My Day-Friday 9th August-newborns and loaders

Quick video grab of the moves this TRM13 utility loader can pull...more maternity and newborn images here and if you are into HEAVY METAL? more industrial images here the go to studio for soft or hard images ......www.ricwoods.com

Learning to Shoot on Manual mode -3 Hour beginners photography course-ricwoods photography

We ran a another beginners photography course the other night and the emails we received over the next couple of days from inspired photographers highlighted we are on the money with the course .Its theory and practical in a 3 hr session at the studio in carrington.

All the students are guaranteed to be shooting on manual mode when they leave the studio or they can come to another course for FREE


We talk about, aperture,shutter speed,iso etc. Here Maree talks to Barbara about the focus points inside the viewfinder and how they can be changed

Its a casual visual approach to learning photography.We supply a QUICK REFERENCE FIELD GUIDE for the participants , a remoder of what theylearned when they leave the studio


We show participants how to throw the background out of focus for their portraits..

...and how to throw the foreground out of focus to lead the viewer to important aspects of a captured scene.


Brad Davies sent us a few images from his practise session with his children the next day...putting the theory into practise...well done.Cant wait to see more.

Download the 2012 PHOTOGRAPHY & LIGHTING COURSE BOOKLET here.The beginners course feeds into 13 other courses, including a weekend away.

Terry-ric woods photography

I had the pleasure of capturing images of Terry the other day.Terry has some of the best ink work Ive seen lately.

BEGINNERS PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE -aug 2011-ric woods photography

We had a very bright class this last session, very few questions were asked during the course, and there were many nodding their heads as different aspects of the camera were covered.

Course notes make it easy to remember suggested starting camera settings for various photographic scenes.

We explain lens selection and using wide angle and telephoto lenses.

We talk about the image information available in camera

we talk about histograms and over exposure, with practical hands on exercises.

Our pre shoot check lists minimises mistakes during your photographic photo shoots

We explain the lens,iso,aperture and shutter speed relationship and teach participants to take control and shoot on manual mode.



Easy to follow course notes are designed for "visual" AND "text reading" learners

Our beginners course is designed to lead into other courses as skills are learned.The 21 page PDF course booklet download is HERE

Begineers DSLR Photography Course-ric woods photography

WE had a great crew for the latest beginner's photography course.Saw many puzzled faces in the beginning of the evening which turned to excitement at the end of the 3 hours. These small classes are great to have everything covered.Maree was hovering around helping people access menus etc.We don't like anyone to "fall down the cracks".
Maree is putting the 2012 photography and lighting book course booklet together as we "speak" download the 21 page pdf booklet for the rest of 2011 HERE.


We look forward to meeting you all soon....ric

David Bonython of Strategic Sourcing Australia photo shoot-ric woods photography

We created a commercial portrait portfolio for David Bonython of Strategic Sourcing Australia today, it was a rush job for the printer.The images needed to portray David as competent, confident and approachable. Its great when the client brings their outfits on coat hangers, it takes lots of time to either re iron shirts of photo shop wrinkles...and on a striped shirt that is a huge task.

Davis was easy to work with and has a face that has great smile lines.We look forward to seeing Davis profile article in print.

FIVE STAR FAMILY DAY CARE a ric woods,ross carroll and little green frog marketing collaboration

Going through my archives TRYING to make a filing system that other humans can understand I came across this TVC ad.This was lots of fun this shoot. Little Green Frog marketing think tank commissioned me to shoot the stills and then got Ross Carroll a very talented and creative friend to drop an animation over the images. Ross has a wonderful creative mind and is so passionate about his work its inspiring.

Jamie Gilmore the owner of Little Green Frog has a mind that sends out a never ending stream of "What if we.......'s". Its so good working with passionate professionals......Oh yeah it sounds like Ross doing the voice overs....but its not

Five Star Family Day Care TVC from Ross Carroll on Vimeo.

ProAm Photography Course Drawn Today

Congratulations to Xanthe the winner of the Pro Am Photographic Course Competition.
Xanthe is able to choose a course that suits her needs valued at $220.
Download our 21 page course Booklet HERE
Thanks to David the owner of Pro Am ( our lab of choice) and everyone that entered.There will other chances to join our workshops in the future.

MY NEW Digital DSLR CAMERA PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE was a blast

Our NEW DSLR Beginners Course part 1 & 2 has finished and we have set more passionate photographers lose on the world !!
We have always believed that smaller classes work better to get the information to the participants as there is more one on one time.

I leave them conscious of how they hold the camera and knowing the reasons they get grey snow or that white shirt that was supposed to be white looks like it needs the bleach.

We show them tricks about hard light,diffusion ,reflectors so that their images rise to a better quality of imagery.....

Many many photographers are visual learners and we have discovered techniques to simplify getting correct exposures for skin tones and how to drop the background out of focus with kit lenses...

Its also a great time for people to share their ideas and images with like minded people

We are looking forward to the 3 workshops in February

*Editing Basics a computer based course

*Capture the Action a live sports event

*Now I know my Camera my first studio photo shoot

If you would like more information email maree@ricwoods.com or dowload the 21 page PDF Couse Booklet **HERE**

2 COMPETITIONS 2 CHANCES TO WIN- ric woods photography

Maree in conjunction with 2 of our favourite business Pro Am Colour Laboratories and The Framing Game is running a competition for their customers.Both are free to enter and there are two very different prizes to be had.


The first competition is with The Framing Game. You could win a fantastic studio photo shoot and included is a beautiful framed collage of the images you choose. FREE to enter, just drop into the Framing Game located at shop 3 Charlestown Mall, Charlestown and fill out and entry form,put it in the box provided and GOOD LUCK.

Our second competition involves Pro Am.Pro Am has been printing our quality images for years.David Barnes the owner comes from a Commercial Photography background and can be a a wealth of information for the amateur photographer.
our prize for the Pro Am competition is a place in one of our photographic or lighting courses.We have courses for beginner's to professional

Free and easy to enter ,just drop in to Pro Am Adamstown Plaza Adamstown, fill out an entry form and drop it in the box...EASY !!

Download the 2011 21 page PDF Photographic & Lighting Course Booklet HERE

2011...A great year to make images

Maree Bridie and myself are so looking forward to making images this year.Last year with the studio and admin changes we made we increased our client base by about 300% and look to do better again this year.

We were have Australian and OS clients giving us the figure that we should charge for some photo shoots and the cost they were presenting left no room for creativity and growth of the studio through profit. After making the decision to step up a level and let those commissions go that are not cost effective something shifted, and we have seemed to attract better paying commercial and portrait work.
Running a full time photography studio costs and there is lots of folk that don't have our overheads who's fees are lower.There is room for everyone we feel, doing the sums and calculating profits is very important.We purchased lots of new equipment in 2010 including 4 new Bowens strobes,soft boxes 2 cameras etc, more insurance, staff .....Its good to have the good gear and the secure feeling of back up EVERYTHING ....

We will of course continue to contribute or services to the community at times with no fee as we believe that if everyone gave their skills at times to the community it would be a better place for all.

This year we will do more teaching for those that want to learn the way we do things and we will also have some exciting personal photo shoots in the planning stages...

Looking forward to meeting lots of new clients and students this year.......

thanks to Glenn Judd for the behind the scenes images

O'grady Family- a new addition- by ric woods photography

For more information on family portrait sessions and our fine art products email maree@ricwoods.com or call ric woods photography 02 4962 1066

Kids are Great to Photograph

Maree and myself have been having a great time making portraits for families Christmas gifts
Some of little subjects have been fantastic

Dont forget all those that completed 2010 photography workshops ,we are inviting you to our christmas driunks and exhibition of your images. details from Maree at maree@ricwoods.com.

Christmas Gathering & Exhibition- ric woods photography studio 2010

Its in the Stars-astrology reports and gift hampers-product shoot-ric woods photography

Elizabeth Ball commissioned ric woods photography to to shoot her hampers.Elizabeth is a very interesting woman and her background is worth a read.

Drop over to It's in the stars and check out her site.Soon to have bright new images.

There is more behind the scenes info posted at our flickr collection

Photography and Lighting Courses for 2010 by ric woods

Amanda our subject, provided the subjects with a beautiful face and animated personality in the studio. Maree discussed make-up for photography. Explaining the differences in the way digital sees make up, and what to do with application of lips for colour and black and white images.

Participants have just completed 2 of our courses."My new DSLR" and "Now I know my camera"


It was excellent for me to be able to de mystify the histogram and have them all shooting manual. Their homework had them bringing back images displaying shallow DOF (depth of field/focus),movement in images and conquering back lit portraits.

Some our students making fun of their teacher, encouraged by the co owner of ric woods photography, Maree Nichols.

MAREE: MAKE UP ARTIST & PHOTOGRAPHER

Maree having finished her make up course has now added another string to her bow. Seen her shoting Nicole after completing her make up.