Please, please, please read this...

If you love photography and are looking for educational opportunities, this post is a must read.

I have been getting a bunch of emails lately, some looking for where to find photography courses and others looking for camera clubs in their area (if I haven't responded your email yet I will, I promise).

The theme for all the emails have been pretty consistent, they are looking to bring their photography to the "next level".

I can't begin to tell you how many books, DVD's, and courses have come to us for review over the last 5 years and there are two that are head and shoulders above the rest.

So if you want to take your camera off "P", if you want to be comfortable shooting in manual, and if you want to control the light instead of being controlled by it then right these down.

There are two things I would recommend (strongly urge) you do before anything else. ANYTHING ELSE.

First, I would buy the "Strobist Lighting Seminar DVD Box Set", an 8 DVD 2 day seminar from David Hobby. You can read my (glowing) review here and buy it over at Midwest Photo Exchange for $139.

Second, I would head over to Creative Live and download the 2 1/2 day seminar "Studio Photography" taught by Zack Arias for $129 (my review is here).

I could ramble on about what is so great about these two products, but it would a re-hash of the original reviews, so take a minute to read them for in-depth product details (David Hobby here and Zack Arias here).

These will do more than take your photography to "the next level", they will shoot you over the mountain and leave your sprawled on the other side.

It will have you saying things about lighting ratios that will leave your photography friends dumbfounded and wanting to know if you can teach an upcoming class at the camera club.

;)

Seriously, these are the best educational opportunities available out there, I promise, and having them on DVD will give you the chance to watch, re-watch, stop, pause, and study anything you want at times convenient for you.

That's my 2 cents... and your $268.