The Brentwood, Tenn.-based microstock Web site Dreamstime.com has launched a workshop program. The first one-on-one workshop and stock shoot will be hosted by well-known stock photographer Ron Chapple in Maui, Hawaii.
"Shoot with Ron Chapple" is offered as a prize in Dreamstime's monthly assignment contests. The winner will go on a three-day shooting trip with Chapple to learn the practical details for a successful shoot: lighting secrets, working with models and techniques suitable for still-life or night shoots. Chapple will also share his views on how to produce work that sells.
Dreamstime will cover all associated transportation, lodging and meal costs for the winner. To be eligible to win, participating photographers must have over 100 images on Dreamstime and submit work to one of three assignments starting in September. The submitted images will be evaluated in conjunction with each entrant's total sales and history of assignment participation: More accepted submissions increase the photographer's chances to win. To document the contest's progress and encourage participation, Dreamstime will maintain a real-time list of potential winners on its Web site.
Depending on response, Dreamstime plans to continue the series with other working stock shooters. Ron Chapple was the natural inaugural choice: With nearly 10,000 images, over 13,000 sales and over 1,000 monthly uploads, Chapple's iofoto is Dreamstime's top contributor.
Chapple has been shooting stock since 1984, founding Thinkstock in 2000 and selling it to Jupitermedia Corp. in 2004 for $4 million in cash plus 50,000 restricted stock shares. He actively travels and runs a studio that contributes to both traditional and micro-payment stock agencies. The microstock-only brand iofoto is licensed through the eight top Web sites.
The exact date of Dreamstime's "Shoot with Ron Chapple" will be decided between the participant and teacher. Though Dreamstime encourages the winner to write about or otherwise share the workshop's experience, all Chapple's trade secrets must be kept confidential. Dreamstime also says the actual location is subject to change. An important additional restriction is that all images from the three-day shoot by both photographers will be exclusive to Dreamstime for two years.