Teaching
"Michael's education and experience in photography makes him an outstanding teaching candidate. He is a dedicated professional with a wide variety of personal and interpersonal skills." William Gray Project Manager, California Industrial Education Consortium (CITEC)
"Skillful, conscientious and a dedicated teacher, Michael Stern thoroughly understands how people learn. He has a wealth of experience in working with graphic arts technology, specifically Adobe Photoshop software, printers and both digital imagery and 35-mm film camera skills." Teri Tsosie, Director of Technology, Hermosa Beach City School District
"What I found most valuable for our students in his classes, was the inclusion of the business aspects of commercial photography from self-promotion, working with clients, costs and pricing a job, workflow to professional output." Joan Watanabe, Head of Photography Program, Glendale Community College
"Michael expertly taught our Photoshop class for four years. He developed the class syllabus on digital imaging and served on our ROP Advisory Board for Photography." Tim Brehm, Photography Instructor, John Burroughs High School
"I have always found Michael to be most pleasant in any of our communications and over the past years I have gained an impression of him as a committed, diligent and professional person." Mark Galer, Senior Lecturer, RMIT University, Photographer, Author, Adobe Ambassador
"As someone who has taught at the university level for many years, I am well aware of the skills and talents needed to teach at the college level. Michael Stern has them all!" Dr. Marilyn Winters, PhD California State University, Sacramento Educational Leadership & Policy Studies
Build A Better Photograph, A Disciplined Approach To Creativity
"Mr. Stern writes in an easy-going style that makes the reader feel that they are in the presence of an out-going teacher who enjoys sharing his techniques and learning experiences‚ both the good and the bad‚ and he is not ashamed to admit to mistakes made in that they provide part of the lessons learned that he would share with the student. It is no wonder that he has had a wide and varied teaching career in addition to his studio work."
Dr. Michael N. Roach
"Michael Stern has been a seasoned professional photographer for over 30-years. His meticulous concern for creating an image translates far back beyond the digital tools of today. He brings his expertise to the forefront demanding that a photograph be perfect in every way. Mr. Stern is a perfectionist and anyone who wants to make great pictures should read his book and see how an expert approaches the new visual language." Laurence Gartel, Digital Media Pioneer
"Throughout this book his sense of humor is alive and apparent. Even though some of the subject matter could be considered "heavy lifting" Michael Stern keeps it professional, but light. He understands human nature as well as he knows cameras. His writing style makes reading and studying his concepts and techniques pleasurable and palatable." Artie Alinikoff
"How often are we able to get inside the head of a photographer these days without them thinking we are trying to "steal" information for our own gain? With Michael's book and cd, he does just that. I have always wanted to sit down with a really talented photographer and discuss in depth how to do more complicated set ups. With this book, now I have the tools to take my photographs to the next level. I appreciate his humor and candidness throughout the material. These techniques are not for the person who just picked up a camera for the first time. This is pretty advanced stuff that can really make a difference in your photos.
Thanks for letting us "see" how to be a better photo "builder" for our clients." Anne Marie Lord
"This is one of the more interesting photography books I have read during my sixty years doing photography. The four chapters of the book are; The Environmental Portrait, Compositing Techniques, 3D Scanning of Found Objects, and Great Product Photography. When just considering the topics, one might think this is a real potpourri of subjects. But this is more than just a book of technique. The four chapters are autobiographical and reflect his philosophy and approach to developing a better photograph. In one sense, he allows the reader to "get into his thinking process" and that is important because it allows one to better understand how he has been successful." Charles Heisterkamp, III, M.D. - Photographer
"So far, your book is great. I've highlighted the heck out of most of what I HAVE read. I think the mix of tech talk and your personal stories makes it a very identifiable read. You're not just telling me "A+B=C", instead you're telling me "I thought of A, added it to B, that didn't work the way I had hoped (learned from it) tried "B2" and that = C". In my young career I have had to deal with a few problems creatively, it's in YOUR personal experiences that I am finding a lot of inspiration to reboot my thought process on some internal traits that slow my move forward. For me, the pre-visualizing, "the creative continuum" concept and reading and re-reading the Compositing Techniques section are going to be such a great new tool set. I once said that you were my most quoted professor. This will easily be one of my most quoted books throughout my career." Abiel Hoff, photographer
Interviews & Mentoring
I had no idea I could do that with photography and there you are, this great photographer, I have seen your work online, does that...wow!
I want to personally thank you so much for bringing that out, it means the world to me.
Thank you."
Best Regards,
M. Pau
"I went to bed early with a headache (migraine) undoubtedly because I recognize the truth in your message and don't feel I have the solution just yet. Years of self-neglect, self-denial, self-deprecating humor to compensate for the initiative to improve this part of myself.... You are the right counselor to meet at this point in my career development. An artist with the right skills to share, to end my cycle of continued poverty. You have pointed to the solution, but I'm gonna need a road map to lead me out of the woods. Thanks Again Brother, I think my lucky occurrence was talking (and listening) with you on Sunday. Maybe there's a new book building in this "Dinner with Andre."
T. Egan
