The past few days, I had a lot of fun at the Southwestern Photojournalism Conference and student practicum in Fort Worth, Texas. The time started right with me helping a student at Leddy’s. M.L. Leddy is a legend in the handmade boot and saddle industry. Since 1922 they have provided “made by hand” products for discriminating customers worldwide.

The student’s assignment on Thursday night was to capture an environmental portrait.

Nikon D750, AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 12800, ƒ/5.6, 1/200

Ana Cláudia D’ Carlos holding the Sony camera, is talking to Jody, the model at Leddy’s. Ana is from Brazil and came to the conference through the School of Photographic Communications at the University of the Nations in Kona, Hawaii.

Nikon D750, AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 1600, ƒ/5.6, 1/250

Kaylee Kaybay Walding found this street photographer in downtown Fort Worth, Texas, for her environmental portrait.

Nikon D750, AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 1600, ƒ/5.6, 1/250

The one thing all the students were initially struggling with was their fear of people. Getting them to talk to people to find a subject was difficult, but as the deadline to stop approached, they were overcoming that fear.

Nikon D750, AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 10000, ƒ/8, 1/250

On the far right and left front of the photo are Justin and Ashley Veneman. They are photographers in Memphis, Tennessee, helping the students learn how to set their cameras as others looked on.

Nikon D750, AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 12800, ƒ/8, 1/50

I have blogged a few times about Dave Black. After we introduced ourselves, the instructor, Dave, asked to speak to everyone for just a minute. “I want to see everyone’s portfolio that is here this weekend. No matter how long it takes. So come and see me,” Dave said to the group.

Dave lived up to that promise and stayed up to 2:00 am the first day and 3:00 am the second day sitting on this couch reviewing portfolios. He encouraged people to gather around so they could hear his comments and learn from each other.

Nikon D750, AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 12800, ƒ/4.8, 1/250

Here is Dave Black reviewing Susanne Childer’s work. Everyone around them is Susanne’s class from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

Nikon D750, AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 12800, ƒ/4.5, 1/25–off camera flash with the Neewer T850 triggered with the Neewer radio remote

One speaker we love to have back over and over again at Southwestern Photojournalism Conference is Dave Black. He is always prepared with great content and always delivers in an entertaining way.

Here are some of Dave’s many expressions in just a few minutes. We were laughing and crying with Dave.

Nikon D750, AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 12800, ƒ/5.6, 1/200

Nikon D750, AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 12800, ƒ/5.6, 1/125

Nikon D750, AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 12800, ƒ/5.6, 1/100

Put on your calendar February 26 – 28, 2016, for the conference, and if you are a student, be sure and attend the student practicum that precedes the event on February 25 – 26.