Mike Long - Photographic Artist

In an industry full of photographers struggling to catch up to the digital revolution, photographer and retoucher Mike Long has led the charge for over 20 years.
 
Inspired to pick up a camera after complaining about the quality of images he had to work with, Mike set off on a path that has led him around the World from his native England to his current home in Portland, Oregon.
 
Along the way, Mike has been the manager for the retouching dept. of the UK's largest publisher, a wedding photographer in two continents, a motor racing photographer, lead retoucher for San Francisco's premier advertising retouching house, and today is owner of Portland Pin-Ups, the most unique portrait studio on the West Coast.
 
Portland Pin-Ups started life when Mike became bored with the routine work his studio was producing, and spent many hours of personal time perfecting the lighting, shooting and editing styles that would form the basis of Portland Pin-Ups unique style. The combination of photography and post-production style has kept Mike very much in demand from both the public and commercial clients. Recent clients include Animoto and Sandy Puc Portrait and Design.
 
In late 2008 Mike Long joined forces with Mama Shan to create Pindora's Box - a set of tools to help pin-up photographers create stunning artworks. Over a year in the making, Pindora's Box launched in November 2009.
 
Pindora's Box is not just an action set - it's complimented by a Virtual Room with custom wall patterns, colors, floor styles and over 100,000 combinations to make your pin-ups unique. The action set that accompanies the Box has over 130 workflow and art actions.
 
Feeling a general lack of good education in the photography and retouching fields for many years, Mike's workshops aim to bring professional techniques and skills to attendees that will enhance their style, and benefit their business. Learn some of the skills Mike has put in his vault over a 20 year photography and retouching career.