I just took an awesome macro/jewelry/bead photography workshop last weekend in San Diego with Kyle Cassidy (
www.kylecassidy.com), hosted by Kate McKinnon at Jay Whaley's metalsmithing studio. Kyle taught us how to get great macro shots by understanding the camera settings, even if you have a point and shoot (he prefers a digital SLR). The class is not aimed at trying to sell you a bunch of equipment, rather, to get better shots using the equipment you already
have. I love that. We did shots using natural and artificial light, and got some great ones (see my blog).
Anyway, he is willing to travel anywhere that someone can get a bunch of interested students together, so I just wanted to put the word out, and gauge interest in the San Jose area, since I've found a venue there (it's in Los Gatos, actually).
So, register your interest in this thread, and I'll see if I can make this happen. I learned a lot in this class, and will be taking better bead and jewelry pictures in the future.