center for Photography will welcome Wade Spees of the Post and Courier for the July edition of the Second Monday Night Lecture series.

The work of a newspaper photographer is largely local. From Folly Beach to Bonneau Beach with an occasional exotic trip (Castro's Cuba, post-Katrina New Orleans) thrown in -- Wade has been fortunate to work in the Lowcountry since 1980. Engaging the reader while credibly reflecting the subject is the goal -- whether in Summerville or Somalia--he'll share from that on Monday, July 11 at 7 pm at the Charleston Center for Photography.

In addition to being a staffer for the Post and Courier, he freelanced for The New York Times for more than 20 years and for the South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium's quarterly, Coastal Heritage, for nearly 20 years. If you are interested in learning firsthand the ins and outs of the industry this is your event!

REDUX Kids Summer Camp Starting July 11

Studio Elements of Sculpture (Only 1 space left): From July 18 - 22 / Mon - Fri, 9am - 12pm under Instructor Mark Bump; Member $160 / Non-Member $200

Working primarily in plaster, we will explore the different elements of sculpture used in the studio to realize a finished piece. Additive, subtractive, assemblage and casting are just a few of the skills that will be taught and enhanced through this studio workshop. Each day through a short lecture, demonstration and hands on interaction we will examine a different element and apply it to our masterpieces. So bring a set of work clothes and let’s make some Sculpture. No experience necessary! All materials included.

Printmaking Power Camp (Only 4 spaces left): From July 25 - 29 / Mon - Fri, 9am - 12pm under Instructor Conrad Guevara; Member $160 / Non-Member $200

During this one-week camp, students will explore a variety of printmaking techniques. Each day we will learn about a new printmaking process, including screen-printing, mono printing, sophisticated potato stamps, wood block printing and more! Lots of prints, tons of mess and even more excitement! No experience necessary! All materials included.

Stop Motion Animation (Only 3 spaces left): From July 25 - August 5 / Mon - Fri, 1pm - 4pm under Instructor Scott Debus; Member $320 / Non-Member $400

In this two-week camp, students will learn the basics of stop motion animation! Each student will create his/her own clay characters for a stop action film! While working with others each student will write a storyboard, build sets and do voice-overs for the Claymation film. All students will receive a DVD copy of the film that they helped produce and direct. No experience necessary! All materials included.

REDUX Kids Summer Camp Starting on July 11

Intro to Photography (Only 1 space left): From July 11 - 15 / Mon - Fri, 9am - 12pm under Instructor Margaret Crane; Member $160 / Non-Member $200.

Students will span the ages of photography as they learn multiple camera types, become familiar with the darkroom, and create their own photographs from both digital and film processing. While exploring their own style and interest in subject matter, each student will create their own photographs and artwork centered on the basic fundamentals of photography. No experience necessary! All materials included!

Intro to Bookmaking (Only 6 spaces left): From July 11 - 15 / Mon - Fri, 1pm - 4pm under Instructor Michael Benkoski; Member $160 / Non-Member $200

Students will learn fundamental Book Arts techniques through creating a suite of book structures. The class will focus on pamphlets, codex, accordion, and stab bindings. Students will incorporate elements of collage, printmaking and drawing to add visual interest and decorative elements to their books. Whether you are looking to express yourself in a new medium, want to create handmade gifts for family and friends, or simply love books, this class will provide you with the perfect start. No experience necessary! All materials included!

Stacy Pearsall wins 2009 American Hero Award

Stacy Pearsall, owner and Director of the Charleston Center for Photography, was presented the American Hero Award in a ceremony sponsored by Trojan Labor on the tail deck of the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point. Congressional Medal of Honor Marine Major General James E. Livingston presented Pearsall with the award.

Pearsall, a retired Staff Sergeant and veteran of the U.S. Air Force, earned the Bronze Star Medal and Commendation with Valor for heroic actions under fire while serving as a military photographer in Iraq. Her going above and beyond the call of duty, earned Sgt. Pearsall the Trojan Labor American Hero Award.

A former combat photographer, Pearsall is now director of the Charleston Center for Photography, a Charleston nonprofit located at 654 King Street in the Upper King Design District. Her work has been used by The New York Times, Newsweek, GQ, and CNN. And she was twice named National Press Photographers Military Photographer of the Year, and remains the only woman to have won this prestigious award twice.

Blue Bicycle Books to Host Photographer Sandy Logan

Blue Bicycle Books will host the release party for Sandy Logan’s book of photography From the Edge, Saturday May 23, 5 – 7 pm. Logan's abstract photos of graffiti and industrial sites ain’t exactly Rainbow Row. Sandy will display prints around the store -- their first art show in two years.

Join us for a glass of wine and meet Sandy. Blue Bicycle Books is located at 420 King Street near the corner of King and John, in the Upper King Design District, home to Charleston’s most authentic and most locally-owned stores.

King Street on Live 5 News Charleston

Susan Lucas was on Live 5 News Wednesday telling greater Charleston to "Come to beautiful King Street for the Holidays." Her appearance on the 4 O'Clock news slot with Live 5 News Anchor Bill Sharpe included a sneak appearance by The Grinch from the Charleston Ballet Theatre who ran off with two of the luscious props supplied by Cupcake.

With a Jack Alterman photo of King Street in the forefront, Ms. Lucas took advantage of every second to promote the Charleston Ballet Theatre's extra performances of The Grinch, King Street businesses from Broad to the Crosstown, City of Charleston Parking Garages and CARTA Dash Buses and Holiday Magic in Historic Charleston at Marion Square.

"King Street is just so beautiful with the windows and decorations. And the shopping is just the best," said Lucas. "And there is plenty of parking especially with the 2-hour free parking vouchers provided by the City, available at all of the merchants. After parking buy a CARTA pass and jump on and off of the great Dash Buses to ride up and down King Street."

For Your Budding Photographer, or the Photographer in You

What photography bug wouldn't love dinner with a top National Geographic Photographer? Sam Abell, in town for a three-day workshop at the Center for Photography January , will discuss his work and sign his book, The Life of a Photograph on Wednesday, January 14th in the beautiful Stars Lounge at Charleston's American Theater. Pick up the book to put under the tree--lecture tickets for the bookmark and you're all set! Or, for a really, really good gift, give all three: Workshop, Lecture and Book are $650. The Center for Photography is at 664-D King Street.