All sessions will take place in the Gold Ballroom.
Thursday, April 24, 2025
08:00 Leica on Loan
Try out the newest Leica gear for 24 hours. Cameras and lenses galore.
8:00 Continental Breakfast
9:00 -9:15 President’s Welcome & Opening Remarks - David Knoble
9:15-10:00 Introduction of Attendees
10:00 – 10:15 Break
10:15-11:00 The Fine Art of Printing in a Digital World - with Eric Luden
Eric Luden from Digital Silver Imaging explains why it’s essential to print your work, the importance of preparing your files for print and using a calibrated monitor, and other tools that make the process easier. He will cover various paper options for fine art and archival printing, and display options that don’t break the bank.
11:00 – 12:00 10 Years on Folly Beach with a Leica - with David Knoble
In this presentation, David will be showing what he looks for to get inspiration, how he captures the unique aspects of Folly Beach and how he turns challenges into new works of art. You will learn his approach and how he creates landscapes that invite you to imagine being there and see firsthand some RAW files and the results of editing. David will wrap up with a brief overview of why he uses certain equipment and what it takes to get these kind of images.
12:00 -12:30 Photo Assignment Theme Explanation - Tom Smith & Colin McKinley
12:30 – 2:00 Lunch on your own
2:00 Shooting Your Photo Assignment
6 :00 - 8:30 Group Excursion - “Blues and BBQ” Sunset Harbor Cruise
Locals will tell you that one of the best ways to experience the authentic beauty of Charleston is from the water. We are excited to offer a special “Blues and BBQ” Sunset Cruise on the harbor, complete with local cuisine and live music! VIP Pre-Boarding for LSI Spring Shoot members begins at 6pm, and the boat will depart at 7pm. Get ready for a beautiful evening out on the water with your fellow LSI members, and a unique opportunity to photograph the harbor area during golden hour!
Address: 10 Wharfside St, Charleston, SC - Please arrive by 6:30pm!
This is about a 15-20 minute walk from the hotel. You can also take a taxi/Uber, or even a local bike taxi if you’re feeling adventurous!
Friday, April 25, 2025
8:00 Leica on Loan
8:00 Continental Breakfast
8:45-9:00 Announcements
9:00 – 10:00 25 Years of Uncovering Leica Stories - Sean Cranor
Sean Cranor reflects on key historical Leica pieces he's encountered, and how these vintage photographic tools have inspired his service to the photographic community for the past 25 years through Camera West. He'll highlight influential gear that transcends mere collectibility, emphasizing the unique impact of each piece through the stories they've told and continue to tell—stories that should inspire us to share our own with the cameras we carry and the photos we create.
10 – 10:15 Break
10:15 - 11:15 Red Dot Forum Camera Talk LIVE: Take it or Leave it - Josh Lehrer and David Farkas
If it’s a Leica camera or lens, odds are, David and Josh have left it home when they needed it most. After decades of photography, your favorite Leica YouTube hosts have decided it was time to finally talk about how ensure that you return from every photo outing with the fewest regrets and the most keepers. In this live version of Red Dot Forum Camera Talk, you’ll learn that with the right approach, you’ll (hopefully) never be without that critical piece of equipment again.
11:15- 12:00 Intro to Astrophotography - Colin McKinley
Join LSI Executive Director Colin McKinley for an exploration into the photographic techniques used to capture the Milky Way. In this presentation, Colin will explain step-by-step how to plan and execute your own photoshoot with the Galactic Core, from cosmic timing to camera settings.
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch on Your Own
1:00 – 5:30 Group Excursion - Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
At Charleston's world-famous Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, the show-stopping attraction is the romantic garden – and it has been for centuries. From the Audubon Swamp Garden to the historic River Walk, Magnolia has something for everyone. We invite you to stroll through these historic gardens, learn about the horticulture and nature thriving in the Lowcountry, survey the wildlife that call Magnolia home, and explore over 300 years of history.
Busses depart from Francis Marion Hotel at 1:15pm on Friday afternoon. Return busses will depart from the plantation at 5pm to bring you back to the hotel.
5:30 Dinner on your own
Saturday, April 26, 2024
8:00 Return Leica on Loan
8:45-9:00 Morning Announcements
9:00-10:00 Using Simple AI Editing Tools in Lightroom and Photoshop - Bill Royce
Focusing on the latest version of Lightroom and the beta version of Photoshop, this presentation will show members some very simple tools to include removing objects and distracting elements, enlarging the crop, changing the background, and the latest versions of Denoise, Lens blurand some very easy-to-use filters for colorizing and restoring old film images.
10:00 - 2:00 NEWLY ADDED: Gallery Showing - Prints from Digital Silver Imaging (Eric Luden)
Downstairs from the Gold Ballroom in Lauren’s Room (Mezzanine Level) you will find a small gallery of photographs taken by fellow attendees.
Get inspired by seeing other photographers’ work and by seeing the exception print quality provided by Digital Silver Imaging. There will also be special deals and promotions on prints for LSI Members, with personalized printing/ordering assistance from Eric Luden.
11:00 – 2:00 Lunch on Your Own - Last Photo Outing
2:00 - 3:00 Selecting/Editing and Uploading Your Images for 3:30 session
3:30 – 4:30 Sharing of Images with Commentary - Sawyer Flint, David Knoble, Colin McKinley
6:30 Cocktails (cash bar - must be pre-registered)
7:00 Banquet (must be pre-registered)